MacandPcStore.com

In Depth Review of a Sweet System

Customer Rating:
I've been working with my Mac Mini since I got it a couple of weeks ago. For clarification, I got the 2.0 Core 2 Duo model with 4 GB RAM and a 250 GB hard drive. With Apple Care and iWork (not to be confused with iLife which comes installed with all Apple computer products) installed, it came to just under $900.

Mind you, this is without a monitor, keyboard or mouse. I got a new E Machines 19" monitor for $100 on sale and hooked up a used Apple keyboard I got from a friend who left his computer unprotected and plugged in during a lightning storm. I also connected a wireless mouse I've been using for years on both Windows and Apple oriented machines. Also, I did get a nice deal on a wireless Apple keyboard and mouse combo that was part of an open box return from a customer (read below and you'll probably see why).

In short, I'm out about $1,000.

For starters, I found these to be the good points:

How easy is it to hook up? How about remove it from the box, hook up the monitor, keyboard and mouse and then power it up? From power on to final "let's get down to business" took all of maybe 10 minutes. I've had Windows machines that took a half hour to get to the same point.

Tight as a tick and well built. Solid as a brick and I couldn't make it creak or groan no matter how much I flexed it. Rubber coating on bottom keeps it from sliding around.

Boots within 30 seconds which is about 45 seconds quicker than XP and a good 1.5 minutes faster than Vista. Also, from previous experience, boot times don't get worse over time like PCs do. This time includes opening an anti-virus program, Firefox, and Entourage (for email) automatically.

The Mini found my non-Apple monitor and set the specs to that monitor's limits without the need for further tweaking. One of my dreaded moments with XP or Vista was the mandatory adjustments necessary to get monitors to work.

Additional mini monitor connector on the back means you can have two monitors hooked up, but the second port requires a special, Apple only, dongle. Nice idea, but count on another $40 for the dongle.

For those who wonder, any monitor will do. Apple OS X doesn't seem to care.
No "Bloatware", that is, no garbage programs and trials you didn't ask for. I hated buying PCs only to spend the first couple hours deleting programs I never asked for. If I desire MS Office or Norton Anti-Virus I'll buy it, but until then I don't want it (hint, Microsoft).

Most desktops don't come with wireless because it's assumed you'll be using a standard DSL or network connection. The Mini comes with both Bluetooth and wireless N. Fact is, you can use both at the same time if you desire.
Inclusion of recovery disks is a refreshing idea. Many manufacturers have gone to split HD drives with a recovery partition, but that does no good if the HD itself burns up, which I've had happen. What was disconcerting was the fact I had to do a 1 GB download for updates. How about sending updated disks, Apple?

Slot drive for CD-DVD burning is great and does very well, but does have limitations (see below).

Unit itself is so small you can place it just about anywhere without it being obtrusive. In fact, at least one company makes a mount whereby you can put the Mac Mini on the back of your monitor in lieu of the VESA mount (although, truthfully, the unit itself is probably too heavy for most monitors to handle without sagging).

Don't know if it's the Intel processor or not, but the new version of Safari browser is really fast and I do mean fast. Older versions would often lag a few seconds before opening, but not this version. Click on the icon and it's ready to go. Even non-Apple apps are quicker. I installed Firefox (for reasons mentioned below) and it takes off the second I click on the icon. My XP version of Firefox takes a good 15 to 20 seconds to start.

Some users complain this unit chokes on graphics intensive programs; however, this newer Mini has an upgraded graphics card that effectively eliminates that problem. Still wouldn't call it a gaming machine, but it'll do Photoshop projects without much hesitation.
Also saw some complaints about heat, but my unit never got really hot. It never really got warm, either. In fact, I've never heard the fan operating.

Customer service, second to none. One of the few companies that when you call you get somebody who actually knows the product and can walk you through mishaps and problems. While doing an update my power went off and locked the machine. A simple two minute phone call to Apple had me up and running in no time.

Comes with Boot Camp, a program that allows OS X to run Windows or Linux at native speed (if not faster). Once installed, it allows you to boot either OS X or Windows at start up. If you desire to run both at the same time, you'll have to buy an outside program such as Parallels.

Resale value is much better than comparable Windows based units. I've seen some of these units go for 50% of their original value after 4 or 5 years of use. While this may not be spectacular you have to remember that the average PC is worth about zero at the end of 5 years.

If you opt for the Apple Care, your unit will have onboard diagnostics that can notify Apple of an impending problem. You can also go to any Apple store, if you have one locally, and have problems fixed.

If you buy an Apple after June, 2009 Apple will give you the new Snow Leopard update for $9.95 which is about $130 less than retail. Windows was offering an update from Vista to Windows 7 for free, but S&H brings it up to the same price as Apple's update. Snow Leopard is supposed to increase boot and program access speeds by up to 90%. [Note: As of July, 2009 I was no longer able to locate the $9.95 offer but I've heard it's out there somewhere.]

Nothing is perfect and I found the following to be the obvious limitations:

Included mini DVI to DVI connector means you'll have to buy a VGA adapter if your monitor is VGA only. Apple should offer some option for one or the other at purchase. Otherwise, you've got to fork over about another $30 for the favor. (NOTE: I found out from a local Apple store that you can request the change in one for the other but the website doesn't state this that I could find). Since Apples are almost all pure digital, expect dismal monitor quality in VGA mode.

Power switch on the back means you'll have to perfect the "touchy-feely" system for finding the button. Why not up front? This also means you have to leave enough clearance so you can access that button. No putting the Mini in a tight space (you won't be able to reach the back button).

No remote? Even the base notebook comes with one and it's a nuisance since anybody carrying a notebook doesn't want the extra appendage but the Mini only comes with one if you opt to pay the extra $30.

Took a while to install my printer and required a Linux based program called Ghostscript (free). Since OS X is really a Linux base, I guess this shouldn't come as a surprise, but if base Linux distributions come with Ghostscript, why not OS X? By the way, USB or wireless printers only. No parallel port printers need apply.

This is an OS X problem more than a Mini difficulty, but why does the Safari browser insist on being a three-quarter screen proposition? I installed Firefox just to get a browser that worked in full screen mode.
USB ports are all lumped in back close together meaning no fat USB dongles allowed. Count on getting an external USB hub. How about a couple up front, Apple? Oddly, Apple has discontinued the Firewire ports on most of their notebooks but left them on the Mini.

No a hint of a card drive anywhere. Most Windows desktops come with one so why not this one? Guess you had better get used to using USB flash drives.
Super Drive is nice but homemade labeled disks need not apply. These can cause the drive to jam. Got a slightly wobbly disk? That'll jam it up, too and getting one out is a chore since there is no emergency hole for disk ejection.

Want to upgrade the RAM or HDD? You'll need a putty knife, some screwdrivers, probably a Torx driver or two, a couple of hours, and a lot of patience. Make one mistake and you'll disable something along the way and possibly void the warranty.

Warranty is good for 1 year but tech support is 90 days unless you fork over the close to $200 for Apple Care that increases both to 3 years. Guess I shouldn't complain since my last PC came with a 1 year warranty and no customer tech support.

My recommendations to Apple:

Put a couple USB ports up front along with the power switch.

Include a keyboard and mouse. Cripes, it's not that expensive an addition.

How about a card reader? You've got plenty of space up front to add it.

Instead of a DVI adapter, how about you just include a mini DVI to DVI cable of at least 3 feet in length? Quite a few monitors don't come with the proper cables and this means another $30 outlay.

On the topic of cables, offer the option of DVI or VGA with the latter being offered for those who can't or won't upgrade to DVI.

Overall, this is a sweet unit for those who either can't afford or don't need the laptop series. Even with current discounts, a comparably equipped Mac Book Pro would set you back about a grand more although it does come with its own screen (but fewer USB ports). If Psystar wins its lawsuit against Apple then we may see prices drop as companies other than Apple can manufacture the computers (for those of you who don't know, Psystar is a company that manufactures cheaper computers running Mac OS X and has been in court with Apple since day one).

Until such time, count on paying the "Apple Tax" whereby you either pay the price or you don't get the unit.

Good little computer.

Customer Rating:
First> OS X Leopard rocks on any mac!

With that said...

This is a fine computer for older people or people who just want to check email, browse the web, and tool around with some pictures/home videos.

This Mac Mini (MB138LL) is a tad slow compared newer ones. If you do lots of youtube videos or lots of pictures you WILL need more speed and more hard drive space. It took a bit of time to render pictures when you open several at the same time. Something I've not noticed on any other newer macs.

If you purchase the USB mac keyboard (MB869LL) the USB ports on the underside of the keyboard won't work with this mini. The USB bus power is to low. That plan sucks if you want a convenient place to plug your iPod or mp3 player in.

If you use your computer for work and not just typing resumes or checking email... I would strongly recommend spending the extra cash on either the MB463LL or the MB464LL Mac Mini.

If your looking for a great bargain monitor to go with the Mini (any of the mini models) try the Hanns G Hi-221DPB. Looks amazing for the price.

Overall not a bad little machine for a "lite" computer user.

Fantastic

Customer Rating:
I had 2 apple G3s that I had purchased used a few years ago (a 450MHz & a 300MHz). I was using the 450MHz for OS10 & the 300MHz for classic OS9.2. I am reluctant to give up my classic because I have a small fortune in graphic applications that still serve me very well. I was limited to how far I could go in OS10 because of the G3 processor and my online speed was becoming real slow. I was using both of these machines from a common desk location. I was using them both with the same LCD display via an ABC switch and sharing the keyboard by using a UBS switch. I wanted to get a replacement for my OS10 machine without spending a lot of money and taking up more desk space. The MINI was to me, was the perfect solution. I moved my classic system to the 450MHz machine and my MINI sits on top of an external super drive and I have more foot room under my desk. The MINI came with the latest OS and runs very fast. I am not at all concerned over the small size of the MINI because I know there is allot of open space the present day towers. For me, this was a very good move.

RF LYTLE

Apple Mac mini MB138LL/A 1.83Ghz Intel Cre 2 Duo

Customer Rating:
Nice little starter Apple and it works with inexpensive (Non Apple)monitors using the included VGA adapter. I normally wouldn't spend the extra money on an Apple (compared to the memmory, hard drive space,and mouse and keyboard included in IBM Clone PCs) but I like to explore all the Micro Operating systems and this product was a reasonable price.

affordable switch from PC to Mac

Customer Rating:
moved form a PC to a mac and am soooo happy that I have done so! It's a good choice for those wishing that they had a good computer. This is the one!

I don't need tons of gaming stuff and all that, just a good solid computer. I love this little guy!

easy painless switch!