Mac mini

Mac mini (Late 2006)

A Limited Mac

Overview

Kudos to Apple for abandoning the Intel Core Solo used in the original entry-level Intel Mac mini. With the Sept. 2006 revision, both models have Core Duo processors.

Mac mini

The new mini has the same 667 MHz memory bus as its predecessor and supports two memory modules for up to 2 GB of RAM.

There's one bank with two memory sockets, so to upgrade RAM, you have to remove 256 MB modules that came with the computer. Apple says that memory upgrades should only be done in matched pairs, but Other World Computing has discovered that you can use "mismatched" memory in the Mac mini (and some other Intel-based Macs where Apple specifies that upgrades should only be done with matched pairs). Their test results show that in general there is more benefit from having more RAM - even mismatched - than there is from having less RAM that is matched.

The base version now runs a Core Duo at 1.66 GHz and includes 512 MB of RAM, a 60 GB hard drive, and a Combo drive. It retails for US$599, the same price as the 1.5 GHz Core Solo model it replaces. Except for the lack of a SuperDrive, this is essentially the same model Apple was selling for US$799.

The better model has a 1.83 GHz CPU, an 80 GB hard drive, and a dual-layer 8x SuperDrive in addition to all the features of the 1.66 GHz model. At US$799, it seems somewhat overpriced in comparison to the 1.66 GHz model. All you're gaining is 20 GB more drive space (a $50 option), the SuperDrive, and a 10% faster CPU.

The 2006 Mac mini is Apple's first computer to use Intel graphics and the first Mac in a long, long time to use "vampire video" (that's where the video bites into system memory). The Intel GMA950 graphics processor uses 64 MB of system memory for the display, so increasing memory beyond 512 MB is a good idea.

The Intel-based Mac mini looks just like the G4-based one from the front, but the rear panel is different. The Intel-based mini has four USB 2.0 ports and no internal modem.

The tiny Mac mini (6.5" square, 2" high, 2.9 lb.) has a minimalist design. On the front, there's just a slot-loading optical drive and a power light. On the rear, just enough ports to do everything important.

The Mac mini doesn't include a keyboard or mouse. Apple says buyers can plug in their favorite USB keyboard and mouse - or buy Apple's offerings. Mac OS X includes support for remapping the Windows alt and option keys to option and cmd.

Apple offers several Build To Order options, such as 80, 120, or 160 GB hard drives; Mighty Mouse and a keyboard, or a wireless Mighty Mouse and keyboard, and a $49 USB modem. With a $19 DVI to Video Adapter, you can connect the Mac mini to most modern TVs using S-video or composite video.

Intel-based Macs use a partitioning scheme known as GPT. Only Macintel models can boot from GPT hard drives. Both PowerPC and Intel Macs can boot from APM (Apple's old partitioning scheme) hard drives, which is the format you must use to create a universal boot drive in Leopard. PowerPC Macs running any version of the Mac OS prior to 10.4.2 cannot mount GPT volumes. PowerPC Macs won't let you install OS X to a USB drive or choose it as your startup volume, although there is a work around for that.

Details

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