Best Reviewed
Apple Laptops and Desktops
- Best Apple laptop 15-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro *Est. $2200
- Best ultraportable Apple laptop 13-inch 128 GB MacBook Air *Est. $1300
- Best-value Apple laptop 13-inch 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro *Est. $1200
- Budget Apple laptop 11-inch 64 GB MacBook Air *Est. $1000
- Best Apple desktop 21.5-inch 2.5 GHz iMac *Est. $1200
- Best tablet computer Apple iPad 2 *Est. $500
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- Compact design
- Affordable
- Recent update has improved performance
- No monitor, keyboard or mouse
- Only 1 GB of RAM
- No HDMI connection
The Mac mini is the most affordable Apple computer, as long as you have your own components. Because it doesn't come with a monitor, keyboard or mouse, you'll have to buy your own, which can drive up the price. The Mac mini gets mixed reviews overall, but experts say the latest update makes some improvements. The new Mac mini has a 2 GHz Intel processor, 1 GB of memory, 120 GB hard drive and Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics. An upgraded version is also available with 2 GB of memory and a 320 GB hard drive (*Est. $800 and up). The new Mac mini has more USB ports and added a FireWire 800 slot, and reviewers say it offers better overall performance and improved video quality. Still, most experts say you should really pay $50 to upgrade the RAM to 2 GB. The Mac mini performs very well in independent testing, and it receives a Gold award from PC Advisor. However, other reviewers question the mini's overall value. Depending on how much you have to spend on the extra components, you could get a new MacBook (*Est. $1,000 and up) with better performance for about the same price.
A number of sources provide good reviews of the updated Mac mini, including CNET, ConsumerReports.org and PC Advisor. These sources test the mini and compare it to other computers in Apple's lineup. TechRadar.com and Gizmodo.com provide shorter reviews, although they don't conduct as much testing or provide detailed comparisons.
Apple MacBook MC516LL/A 13.3-Inch Laptop (OLD VERSION)
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Our Sources
1. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
ConsumerReports.org tests the 2 GHz 120 GB Mac mini along with nine other standard desktops. The mini is rated on ergonomics, features, performance and 3-D gaming speed.
Review: Desktop Computer Ratings and Reliability, Editors of ConsumerReports.org, Not Dated
2. CNET
The Mac mini gets a rating of "very good" from CNET, and reviewer Justin Yu says recent updates improved the mini's efficiency and speed. He also calls it "respectable" as a budget gaming system. Still, Yu questions the overall value.
Review: Apple Mac Mini, Justin Yu, March 4, 2009
3. PC Advisor
The new Mac mini earns a Gold award, and reviewer Andrew Harrison says the mini is "more attractive than ever." In Harrison's tests, he observes faster wireless performance and he likes the addition of more ports (USB and FireWire 800).
Review: Apple Mac mini (Early 2009) Review, Andrew Harrison, March 31, 2009
PC World Australia gives the new Mac mini an Editors' Choice award. Reviewer James Hutchinson likes the value and says it's reasonably powerful for the price. Still, he would like to see a HDMI connection.
Review: Apple Mac Mini (2009), James Hutchinson, March 23, 2009
TechRadar.com gives the Mac mini a mixed review, saying it seems expensive for what you get. They call it a "weird anomaly in Apple's lineup," although reviewer Christopher Phin does say the mini offers a "lush video experience."
Review: Apple Mac Mini 2.0GHz Review, Christopher Phin, May 7, 2009
6. Gizmodo.com
Wilson Rothman at Gizmodo.com says the Mac mini has made improvements, but "it still falls short." Like other reviewers, he would like to see an HDMI connection, and he recommends upgrading to 2GB of RAM. Still, he says the Mac mini can handle most everyday computing tasks.
Review: Mac Mini 2009 Review, Wilson Rothman, March 5, 2009
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