Apple Mac mini MC239LL/A Desktop
- Ships in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging
- 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 320GB SATA Hard Drive, DVD SuperDrive, 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
- Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard Operating System
Product Description
Theres nothing like Mac mini. At just 6.5 inches square and 2 inches tall, its designed to take up far less room and use far less energy than any other desktop computer. Mac mini was engineered to fit a lot of computer into a little space. Its powered by an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, with advanced NVIDIA graphics and fast DDR3 memory. Theres plenty of storage space up to 500GB1 for just about anything. And it comes with Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the worlds most advanced operating system. Who knew something so small could be so huge? Mac Mini- 2.53GHz/ 320GB HD plus NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics Mini-DVI to DVI Adapter 110W power adapter and power cord Install/restore DVDs Printed and electronic documentationAmazon.com Product Description
Upgraded with a faster 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Apple’s innovative Mac mini desktop is a great choice for home computing tasks and creating a digital media hub. It fits everything that makes a Mac a… More >>
Apple Mac mini MC239LL/A Desktop
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5 comments
Paul C. Huang on December 6, 2009 at 6:47 am
The previous dual-display-support Mac mini was introduced on 3/3/09. It’s been just half year and it is updated already. Considering that the previous model are essentially identical (2.0GHz) and the 2.25GHz ‘custom made’ model was a $200 option, this is a nice upgrade. With the previous version, the value was in the entry-level model ($599), because the $799 model packs in useless 1GB x 2 and 320GB hard drive, which is practically worthless nowadays, it made sense to buy the entry model and put in the RAM and hard drive.
Now the differences are:
160GB vs 320GB
2GB (1GB x 2) vs 4GB (2GB x 2)
processor is 2.53 vs. 2.25GHz
160GB is all over my floor anyway, so it’s valued at $0.
320GB should be valued at $60
2GB (1GB x 2) = $0, because 1GB modules are all over the floor and worthless.
4GB (2GB x 2) = $80 and on the rise.
When the actual price difference of $200 and the value difference of $140 tossed into the washer, $60 come out of the wash.
This means the 2.53GHz vs 2.25GHz difference is valued at $60. As the added speed is translated into productivity, this $60 difference is well worth it.
jtg on December 6, 2009 at 7:17 am
I had been using a Mini from a previous generation (Intel graphics chip) for my HTPC and was mostly pleased with it–anything to do with Quicktime performed just fine. However Internet-based video (Flash for applications like Hulu and MS Silverlight for Netflix) was demonstrating problems–the graphics card just couldn’t keep up and would frequently display annoying refresh lines on the screen and drop frames. Not so with this new machine. The new graphics card and bumped-up CPU have performed admirably for all tasks I’ve thrown at it.
Dave on December 6, 2009 at 8:33 am
The Mac mini is getting better each year. This is the fourth one I’ve owned (for home and business) starting with a G4 a few years ago.
The 2.53GHz 2009 model is quite speedy and has good graphics. You might not want to play high end 3D games with a mini but everything else, including HD video works just great.
It’s very quiet, with only a whisper of a fan. It’ll drive two displays if needed. It has five USB ports which I usually have filled. And Firewire 800 lets me attach a big fast external drive.
Highly recommended!
Vox Locus on December 6, 2009 at 10:07 am
I have lots of Mac computers, both the ones I am in charge of at work, and my own at home.
This 2.53ghz Mac Mini is my desktop at work, pushing to the side a MacBook Pro 15″ 2.2 ghz
Why?
I was using the MacBook Pro mostly as a desktop, driving a 24″ monitor, and using the 15″ MBP as the secondary monitor.
I do a lot of spreadsheet work, and decided the Mac Mini’s ability to drive two 24″ monitors simultaneously would be a big help.
And it sure is.
I’m now running a Dell LED 24″ and an HP that offers pivot for when I need to view all of a really long document.
I am very happy with the purchase. Even tho the Mini sits about 2 feet from my ears, I can’t hear it run.
Jesse Bye on December 6, 2009 at 11:53 am
Background: I’m a freelance web designer and developer, as well as a musician. I primarily use apps for graphic (both vector and raster) design, coding, testing websites, and notating music.
After debating whether I should get a Macbook Pro, Mac Mini, or iMac, I decided on the Mac Mini for a few reasons:
+ It is extremely compact, taking up very little desk space. I also like the fact that it has 5 USB ports, eliminating the need for a hub.
+ It has the same specs as the higher end 13″ Macbook Pro, for quite a lot less money (minus the portability, of course).
+ Although I like the idea of iMac’s all-in-one design and simplicity, I don’t like the idea of my computer’s components being tied in with my monitor. Even with the advent of Display port on the new iMacs, I don’t know if the iMac’s display would still function if the other components died. The Mini isn’t tied to any particular display, which I like.
+ The cheaper price (compared to the iMac and Macbook Pro) allowed me to have more money to spend on some apps that I needed.
As part of a goal to simplify my life, the Mini fits the bill perfectly. It is nice looking, runs quietly (although it isn’t completely silent), and keeps my desk clean.
I also like the world of Mac apps much better than Windows. It seems like Mac developers have much more creativity and aren’t afraid to try new, different approaches to things. And I really like some of the OS X features like Stacks, Time Machine, Dashboard, etc. It all seems very intuitive and simple (unlike most things PC). And for development, having access to the Terminal is indispensable. I’ve also managed to get Internet Explorer 6 running (using WineBottler) without having to resort to Boot Camp or a virtual machine, which is convenient for testing my websites.
As far as performance goes, the Mini is very quick indeed. Despite the slow hard drive speed (5400 rpm), booting and loading apps is very fast. Thanks to the 4GB of RAM, applications like Illustrator and Photoshop run comfortably side by side. It also performs very well on CPU-intensive tasks like encoding music or videos. I have yet to tax the graphics card in any way, but I imagine that it will perform well.
One of the reasons I bought the Mac Mini was because I was increasingly disenchanted with Microsoft’s offerings. With each new release of Windows, the improvements seemed to be fewer and farther between. Recently, I tried Windows 7 on my Thinkpad T60. Some of the new features are nice, such as Aero snap, but in no way essential. Many things were downright frustrating. Aero effects would sometimes be very sluggish, making it painful to move or resize any windows. Browsing the internet, pages would repeatedly time out, even though they would load perfectly under Windows XP. The more I used Windows, the more I found myself wishing for my old Powermac G4. Those reasons (along with several others) convinced me that Mac was the only way to go.
CONCLUSION:
The Mini is a great little machine that is perfect for my needs. I can’t imagine ever needing a full desktop again after using one of these. And I can confirm the adage that “once you go Mac, you’ll never go back.”