Mini — the mega misnomer
Apple's Mac Mini server is probably the most, and least, appropriately named desktop computer/media server around. Most appropriately? Given its ultra-compact 7.7" W x 1.4" H x 7.7" D size, it's about the size of a stack of three DVD cases. Paired with a separate monitor and keyboard, the Mini leaves plenty of clutter-free workspace on your desk top. The "mini", however, stops there — where performance is concerned, the Mac Mini holds its own against the beefiest full-size desktop computers and servers around. You may want to sit down for this . . . First off, an speedy 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4GB of RAM join forces, equipping you for fast performance whether you're working or playing. In fact, for dramatically enhanced multitasking capabilities, the Mac Mini lets you expand the RAM capacity up to a whopping 8GB, allowing you to run multiple programs effortlessly (additional RAM sold separately). Next, the Mac Mini pulls all the stops with an NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor — the fasted integrated GPU currently available. With 48 processing cores and 256MB of shared video memory, this GPU serves up two times the performance offered by previous generations, delivering the performance you seek for the latest 3D games and graphics-intensive applications. It's even more efficient than its predecessor. Finally, two built-in 500GB hard drives offer ample room for all your data storage and management needs. Oh, and the sleek, modern look of the aluminum unibody design doesn't hurt either.
Gnarly networking
Whether your source is your home media server or the internet, these days just about any media experience involves tapping into some sort of network. Flat panel televisions, Blu-ray players, receivers, cell phones, MP3 players — just about everything is capable of accessing movies, music, and photos from the web or other devices. And the best deliver access wirelessly. Of course, networking of any variety began with desktop computers, so naturally the folks at Apple have outfitted the Mac Mini with some serious networking capabilities. If you're looking to access the internet or stream media across your home network, the Mini has you covered with both a built-in, wired ethernet connection and integrated 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi technology. Further, on-board Bluetooth wireless technology lets you access music and photos on your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, MP3 player or PDA, or send data to Bluetooth-compatible peripherals like printers. Wired or wireless, no matter your media source the Mac Mini keeps you connected.
Port-able
While the Mac Mini's uber-compact design may make you consider toting it around like the world's most portable desktop computer, it really should be left at home. After all, with its diverse offering of multimedia connections, you're supposed to bring other devices to the Mini. Let's start things off with a bang . . . thanks to a new HDMI output with support for video up to 1920x1200 resolution, you can direct HD video stored on the Mini or from the web to your HDTV, dramatically expanding your home theater's potential. Further, if you'd like to connect to a high-resolution computer monitor, the Mac Mini sports an included HDMI-to-DVI adapter as well as a Mini DisplayPort interface supporting 2560x1600-resolution video. Next, four USB v2.0 ports and a FireWire 800 port are ideal for connecting to almost any peripheral, from printers and scanners to MP3 players and digital cameras to keyboards and mouse. Speaking of digital cameras, turn to the Mac Mini's built-in SD card slot for fast, simple transfer of your latest digital photos from your camera to your hard drive.
Grr.
The Mac Mini comes with Apple's latest operating system, known as Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard provides a lot of behind-the-scenes advancements to speed up your work, offering much quicker operation than previous operating systems, as well as more hard drive space, and even better power management. But it also comes with a lot of sweet applications designed for computers like the Mac Mini. iTunes 9, Quick Look, Spaces, Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat, Safari, Address Book, Quicktime X, iCal, Photo Booth, Front Row, and even Xcode developer tools come standard. A few minutes working with Snow Leopard and you'll want to purr.
iLife with a Mac
The Mac Mini also includes the latest version of Apple's highly-praised creativity suite, iLife '09. Included in iLife '09 are iPhoto, iMovie, iWeb, and Garageband. Whether you're determined to make an HD movie that will become the latest YouTube sensation, or just trying to make a slideshow of your family get-together, iLife has you covered. But you can do a lot more than that. iWeb makes creating and publishing stylish, easy-to-use web pages a cinch. iDVD lets you publish that masterpiece movie to discs for your friends complete with custom menus, titles, and chapters. And Garageband provides you the recording tools to create or record your latest musical endeavors. Whatever creative project you've got a bent for, iLife has a program for.
Baby steps
When it comes to the environmental impact of the design, manufacture, distribution, and use of their products, Apple strives to ensure the smallest possible footprint. And the Mac Mini is no exception. First, the Mini's power supply has been reduced from 100W to 85W, not only reducing energy consumption and cost in the home, but when combined with a built-in power supply, also allows for a 20% reduction in size and, therefore, packaging. Second, advanced power-management technology reduces power consumption when idle to below 10W, for a 25% reduction over the previous generation. Third, harmful substances such as BFR, PVC, and lead have been removed from the manufacturing process, while highly-recyclable components like aluminum have been added, further reducing environmental impact upon disposal. All told, the innovative design of the Mac Mini earns this compact computer both an ENERGY STAR 5.0 qualification and an EPEAT Gold rating, signaling exceptional energy efficiency and a minimal environmental footprint.
Included with purchase
The following items are included with the MC438LL/A Mac Mini server: Mac Mini, HDMI-to-DVI adapter, Power cord, Install/restore DVDs, and Printed and Electronic documentation.
