Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
With the Mac mini ( Mid 2010 ) , released in June 2010 , Apple pay its smallest Mac an esthetic renovation , supercede the chunky , atomic number 13 - and - white - plastic 2009 model with a silky , Al - unibody modeling that was easier to advance , felt rock - satisfying , and lark an Mount Rushmore State - card lecturer and an HDMI port ( the latter pleasing AV buffs vastly ) . But while the conception of the 2010 mini was a dramatic change , that model received mainly pocket-sized upgrades on the inside : a moderately degenerate processor and a better art chip . It also come with a higher price ticket : The least - expensive 2010 mini clock in at $ 699 .
Thelatest adaptation of the Mac miniskirt , officially call theMac mini ( Mid 2011)and expel along with Mac OS X 10.7 ( Lion ) , sticks with last year ’s design , but it gets a price cut while overhauling what’sinside . Though the iMac is clearly Apple ’s flagship desktop , the 2011 Mac mini is quintessential Apple : beautiful , well - engineered , forrader - looking , and powerful enough for most , with at least one design decisiveness that will leave some people wonder , “ Why ? ” Which is to say that , like most Apple products , the unexampled mini is compelling , but it wo n’t attract to everyone .
Lightning and Thunderbolt
In a nod to the 2009 line , the Mac miniskirt is again available in two model , with the less - expensive mini get down at $ 599 . This gets you a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor ( last year ’s exemplar used the older Core 2 Duo ) , 2 GB of RAM , a 500 GB 5400rpm hard drive , and an incorporate Intel HD Graphics 3000 graphics processor that shares 288 megabyte of main memory . For $ 799 , Apple up the central processor speed to 2.5GHz , the tup to 4 GB , and the graphics mainframe to a distinct AMD Radeon HD 6630 M with 256 MB of consecrate retentivity . ( The Mac mini is alsoavailable in a waiter versionstarting at $ 999 . We ’ll be reviewing that model separately . )
Both model replace last year ’s Mini DisplayPort port wine with a Thunderbolt port that underpin both picture ( resolution up to 2560 by 1600 pixels ) and data point connection , as well as Mini DisplayPort display . You still get a dedicated HDMI port that supports both video ( up to 1920 by 1200 pixels ) and multi - channel audio . As with other current Macs , you’re able to connect DVI and VGA displays with the appropriate adapters — only an HDMI - to - DVI adapter is let in — and the miniskirt supports both dual - display and picture - mirroring modes when two displays are connected . If you ’re feeling especially adventurous , the Radeon HD nontextual matter central processor in the $ 799 mini can drive two Thunderbolt displays , daisy - chained , while still handling athirddisplay on the HDMI embrasure , although you should n’t wait amazing performance .
In terminus of wireless connectivity , the Mac miniskirt still gives you 802.11a / b / thou / n wireless , but Bluetooth has been upgraded toBluetooth 4.0 , which includes a fresh modest - power modality . The miniskirt also includes a work up - in mono verbaliser and an Infrared receiver for the Apple Remote ( not included ) .
Cinebench graphics, Call of Duty, and Portal 2 results are based on frame rate; higher numbers are better. All other test results in the above chart are in seconds; lower numbers are better. Reference models initalics. Best result inbold.
CD or not CD
On the exterior , the 2011 Mac mini looks nearly identical to its forerunner , with an enclosure that ’s 7.7 inches square , 1.4 inch tall , and made from a single slice of aluminum . A mordant - plastic dialog box on the back horde the computer ’s port , and a circular , ignominious - credit card room access on the bottom provide limited access code to the political machine ’s inside . Like last year ’s model , this miniskirt feel rock - solid , and an inner power supply — you just colligate the let in fragile business leader cord — means that it ’s entirely ego - contained .
But there ’s at least one difference in the 2011 miniskirt ’s exterior that ’s immediately obtrusive : It calculate like last year’sMac mini Server . And by that I stand for the front of the new mini is missing the familiar opening of a slot - loading ocular drive . That ’s right : Like theMacBook Air , the Mac mini does n’t have a SuperDrive .
For those who still often use DVDs and CDs , this may be a pot - killer . While many people take in the Air ’s want of an optic driving to be an satisfactory compromise that results in a thin , light laptop , many of those same people will wonder why such an omission was necessary on a desktop computer that ’s already among the little on the market . The cynical answer is that exclude an optical drive reduces Apple ’s price , both in output and transportation ( the new Mac mini is about a third of a Ezra Pound lighter than last class ’s ) . And in case you have n’t get the confidential information yet , Apple would opt that you download your flick from iTunes .
But it ’s just as true that Apple examine optical discs as today ’s floppy driveway — an aging media format that ’s quickly being interchange by USB thumb drives , broadband Internet connection , and other technical solution . And for some people , that may be honest . After all , between iTunes , the Mac App Store , Lion ’s electronic statistical distribution , iCloud , Lion Recovery(discussed below ) , Target Disk Mode , CD / videodisk Sharing , andripping movies on another Mac , many Mac users would be capable to get along fine without an optic drive .
Leaving out the optical cause also gave Apple more space to work with inside the Mac mini — board the troupe put to good use by adding features ( four - channel Thunderbolt and , on the $ 799 example , a discrete art processor ) and options ( a double - ride setup , discussed below , and , on the $ 799 example , an i7 C.P.U. ) .
Still , dropping the saucer was a turn of a surprising move for this exceptional Mac model , given that a upright number of Mac mini owner expend the tiny computeras part of a media gist . If you do truly involve an optical effort , Apple ’s $ 79MacBook Air SuperDriveworks fine with the fresh Mac miniskirt — it ’s actually a built - to - purchase order alternative on Apple ’s online store . And even with the extraneous SuperDrive , the $ 599 model is still $ 21 cheaper than last twelvemonth ’s mini .
Upgrading the Mac mini’s RAM is surprisingly easy these days: just twist, pop, and snap.
Core i5 produces
Though some the great unwashed will debate the mini ’s deprivation of an optical drive to be a step back , few will argue with the other change to the 2011 agate line . While last yr ’s Mac mini offered pocket-sized public presentation increases , the 2011 dividing line ’s Core i5 processorsprovide huge f number gains . We ’re currently revamp our bench mark cortege , Speedmark , to account for Lion and the latest Mac ironware changes , so we do n’t yet have our traditional Speedmark oodles . However , we did be given 10 updated components of Speedmark to get an musical theme of how the latest Mac miniskirt example stack up .
In C.P.U. - intensive exam , including our Cinebench processor test and HandBrake MP4 encode , the $ 799 2011 Mac mini with the 2.5GHz Core i5 processor was more than twice as tight as last class ’s 2.4GHz Core 2 duet model ; the new $ 599 2.3GHz Core i5 mini also leave alone last yr ’s example in the dust , clocking in at approximately 45 per centum quicker in the same two test . For the other CPU - intensive tests , the new models were between 30 percent and 50 pct quicker than last class ’s , with the $ 799 2011 model slenderly quicker than the $ 599 2011 model across the board for mainframe - intensive tasks .
Unfortunately , the Mac mini ’s inventory hard crusade is still a 5400rpm , 2.5 - inch laptop model . Despite being up to doubly as tight as last yr ’s mini in processor - intensive labor , the 2011 mini models were only slightly faster in tests that involve translate data from , and writing datum to , the knockout movement . For example , there was little difference between the framework in our iMovie - signification test , and the $ 799 2011 Mac mini was only 15 pct faster than the 2010 simulation in our folder - gemination test . Although we have n’t yet had a chance to try out the new Mac mini models when boot from a FireWire 800 drive , we suspect that , as with last class ’s example , this could bring home the bacon better drive - relate performance . We ’re also interested to see how an SSD or a Thunderbolt drive ( see “ More options than ever , ” below ) will affect overall performance .
Benchmarks: New Mac minis (Mid 2011)
Cinebench artwork , Call of Duty , and Portal 2 results are based on frame pace ; in high spirits numbers are safe . All other psychometric test results in the above chart are in second ; low numbers game are good . Reference model initalics . good consequence inbold .
How we tested : We duplicated a 2 GB file , create a Zip archive in the Finder from the two 2 GB files and then unzipped it . In iMovie ’ 11 , we import a camera archive and exported it to iTunes using the Mobile Devices setting . We commute 135 minutes of AAC audio file to MP3 using iTunes ’ High Quality setting . We used Handbrake 0.95 to encode a single chapter from a DVD previously rip to the arduous effort to H.264 using the program ’s Normal circumstance . We recorded how long it took to render a aspect with multiprocessor in Cinebench and ran that program program ’s OpenGL , frames per second exam . We ran a timedemo in Call of Duty 4 at a resolution of 1024 x 768 with 4X anti - aliasing turned on . Portal 2 tests run at 1280 by 800 with anti - aliasing off , Filtering set to Anisotropic 16X , wait for Vertical Sync disable , Mulitcore rendering set to enable , Shadow detail set to medium and Effect and Model / Texture Detail set to High - Macworld science laboratory testing by James Galbraith , William Wang and Mauricio Grijalva .
When it come to graphics performance , our benchmark resultant were motley . Thanks to its discrete art chip , the $ 799 2011 mini was nearly double as tight as the 2010 model in our Cinebench OpenGL and Portal 2 mental test ; it was roughly 50 percent quicker in our Call of Duty tryout . But the $ 599 model , with its integrated nontextual matter C.P.U. , was roughly even with the 2010 role model in our Cinebench tryout and only 12 pct quicker in Portal 2 . ( The $ 599 2011 good example was really slower than the 2010 model in our Call of Duty 4 psychometric test , although Call of Duty is an older game that was never optimized for Intel graphics . New games , such as Portal 2 , perform much well with Intel integrated graphics central processor . )
Benchmarks aside , I find the $ 599 model to act as Portal 2 well enough to be enjoyable , although there was noticeable choppiness at the mechanically selected firmness of 1280 by 800 pixels . If you be after to bet secret plan more than occasionally , the $ 799 model , with its distinct GPU and slimly faster processor , is a better bet . On the other manus , one surface area where the $ 599 model ’s incorporate GPU does n’t seem to halter it is in video playback . The lower - end mini had no trouble meet 1080p video when touch base to an HDTV .
We have n’t had a chance to test a $ 599 example upgraded to 4 GB of memory , but based on real - world use of the two 2011 mannequin , I suspect that more RAM will result in dependable performance in some of our more - memory - hungry bench mark apps . It will certainly aid if you run to run many program at the same time .
Despite their performance increases , the new minis are roughly as power - effective as last year ’s model , which used just over 9W when out of work and less than 1.5W when sleep . ( The $ 799 model ’s distinct art mainframe up the overall power usage to a still - low 13W when idle . ) The unexampled models are also just as cool and quiet — which is to say that they rarely get lovesome under general - purpose purpose , and they ’re nearly silent . Even when the devotee was run full - tilt , during an extended play session , the $ 599 mini was no gimcrack than the fan on the external knockout drive I employ for Time Machine backups .
More options than ever
When it come to the Mac mini transmission line , the biggest inquiry have always sharpen on options and upgradeability . As with most recent Macs , your build - to - parliamentary law options for the entering - level model are circumscribed : you could upgrade the $ 599 mannequin to 4 GB ( $ 100 ) or 8 GB ( $ 300 ) of RAM , and you could opt for a 750 GB 7200rpm hard drive ( $ 150 ) . For the $ 799 modeling , you’re able to increase performance by upgrading to a 2.7GHz Corei7processor ( $ 100 ) ; 8 GB of RAM ( $ 200 ) ; a 750 GB 7200rpm hard drive ( $ 150 ) ; a 256 GB hearty - state drive ( SSD ; $ 600 ) ; and , thanks to the absence of an optical driving force , a combining of the 750 GB hard driveandthe 256 GB SSD ( $ 750 ) .
Yes , this intend you’re able to configure an$1849 Mac mini — and that does n’t include a keyboard , computer mouse , or display . ( As with previous Mac mini models , you bring your own peripherals . ) To be clean , few people are going to max out their Mac miniskirt with all these options . But for those who actually need this sort of performance in a tiny package , it ’s nice to have it off youcan .
Unless you be given to work in only two or three applications — and even then , depending on the program — I recommend upping the $ 599 mini from 2 GB to 4 GB of RAM . In test the stock model , I on a regular basis saw memory - relate retardation once a number of program were running ; the $ 799 mini ’s 4 GB offer a much better experience .
Of naturally , as with most Apple RAM upgrade , you ’ll get a better deal if you buy from a third - party vender — making certain to get RAM that meetsApple ’s specifications — and install it yourself . For representative , reputable third - party vendor are presently selling4 GB of memory for the unexampled mini for roughly $ 45 , with 8 GB around $ 65 . you may also getmoreRAM in your mini from third - party vendors : While Apple ’s official spec say the Mac mini maxes out at 8 GB , supplement vendor OWC isalready sell a 16 GB upgrade — for a thumping $ 1400 — that the troupe says is amply test and compatible .
As with last class ’s mini , memory installationis surprisingly easy : You just rotate the reckoner ’s plastic fundament a few degrees counterclockwise and lift it off , pour down out the two stock fries , snap in the Modern potato chip , and replace the base .
While Apple still does n’t consider the Mac mini ’s hard campaign to be a user - upgradeable part , iFixit ’s teardown of the 2011 modelshows that replacing the stock laborious private road is a comparatively simple project . ( Apple ’s general policy with the Mac mini line has always been that as long as you do n’t break anything during the cognitive operation , elevate the hard campaign wo n’t avoid your warranty . ) Which intend that if you ’re take care to increase the performance of the mini , or get more storage , you could save a few bucks by pass over the build - to - monastic order options and rather shop for a 9.5 mm , 2.5 - inch laptop hard drive . For example , at the time of this review , a 750 GB 7200rpm drive isjust $ 85 to $ 100 from Newegg.com , and a 1 TB 5200rpm driveis around $ 125 .
In other word , while bumping the $ 599 Mac mini to 8 GB of RAM and a quicker , grown strong driving force through Apple will set you back $ 450 , going the DIY route will cost as little as $ 150 .
As for other upgrade , the inclusion body of Thunderbolt is a Really Big Deal , despite the fact that there are n’t yet many Thunderbolt peripheral machine on the market place . As our benchmarks ofThunderboltperformanceshow , Thunderbolt is dramatically faster than even FireWire 800 — we’re queer to see how the 2011 minis will fare when boot from a Thunderbolt driveway or RAID regalia . And Thunderbolt ’s flexibleness means that the new mini will have more elaboration selection than ever , include many of the same high - carrying into action climb that will be available for Apple ’s “ Pro ” computing equipment . ( It ’s even potential for seller to accommodate PCI Express cards for Thunderbolt . peradventure the new mini is Apple ’s answer to year of pleas for a fabulous midrange Mac minitower ? )
Road to Recovery
Given the lack of an opthalmic cause , the new Mac mini obviously do n’t ship with a organisation - restore videodisk . But they also do n’t get a system - restore wink drive , as the 2010 MacBook Air did . Instead , if you ever need to reinstall Lion , you apply Apple ’s newLion Recoveryfeature . As I explained in ourhands - on clause , the Mac miniskirt ’s severe drive includes an unseeable partition visit Recovery HD . If your main inauguration book is have worry , you’re able to boot from Recovery HD ( by holding down Command - R at startup ) and then resort the inauguration intensity — or even rub out it , reinstall Lion , and restore your datum from a Time Machine relief . ( To reinstall iLife ’ 11 , which is preinstalled on the new Mac minis , you use the Mac App Store . ) Of course , this meansLion retrieval ask an cyberspace connection .
As it turns out , I had an chance to practice Lion Recovery while testing the new Mac mini . When I essay to practice Migration Assistant to transfer data from a 2010 MacBook Air to a new mini , the routine would stall — for 60 minutes — at the “ under a minute left ” stage . I eventually give up and restarted the Mac mini … which left it in a non - bootable body politic . I boot into Lion Recovery and tried to rectify the hard thrust using Disk Utility , but that did n’t fix the job , so I erased the thrust and reinstalled Lion . As notice in the said article , Lion Recovery does n’t admit the full Lion installer — that information must be download from Apple on the rainfly . Over a cable television service - modem connective , using ethernet , the process of download and instal Lion through Lion Recovery take aim just over an 60 minutes .
But what if your hard drive has ironware or sectionalization - function problems that prevent you from booting from the Recovery HD partition ? The Mid-2011 Mac mini and MacBook Air models — and any young models of Apple ’s other lines that are secrete going forward — include a exceptional feature yell LionInternetRecovery . These Macs can bring up directly from Apple ’s servers , at which point the software package tests the computer ’s memory and hard drive to make certain there are no linger computer hardware progeny . Assuming those element are o.k. , Lion Internet Recovery downloads , and iron heel from , a Recovery HD disk image , at which point you get the standard Lion Recovery pick . I have n’t yet had a chance to try Lion Internet Recovery , but I ’ll be doing so for an upcoming hands - on clause .
Lion Recovery and Lion Internet Recovery are welcome feature for troubleshooting , but the essential to download nearly 4 GB of data to reinstall Lion add quite a chip of time to any scheme restore . It ’s still deserving hold open a bootable Lion - installer cause William Christopher Handy .
Macworld’s buying advice
When I reviewed the Mid-2010 Mac mini , I call it Apple ’s most versatile computer for those who did n’t need workstation - tier performance . Without an optical campaign , the 2011 mini may not be quite as versatile , but Core i5 processor signify that , for the first time , the mini is a serious performer — nearly twice as tight as its herald and like to some of Apple ’s former MacBook Pro model . And with FireWire 800 , Thunderbolt , and a pretty accessible hard drive , even ripe storage performance is an option . Of course , it ’s also great to see Apple bring the terms back down to $ 599 .
On the other hand , those who require bully art performance wo n’t find it here , and the going of an optic drive is likely to scare off some vendee , especially those look to use the Mac miniskirt as part of a abode - media centre ( though the lack of a Blu - ray alternative anywhere in Apple ’s product line already made this a moot degree for some ) .
If you ’re in the market place for a mini , which model should you get ? This year , the interrogation has an easy solvent : If you need the best carrying into action — graphics or CPU — the $ 799 model is a nice step up , especially for games ; it ’s also the only ( non - server ) mini available with a Core i7 processor . For everyone else , I cogitate the $ 599 example with an inexpensive random-access memory rise is the unspoiled value .
As with former Mac minis , perhaps the bigger question is one ofrelativevalue : How does the Mac mini stack up against Apple ’s other background ? If you ’ve already got a seemly show , keyboard , and pointing gimmick , the cheapest iMac is $ 400 to $ 600 more than a miniskirt . But if you plan to bribe raw peripheral , the iMac initiate to look more appealing , especially compared to the $ 799 miniskirt : The$1199 iMac ( Mid 2011)gives you a 21.5 - column inch presentation with a camera , importantly better performance ( thanks to a more - knock-down CPU , a better GPU , and a quicker backbreaking drive ) , 4 GB of RAM , an ocular drive , stereo speakers , a keyboard , and a Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad in an uncluttered , all - in - one package .
Updated 8/3/2011 , 3:29pm , to correct cost and link for 1 TB 9.5 millimetre hard drive . update 8/3/2011 , 8:45PM , to clarify that the 2011 server manakin also offers a Core i7 mainframe .
