As with the other Intel Macs, Apple has removed the built-in modem but offers a USB external modem for $49. And the $799 model includes a SuperDrive with dual-layer DVD burning support. You can choose between two 512MB modules for 1GB, or two 1GB modules for the 2GB maximum.Īlthough the minis’ prices are higher than before, each one comes with AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0 wireless capabilities, as well as Gigabit Ethernet. If you think you’ll want more RAM, we suggest having it installed when you order your mini so that you don’t have to throw away RAM you’ve paid for. Moreover, Apple recommends installing RAM in matched pairs for maximum efficiency. But beware: installing RAM yourself is even more complicated than before-you still need a putty knife to crack open the case, but now you also need to remove the assembly that houses the hard drive and optical drive to access the two RAM slots. We suggest that you upgrade the mini’s RAM, which ships with two 256MB modules by default. The mini now has two RAM slots and can support twice as much physical RAM as before (2GB instead of 1GB)-more RAM means that more applications can be open at the same time without relying on slower virtual memory, and that boosts overall performance. In addition, the new minis offer a faster system bus (667MHz versus 167MHz), faster RAM (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM versus 333MHz DDR SDRAM), and more L2 cache (2MB versus 512KB)-all designed to make the mini more efficient in moving information throughout the system. We then used a digital optical output cable to send the audio to a surround-sound stereo system (neither the adapter nor the cable is included with the mini). We hooked up each mini to a Sony HDTV, using a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. And unfortunately, you still can’t shuffle songs from an artist or within a playlist in Front Row. Also, a new Front Row feature that lets the app recognize your iPhoto slide-show settings worked fine with local photos but not with slide shows from shared libraries. If you haven’t done that, Front Row gives you cryptic error messages when you try to play such content. As with iTunes sharing, you can’t play music or video content purchased from the iTunes Music Store unless you authorize the Mac mini for that account. In our tests, media sharing worked well but had some notable glitches. ![]() So you don’t need to fill the mini’s hard drive with content: Apple’s zero-configuration technology, Bonjour, lets Front Row find your content easily. Moreover, concurrently with the release of the new minis, Apple updated Front Row to include a feature that’s particularly suited to the mini as a set-top box: the ability to play photos, music, and videos (assuming you have enough network bandwidth) that are stored on other computers on your network. The receiver for the remote control sits just to the right of the optical-drive slot.Īs a system that you can easily park next to a television, the mini is ideal for the Front Row software and remote combo. ), the new Mac mini includes Apple’s Front Row software and the Apple Remote, which gives you the ability to control the playback of movies, photos, and music without having to sit in front of a keyboard.
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