Apple Mac mini MA608LL/A (1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

I purchased my from Apple as a Refubished unit. my cost was $400. Typically they now sell 4 $599 4 this unit. Do not buy the only listed here as it is seriously over-priced.


The Mac Mini is a joke right? I have a Mac Pro with 4TB of disk space & 15GB or RAM & yet even with this awesome computer, I still decided 2 buy a Mac Mini, & I'd like 2 have a dozen more.

There are always times when you wished you had small computer, one that does not use much electricity (2-3 watts at idle), & one that can perform 95% of what you want it 2 do. This is it.

The Mac Mini is an upgradeable computer. It is easy 2 add up 2 3GB of memory ($70), a bigger hard-drive up 2 320GB right now ($150) & soon, a new 500GB ($300) notebook drive is expected 2 be released, & even the CPU can be upgraded 2 a max of 2.33GHz--pricey, but something 2 keep in mind as CPU prices keep falling--you will be able 2 beef up this computer such that it will work well 4 many years. I found this one of the easiest computers 2 work on 4 doing upgrades yourself. Do a Gooogle Search & you will see that lots of people publish tips & tricks 4 working on these machines.

People are putting these machines in cars, on boats, of as supplemental computers hooked up 2 free monitors like your new flat screen TV. Mine is hooked up 2 a 50" Sony.

The MAC OS X operating system is fabulous, & easy 2 use. It is a snap 2 change font sizes so you can read the screen from across the room. You can change screen resolutions with a couple of clicks too.

What else is great. It is so very easy 2 operate one MAC from another. This alone makes this a worthy addition 2 your network. I plan 2 use mine as an Internet Web Server. You don't even need a monitor 2 run this computer remotely, after a few configuration changes are made. Running a Mac Mini (headless--no monitor) is common among those who use these 2 run servers, because it is easy 2 open up a window 2 run it remotely, from anywhere! Add a larger Firewire 400 or USB drive a a Time Machine Backup Drive, & you have an easy 2 use, easy 2 maintain, server with good backup protection.

These machines are 6.5"x6.5"x2". That is small. You can put one anywhere. Mounting cages are available 2 install these on the back of your old LCD monitor. That gets it off your deck & out of the way, yet still in an accessible location.

You will need a keyboard & mouse. I like the wireless keyboard & mouse that Apple sells. Their wired keyboard is nice too. You can pick these up on eBay 4 1/3 of what Apple sells them for.

Ok, so what is the negative. The built-in graphics card is a bit lame, but not totally useless. Unfortunately, you can't upgrade the video. it does include a DVI output & a conversion adapter 4 a VGA type cable. So while you won't want this machine 4 extreme gaming, it is not bad 4 most games that are not cutting edge,and it works great 4 any other applications.

These are Intel processors, so feel free 2 install a bigger hard drive & split it in half 4 Windows, & OS X.

Great Hardware, great OS. Small machine, small price. Buy two today.

I've had the Mac Mini 4 only a few days. Initial setup was effortless. In the past I have used Windows 95, 98, ME, & XP. All of the Windows operating systems operated well, sometimes. I suppose I just got used 2 all the usual hassle of those systems. Right out of the box this Mac Mini blows them all away. It makes almost no noise, takes up almost no space, & it is faster than what I was used to. It comes with lots of really cool programs 4 music, photos, movies, & more. The factory installed ethernet card is great, one less thing 4 me 2 do. The only thing I had a problem with is the plain jane Quick Time player. It has very few options, & you have 2 buy Quick Time Pro 2 really use it. I installed the Windows media player( get a Mac version on the net 4 free) & it works great. Time will tell, but so far so good. Don't be afraid 2 buy a Mac because you are used 2 Windows operating systems. There really is not a huge difference. A computer is a computer. I do not believe you would be disappointed with the Mac Mini(how do they fit it all in such a small package??).

ORDERED THE MAC MINI WHICH WAS SHIPPED FROM AMAZON. QUICK SHIPMENT REC'VD WITHIN 3 DAYS.
AS ALWAYS MAC IS A GREAT PRODUCT.

This product has potential. Its small form factor is great. However, out of the box you're limited unless you upgrade the 512 Megs of memory. These days anything less than 1Gig is too small. Disk space is also small but there are add-on coordinating products (ie. miniStack V2) that you can attach 2 address this limitation. I swapped out one of the 256 Dimm cards & replace it with a Gig which resulted in a 1.256 Gigs of Ram. Now I am happy with its performance.

I have had this computer 4 about 90 days now - & so far so good! I am very pleased with it!

I am using the mac mini in conjunction with the Mac bluetooth keyboard & 'super' mouse, & a G-Technology 500 GB RAID 1 G-Safe external HDD- as the 'digital hub' of my entertainment system. I have the mini plugged DVI 2 HDMI into a Panasonic 42" plasma.

(DO NOT BUY A LACIE 500 GB EXTERNAL DRIVE - see my other review)

I can't rate the mini five stars, as I have had 2 really do some 'tweaking' 2 get all of my peripherals up & running. However, if I wasn't using a plasma, a wireless network, & a Nokia phone it would have been a snap 2 set up.

After you start up the mini, it 'steps' you through the entire process.

IF you are using a link-sys, which I am, you have 2 add it as a 'preferred network' & then complete the network wizard - make sure you know your network configuration!

So far, I have about 250 GB of digital music & photos, & about 50 GB of TV & video in iTunes - which I use 2 manage all of the content. I have had no problems making DVD's with iDVD from photos or having multiple programs open - however, I did purchase my mini with 1 GB of RAM.

In addition, I sync my Nokia 9300 with iCal & the address book. My Nokia is updated via blackberry server from Outlook 2003 running on XP at work. Once I get close enough 2 the mini, the Nokia 9300 talks via bluetooth 2 the mini. I can then sync the 9300 with the mini using iSync. I sync one way - so I only have 2 maintain one contact list & one calendar (Outlook at work). I did have 2 purchase a 3rd party software program 2 get iSync 2 recognize my Nokia 9300. I purchased that program from a German company called Nova Media & it cost about 10 Euros.

I have been using PC since '93 & I must say the Mac mini is pleasantly surprising. I would defenitley recommend the mini 2 anyone.

Apple MA608LL/A Mac mini Desktop Computer - Apple is known around the world 4 its innovative computer design, & with the Mac mini they give you a powerful desktop computer in a case that's roughly the size of a lunchbox. But this is the best looking lunchbox you've ever seen, with its sleek, anodized aluminum enclosure, slot-loading optical drive & an array of ports on the rear section that makes cable management a breeze. Inside the Mac mini, you'll find a powerful Intel Core Duo Processor 1.83GHz, 512MB of PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM, a 80GB SATA Hard Drive, & much more. 80GB 5400RPM SATA HDD Slot-Loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive - (write speeds) up 2 2.4x DL DVD+R, 8x DVD-R, 8x DVD+R, 4x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+RW, 24x CD-R, & 16x CD-RW Slot-Loading DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive - (read speeds) up 2 8x DVD-ROM & 24x CD-ROM Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of shared memory (memory is shared with the main system) Ports - 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, 1 FireWire 400, 4 USB 2.0, 1 DVI Out, 1 VGA Out (w/ included adapter), 1 S-Video & Composite Video Out, combined Optical Digital Audio In/Audio Line In, & Combined Optical Digital Audio Out/Headphone Out Built-in Speakers Built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11g Wi-Fi Wireless Network Adapter Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module Unit Dimensions - 2 (h) x 6.5 (w) x 6.5 (d) Unit Weight - 2.9 lbs.