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Apple Mac mini MC238LL/A Desktop
Availability:
In Stock
Price:
$599.00
$562.99*
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| Part No: | B002QQ8AJY |
| Manufacturer: | Apple Computer |
| MFG Part: | MC238LL/A |
| Customer Rating: | 4.5 / 5.0 |
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- Ships in Frustration-Free Packaging
- 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 160GB SATA Hard Drive, DVD SuperDrive, 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
- Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System
Mac mini is made from sleek, anodized aluminum with refined, rounded corners and a pearly white cover. But the power of its design is on the inside: the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, advanced graphics, and more, faster memory. And there?s plenty of storage space - for just about anything. Who knew something so small could be so huge?
Upgraded with a faster 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Apple's innovative Mac mini desktop is a great choice for home computing tasks and creating a digital media hub. It fits everything that makes a Mac a Mac inside an elegant 2-inch-tall, 6.5-inch square--just add your own keyboard, mouse, and display. The Mac mini also includes excellent video processing power from the integrated NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics chip, an ultra-fast FireWire 800 port, and dual video outputs--a Mini DisplayPort and a Mini-DVI port. 
Inside its 2-inch-tall, 6.5-inch-square anodized aluminum enclosure, the Mac mini houses the fast Intel Core 2 Duo processor. |  | Officially, 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, it has a sleek, anodized aluminum case and clean, white surface. Continuing Apple's commitment to the environment, the Mac mini exceeds current Energy Star 5.0 requirements by consuming less than 14 watts when idle 45 percent less power than the previous generation. It's also made from highly recyclable aluminum, uses PVC-free internal components and cables, contains no brominated flame retardants, and even features smaller packaging. It comes pre-loaded with Apple's Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard operating system--an 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. Key Specifications - Fast 2.26 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).
- 160 GB hard drive (5400 RPM)
- 2 GB installed RAM (1066 MHz DDR3; supports up to 4 GB)
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor (with 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory) for an outstanding everyday graphics experience
- 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
- Dual video output options with Mini DisplayPort and Mini-DVI (includes Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter; optional Mini-DVI to VGA Adapter)
- Built-in mono speaker
- Combined optical digital output/headphone output (also includes line-in/microphone jack)
- Dimensions: 6.5 x 6.5 x 2 inches (WxDxH)
- Weight: 2.9 pounds
What's in the box
Mac mini; Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter; 110W power adapter and power cord; install/restore DVDs; printed and electronic documentation Limited Warranty And Service
The Mac mini comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend your service and support to three years from your computer's purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. Key Features Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
Experience improved energy efficiency and improved multitasking with the 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, which also offers an ultra-fast 1066 MHz front-side bus (FSB) and a large 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.) The hafnium-infused circuitry--which reduces electrical current leakage in transistors--conserves even more energy. With a substantial 3 MB of shared L2 cache, data and instructions can be kept close to the two processor cores, greatly increasing performance and allowing the entire system to work more efficiently. And, because the processor cores share the L2 cache, either can use the entire amount if the other happens to be idle. Graphics Processor
The Mac mini features the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics processor for up to five times better graphics performance than its predecessor, and its dual display support can drive two Apple or third-party displays with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections. The NVIDIA GeForce 9400M shares 256 MB of DDR3 SDRAM with main memory. You'll notice the difference when you work with high-resolution photos and high-definition video, where graphics-intensive features in iPhoto and iMovie are smoother. And 3D game play--from Spore to Call of Duty--is faster and more responsive. Wireless Connectivity
The built-in 802.11n wireless networking provides up to five times the performance and twice the range of 802.11g, but it's also backward-compatible with 802.11a/b/g routers, enabling you to communicate with the a wide variety of Wi-Fi resources. It works seamlessly with the new AirPort Extreme with 802.11n. Use the built-in Bluetooth wireless technology to connect to your PDA or cell phone, synchronize addresses, or download pictures from your cell phone. You can also use a wireless headset for iChat audio chats and VoIP calls as well as quickly share files with a colleague. Pre-Loaded with Mac OS X Snow Leopard and iLife '09 Every Mac comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the world's most advanced operating system, and iLife, Apple's innovative suite of applications for managing photos, making movies and creating and learning to play music. Snow Leopard builds on a decade of OS X innovation and success with hundreds of refinements, new core technologies and out of the box support for Microsoft Exchange. iLife features iPhoto, to easily organize and manage photos; iMovie with powerful easy-to-use new features such as Precision Editor, video stabilization and advanced drag and drop; and GarageBand which introduces a whole new way to help you learn to play piano and guitar. Installed software
- Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard (includes Time Machine, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Photo Booth, Front Row, Xcode Developer Tools)
- iLife '09 (includes iPhoto, iMovie, GarageBand, iWeb, iDVD)
Environmentally Friendly Design Because Apple designs both hardware and software, we can reduce our environmental footprint in ways others can't. For starters, a highly efficient power supply reduces the amount of power wasted when bringing electricity from the wall to your Mac. Unlike a lot of PCs, a Mac uses energy-efficient hardware components that work hand in hand with the operating system to conserve power--even between keystrokes. A Mac also doesn't contain a lot of toxic materials. All Mac displays are mercury and arsenic free, and the internal components are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Efficient Power Supply Mac mini includes a highly efficient power supply that reduces the amount of power wasted when bringing electricity from the wall to your computer. Lower power consumption reduces energy bills and lessens the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. Advanced Power Management
Unlike a lot of Windows-based PC systems, Mac mini uses energy-efficient hardware components that work hand in hand with the operating system to conserve power. Mac OS X spins down hard drives and activates sleep mode. And it balances tasks across both central processors and graphics processors. Mac OS X never misses a power-saving opportunity, no matter how small. It even regulates the processor between keystrokes, reducing power between the letters you type. That's just one of many ways Apple manages small amounts of power that add up to big savings. Mac mini is a great example of Apple's energy-efficient design philosophy. It uses less than 14 watts of power when idle--that's something no other desktop computer can do.2 ENERGY STAR Qualification
Mac mini meets the stringent low power requirements set by the EPA, giving it ENERGY STAR qualification. ENERGY STAR 5.0 sets significantly higher efficiency limits for power supplies and aggressive limits for the computer's typical annual power consumption.
| An incredible little machine | 2010-03-08 | 5 / 5 |
| I've been eyeing this low-end Mac computer for a while, and about a month ago I finally took the plunge and bought it. And in the subsequent time that I've owned it, I could not have been happier with my decision.
I am primarily a Windows user, but have had on and off access to Macs over the years, mostly at work. I am also a big fan of all Apple products, but did not think that I could justify the high price of their computers when I could obtain a supposedly "similar" Windows system for almost half the price. Well, after years of suffering through many, many Windows annoyances that were seriously impeding my attempts to get any work done I decided to finally give Mac a full chance. As I mentioned earlier, so far I have been duly impressed.
The specs for Mac mini are comparable to a low-end MacBook computer. Given that you still need to bring your own keyboard, mouse and monitor, it is unlikely that you will be saving more than $100 - $200 for the whole system. This is still nothing to sneeze at, but if portability is something that you would need then buying a MacBook may be a better overall deal.
Over the years I've accumulated more computer keyboards and mouses than I know what to do with. I tried connecting this Mac Mini to a Dell USB mouse and keyboard, Logitech wireless mouse, and two different Microsoft wireless desktops. Each time I was able to connect and install those devices without a single hitch, and it only took a few seconds for those devices to be recognized and for them to start working properly. In fact, the Microsoft wireless desktops paired up faster with this Mac than they did with my Windows machines.
I also had an old LCD monitor lying around, so I did not need to invest into a new monitor. Be warned though: most older monitors have a VGA input, while Mac Mini has only MiniDisplay and DVI connector cables. In order to attach this computer to a VGA monitor you'll have to separately purchase a Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter MB572Z/A. As with most Apple cables and adapters, this one is somewhat expensive - it costs about $30. In my estimate this is about three times as much as such a cable is really worth, but unfortunately you don't seem to have much choice if you want to connect this computer to a VGA monitor. I really think that Apple should have made this cable a standard addition to the Mac Mini. After all, if you are going to pay a high price of Apple's own monitors for instance, you might as well buy an iMac.
One of the things that impress me the most with Mac Mini is the incredibly short boot up time. Things have gotten so ridiculous with my three year old Windows Vista laptop that my morning routine would consist of me turning it on, going to have breakfast, and then coming back to it to finally use it. The first time I had a completely "clean" boot up of my Mac Mini (i.e. without having to go thorough all the first-time use setup procedures) I was so shocked with how quickly it happened that I literally thought that it was more or less instantaneous. The next time I actually clocked it, and I found out that the complete boot up doesn't take more than forty seconds. This is incredible. I find myself leaving my Windows computer turned on much more than I actually need to use it, because having to go through the whole boot up process (even from the hibernation mode) takes so long that my productivity necessarily suffers. Needless to say, that wastes too much energy. I can finally save some money on my electricity bills by shutting down my computer when I am not using it. This very short boot-up time is especially impressive considering that Mac Mini still uses a regular mechanical hard drive. I shudder to think how fast it would boot if it had a solid-state hard drive.
This machine is incredibly quiet. There is no noticeable fan cooling noise whatsoever. The most noise it ever produces is when a CD or DVD is being inserted or ejected. Other than that it just sits quietly on your desk.
The size of this machine is also incredible. It really is very, very small and the Mini moniker is well deserved. Even on an incredibly cluttered working desk like mine, it still finds enough room to sit.
Home networking was also a breeze to set up with this computer. Most of the computers that I have on my network are Windows machines, but Mac Mini had no trouble detecting them or being detected by them. I was particularly pleased that connecting to my Acer Aspire AH340-UA230N Home Server. In fact, other than not having the access to the administrator console on WHS (which, granted, is a big thing) Mac seemed to be interconnecting with it much smoother than Windows computers. Redmond should probably take a not of this.
Working with various software packages has been extremely smooth as well. This computer seems to have enough power to handle even larger Photoshop or movie editing projects without any major noticeable slow-downs. For most casual users I think the specs of this system ought to be more than adequate.
As many reviewers have pointed out, this Mac Mini would make a great addition to the home entertainment center. Currently I use a cheap Windows Vista PC for that purpose, but that entails dealing with all the bugs and inconveniences of Windows. When you are just trying to watch a movie or listen to some music, you don't want to be dealing with system messages and virus protection issues, and you certainly don't want to have to deal with the rebooting of your computer. Furthermore, Mac Mini is much more versatile that Apple's own Mac TV, and it is not likely that it will become obsolete any time soon, so you'll be able to access all of your media collection for the foreseeable future. The only thing, however, is that I wish Mac Mini had more robust support for various video and audio output cables. An HDMI support in particular would be really nice. Also, Apple still does not support Blue Ray, which may be an issue if you want your Mac to be all-in-one media device.
So whether you want a computer that will do all of your usual everyday tasks, or an addition to your entertainment center, this Mac Mini would certainly be the right computing solution for almost all of those needs. I could not recommend it strongly enough. |
| Excellent computer. Migrating files from Macs with older OS's may not be so easy. | 2010-03-07 | 5 / 5 |
| For speed using heavy-crunching software such as Illustrator or Photoshop, this computer is of professional quality, I'd say. I am a graphic designer, and I've witnessed my files grow in size exponentially over the past 15 years, as has most the industry. We have gone in that time from vector files with a few discretely placed photographic eps's to deeply layered hybrid files that combine Photoshop PSD's in an Illustrator environment, with effects native to both. The files resulting from this method of work can soar over a half Gig with a few hours "imagineering" in either of these programs. I find that this little computer, the Mac Mini, can handle these files at home very respectably, so I can recommend it without reservation for most routine uses. There's a good chance you'll probably never use half the processor's power.
A friendly warning: They say it's easy to connect your previous computer and migrate all pertinent files over to the Mac Mini without any networking knowledge. The promise of this feature excited me, as one who has wrangled with networking and permissions scenarios in the past until I threw up my hands and called in the pros. Well, the jury is still out on this aspect of the Mac Mini, but I will tell you what I know. I owned a G4 running OSX 10.3.9 at the time this computer came. I attempted to use the migration assistant software on the Mac install disk to move all my files off the old computer. It wouldn't work. Turns out (oops -- they forgot to mention!) you have to have at least OS 10.5.something on your present computer to use the migration assistant on the OSX install disk, along with two monitors, two keyboards and two mice -- two complete setups, in other words. (I was switching out the computer only, and had neither spare monitor, nor keyboard/mouse). Lacking this, you are back to attempting to move everything using a firewire connector and target disk mode (rustle up a second keyboard and "Hold down the T on startup", a friend tells me, on the old computer, and it will appear as a hard drive/storage device on the desktop of the new Mac.) --Or I'm back to old school ethernet and networking and permissions "wizardry"; and me without a pocket shield or slide rule. Dang! (Of course, another option which I am mulling is to buy a portable hard drive housing for the old computer's drive, pull it, and move everything over like so. A portable HD would work too. All these solutions cost, however, and I am weighing long term utility of each solution against cost.)
For the moment, I am beat. 'Can't make it happen without another trip to the hardware store. (The G4's firewire connector was 6 pin, and the Mac Mini's is 9 pin, rendering my old firewire cable useless. An adapter I saw on a trip to BestBuy yesterday cost $45 because they "helpfully" included 6 feet of firewire cord with the $8 adapter. -- Nice. This is why brick and mortars are failing every day. One size does not fit all. I can order just the adapter online for under $10, shipping included, if I have the patience and luxury of time to wait a week. You bet I can, for that kind of price differential.)
I wouldn't even mention the migration problem, other than that I want to offer a heads-up to anyone else whose previous set-up might be similar to mine. Bottom line, Macs with older OS's may not experience such a smooth movement of their old computer's files to the new Mac. Even with this one hardware/software oversight (which might be more my problem than the Mini's) I would rate the Mac Mini experience five star.
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| Not a Mac fan but I appreciate this product. | 2010-03-05 | 5 / 5 |
| As noted in the review title, I'm not a Mac fan. I find the interface much too limiting and Fisher-Price-like. Putting aside why I got a product from a company I don't much like, I'll get onto the product itself...
Overall, it's a great deal. The case is beautiful and well-constructed. It's small. It's silent. It's clean looking. Most of it is recyclable. It's very reasonably priced. It comes loaded with a wide assortment of useful software. The Apple Store supports it and their support is quite excellent and friendly. And the product works exactly as advertised.
In contrast, I bought an Asus EEE Box PC that my mom uses. Its cost is less and is worth much less. In fact, the product cost half as much, but if it doesn't work, it's not worth anything. Asus wouldn't support it, and took more than a month to get back to me, and merchant refuses to take returns. Most important of all, the machine randomly shuts itself off for no reason. Sometimes it doesn't start. In short, it's crap and the merchant who sold it (ANTOnline) is the very worst I have encountered on and one of the worst I have ever done business with. They ignored two emails requesting assistance and, as noted, wouldn't take the product back.
In contrast, the Mac does what it claims. It does it for a fair price. And, as previously mentioned, it works and the Apple Store offers great service.
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Specific items:
My MacMini arrived without the operating system installed. The screen displayed a strange graphical representation with no text. It defied description, which made it impossible for me to get phone support. But, I inserted the system disk, loaded the software, and was good to go. This doesn't affect my rating because I think it was a fluke.
I understand the visual appeal of having the product be simple, with no unnecessary technical feedback, but I sometimes wish I could see a visual indicator of disk activity, so that I could make sure everything was working. Even if the indicator light was on the back of the machine, it would be helpful.
My only real complaint would be the mini-DVI connector. The connector doesn't snap in and there's nothing to secure it. When it's hooked up to the adapter and DVI cable, it can easily pull out. That's not a problem if the machine is rarely moved, of course.
The machine sometimes complains that there's no keyboard because I'm not using a standard Apple keyboard, nor do I have a bluetooth keyboard. Again, it doesn't affect my rating because, for the most part, it does well with a non-Apple keyboard and its software process for noting the type of keyboard is nice. Most importantly, most people will probably use a standard Mac keyboard.
All and all, it's a product I'm comfortable to recommend. |
| | I received my Mac mini for Christmas, and I LOVE it. I am coming to mac as a Linux user, so I found that it had "all the comforts of home", as MAC OS X is Unix. Linux users will recognize the terminal shell as bash, the usual shell for Linux. The iLife suite is great, and it doesn't take long to fall in love with these great programs that come standard with it. Also, for students, it comes with a full Oxford English dictionary that I use all the time for school. The only thing that threw me off was that it did not come with the GCC compiler standard, but that was easy to add by downloading and installing xCode which is free from the Apple Developers website. All in all, any Linux/BSD user should be completely comfortable with this, and it doesn't even hold a candle to *windows*. (yuck...) |
| Beautiful, simple, efficient Mac Mini | 2010-02-13 | 5 / 5 |
| | I'm going to be short here. I was unsure if this was the best computer for just under $600.00. As soon as it arrived and was plugged in, my fear subsided. Excellent, efficient, I have a Macbook so was thinking of getting a PC desktop, and now am locked in to Mac for life. They work better and are more intelligently designed. If you don't see a follow up comment 3-6 mos. down the line, I'm still a happy customer. |
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