Mac mini

Mac mini: inexpensive if you have other components

If you want a new Macintosh but can't or don't want to spend $1,000 or more, your only option is the Mac mini. The diminutive Mac mini has received two upgrades in 2009, and reviews are mixed. Some experts think the Mac mini has made big improvements, but others say it still falls short. The mini was overhauled in October and it now comes in three configurations for 2009, including a 2.26 GHz 160 GB version (*Est. $600 and up) and a 2.53 GHz 320 GB model (*Est. $800 and up). The 160 GB mini has 2 GB of memory, and the 320 GB model has 4 GB. Both have Nvidia GeForce 9400M graphics and one FireWire 800 slot. As with the new iMacs, these Mac minis received big spec boosts while still maintaining the same prices. Apple also offers a Mac mini Snow Leopard server (*Est. $1,000), with dual 500 GB hard drives and a 2.53 GHz processor.

The Mac mini is sold on its own, so you'll have to pay extra for a monitor, keyboard and mouse. Apple's cheapest monitor, the 24-inch LED Cinema Display (*Est. $900), costs more than the Mini itself. However, if you have your own components, you can use them to keep the total cost down.

Overall, the few reviewers who test the latest minis are impressed with the improved specifications on these desktops, but they note that the mini is not a high-powered desktop. "Even though the late-2009 minis are all about increasing performance, you shouldn't expect to be wowed by the newest models' power," says Dan Frakes at Macworld. Frakes describes the performance improvements as "decent" over the previous generation released in early 2009, but the new minis are significantly faster than the 2007 version.

Earlier this year, reviewers recommended the entry-level Mac mini over the pricier version -- as long as you upgraded the paltry 1 GB of memory. Now, the pricier version is seen as a better performer. "What this means is that if you want the very best performance in a Mac mini, you'll want to go with the $799 model with its faster processor and maxed-out RAM," says Frakes. "Otherwise, the $599 model continues to offer a better value." Chris Hall at Pocket-Lint.com also recommends the 2.53 GHz mini, saying it "performs very well" as an everyday computer, although he notes some very faint "high-pitched noise" when the mini is powered on. If you're on a budget, the 2.26 GHz mini is seen as the best deal.