The Mac Mini: A Compact and Affordable Desktop Option

If you're looking for an affordable and compact desktop computer, the Mac Mini is definitely worth considering. One of the standout features of the Mac Mini is its ability to support third-party keyboard, mouse, and monitor purchases at very affordable prices. This makes it a great option for those who want to customize their desktop experience without breaking the bank.

Inside the Box

When you unbox the Mac Mini, you'll find it wrapped in a plastic envelope along with the standard accessories. The accessories include a literature packet, which includes a how-to guide, legal information, and Apple stickers. The quick start guide is colorful and shows you the connections and ports on the Mac Mini, as well as how to set up your device. You'll also find an HDMI to DVI adapter, which allows you to connect a variety of third-party monitors or projectors to the Mac Mini without having to spend $1,000 on Apple's Thunderbolt display. Additionally, there is a neatly tied-up power cable, and no external power supply is included.

Design and Features

The Mac Mini has undergone little design change since its introduction. It still features an unibody anodized aluminum shell with the black Apple logo at the top front of the device. The optical drive was removed last year, but the IR receiver remains for home media applications, as well as the LED status indicator. On the side of the Mac Mini, there's not much to note, but on the back, you'll find all the IO ports, including the power button, Ethernet port, FireWire 800, HDMI, Thunderbolt port, four USB 3.0 ports, and a full-size SD card slot. The audio input and output jacks also support Optical connections.

Removable Pedestal and RAM Upgrades

One of the best features of the Mac Mini is its removable pedestal. This allows for easy Ram upgrades, which can be done by twisting open the back panel with your thumbs. Once you've opened it up, you'll find the spring-loaded trays that hold the RAM in place. Simply spread them apart, and they'll pop right out, allowing you to remove or install new RAM modules.

Setting Up the Mac Mini

To set up the Mac Mini for the first time, you'll need to connect the power source and hook up a monitor. In this case, I'm using my Thunderbolt display, but you can use any third-party monitor or even an HDTV since the Mac Mini has an HDMI connection. I'm also using Apple's Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad, but you could use any third-party keyboard or mouse - wired or wireless, it doesn't matter. The idea is to keep costs down.

The setup process is seamless, thanks to the Bluetooth connectivity of my mouse and keyboard. Simply turn on your Bluetooth device, and it will automatically pair with the Mac Mini. I also need to enter a numeric code to confirm a successful pairing.

Performance and Audio

One of the standout features of the Mac Mini is its performance. Despite its compact size, it's still a very powerful computer that can drive even a large 27-in Thunderbolt display like mine. The Mac Mini is also extremely quiet and compact, making it perfect for home use or office environments.

The audio quality of the Mac Mini is surprisingly good, thanks to its internal speaker. While it may not be as loud as some other desktop computers, it's still clear and crisp. However, if you're sitting close to the Mac Mini, you'll hear a big difference when you move to an external monitor or speakers.

Conclusion

The Mac Mini is definitely a unique offering in Apple's lineup. Its compact size, flexibility, and affordability make it a great option for those who want a desktop computer without breaking the bank. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of other Apple devices, the Mac Mini offers something special that sets it apart from the competition. In our next video, we'll be covering more details on the Mac Mini, including speed tests and its performance in various applications. We'll also be discussing the upcoming iPad Mini, so stay tuned for that as well.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enwhat's going on guys Mike here the Detroit Borg with a look at the new Mac Mini for 2012 now the updates here are largely internal the major ones being the new IV Bridge processors as well as USB 3.0 and 4 gigs of RAM is now standard instead of just 2 gigs now the base configuration as we have here starts you off with a dual core 2.5 GHz Core i5 Intel processor with a 500 gig hard disk drive now the only GPU in the entire Mac Mini lineup is the Intel HD graphics 4000 processor so no more discrete graphics in this mini so we lost that from last year's model now you can really pimp out your Mac Mini if you want you can add a 2.6 quad core i7 as well as 16 gigs of RAM this is also the first Mac to offer the fusion Drive which is a combination SSD and hard disk drive which combines a 128 gig SSD with a 1 tbte hard disk drive and I'll cover that more when we get the new iMac now there's also a Mac Mini Server version which is running mount line server which is sporting some of the best specs here and it's designed for really server applications not really for the home user now if you're not familiar with the Mac Mini it's basically an entrylevel Mac desktop that gives you the power of a MacBook Pro at nearly half the cost however you have to supply your own keyboard mouse and monitor none of which needs to be apple supplied so you can buy thirdparty supplies for this so you can buy your own monitor keyboard Etc at very affordable prices so this makes this a very affordable Mac Mini desktop option this is also great for home theater systems thanks to its compact form factor and HDMI connection now Inside the Box we'll find our Mac Mini wrapped in a plastic envelope and below that are the standard accessories which include a literature packet now the packet includes a how- to guide the legal information and Apple stickers Now quickly looking at the colorful quick start guide you can see that it shows you the connections the ports as well as how the set up your Mac you also get many software tips including features built into the latus operating system at the time of this filming anyway which is Mount line also included standard in the box is an HDMI to DVI adapter which let you connect a variety of thirdparty monitors or projectors to the Mac Mini so you don't need to spend $1,000 to pick up Apple's Thunderbolt display also included is a neatly tied up power cable notice there is no external power supply getting back to the Mac Mini we just need to crack to seal and we're free to explore the unibody Splendor of the Mac Mini now once again nothing has really changed here on the design we still have that unibody anodized aluminum shell sporting that black Apple logo at the top front of the Mac mini is still missing the optical drive which it lost last year but holds on to the IR receiver for home media applications as well as an LED status indicator there isn't much happening along the side but on the back we'll find all of our IO ports which includes the power button ethernet port firewire 800 HDMI a thunderbolt Port four USB 3.0 ports and a full-size SD XC card slot as well as the audio input and output Jacks which also support Optical and Below all of those aisle ports you'll find the single vent for intake and exhaust now on the bottom once again we'll find the pedestal which is removable for easy Ram upgrades all you have to do is use your thumbs to twist open the back panel and once the cover pops off inside we'll find the ram slots in springloaded trays these are very easy to remove all you have to do is spread them apart and they'll pop right up and you can remove them installing them is just as easy all you just need to do is make sure you see them correctly before you push them down now reinstalling the cover is simple just it involves lining up the orientation markers on the tray and or on the pedestal and the body and locking them into place now it's time to set up and start using the mini for the first time and the first first thing I need to do obviously is connect the power source as well as hook up a monitor in this case I'm hooking up my Thunderbolt display but again you can use your own display or even an httv uh since this can be used in a home theater thanks to that HDMI connector I'm also using Apple's Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad but you could use any third-party keyboard or Mouse wired or Wireless it really doesn't matter Windows or Mac keyboards will get you going again the idea here is to keep cost down now since I'm using a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard the Mac Mini will Coach me through the setup process now for the Bluetooth mouse I just need need to make sure it's turned on and it will automatically pair it for me the keyboard is the same story I just need to type in a numeric code to confirm a successful pairing and from there I can set up the Mac using my keyboard and mouse now the Mac Mini does have an internal speaker which is pretty quiet but it does work surprisingly well at least if the Mac Mini is close to you so just to give you a listen I'm going to play one of my videos boing and first look at the new 13in Macbook Pro with retina display now this join we jump to the monitor speakers you'll hear a big difference now the standout feature of course is the retina display with a resolution of 2560 x600 now the Mac Mini is hardly a marginal experience it's still a very powerful computer that can drive even a very large 27-in Thunderbolt display like this one the mini is extremely quiet and Compact and doesn't look too bad on your desktop now combine this with the relative flexibility and affordability and I think the Mac definitely offers something unique to the Mac lineup now I will have more coverage on the Mac Mini including speed test so stay tuned for that and of course there is another Mini showing up this week the iPad Mini which I will be covering in detail as well so I hope you guys stay tuned for that and until then I'll see you again in the next videowhat's going on guys Mike here the Detroit Borg with a look at the new Mac Mini for 2012 now the updates here are largely internal the major ones being the new IV Bridge processors as well as USB 3.0 and 4 gigs of RAM is now standard instead of just 2 gigs now the base configuration as we have here starts you off with a dual core 2.5 GHz Core i5 Intel processor with a 500 gig hard disk drive now the only GPU in the entire Mac Mini lineup is the Intel HD graphics 4000 processor so no more discrete graphics in this mini so we lost that from last year's model now you can really pimp out your Mac Mini if you want you can add a 2.6 quad core i7 as well as 16 gigs of RAM this is also the first Mac to offer the fusion Drive which is a combination SSD and hard disk drive which combines a 128 gig SSD with a 1 tbte hard disk drive and I'll cover that more when we get the new iMac now there's also a Mac Mini Server version which is running mount line server which is sporting some of the best specs here and it's designed for really server applications not really for the home user now if you're not familiar with the Mac Mini it's basically an entrylevel Mac desktop that gives you the power of a MacBook Pro at nearly half the cost however you have to supply your own keyboard mouse and monitor none of which needs to be apple supplied so you can buy thirdparty supplies for this so you can buy your own monitor keyboard Etc at very affordable prices so this makes this a very affordable Mac Mini desktop option this is also great for home theater systems thanks to its compact form factor and HDMI connection now Inside the Box we'll find our Mac Mini wrapped in a plastic envelope and below that are the standard accessories which include a literature packet now the packet includes a how- to guide the legal information and Apple stickers Now quickly looking at the colorful quick start guide you can see that it shows you the connections the ports as well as how the set up your Mac you also get many software tips including features built into the latus operating system at the time of this filming anyway which is Mount line also included standard in the box is an HDMI to DVI adapter which let you connect a variety of thirdparty monitors or projectors to the Mac Mini so you don't need to spend $1,000 to pick up Apple's Thunderbolt display also included is a neatly tied up power cable notice there is no external power supply getting back to the Mac Mini we just need to crack to seal and we're free to explore the unibody Splendor of the Mac Mini now once again nothing has really changed here on the design we still have that unibody anodized aluminum shell sporting that black Apple logo at the top front of the Mac mini is still missing the optical drive which it lost last year but holds on to the IR receiver for home media applications as well as an LED status indicator there isn't much happening along the side but on the back we'll find all of our IO ports which includes the power button ethernet port firewire 800 HDMI a thunderbolt Port four USB 3.0 ports and a full-size SD XC card slot as well as the audio input and output Jacks which also support Optical and Below all of those aisle ports you'll find the single vent for intake and exhaust now on the bottom once again we'll find the pedestal which is removable for easy Ram upgrades all you have to do is use your thumbs to twist open the back panel and once the cover pops off inside we'll find the ram slots in springloaded trays these are very easy to remove all you have to do is spread them apart and they'll pop right up and you can remove them installing them is just as easy all you just need to do is make sure you see them correctly before you push them down now reinstalling the cover is simple just it involves lining up the orientation markers on the tray and or on the pedestal and the body and locking them into place now it's time to set up and start using the mini for the first time and the first first thing I need to do obviously is connect the power source as well as hook up a monitor in this case I'm hooking up my Thunderbolt display but again you can use your own display or even an httv uh since this can be used in a home theater thanks to that HDMI connector I'm also using Apple's Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad but you could use any third-party keyboard or Mouse wired or Wireless it really doesn't matter Windows or Mac keyboards will get you going again the idea here is to keep cost down now since I'm using a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard the Mac Mini will Coach me through the setup process now for the Bluetooth mouse I just need need to make sure it's turned on and it will automatically pair it for me the keyboard is the same story I just need to type in a numeric code to confirm a successful pairing and from there I can set up the Mac using my keyboard and mouse now the Mac Mini does have an internal speaker which is pretty quiet but it does work surprisingly well at least if the Mac Mini is close to you so just to give you a listen I'm going to play one of my videos boing and first look at the new 13in Macbook Pro with retina display now this join we jump to the monitor speakers you'll hear a big difference now the standout feature of course is the retina display with a resolution of 2560 x600 now the Mac Mini is hardly a marginal experience it's still a very powerful computer that can drive even a very large 27-in Thunderbolt display like this one the mini is extremely quiet and Compact and doesn't look too bad on your desktop now combine this with the relative flexibility and affordability and I think the Mac definitely offers something unique to the Mac lineup now I will have more coverage on the Mac Mini including speed test so stay tuned for that and of course there is another Mini showing up this week the iPad Mini which I will be covering in detail as well so I hope you guys stay tuned for that and until then I'll see you again in the next video\n"