Apple Mac Mini user reviews ( 8/10) - 7 user reviews

• 06/05/11

  Hatsubai's review "Small package but big performance"

  Overall Opinion

  The Mac mini is the most affordable Mac that Apple has in their lineup. It’s meant for people who don’t need the power of the Mac Pro and don’t need the accessories the iMac comes with. The current iMac has a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor standard, and that’ll be the one I’ll be reviewing. Keep in mind that there are various upgrades that Apple offers for these, and the review may be different depending on specs.
  
  
  
  Without getting too heavy into the specs, the Mac mini comes with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2 GB of RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 320M with 256 MB of RAM, 320 GB hard drive, 8x DVD burner and more. For being such a little device, the thing is packed with technology. In fact, that’s its main appeal. The Mac mini is ideal for those who are in need of a computer that can fit in a tight spot. Most people use these as mini NAS servers, but it can actually mount nicely inside a rack for musicians like us. It’s because of this, as well as the small price point, that I recommend these to most people who are in need of Apple’s reliability without the price and hassle of having to build a Hackintosh.
  
  
  
  This model has some nice features such as HDMI, Mini DisplayPort, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and more. These allow you to be able to run less wires than most standard desktops, and the display port options give you the ability to plug into most anything out there regardless as to what connector is has. The one downside is that you will need to buy adapters if you want to use a DVI or VGA monitor. Overall, if you’re looking for a good Apple computer without the huge price, this is definitely worth checking out.
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• 02/19/10

  ClockworkOi!'s review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Overall Opinion

  I use a mac mini about 6 months since my purchase was motivated by professional reasons.
  
  
  
  This is my first mac, and I was pretty happy to finally have the opportunity to discover "this universe". The seller seemed to me that I was a good buy.
  
  The machine is nice: small, no noise, not too bad connection (ok to buy an adapter to connect a VGA screen).
  
  
  
  Finally I discovered the full OSX I hear so much about (I am, or at least I was, a Windows / Linux).
  
  
  
  Comparison with a PC (what is done all the time talking pimps): some differences with it on windows, linux, no comparison ...
  
  Week after week I disillusioned: the machine is very slow, and OSX, despite his very nice interface (and relatively pleasant to use) has nothing to do with a Linux system.
  
  In computer music, I tested Garage Band: it's a nice toy, but nothing very exciting.
  
  I switched to Logic is a little more seriously, I'm sorry ...
  
  Ardour remains in effect, but since it already runs on the Linux box just next (and much better given the different config) ...
  
  
  
  In short I am promised paradise, and now I am very disappointed. There are many crashes, the system freezes very often, and use computer music limited for me to run GearBox for my POD, and EZdrummer (I redirect via the network jack in and ardor on linux ...).
  
  
  
  I do not do it again this election if it did not have a professional interest.
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• 11/08/09

  Anonymous 's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Overall Opinion

  I have owned this Mac Mini (2.26 Ghz with 2GB of ram) for a few months, thinking to use it for computer music after some troubles with Windows Vista, I have composed a few songs actually enjoying an undeniable stability OSX.
  
  
  
  Another strong point is the compatibility of most immediate peripherals (sound cards, midi keyboards ...) with this OS, it is a pleasure when you had a hard few years for Vista.
  
  
  
  on the other hand where it goes bad, it's in performance of the beast, the Mac Mini is the entry-level model of apple, it is quite constrained by its processor and ram (2GB is few days ...) and can not be easily upgrade (it is better to do at the time of purchase).
  
  
  
  For example, GarageBand (software) refused to play more composed five tracks for this reason, on other programs we feel rather freeze to read when the computer must handle multiple MIDI tracks with instruments a virtual undemanding and worse: small recording stops from time to time (insufficient memory).
  
  
  
  It is therefore clear that the Apple OS is well suited to the computer music, but it will be for use in good conditions to acquire a fairly beefy (Imac or macbook pro).
  
  
  
  The quality / price of the mac mini was pretty questionable in 2009, it is even more so nowadays with the price increase to almost 800 euros, it is a product to be reserved for office use or for the curious, the components really hamper the user (average processor, ram and graphics card clearly insufficient obsolete = no games).
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• 02/16/08

  Pucelle_Dabidjan's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Overall Opinion

  I beg your pardon administrators already, but during this test, I will walk on the edge of the charter of deontology of the site. But you will understand the purpose of all arriving at the end.
  
  
  
  I had some pc's! Full of pc's ... I started with Commodore 128 (great gear), then 486dx33, Pentium, versions with AMD chips, versions with Intel chips. And for 25 years!
  
  
  
  25 years in the galleys, of those apps that not work, systems that crash, virus blocking your machine when you need it, sound cards are not accepted when they should, of mainboards that do not recognize the USB ports, service pack that you install and plant it.
  
  
  
  I spent probably more than 8 years in continuous time to debug my machines ...
  
  
  
  and ...
  
  
  
  ... recently ...
  
  ... transition to the studio with my machine ... I want to turn to extract the guitar line to give the nice man from the studio that is paid dearly by the minute ...
  
  
  
  and ...
  
  
  
  nothing
  
  
  
  nothing at all ... nothing lights up. And we never got on again. It was bloody, and with a week of work in it.
  
  
  
  So, after removing the hard drive, I burned my pc on the pavement outside my house. Exceeded! And I bought a mac mini.
  
  
  
  BUY - BRANCH - intall - MARKET
  
  
  
  That's all I saw. My firewire interfaces are known, the series has a Bécanne scéquenceur ("garage band", not amazing, but the base), and it does not crash. She turns, even after one week, after two weeks, three weeks. I have not yet had to reinstall. As I made exactly the same as what I did in the past.
  
  
  
  Thank God!
  
  
  
  A few more words to grip when you're a beginner. The intuitive software turns (mac OsChaton). In the sense that once the instalation it seems that Mr comes next to you to explain exactly where you have to hurry. The installation is starting easily and the computer can begin to be used without further provided that those apps. It has an integrated firewall, all you need to surf, go on the net, watch vids, hack images and more. It is also a good point, Windows will require cracking programs that will install a long shit.
  
  
  
  The cons-weight, because it-y-one, is that when you want something for your mac, you must align gold coins. It is possible by the net to find some programs, but the amount of stuff available for free is much less impressive.
  
  
  
  Note that you must sacrifice still no time to properly configure your firewalls and network, if available, before going on the net.
  
  
  
  Finally you can connect a egin and with whom we can work right away! Yes, its performance is not worth a quad core with 4 gigs of rams. But it runs and does its job. What can you one ask for more.
  
  
  
  The Bluetooth 2.0. Integrated allows you to use different devices without son (keyboards, mice, printers, ect ...) within a radius of 10 m.
  
  
  
  [8] Not the fastest or powerful, but reliable and good for mobile work.

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• 12/23/06

  alex83pearl's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Overall Opinion

  4 months that I use the beast, 4 months of happiness ...
  
  This is the MODEL G4 1.42ghz (not Intel) with 512 DDR / dd 80go/DVD (reader) CDRW
  
  A bit lightweight in RAM for Mao, I intend to boost the 1GB (only small black dot: boostage max RAM = 1GB, smaller forces)
  
  But aside from that is a pure bomb, and that's the mac!
  
  So we spent the usual superlatives (yes we know that protools mac ca not crash, it is more stable than PC ect ...), but no one will forget Congratulations Apple for making available all this little device enabling the personal mobility jprfre move a mac mini plutt a tower PC ...)
  
  
  
  Accessory: Hub Belkin Firewire / USB
  
  Little room = Few USB ports ... (Only 2)
  
  
  
  Honntement to dial is a real hit, especially since it's more affordable than a G5 dual proc ...
  
  I personally toured with Protools M-powered Reason 7.1 + 3 + 5 + Live Absynth 3 is the orgy ... Obviously good Absynth and Live are RAM-hungry but good should be raliste, are serious enough to make ...
  
  
  
  In conclusion it is when even the perfect tool for computer music in this price range (800). To buy the closed eyes ...

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• 09/08/05

  Poa's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 2 months with CUBASE SL 3, M-AUDIO FIREWIRE SOLO, a MOTU FASTLANE USB Midi interface, an MC-909 and AC do serious.
  
  Mac Mini 1.25 GHz, 256MB to 1GB booster.
  
  -What I like is the price, less than a G4 500 euro is the perfect compromise to more expensive models ...
  
  -ATTENTION ... Buy also the Mac keyboard. Because it has two USB ports and frees the AC port of the mini (it does only 2 ...)
  
  -If it again, I would buy. I know it's the gueugueure between the users PC and Mac users with the experience but I think it is more stable than mac pc ...
  
  Purchased-closed eyes, it's a great value ...

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• 04/16/05

  AlfredSurLeWeb's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Overall Opinion

  Resalut ....( to all and all)
  
  
  
  At the request of some people, I pushed further testing of the Mac mini for audio ...
  
  As I said in my review last month (for those who did not read ...)
  
  I have a MacMini for 2 months and I am very happy ....( after 10 years of computer music PC, Sonar, creamware ..)
  
  I have the 1.42 model ghz/1024 DDR / dd 80go/DVD (reader) CDRW .....( 800 euros)
  
  Logic Pro 7 + RME Fireface 800 + firewire 120GB EXT HDD ....
  
  AND it's ball ...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  No, it's true, I am very very happy ......
  
  Well, obviously, it remains a G4 and it has its limits in terms of processing time rel (especially with some pro Logic virtual instruments and EFX are very CPU intensive ...) Do not count to 4 Reverbs Space designer in a project (1 or 2 max and more ..) Forget also the Sculpture synth (well when I say forget it mean that wholesale Space Design and Sculpture take about 50 to 80% of CPU resources according to ....) usable presets, but you soon realize why Logic is recommended for bi-pro G5 and a max of RAM ..... If not for the rest, even when it's going .... in Perfs
  
  I did some tests here are the rsultats ..
  
  All in 24bit / 48000khz .. I still had to configure Logic Audio rglages in the window (buffer Large disk, latency is 1024 etc ...)
  
  28 tracks recording, I have not put more on but I can save 40 or 50 tracks in order to gauge perf CPU and Disk Logic had been stated for the record ...
  
  Read after I opened 5 TO, 1 space designer, two delays platiniumVerb 2 ... 80 to 90% CPU ...
  
  Then I Space virtual designer (but I left the other 4 TO ...) and I did play The Ultrabeat (synthe battery of hell in passing but also very greedy ...)+ 1 88 TEU (virtual Rhodes ..) a V-station (novation..) +7 samplers EXS24 ....... 80 to 90% CPU ... but it turns nickel ...
  
  So much for my little exprience .... And I say ... A HIGHLY PORTABLE G5 ............... Good music all and all ...... ALFRED ... (www.rastacademy.com)

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