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The Mac mini is an Apple Macintosh desktop Personal Computer designed and marketed by Apple Computer . It is designed to attract owners of Windows computers, iPods, older Macintosh models, and anyone interested in a low budget, easy-to-use Personal Computer . It was announced at the Macworld Conference & Expo on January 11 , 2005 . Two models of the Mac mini were released in the US on January 22 , 2005 ( January 29 worldwide). Slightly updated versions were released on July 26 , 2005 . Updated models with Intel Core processors were released on February 28 , 2006 .1 INTRODUCTION The original Mac mini was announced at the same time as the IPod Shuffle . Both are scaled-down Product s which have been introduced at lower Price Point s. These two products together can be seen as a conscious effort on the part of Apple Management to target a Lower-end Market and increase visibility in the Mass-market . OVERVIEW The Mac mini is distinctive in its extremely small size and form factor, and in the fact that the computer comes without a Display , Keyboard , or Mouse . (The tagline is "BYODKM - Bring your own display, keyboard and mouse".) Many potential users have already invested in mice and keyboards (compatible with the Cross-platform USB standard), and displays, all of which they can attach to the mini or share using a KVM Switch . The Mac mini measures 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) wide, 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) deep, and 2 inches (5.1 cm) tall, and is the smallest Macintosh desktop computer ever produced. It weighs 2.9 pounds (1.32 kg) and it was advertised as being easily portable (similar in concept to the Nintendo GameCube ), being able to be picked up and moved easily throughout the house. Soon after the introduction of the Mac mini, Apple lowered the price of their keyboards and mice, as the Mac Mini does not come with either of them. The Mac mini ships with Apple's Mac OS X operating system preinstalled, and also includes software such as the Safari web browser and the ILife suite of Apple-designed multimedia programs to create and manage videos, music, photos and DVD s. Intel Mac minis also come with Front Row , a media-oriented Graphical User Interface (GUI). With ILife and the optional SuperDrive , the Mac mini makes for a compact media editor/player, like Media Centre PC s from Microsoft, except in a much smaller Form Factor . SPECIFICATIONS January–July 2005 Two models were originally announced on January 11 , 2005 at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco:
The main complaint with the original Mac mini was the lack of RAM in the low-end version, since 256 MiB was considered insufficient for Mac OS X and its applications. July–October 2005 As of July 26 , 2005 , all models included:
The 1.25 GHz model (M9686LL/B at US$499) included: The 1.42 GHz model (M9687LL/B at US$599) included:
The 1.42 GHz model could also be purchased with a slot-loading CD-RW / DVD±RW SuperDrive for US$699 (M9971LL/B). Optional built-to-order add-ons included:
October 2005–February 2006 Multiple reports exist that the Mac mini was quietly upgraded in October 2005 to 64 MB VRAM, and either a 1.33 GHz (up from 1.25 GHz) or 1.5 GHz G4 (up from 1.42 GHz) processor, with 512 MB of PC3200 RAM while Underclocking it to PC2700 . The 80 GB drive is currently a Seagate Momentus 5400.2 ST9808211A, which runs at 5400 RPM with a 2 MB cache. The SuperDrive is a MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-845, which supports +R DL burning, and may also have unofficial support for DVD-RAM. The serial number and specifications sticker on the underside of the machine itself do not carry the actual specs of the upgrade. For example, on a 1.5 GHz model 1.42 GHz is listed. Apple did not revise the official specifications on their web site. This may be to avoid issues with discounting or discontinuing of old stock. February 2006–present Two new Intel-based models were announced on February 28 , 2006 , replacing the older line:
Both models include:
Core Duo model includes:
The decision to use an integrated graphics chip, the GMA950 GPU, on the Intel-powered Mac mini is a contentious issue for some, who feel the inclusion of an integrated chip cheapens the machine and the Apple brand, which has previously never used integrated chips. This is further supported by the fact that in Apple's marketing of the PowerPC-powered Mac mini, it claimed superiority of the use of a discrete ATI 9200 graphics card over the integrated graphics included in many budget PCs. 2 Conversely, the GMA950 graphics chip itself is a relatively advanced model specifically optimized for video playback - exactly what Apple is emphasising in its marketing and branding of the Mac mini. Furthermore, despite the use of Main System Memory in the integrated graphics chip, the GMA950 is a more advanced solution than the 9200, allowing for the use of 32 MB more memory (64 MB vs 32 MB) and support for Apple's Core Image technology. A fuller comparison of the two GPUs is listed below: Apple’s senior director of desktops, Tom Boger, has recently claimed that the company has seen increases of between 10 and 40% in framerates of unspecified 3D games compared to the previous PowerPC Mac mini. This claim has been disputed by some observers who, when playing Unreal Tournament 2004 (UT2K4), have witnessed no change or even a decrease in framerates when using Core Solo models. However, it is important to remember that UT2K4 is a heavily processor-bound game and a fast GPU is less important to functionality - a modern processor such as the Core Solo or Core Duo used in the Mac mini may well help. Performance in mainstream 3D games that extensively utilize a computer's graphics processor has not yet been extensively tested. OPENING THE CASE AND MODIFICATIONS Some Mac mini owners have managed to use a Putty Knife to pry open the computer's case, thereby gaining access to the interior to install cheaper 3rd-party memory upgrades 3. Apple Computer has also sent its dealers putty knives. In fact, the official Apple service source for Mac mini describes this procedure in detail. While opening the case does not actually void the Mac mini warranty, anything broken while the case is open is not covered. Other modifications include Overclocking the processor 4 and installing Linux on the machine. 5 Some speculate that some of the internal components imply that the unit was originally planned to feature a built-in iPod dock 6. They found that the optical drive's riser also included a FireWire bus. It may have been removed due to the iPod line switching to a USB-only connection in 8-9 months. Another theory behind this is that it was just going to be used for another FireWire port which was removed from the design. With the switch to the Intel Core Solo and Duo line, Apple has begun to use a socketed CPU. This allows for a processor replacement and could lead to a large scene for modification of the Mac mini, similar to the enthusiasts of the Power Mac G4 Cube. ACCESSORIES Like the iPod, there are many third party accessories being released for the Mac mini. For example, the MiniMate adds up to 400 GB of hard disk space and three additional USB and FireWire ports. Other accessories include stands and lights designed around the Mac mini's shape. 7 MAC MINI AND THE PRECEDING G4 CUBE The Power Mac G4 Cube was Apple's previous attempt to produce a quiet, fanless, and compact Macintosh computer. Besides some of its design flaws and impracticalities, the Cube was too costly for consumers to justify its innovative design and it was quickly discontinued. Unlike the expensive Cube, the relatively inexpensive Mac mini has been praised by reviewers as making Mac OS more accessible, since Macintosh computers are commonly perceived to be more expensive than their Windows counterparts. Indeed, Apple has not had a bestselling computer since the original CRT IMac , and the subsequent LCD-screen iMacs have not matched the original's success since they have a higher cost relative to Intel-based PCs. Although reviewers noted that an Intel-based PC was still cheaper than the Mac mini, they acknowledged that the design (low power usage, low noise, low heat, and smaller than any commercially available Wintel machine with equivalent features) and superiority of Macintosh applications would justify the small premium of the mini. NOTES REFERENCES
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