Apple slyly released a major update to its smallest desktop system this morning. The Mac mini has received both a redesign as well as exceptional performance upgrades. Featuring Apple’s new unibody manufacturing process, the mini now sports a 1.4-inch-thin seamless aluminum enclosure and styling similar to the iMac and MacBook Pro lines.
Catering to the wishes of many, Apple has finally included an HDMI port in addition to a Mini DisplayPort on the new mini. This move solidifies the Mac mini’s niche as a media computer/server in addition to an affordable desktop solution. The only other new port inclusion is that of an SD card slot to make transferring photos a breeze.
The NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics card, featured on Apple’s latest notebook releases, has also found its way onto the mini. Offering a 2x speed boost over the previous card, the 320M enables the new mini to take on a multitude of tasks with relative ease. Ranging from creative work to gaming, the mini is now an even more versatile machine than before.
Apple has also addressed the mini’s upgradability. A weak design point of the original mini required professional service for RAM upgrades. In the new mini, however, Apple has included a removable bottom panel which offers direct access to the mini’s RAM slots. This DIY upgrade system will enable even basic users to confidently upgrade their machine. The mini can now be configured with up to 8GB of RAM, which combined with the boosted graphics and processor speeds offers a lot of performance potential.
Similar to the previous generation, the mini also is available in a server edition. This more expensive version omits the optical drive in favor of 1TB of storage making it an ideal match for anyone seeking an affordable, compact, and efficient server. Speaking of efficiency, the mini is also the world’s most energy-efficient desktop computer! Due in part to its largely recyclable design, the mini now requires less packaging, and includes a built in power supply, saving on space and making it up to 90% efficient.
All of these changes position the mini as a unique contender in Apple’s desktop lineup. Ideal for basic to intermediate users as well as media enthusiasts, the new mini is slated to be a perfect primary or secondary machine. To learn more about the new Mac mini, click here.