By Brad Chacos on September 28, 2011 in
Apple overhauled its computer lineup in 2011, adding performance-boosting Intel Sandy Bridge processors and super-speedy Thunderbolt ports. As we discovered while compiling the latest update of our report on Apple desktop and laptop computers, critics say that even the entry level Mac mini can finally hold its own as a primary computer. However, they add that Apple had to taketh away before it giveth in order to maintain the mini's sleek form. The reactions have been emotional and mixed, especially among those that prized the mini for its ability as a home theater PC (HTPC). Did the latest Mac mini sacrifice its place as king of the HTPCs in exchange for its enhanced processing power? If so, is that trade off a good thing? Let's find out.
Buh-bye optical drive
Previous versions of the mini were dinged by reviewers for the lack of a Blu-ray drive, since the high-definition discs remain a core home theater media for many users. Rather than adding Blu-ray functionality, Apple did the complete opposite and removed the optical drive altogether. It's not a totally unprecedented move -- the MacBook Air has never had an optical drive -- but as we noted in our report on Apple computers, it's a major bone of contention among reviewers.
"Last year's mini could easily play back any DVD rental (read: the only reasonable way to get newer movies at home), install applications that shipped on physical discs, rip your CD collection, and even burn back content and homemade movies," Darren Murph writes at Engadget.com. "For whatever reason, Apple has decided that you won't need to do any of that with this year's mini ... Gee, thanks for the option."
While the sentiment is echoed by most other reviewers, not every critic considers the optical drive to be a critical loss. Dan Frakes at Macworld points out that "between iTunes, the Mac App Store, Lion's electronic distribution, iCloud, Lion Recovery, Target Disk Mode, CD/DVD Sharing [via Remote Disc], and ripping movies on another Mac, many Mac users would be able to get along fine without an optical drive." If you absolutely need an optical drive, the MacBook Air SuperDrive can connect to the Mac mini via USB, although critics note that the external drive still can't play Blu-rays, and some say that adding extensions to the mini takes away from its clean and utilitarian appearance.
Buh-bye Front Row
Another blow to the 2011 Mac mini's HTPC performance stems from changes in the new OS X Lion operating system rather than an alteration to the mini itself. Apple tossed the Front Row media center software from the Lion lineup. ArsTechnica.com achieved similar functionality by installing both Boxee and Plex media center software on their Mac mini. Unfortunately, they report that the Netflix support for both programs is spotty and unsatisfying, and they've been reduced to watching Netflix via a web browser.
It's up to you
So is the 2011 Mac mini still a viable choice as a HTPC? It seems to boil down to individual usage. If you've got a massive library of DVDs and no desire to use Remote Disc or rip movies on another computer, the Mac mini probably can't satisfy your HTPC needs. If, on the other hand, you've got a large collection of digital files or rely instead on Internet streaming services like Hulu Plus, reviewers say the 2011 mini's HDMI output, improved performance capabilities and low power usage still make it a top pick, although it might not stand head-and-shoulders above the HTPC crowd in the same was as last year's version.