Apple's Mac mini - Tempting PC Users Everywhere
by Anand Lal Shimpi on January 25, 2005 7:39 AM EST- Posted in
- Mac
Final Words
Three points for mini purchasers:
As I've sternly recommended before, do not purchase the Mac mini with 256MB of memory - 512MB is not only the sweet spot, but it's absolutely necessary.
Second, save yourself the headache and either purchase Apple's keyboard or a keyboard with Mac OS specific key labels on it. If you're a keyboard junky, you will appreciate it. Apple's keyboard has two low-powered USB ports on the keyboard, which do come in handy, and it's actually pretty decent to type on. It does get dirty quickly, so if you eat around your computer, you may want to be a bit more careful. You also get the benefit of the Eject button on Apple's keyboard.
Third and final, don't purchase Apple's mouse. Bluetooth or not, just don't do it. Get a good two-button mouse and be done with it. My personal preference is the Logitech MX1000 not only because it tracks extremely well on high resolution displays, but the additional buttons on the mouse work under OS X.
The three points above are obviously assuming that you're looking to buy the mini, which brings us to the next point - what is a PC user to think of the mini?
As a means to play around with Mac OS X, you can't beat the Mac mini in terms of affordability. Armed with 512MB of memory, the mini is an excellent platform to gain experience with and get exposed to Mac OS X. With OS X Tiger due out by the middle of this year, the platform will become even more attractive, introducing features like a fully GPU rendered GUI as well as fully indexed system-wide search. My recommendation still stands that if you are a notebook user, you are better suited to get your exposure to Mac OS X through a PowerBook; but if you aren't in the market for a notebook, then the Mac mini is the next best thing.
The performance of the Mac mini with 512MB of memory (or more) is more than enough for OS X and the majority of tasks involving the iLife suite. Once you get into more serious video editing, however, you'll quickly outgrow the power of the G4.
As a machine to recommend to the computer illiterate, you'll find that many will appreciate the styling of the mini and thus, will be more willing to give it a try. The OS itself can be just as intimidating as Windows (while looking prettier), but it is less prone to the issues that often corrupt beginner systems - mainly becoming infected with spyware, malware, etc., which in turn reduces the burden on you to provide tech support.
Apple did a very good job with the mini. They effectively completed the transition of the entry-level computer into a commodity. To the average joe, the Mac mini isn't a computer - it's another iPod or DVD player, just a lot better and a lot more feature-filled. It's a DVD player that can edit and create DVDs, and it's an iPod that can make and play music, and it's a box that you can retrieve your email.
To the rest of us, it's a small, quiet, stylish looking box that finally breaks down the price barrier to Mac OS X. As a second system for any PC user, the Mac mini can't be beat.
And to any PC users who happen to give the Mac mini a try, have a look at our first two Mac articles for some pointers on things to do and try when using OS X for the first time.
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tfranzese - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
For articles from Anadtech, you seem quick to jump to performance comparisons without any data to back them up. The G4 is quite a capable beast, and just because it has been surpassed by the G5 doesn't make it a slow chip. It's an incredible number cruncher, yet I never see anyone put it to such tests.Having used the mini, though the max config, I find myself wanting one more and more. I'm a hardcore PC user, but it just has to be seen in person. Then there's OSX, which is something to experience and give the time to get use to.
Also, the Apple mouse is great. Thing I miss most using it is the scroll wheel, but right clicking can be managing with a control + click and further alternate options with control + option + click.
I share your opinions with the apps for the most part. The iWorks programs both show a lot of promise IMO.
Ecgtheow - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#62: I think it's a month or so.davecason - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
Anand, other Mac Mini owners, would you please try MS Remote Desktop for OS X and let us know how it performs on the Mac Mini:http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?Fa...
I had hoped to get one and use it to connect to a faster computer in my basement when needed... like a very stylish dumb-terminal.
Thank you.
jasonsRX7 - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#71, In response to point 2.Because PC manufacturers typically wait for someone else (like Apple) to do it first, and then copy them.
rowcroft - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
Got one, love it (hooked up to a 30" Dell LCD - VERY NICE!). Very good article as well. I like the commentary and explanations of your points. Good job.hopejr - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#36, Appleworks is included with the mini, as is a trial version of Office 2k4hopejr - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#26, The mac mini already has a sound card, and it's pretty decent. Unless you're talking about something to bring audio in, why get another one?#69 in response to your two things:
1. Get an Apple keyboard with the built in hub (they all have one). You can plug your mouse into that, and the printer into the spare port on the back of the mini.
2. If PC manufacturers could make something this small, why haven't shuttle done it already when getting into SFF?
Chuckles - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
#67: You've got some brown on your nose... ;)As for the article, I agree completely with the "five year" idea. The computer I am writing this on is three-and-a-half (G4 .73GHz) and I am not planning on replacing it for another year. The computer my parents use is, well, its one of the last of the beige Macs. Also, it was a good article, a lot better than the typical "Mac review". Kudos.
mostlyprudent - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
Two things:1. With only 2 USB ports - wouldn't you need a USB hub to connect a keyboard, mouse and printer?
2. I recently purchased (for a new secretary) a Dell Optiplex SX80 (which I am very impressed with by the way). It's a bit larger than the Mac Mini, but with a lot more performance. It does not seem it would be too difficult for Dell or some other large PC maker to create a PC that is as small as the Mac Mini with equal performance. I have to wonder how much market there actually is out there for such a PC. I thought the Shutle Zen would have been a bigger success than it was.
ShadowVlican - Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - link
good article anand... always wanted to know more about macs... just to see both sides of the picture!... i wonder how this will compare with a mini-itx system?