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Mac mini: Small Computer With Extraordinary Power

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iPhone Guru

December 4, 2014

Apple Mac mini: Small Computer With Extraordinary Power

The Apple Mac Mini is a small form desktop computer manufactured by Apple Inc. The Mac Mini is 7.7 inches square, 1.4 inches tall, and weighs 2.7 pounds (1.2 kg). It is one of three desktop computers in the current Macintosh lineup, the other two being the iMac and Mac Pro.

The Apple Mac Mini is delivered without display, keyboard or mouse, with Apple marketing it as BYODKM – Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard, and Mouse.

The primary market for the Mac Mini was users switching from a traditional Windows PC to a Mac, who probably already own the required accessories (Although the accessories could be easily purchased if needed!). A Server version of the computer is also intended for use as a server in a small network. Today, all Server models include the Server edition of the OS X operating system. The original Server model was discontinued late 2014 during the “Mac Mini revision”.

The updated unibody Mac Mini is Apple’s first computer to include an HDMI video port to connect to a television or other display, more readily positioning the unit as a home theater device alternative to the Apple TV.

The Mac Mini is an entry-level computer intended for budget-minded customers. Apple uses lower power laptop components in the Mac Mini in order to fit all the necessary components into the small case, as well as to prevent overheating, which is common in such compact spaces.

In general, the Mac Mini has been praised as an affordable computer with a solid range of features. The small form factor has made the Mac Mini particularly popular as a home theater solution. In addition, the small size and observed reliability has helped keep resale values high.

Note that the current Mac Mini is designed to be opened using a round cover on the bottom of the computer. Prior versions of the Mini were much more difficult to open than today’s version. The official Apple Service Source manual for Mac Mini describes this procedure in detail if you are not sure how to open it. The text includes an official Apple part number for a “modified putty knife”. It’s also possible to use wires to pull the white plastic bottom case out of the metal top case. While opening the case does not actually void the Mac Mini warranty, anything broken while the case is open is not covered. Other modifications include hard disk upgrades, overclocking the processor (G4 only) and upgrading the wireless networking (for older models) to 802.11n.