The long-neglected Mac Mini small-form-factor desktop has been given its first upgrade in more than two years, thanks to a new Intel CPU. Well, new to the Mac Mini, at least.
The new base $499 Mini starts with a fourth-gen 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory, a 500GB 5,400rpm hard drive and Intel HD Graphics 5000. That's very close to the base configurations for the 21.5-inch iMac and 11.6-inch MacBook Air, though the former has 8GB of memory while the latter swaps the hard drive for a 128GB SSD. But, you get the point: Apple is starting all of its entry-level computers at about the same place. (The base model will cost £399 in the UK, while in Australia it will run AU$619.)
Mac Mini is only different on the inside for 2014.
Apple has added a few more component options for the update, too. There are now three configurations total; the $499 base, a $699 2.6GHz dual-core Core i5 (£569, AU$869) and a 2.8GHz dual-core Core i5 for $999 (£799, AU$1,249).
The two pricier configs come with 8GB of memory and can be bumped up to a 3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor; have Intel Iris Graphics; and can be fitted with a 1TB 5,400rpm hard drive, 1TB Fusion Drive or a 256GB, 512GB or 1TB solid-state drive. Memory is configurable on all models up to 16GB.
As for the ports on back, there are a couple of changes. Mainly, the FireWire 800 port is gone and in its place is an extra Thunderbolt port, bringing the total up to two, and they are version 2 as well with native Mini DisplayPort output. Wi-Fi has been upgraded to the faster 802.11ac as well.
Historically, the Mac Mini, both the smallest and least-expensive Mac computer you can buy, has been especially popular with media watchers looking for a small, unobtrusive, easy-to-use home theater PC. The Mac Mini also made it easy to play iTunes video files (although that's something any PC running iTunes software could also do) and included its own remote control, all for a starting price of $599. Unlike the similar-looking Apple TV set-top box, the Mini has onboard storage for video files and apps and runs Apple's OS X operating system, which means it can install and run the same programs as a MacBook or iMac.
The new base $499 Mini starts with a fourth-gen 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB of memory, a 500GB 5,400rpm hard drive and Intel HD Graphics 5000. That's very close to the base configurations for the 21.5-inch iMac and 11.6-inch MacBook Air, though the former has 8GB of memory while the latter swaps the hard drive for a 128GB SSD. But, you get the point: Apple is starting all of its entry-level computers at about the same place. (The base model will cost £399 in the UK, while in Australia it will run AU$619.)
Mac Mini is only different on the inside for 2014.
Apple has added a few more component options for the update, too. There are now three configurations total; the $499 base, a $699 2.6GHz dual-core Core i5 (£569, AU$869) and a 2.8GHz dual-core Core i5 for $999 (£799, AU$1,249).
The two pricier configs come with 8GB of memory and can be bumped up to a 3GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor; have Intel Iris Graphics; and can be fitted with a 1TB 5,400rpm hard drive, 1TB Fusion Drive or a 256GB, 512GB or 1TB solid-state drive. Memory is configurable on all models up to 16GB.
As for the ports on back, there are a couple of changes. Mainly, the FireWire 800 port is gone and in its place is an extra Thunderbolt port, bringing the total up to two, and they are version 2 as well with native Mini DisplayPort output. Wi-Fi has been upgraded to the faster 802.11ac as well.
Historically, the Mac Mini, both the smallest and least-expensive Mac computer you can buy, has been especially popular with media watchers looking for a small, unobtrusive, easy-to-use home theater PC. The Mac Mini also made it easy to play iTunes video files (although that's something any PC running iTunes software could also do) and included its own remote control, all for a starting price of $599. Unlike the similar-looking Apple TV set-top box, the Mini has onboard storage for video files and apps and runs Apple's OS X operating system, which means it can install and run the same programs as a MacBook or iMac.
No comments:
Post a Comment