First thoughts on the new Mac Mini

Computerworld - Despite Apple Computer Inc.’s penchant for secrecy and surprises, much of the Mac community was pretty certain what Apple’s special event today would feature: Intel-based hardware and some kind of iPod device. And so it was that Apple unveiled a new Intel-based Mac Mini and the iPod Hifi along with Apple-designed leather iPod cases. A rumored widescreen video iPod with touch-screen controls was absent, however.

Also absent were some hoped-for features in the Intel Mini. Speculation on what the new Mini would look like has often centered on rumors of a built-in iPod dock and video input port -- complete with software that would allow the Mini to act as a digital video recorder or TiVo replacement. Although Apple CEO Steve Jobs noted that you can hook the new Mini up to a TV, that's only to use a TV as a display -- and it requires the separate purchase of a DVI-to-S-video adapter. And let's face it, on the majority of low-end TV sets, that kind of connection probably doesn’t result in the best picture quality for doing work.

While the new Mac Mini may not sport an array of entertainment features the Mac rumor mill has been chewing on, it is by no means unimpressive. As expected, the $599 base model features an Intel Core Solo processor running at 1.5 GHz. Other features include a Combo drive, a 60GB SATA hard drive (up from 40GB), an Intel GMA950 graphics processor, built in AirPort and Bluetooth (which had previously been an optional component on the base model) Gigabit Ethernet (up from 10/100 megabit), four USB 2.0 ports, audio in and out that supports analog and digital connections and an Apple infrared remote.

The high-end $799 Mini, however, offers an unexpected surprise. Instead of sharing the Intel Core Solo processer with its lesser brother, it uses the same Intel Core Duo found in the iMac and Mac Book Pro, running at 1.66 GHz. The other spec differences include the a Superdrive (as expected) and an 80GB SATA hard drive.

There are definitely some interesting points about these specs. The most obvious is that the high-end Mac Mini features the same dual-core chip as the iMac and MacBook Pro. For Mac users not wanting to splurge for an iMac or who dislike the iMac’s all-in-one design, this makes the Mini a much more attractive machine. It is no longer the absolute low end of Mac desktops. Granted the Core Duo in the iMac is slightly faster, but that difference is nowhere near as significant as the difference between a single and dual-core processor. And that dual-core processor (not to mention the Superdrive) is definitely worth the extra $200 over the base Mini.