The Mac mini is a complete Apple computer, housed in a 16x5 cm case. It has all the necessary components for the proper functioning of a computer, including wi-fi to connect up to your network. Apple’s hook for this new version of the product is simple: Faster. Greener. Still just as small.

Handling, design and build

The first and main advantage of the Mac mini is the lack of space it takes up. It is very compact and as well as being nice to look at. It adopts the aluminium Apple lines with curves and the always excellent finish. Importantly, it functions at almost zero noise levels. This is almost a problem as you don’t know whether it is on or off and have to bend down to hold your ear against it to check.

It has the following connectivity: 5 USBs, 1 FireWire 800, 2 mini optical jacks, 1 RJ45, 1 mini DVI and 1 mini DisplayPort. If you want to plug in a non-Apple screen, you'll have to use the adaptors (1mini DVI to DVI supplied with the machine) sold by the manufacturer for 20 euros a piece. Something to remember: once you have plugged in your peripherals, your video adaptors and whatever other cables you’re using, the machine doesn’t look anywhere near as good. It may even tipple over if you place it on the edge of the table with the weight of the DVI and VGA connectors.

Can you open the Mac mini up? It isn’t impossible. Apparently Apple will even accept your guarantee if you only install extra RAM, except if you dammage the machine when you take it apart. Our advice: avoid opening it, or only do so if you’re quite expert – whatever the case, you’ll have to shoulder the responsibility yourself.

In contrast to the iMac, the Mac mini comes without a keyboard or a mouse. If you want to get hold of these, you’ll have to put your hand in your pocket and add 98 to 129 euros (for wireless) to the overall price.

Processor Power

The processor in this machine is clocked at 2 GHz. It’s the smallest of the three most recent Apples tested and this is noticeable in the tests of the Xbench tool.


The Mac mini is not completely out of step. It’s hard drive compares to the MacBooks (to be expected as it is also in the 2.5 inch format and no doubt comes from the same stocks). 3D is not as impressive, which is strange as it uses the same chip as the 13 inch, which is nevertheless far out in front. The RAM is comparable and the processor, right at the bottom, doesn’t perform anywhere near as well.

In comparison to the PC laptops that have been through our lab, two tests are comparable. Launching a heavy script to work on an image in Photoshop and the creation of an mp3 file from a .wav in iTunes. The second process is no doubt better optimised for Apple machines. It takes 106 seconds to process (95 for the 24 inch iMac) as against 138 seconds for the Asus F6VE. The Asus F6VE however obtains an identical score in Photoshop: 478 s compared to 475 s with the Apple (342 s with the iMac).

Generally speaking you need to keep in mind that the Mac mini is designed for office work and in this context, it does very well. In terms of the most recent tests carried out, it wouldn’t be out of place to compare it to the Asus F6VE (in terms of behaviour). It is probably around 30% slower than our stock computer, the Fujitsu-Siemens Amilo Xi3650.

Gaming

Once again the NVIDIA 9400M is used in this Apple. After first appearing in the 15 inch MacBook Pro, the 13 inch aluminium and in the 24 inch iMac (as a basic), it is now also in the Mac mini. This chip, tested in the Dell XPS 13, allows you to play recent games at a resolution of 1280x800 pixels, generally with graphics options set at minimum. Keep this in mind when you choose your screen. If you go for a Full HD 24 inch screen, you’ll have problems in getting demanding 3D games to work.

Audio

The conclusions are the same as those for the 24 inch iMac with one difference. The headphones socket (optical) is very clean and the line-in (also optical) is a not insignificant plus. The built-in speaker is the difference in question. Mono, it is only for use when all other options have been exhausted (or on pain of death for example).

Budget Apple

As Sam McGeever, our dependable UK translator and Mac mini user, highlights, the mini is Apple’s entry level computer. If you want to use OS X and gain an entry into the Apple universe, this is the least expensive way in. This entry level machine is on sale for 450 pounds, no comparison to the 850 pounds you’ll pay for a basic 15 inch MacBook Pro.