Compare Prices : Apple Mac Mini - Expert Reviews

Review summary: So is this little design marvel suited for you? The Mac mini will be a stellar bargain Mac if you want a tiny machine that lets you do basic tasks like check e-mail, use office applications, surf the Web, and make movies and organize photos. It will ...

Pros: Small and light ; good video-out options ; excellent design ; fast enough for basic tasks

Cons: Doesn't come with enough memory ; hard-to-find power button on back of unit ; performance not as good as similar, larger Macs ; no audio-in port

Review summary: Type: General Purpose, Installed RAM: 512 MB, Hard Drive Capacity: 40 GB, RAID: No, Graphics Card: ATI Radeon 9200,...

Pros: Sleek design. Tiny chassis. Most affordable Mac yet. Built-in Bluetooth and 802.11g wireless available. Quiet, single-fan system

Cons: Base price ($499) does not include keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, or wireless ; RAM and hard drive space are barely adequate. No audio input. Limited internal expansion

Verdict: The Apple Mac mini makes an attractive entry point for the Windows-to-Mac switcher, the Mac user who needs an upgrade from a pre-1-GHz Mac, or the user on a budget who wants a small, silent desktop with a really cool design.

Review summary: Apple's new budget desktop is a simple box with a low price tag.

Review summary: - We were given the opportunity by Apple to have a first hand look at the new Mac Mini following the keynote speech by Steve Jobs. But is the new BYODKM (Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard and Mouse) desktop computer any good and will it make people ...

Pros: Size, software in the box, price,

Cons: You'll still have to buy a monitor, keyboard and mouse.

Verdict: Get ready to switch

Review summary: During Apple's late-summer product announcements a small but significant upgrade was made to the Mac mini line. The mini Core Duo 1.66GHz was reduced to £399, and a top-of-the-line £529 1.83Ghz Core Duo variety was launched.

Pros: Decent performance, Gigabit Ethernet, analogue and digital-audio input and output, built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0, includes Front Row and Apple Remote

Cons: Integrated graphics reduces available RAM, not suitable for gaming, not enough built-in RAM and it's difficult to upgrade, no Superdrive on basic model

Verdict: These new Mac mini models are good value, and Apple made an excellent choice in dropping the underpowered Core Solo model. As a budget Mac, a home server, or a set-top box, the Mac mini's price and size make it a versatile system. If you're a gamer, ...