Apple Mac Mini MC270LL/A Desktop review

Introducing the new Mac mini. Redesigned in a very big way.

A completely redesigned, compact aluminum enclosure hides a powerful, full-size computer. And now with up to twice the graphics horsepower as before, Mac mini brings high performance to everything from 3D games to photos and video. Just connect Mac mini to your display, keyboard, mouse--even your HDTV, courtesy of a built-in HDMI port. It's the most affordable way to enjoy a Mac. And it's still the world's most energy-efficient desktop computer.

The redesigned Mac mini (see larger image).

This version of the Mac mini (model MC270LL/A) features a faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor and next-generation NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics as well as 2 GB of RAM (expandable to 8 GB) and 320 GB of hard drive storage (see full specifications below). It also comes with the Mac OS X Snow Leopard operating system as well as the iLife software suite, which includes the latest versions of iPhoto, iMovie, and GarageBand.

Key Features

Small Footprint, Excellent Versatility

Featuring a new unibody construction, the Mac mini reduces its footprint over its predecessor by 20 percent. It even houses its own integrated power supply into the 7.7-inch square aluminum enclosure (that's also 1.4 inches thin)--eliminating the need for an external power brick (as the previous version of the Mac mini had). Additionally, the Mac mini helps contain your environmental footprint with a 10 watt power consumption--a 25 percent reduction from the previous generation.
But despite its smaller size, the Mac mini offers a full range of ports for connecting to your existing peripherals--from keyboards and mice to external hard drives and displays (now via the HDMI port). And when you're ready to add more memory, the Mac mini's bottom removable panel makes the upgrade process a breeze.

Just add your own display, keyboard, and mouse--such as the Apple Cinema Display, Wireless Keyboard, and Magic Mouse (not included; see larger image).

A full range of ports, including HDMI video output and SD card slot (see larger image).

Intel Core 2 Duo Processing

Combining fast processing speeds with power-saving features, the Intel Core 2 Duo processor provides greater multitasking performance by combining two independent processor cores while also reducing power requirements and saving on battery life. This Intel Core 2 Duo processor has a 2.4 GHz processor speed, speedy 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB), and 3 MB L2 cache. (An L2, or secondary, cache temporarily stores data; and a larger L2 cache can help speed up your system's performance. The FSB carries data between the CPU and RAM, and a faster front-side bus will deliver better overall performance.)

High Performance Graphics

Powered by the NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics card, the Mac mini allows you to view flawless video in full screen HD and play the latest games with fast frame rate. It's a great match to editing video masterpieces with iMovie and managing your photos in iPhoto, and it comes with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM that's shared with main memory.

Key Specifications

• Fast 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor helps you breeze through everyday tasks such as emailing, web browsing, and working with documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in iWork or Microsoft Office for Mac (both sold separately).
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor (with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for an outstanding everyday graphics experience.
• 320 GB hard drive (5400 RPM)
• 2 GB installed RAM (1066 MHz DDR3; supports up to 8 GB)
• 8x slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer DVD support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
• Wi-Fi wireless networking (based on 802.11n specification; 802.11a/b/g compatible)
• Gigabit Ethernet wired networking (10/100/1000BASE-T)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice and cell phones.
• Four USB 2.0 ports
• One FireWire 800 port
• HDMI audio/video output with support for up to 1920-by-1200 resolution and multichannel audio output (included adapter for DVI output).
• Mini DisplayPort video output with support for up to 2560-by-1600 resolution (optional adapter for VGA output).
• Combined optical digital output/headphone output (also includes line-in/microphone jack)
• Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot
• Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 1.4 inches (WxDxH)
• Weight: 3.0 pounds

What's in the Box

Mac mini; power cord; HDMI to DVI Adapter; install/restore DVDs; printed and electronic documentation

Limited Warranty And Service

The Mac mini comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a 1-year limited warranty, which can be extended to 3 years with the AppleCare Protection Plan.

Installed software

Mac OS X Snow Leopard is an even more powerful and refined version of the world's most advanced operating system. In ways big and small, it gets faster, more reliable, and easier to use. New core technologies unleash the power of today's advanced hardware technology and prepare Mac OS X for future innovation.

• Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes iTunes, Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools, and more)

iLife helps you do more with photos, movies, and music than you ever thought possible. In iPhoto, you can browse, edit, and share your photos in stunning new full-screen views. Create epic Hollywood-style movie trailers from your home video in iMovie. And GarageBand gives you everything you need to make a great-sounding song--including tools for keeping your song in perfect rhythm and guitar and piano lessons.

• iLife (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, and iDVD)

AppleCare Protection Plan

Because Apple makes the hardware, the operating system, and many applications, the Mac is a truly integrated system. And only the AppleCare Protection Plan gives you one-stop service and support from Apple experts, so most issues can be resolved in a single call. Extend the complimentary service and support on your Mac to 3 years from the original Mac purchase date with the AppleCare Protection Plan. You get direct telephone access to Apple experts for technical questions, and you get global repair coverage--including both parts and labor--for your Mac and select Apple peripherals.

Optional Accessories and Related Products

	Time Capsule Back up a lifetime's worth of memories with Time Capsule, a wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X. It's also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station with simultaneous dual-band support. Choose from 1 TB and 2 TB models.
	AirPort Extreme Base Station Speed, range, and easy setup make AirPort Extreme the perfect wireless solution for home, school, and small business. It offers simultaneous dual-band support and lets up to 50 people share Internet access, a wireless network, a hard drive, and a printer.
	27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display The stunning 2560-by-1440 resolution, built-in camera and speakers, and easy connectivity of the 27-inch Apple LED Cinema Display add up to a viewing experience unlike any other.
	Apple Magic Mouse Magic Mouse is unlike any other mouse you've ever used. The Multi-Touch surface lets you use gestures to swipe through photos and scroll down web pages. And the entire mouse is the button, so you can click anywhere.
	Apple Magic Trackpad Magic Trackpad is the first Multi-Touch trackpad designed to work with your Mac desktop computer, and it supports a full set of gestures. Click, scroll, swipe, and rotate to control what's onscreen. Use it along with your mouse or as an alternative to one.
	Apple Wireless Keyboard The sleek aluminum Apple Wireless Keyboard lets you type in front of your computer, on your lap, or anywhere within range. It's also incredibly thin and streamlined, so it sits on your desk surrounded by nothing but glorious space.
	Apple Remote Control your Mac mini from afar with the sleek aluminum Apple Remote. Play, pause, adjust volume, move forward and back, and access menus while playing music and video.
	MobileMe MobileMe is the service from Apple that keeps your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and PC in perfect sync--no docking required. MobileMe stores your mail, contacts, and calendar information in the cloud and uses push technology to keep everything in sync across all your devices (annual subscription fee and Internet access required).

Product Description

Redesigned with a sleek unibody aluminum enclosure and adding improved graphics and an HDMI video output, the Apple Mac Mini fits everything that makes a Mac a Mac inside an elegant 1.4-inch-tall, 7.7-inch square--just add your own keyboard, mouse, and display. It's packed with a faster Intel Core 2 Duo processor and next-generation NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics as well as 2 GB of RAM (expandable to 8 GB) and 320 GB of hard drive storage.Officially, the Mac mini is a desktop computer. But because it can go places no other desktop can go, it's been used everywhere from boats to server rooms, as the heart of an entertainment center--and even to power robots. Small, elegant, and unassuming, the redesigned Mac mini features an all-new, 1.4-inch-thin unibody enclosure that's carved from a single, solid block of aluminum. And the Mac mini is a greener machine, as it consumes less than 10 watts--a 25 percent reduction from the previous generation.It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--custom-designed for the advanced technology inside--and it also comes with the iLife '09 suite of applications, including iPhoto, iMovie, Garageband, and iTunes.FEATURES: Ready for the Big Screen - It's easy to connect Mac mini to the biggest screen in the house--your HDTV--courtesy of a built-in HDMI port. Plug in one HDMI cable and start enjoying content on your Mac mini in brilliant HD, like movies and TV shows from iTunes, the Internet, and your photo library. There's also a handy control that lets you easily adjust the output on Mac mini to fill even the biggest HDTV screen. High Performance Graphics - With the new fast and energy efficient NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor--the fastest integrated graphics processor on the market today--the Mac mini delivers up to twice the performance of the previous generation thanks to its 48 processing cores and 256 MB of shared video memory. It brings more pixel-pushing power to the late