The Mac mini joined the ranks of Intel - based Macs Tuesday when Apple unveil a revamped Mac mini product line . The Mac miniskirt now come in two configurations — a $ 599 example with a 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo chip and a $ 799 version powered by a 1.67GHz Core Duo processor .
How do these two new miniskirt liken to their predecessors ? What other changes will you find under the thug ? And does this update mark a step forward for the Mac miniskirt ? The answer to that last question will have to wait until we put out our full review — as for the other inquiry , let ’s recap what we ’ve instruct in the first 24 hours after the Mac miniskirt proclamation .
I’ve heard about the Core Duo—what’s Core Solo?
The Core Solo is essentially the same thing as the Core Duo processor , except — as the name implies — a Core Solo processor has only one processing unit ( or “ core ” ) instead of two . Like the iMac Core Duo and the MacBook Pro , both Mac mini models revel a speedy 667MHz frontside bus ( four times the speed as that of previous Mac miniskirt ) and 2 M of L2 cache ( four times the amount as in the previous Mac miniskirt ) .
Is the RAM faster as well?
Yes . Again , like the iMac Core Duo and MacBook Pro before it , the new Mac miniskirt uses 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM , rather than the former model ’s 333MHz DDR SDRAM . And the newfangled Mac mini can handle 2 GB of SDRAM in its two store slots — both the maximum RAM and the number of memory slots are forked that of its predecessor .
But doesn’t the new integrated graphics chip eat into that RAM?
Yes , the novel Mac mini uses the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator ( GMA ) 950 computer graphic processor , which does n’t have its own dedicated video memory — it shares its computer storage with the primary arrangement read/write memory . The GMA950 is apportion at least 64 MB of memory , which is doubly that include with the ATI Radeon 9200 in previous Mac minis , but Apple ’s glasses say it requires 80 MB ( leaving 432 MB available to the system of rules ) .
On composition , the GMA950 is a better processor than the Radeon 9200 . At the same meter , the Mac mini still is n’t a information processing system for gamers expecting mellow frame rates and immobile redraws . It ’s the one area where the Mac mini will clearly lag behind the iMac Core Duo and MacBook Pro in term of amphetamine .
Is the Mac mini finally a home media computer?
Pretty much , albeit at $ 599 , it ’s a somewhat high-priced home - media - center component . The mini gains the removed - ascendence - and - software combo that make up Front Row , allow you to manipulate audio frequency , video , and picture from across the room . And it uses a new version of the Front Row software that can play medicine , videos , and slideshows located on other reckoner on your local internet . That means you wo n’t even require to stretch up content on the mini to play it back .
The young mini poser also have 5.1 - channel digital audio frequency outturn ( instead of just two-channel analog output ) for connecting to a surround sound loudspeaker organization for watching DVD . There ’s also - build in digital and analog audio input as well , something that the erstwhile Mac mini miss exclusively .
So this is the end of the $500 Mac?
For now , yes . But it ’s significant to remember that the original $ 499 Mac miniskirt lack all but the basic features , including the now - standard AirPort and Bluetooth wireless options . Adding those features to an older Mac mini monetary value about $ 100 . And that ’s not even considering the newfangled chip and faster frontside bus and RAM ; the switch to Serial ATA hard drive ; and the addition of Gigabit Ethernet and two more USB 2.0 ports ( now four in aggregate ) . And the $ 799 fashion model cost $ 200 more than its predecessor , but includes a Core Duo central processing unit and 8x dual - stratum DVD burner .
What about a keyboard, mouse, and monitor?
Those will still cost you extra , but you may use almost any USB shiner and keyboard as well as analog or digital monitor . In many case , you may bribe the remark devices and display you need for a few hundred dollars .
Let me guess—no modem?
Yep . As with the Intel iMac and MacBook Pro , Apple has removed the internal modem , but does sell a $ 49 USB reading for those who need one .
