Posted on 01/28/2005 12:16:23 AM PST by Swordmaker
Review: Mac Mini Elegant, Inexpensive
Review: Two Decades Late, Apple Launches Mac Mini That's Elegant, Inexpensive but Not Cheap
When the original Macintosh computer was little more than a sketch, its creators envisioned the machine retailing for about $500. But when the first Mac finally rolled out in 1984, it carried a hefty price tag of $2,495.
Apple Computer Inc. has never had a problem capturing consumers' hearts, though their wallets have been another story. Over the years, Apple's reputation for innovation, fashion-forward design and high prices rose while its market share dwindled.
Now, it's finally selling a computer, called the Mac mini, for $499, the same price as one of its higher-end iPod music players.
Though this compact little box won't have the same impact that a $500 Mac could have had 21 years ago, it just might be the right computer for our times.
The Mac mini is elegant, inexpensive without being cheap, and it's not a magnet for the viruses, worms and other malware floating around the Internet. It could fit in any room as a first, second or third computer. And it plays well with others on a home network.
Most of all, it's a low-cost alternative to Microsoft Corp.'s Windows that doesn't carry the learning curve of Linux. It also doesn't presume you're guilty of software theft: And refreshingly unlike Windows, there's no activation when you set it up -- or an anti-piracy checks afterward.
The Mini seems designed more like a consumer electronics device like Apple's iPod than a general-purpose computer. But despite the name, it's watered down only in size and cost. This is as much a Mac as any other that's been sold over the years.
It arrived on my front porch in a carton that seemed more like a cake box. Removed from the packaging, the 2.9-pound unit is basically a 6.5-inch square just 2 inches high. The silver-and-white case resembles the color scheme of an iPod.
It doesn't include a keyboard, mouse or display, but all can be purchased separately based on what you like and need. After my borrowed Mini arrived, I dug out my old iMac's keyboard and mouse as well as a 15-inch monitor from the attic.
The old parts worked beautifully and cost nothing extra.
Setup took less than five minutes and involved nothing more than connecting the monitor, the mouse and the keyboard to the computer, and plugging everything into the wall. (Yes, there is a pretty sizable power brick, unlike the latest iMacs.)
After completing a brief startup wizard, I was whisked to Mac OS X's simple desktop where I could launch Apple's recently updated suite of programs for music, photos and video as well as check e-mail and surf the Internet. All the software is included.
My unit came with a 1.25 gigahertz G4 microprocessor, double the default (and skimpy) 256 megabytes of RAM, a 40-gigabyte hard drive and a combo CD-burner/DVD player. It also had a built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless option installed. The extras brought the total price to $673.
A number of other upgrades are available, including a faster processor, even more memory, a bigger hard drive and a combination DVD-CD burner. The options are best ordered when you buy the machine. Unlike most PCs, the Mini isn't designed to be easily upgradeable at home.
I slid a DVD movie into the slot that, aside from a tiny power light, is the only feature on the front of the computer. The show started up immediately, and didn't stutter even though the Web browser and iPhoto picture management program were already running.
I downloaded and installed a trial version of Microsoft's Office for Macs, and the applications worked fine. (Apple's new productivity suite, iWork, isn't included but can be purchased for $79. Microsoft Office 2004 standard edition for Macs is $399.)
You also can add a Mini to your existing home network, and it will work well even with all your Windows PCs. You can share files, printers and even desktops.
Because I use Microsoft's Windows XP Professional on my primary computer at home, I was able to control that system -- and view its desktop -- from the Mac mini in the dining room. That was thanks to a program called Remote Desktop Connection for Mac OS X that Microsoft offers as a free download.
Thus, I could run software on the PC while controlling and viewing it on the Mac, including the Windows-only text editor that I used to write this review. (I also could have used Microsoft's Virtual PC emulator, though I find it sluggish even on higher-end Macs.)
I could have done the same even without XP Professional. A number of Virtual Network Computing programs are available at little or no cost, including some that can transfer the Mac desktop to the PC or another Mac.
There are other options, too: including a $20 KVM switch that lets two computers share a single keyboard, video display and mouse.
Or you could abandon Windows altogether -- at the risk of breaking out in a cold sweat, not knowing what to do with the money you would have spent on anti-virus and anti-spyware software.
Mac Mini review from AP - PING!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping list, FReepmail me.
"the default (and skimpy) 256 megabytes of RAM"
What the hell (laughs) too funny... my first time was an Apple IIe with 64K (I later got the extra 64K Extended 80 column card), and the max on the IIgs was 4 MB (other than some arcane and rare Applied Ingenuity design). Ah, those were the days. This iMac (1999) could use a RAM upgrade (current is 96 MB, or three times the size of an Apple II ProDOS volume limit).
I could see myself getting one of these, although I'm not a fan of the Mac OS X interface (kinda hate it). The CPU would fit nicely on the shelf where I have the outboard CD burner (Iomega) and I'd also have an excuse for getting a flat-screen monitor (probably not an Apple).
Otherwise, I'll probably spend a little money to get some accelerator cards for the older CPUs, and a CD burner for the 7600, so I can burn stuff over there while I'm surfing over here.
Or, I could stop FReeping and go out for a walk or somethin'... nah.
Another overpriced, over-proprietary, underpowered, warmed-over, flavour-of-the-month, snob-appealing, metrosexuaized form-over-substance kitchen appliance replica sprung from the mind of the former campaign adviser to the Kerry campaign.
Evidantly mac stores are having trouble keeping them in stock
Will it run Half Life 2?
1) most people who own PC's are not gamers, 2) most gamers do not need half life 2
Big deal, it's market share isn't even worth the hackers' effort of virus-writing for it.
Its built on Unix (BSD), the internet DNS servers are BSD, if someone could have 6 BSD server they could take down the entire internet.
Another overpriced
Same price as a dell with much lower quality video
over-proprietary
Every part can be replace by the customer (processor, memory, Harddrive) etc with equipment from any number of sources. I can also put several Operating systems on the out of the box equipment (OSX, Linux, Straight BSD)
underpowered
Other than the memory (cheeply upgradeable) what is underpowered. The G4 1.25 benchmarks the same as a P4 2.5, is the P4 2.5 and underpowered CPU? UNlike 500$ dells it has devoted video memory and a non integraged card.
The rest is not even worth addressing, if you want a big clinky noisy computer with an OS developed by a man who give money the the UN eugenics err population control group and planned parenthood be my guest.
As long as you don't buy from Apple, apparently. But there are plenty of other places where you can get memory cheaper.
The G4 1.25 benchmarks the same as a P4 2.5...
Grrrr. No, no - I've sworn off this kind of thing....
Look you and I know that benchmakes are silicone voodoo, yet people still cling to them. The fact is the g4 1.25 will hold its own against all but the newest p4 chips.
I made a resolution not to get into benchmarks, so I have to refrain from commenting :)
Ill put it this way, my wife is on a g4 1.25, and I am on a p4 2.5 and I see little if any difference in performance (other than i have to rebbot mroe often ;)
;)
This is just an add-on to the internet browser. Windows XP has Norton PC-Anywhere built in. You can run your PC from anywhere you have net access. Do anything, run any program.
There is alos an open source RDP client, and there is always VNC...
I've been using NT4.0 and W2K since about 1996. What does "reboot" mean?
I think that's like when the power goes out or something...
It means what you have to do when you patch your computer...
"Booting" is an Australian form of corporal punishment, so "rebooting" is the act of dealing with recidivist offenders.
And remember, disparaging the boot is a bootable offense.
When will you Australians learn? In America we stopped using corporal punishment, and things have never been better! The streets are safe. Old people strut confidently through the darkest alleys. And the weak and nerdy are admired for their computer-programming abilities.
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