AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Mac Mini - First In-Depth Review (from Anandtech.com)

Anandtech.com has published the first in-depth review that I've seen on Apple's new Mac Mini. One of the design choices that I find interesting is that the primary video display connector is a DVI port. It attaches to a more-common VGA monitor via an adaptor. The DVI is used on about half of the LCD computer monitors out there, but it is also used on HD Televisions. It is pretty clear that Steve Jobs considers the Mini to be a sleeker, better-performing alternative to WEB-TV. Just stick it next to your big screen television. Buy the blue-tooth card (with a wireless keyboard & mouse), and you can surf the web and edit your family photos from the comfort of your couch.

Still, the entry level price of $499 is a bit deceptive, especially since, as Anandtech points out, the built-in $256 meg of RAM is plainly inadequate. A fully optioned system, with monitor, keyboard etc, costs about $1200, and that's getting in the same ballpark as the G5 iMac.

I think the Mac Mini is about a generation away from being a killer computer. If the next version ships with a faster video card, 512 Meg RAM, a faster hard drive, and an SD memory slot, it could be just the ticket. Right now, though I think most folks would be happier with an iBook, an iMac or even the eMac.


AnandTech: Apple's Mac mini - Tempting PC Users Everywhere