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Tarfumes.com - Apple Mac mini MB139LL/A (2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, 120 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)
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List Price: $794.99
Our Price: $794.99
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Apple Computer
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Personal Computers
Brand: Apple
CPU Manufacturer: Intel
CPU Speed: 2
CPU Type: Intel Core Duo
EAN: 0885909175772
Feature: 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 667 MHz system bus
Hard Disk Size: 120
Label: Apple Computer
Manufacturer: Apple Computer
Model: MB139LL/A
Processor Count: 2
Publisher: Apple Computer
Release Date: 2007-08-08
Studio: Apple Computer
System Memory Size: 1000
System Memory Type: DDR2 SDRAM
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Features
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2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 667 MHz system bus
1 GB DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 2 GB), 120 GB SATA hard drive, and slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
One FireWire 400 port (8 watts); four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps); DVI output; VGA output (using included adapter); S-video and composite video output
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit), built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11g); built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, iLife '08, and Front Row software included
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Editorial Reviews:
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The Mac Mini features the powerful 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. It has two cores, so it's like having two 2.0GHz processors in one! Another great feature is the suite of applications in iLife '08. A full-featured collection of programs that are designed to let you easily take control of your creative projects. iPhoto organizes your digital pics, and has a cool feature that groups them by event. iWeb makes it easy to create your own website. iMovie & iDVD lets you edit your videos and make your own DVD movies. GarageBand gives you the tools to make your own music, and even start your own virtual band! All of this and more is packed inside a svelt and stylish 6.5" body that can fit anywhere! 2 RAM Slots (occupied) 120GB 5400RPM SATA HDD Slot-loading SuperDrive with Double-Layer Support - writes to DVD+R & DVD-R DL up to 2.4x, writes to DVD-R & DVD+R up to 8x, writes to DVD-RW & DVD+RW up to 4x, reads DVDs up to 8x, writes to CD-Rs up to 24x, & writes to CD-RWs up to 16x Intel GMA 950 Graphics Processor with 64MB of shared memory (memory is shared with the main system) Ports - 1 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet, 1 Firewire 400 (8 watts), 4 USB 2.0, 1 DVI Out, 1 VGA Out (using included adapter) Built-in Speakers Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi 802.11g wireless network card 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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Very dissapointed
Comment: Ok, first of, I LOVE apple and their products. I own the original Mac Mini 1.25 GHz motorola G4, and iPod nano, an iPod video, and an iPod touch. But let me tell you, this here is the worst product from apple I have ever purchased. It is CONSTANTLY crashing, even though I have all up-to-date software. Apple made a HUGE mistake switching to Intel. Personally, I prefer my old one to this.
I fell bad about writing a poor review for this item, because I have NEVER had a problem with an Apple product until this.
Customer Rating:
Summary: My second Mac Mini, perfect for my home theater/media center
Comment: This is my second Mac Mini. My first one still works great, never had a problem with it ever, despite upgrading the original memory and clumsily performing a delicate overclocking operation that brought me up to 1.5Ghz on the old CPU. Still, my old Mac Mini kept on ticking. Never crashed once in over 3 & 1/2 years. Not once. Never once had any issues or problems at all. I just wanted the Intel Core 2 Duo chip and all of the new software (Leopard). I love this new Mac Mini ... much faster at 2.0 Ghz with the Intel Core 2 Duo chip. I sincerely recommend buying an upgrade to the stock memory from 1G to 4G, for around $80, since this Mac Mini shares system memory with the video card. It greatly increases the speed of virtually everything. Some people have said the 4Gig upgrade to the Mac Mini is a waste because it will only recognize 3.5 Gig of the memory. Nonsense. I installed the 4 Gig and my system profiler shows 4 Gig available, installed, and functioning properly. Awesome speed and power. Can now run Windows XP in Parallels faster than on a PC. I also recommend buying a NewTech MiniStack external drive accessory, because it give you a bunch of extra firewire and USB ports.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A new Mac user's review
Comment: The aluminum casing feels strong, and the plastic cover is glossy yet it doesn't seem to show that it gathers too much fingerprints. On the bottom of the Mac Mini is a large rubber grip that's just about the size of the bottom itself. It helps quite a bit should an excess of rocking should happen, that you won't have to worry about it slipping off and falling.
One of the few gripes I have with the Mac Mini so far in my few days of owning one is the location of the USB ports. They are located bottom left on the backside of the mini. Now they are placed in a spot where it won't intrude on the overall aesthetics of the mini, but the location of the audio cable is just above the four USB ports. Someone with larger fingers might have a little bit of trouble should there be a need to take a USB accessory out for whatever purpose. Then again, it could just be some getting used to.
The superdrive is quite noisy at first and there is a bit of a hum when its running. It's completely understandable considering it's less than an inch of being exposed if it wasn't for the mini's casing. My only worry is about how hot the disc gets after even a little bit of use.
I'm mostly a writer, so when buying this, I wanted a word processor and I knew that a good one wouldn't be installed on it beforehand. I also gave a try at iWork '08 with it being only $79 instead of $149.95 for Office 2008 for Mac - Home and Student Edition. With that I'm glad about the purchase, it didn't take too much trouble getting used to it. As a writer, I've hundreds of books lying around both on my desk, and whatever spot can hold a few books. So the small footprint of the mini also persuaded me to buy it.
I could have went for a slimlime tower that some PC manufacturers offer such as what HP offers. I could have got one for more than half the price of what the mini costs. However I dislike the possibility of a virus attack while doing research online. Reading up on 15+ tabs of websites, there was always a possibility of a virus attack. With Mac OS X, I've little worry for any sort of malicious attacks.
A plus side with the built-in speaker is I could listen to music without having to attach any speakers or use my current built-in speakers on my lcd screen. They aren't strong speakers, but for being at a desk, it certainly does it's duty.
For me, I'll take the added security and the small footprint of the Mac Mini.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A little dream computer
Comment: This is my first Apple product since the original Apple computer that was my introduction to computers in the early eighties. What a nice change from win computers. No installation crashes--no glitches at all.
I purchased the Mac Mini to connect to a Samsung 46 inch LCD TV for the living room. Connected to an Apple wireless keyboard/mouse combo (more kudos on the Apple design here as well), I can connect to the internet with a BIG monitor and switch back to viewing normal TV without leaving the comfort of my recliner.
The Mac Mini is sleek, quiet and unobtrusive. Though pricier than other options for small footprint computers from HP (and a new one from Dell), the change from a windows computer has been a breeze, and the error free performance has been refreshing. I still have my Gateway in the other room and have set up wireless networking for connecting to the outside world. I am still adding programs and exploring the Mac. So far, not a single regret.
I will eventually add a tuner card, probably and Elgato product, and a separate mass storage device. Looks like I have finally found the best alternative for me for both normal computing and home entertainment.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Simple, fun computing that doesn't take forever to load at startup
Comment: Let me start first-off that product loyalty is important to me. Marketers love me. When something impresses me with quality, I stick with it.
I made the switch. I still hate the commercials, but I love my new, fast, ready-to-get-to-work computer and if you'll allow me, take you on the journey I took to get here.
My last Windows computer died of natural causes last week. It's not the first Windows PC that did that to me, but this time it was *different*. For months I knew it was barely chugging to the next day, but I kept crossing my fingers every time I hit the "ON" button. It was old, obsolete and completely not worth upgrading, but I stuck with it because I loved Windows XP and the familiar wheeze of an old machine coming back to life. I've had many computers and started with MS-DOS and made the trip all the way through Windows 95, 98, 2000, and XP. I am not a Microsoft hater. I like their products and appreciate their contribution to personal computing.
I built PCs and considered myself a decent techie. Until Vista. I hate Vista. The bloat, the driver situation, and the lack of compelling reasons to upgrade to an OS told me that this was not an improvement over XP. I searched for an XP loaded machine (computers are so cheap now, building one from scratch was out of the question) and came up with some choices that sucked less than others, but nothing to my satisfaction. Again, I could build one as a project but I needed one for work and remembered the last nightmare I had mounting a RAID array for a gaming computer and have been on the wagon since then. That project was like a DoD contract that went overbudget and overboard very, very quickly.
Finally I stopped by the local Apple store and found this odd looking napkin boxed shaped "computer" called the Mac Mini and laughed. Was that a toy? Does a Kleenex come out of it? Ok, I said to myself. I'll be thorough. So, I took a test drive, fully expecting to walk away with a snarky comment on the Mac Mini. I opened the applications and had no idea what I was fooling with, but soon got into the groove and found myself spending serious time with the applications. The Mac staff (I think they were called "Geniuses"?) kept coming buy trying to sell me a computer, but I wanted to keep on test driving it, opening up the applications and doing my best to fend off other people looking over my shoulder.
When I left, I could hear the collective sigh of the "Geniuses," and came back later. I wanted a Mac Mini and wanted them to add 1 GB of RAM. I wasn't happy that they discouraged you from doing this on your own and apparently you void your warranty for even trying to open the box. Fine. I had a spare monitor and compatible pointing device at home. I'd need a Mac Bluetooth keyboard and got one (see my other review).
A week later I am happily integrating my Apple mail program with web mail and installing Firefox. Safari is a nice Apple Internet browser, but not my cup of coffee. I like Firefox more. I picked up the Missing Sync application for my Pocket PC PDA and found drivers for my printer and scanner. I downloaded OpenOffice.org to replace MS Office, which I had already been phasing out of my life. Google Documents is also part of my toolbox, so "cloud computing" is already something I am comfortable with doing. For desktop publishing, I armed myself with a new copy of Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro and was ready to go to work.
Within a few days I was back in business. My dead HP laptop lies in state in a box awaiting scavenging. Maybe it will lie there forever like Chairman Mao or Lenin or like Countrywide Financial Corporation's Living Mummy/CEO Angelo Mozilo.
I can also imagine that someday it will find itself atop a pile collected by WALL-E. I won't be there, I'll be dead and happy that I walked into a pretentious looking Mac store one sweltering summer afternoon with a low expecations and left with a little white plastic bag holding a 3 lb. computer only a few hours later (it took 1.5 hours for them to install the extra GB). Yes, it is worth installing that 1 GB.
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