Mac mini: great things DO come in small packages
Apple has packed a lot of power into its Mac mini, with the Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 80 - 120 GB hard drive and wireless built right in. Somehow they have managed to include these powerful features into an aluminum case that is only 6.5 inches (16.5cm) square and a tiny 2 inches (5cm) high! To top it off, Apple managed to do all this and still sell the Mac mini at the industry’s most affordable price for a system with its capabilities.
The Mac mini will give you a lot of expansion options not normally found in a budget conscious computer. Two USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire400 allows for added peripherals to enhance your computing experience. There is a also a DVI interface that supports VGA to allow for a variety of display options. With the built-in 56K modem and ethernet, you’ll be surfing the net in no time.
Included with the Mac mini is iLife’08 which is Apple’s consumer media applications suite. You will be able to organize, share and enhance your photographs with the iPhoto application. You can easily create a movie with iMovie and then turn your movie into a professional DVD with the iDVD application. GarageBand will allow you to create music and podcasts. Publish your new media creations online with .Mac and iWeb.
Front Row provides a full-screen media experience that is powerful but easy to use, with intuitive menus and superb graphics. Just like using your iPod, you will be able to easily browse through your stored photos, music or videos to find exactly what you want. The quality of your audio content will surprise you on a system this budget friendly. Even with lower end speakers, the analog and digital audio comes through with clarity and the audio line-in allows you to recode both analog and digital, as well.
There are two main advantages to this systemi: the small size and the small price. With many people living in small spaces these days, the tiny size of the Mac mini is a welcome relief and highly recommended by Buy The Right Mac. No longer is a large space needed to set up a workstation. The Mac mini is also easily portable due to its light weight, so you can take it from one location to another quickly as long as you have the rest of your setup (monitor, keyboard, etc) in both locations. For budget conscious consumers, the Mac mini is the least expensive Mac thus far and is, by far, more powerful than similarly priced PCs.
There is one drawback noted with the Mac mini and that is that you must already have the peripherals in order to use the mini out of the box. This is an excellent starter system for users who are new to the Mac experience. If you’re an average home computer user who wants to be able to email friends, surf the internet and listen to music, the Mac mini will meet your needs easily and with flair. If you are a power user or gamer, visit Buy The Right Mac to see what other Apple options there are for you.
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