The Mac mini Desktop Computer from Apple is a quiet and compact desktop computer in a sleek aluminum unibody enclosure. The system, only 7.7" square and 1.4" high, is a great option for users who would like an inexpensive, yet fully-functional, desktop Mac. The mini ships sans keyboard, mouse, and monitor, allowing you to choose the accessories that best suit your needs for use with the system.
iLife '11, a complete suite of digital creativity applications, is installed on the system. Easy enough for anyone to use, iLife will help you edit your home movies, organize digital photos, and compose original music. The system features an HDMI output port, making it a great option for users who would like a home theater computer for Internet video streaming and big-screen computer gaming. An optional remote control is available separately for purchase.
The system is powered by 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 CPU and includes 4GB of RAM, a 500GB 5400rpm hard drive, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, an SDXC card reader, and AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256MB GDDR5 graphics.
The computer is loaded with Apple's Mac OS X operating system. The 64-bit OS features Time Machine backup, which automatically backs up system data to an external hard drive. It also features intuitive natural scrolling, the innovative Launchpad application launcher, and support for full screen applications. Mission Control combines the functionality of Dashboard, Exposé, and Spaces -- giving you a bird's eye view of everything that is happening on your computer.
Mac OS X also adds Auto Save to your Mac, ensuring that you won't lose data if you forget to save a file. The OS tracks different versions of your documents, so you can go back to a previous draft of a document with ease. AirDrop makes it easy to transmit files wirelessly between computers, even if there is no central Wi-Fi network available. The revamped Mail application takes full advantage of modern widescreen displays.
And of course, you can expand the functionality of your computer system by browsing through the multitude of productivity applications, games, and other software that is available for purchase from the Mac App Store. Because the software in the store is curated by Apple, you can be sure that it is free of malware and safe to use. And, like the iOS App Store, you'll automatically be notified when updated versions of your favorite programs are available for download.
Design
Forged Ahead. Way Ahead
Mac mini features a 1.4-inch-thin seamless unibody enclosure carved from a single, solid block of aluminum. It's created using computer numerical control, or CNC, machines -- the same kind used by the aerospace industry to build mission-critical spacecraft components. This ensures absolute precision of every component of the Mac mini enclosure. Not to mention a stunning aluminum fit and finish that will make any desk proud.
No Detail is Too mini
The power supply is built right into Mac mini. So there's no bulky brick, and there are fewer cables to connect. A removable panel on the bottom makes upgrading the memory completely painless. And once you're inside, you'll see how clean and organized Mac mini is. With attention paid to the tiniest details. Like the air intake vent. It's practically invisible. And when the fan is running, you'll barely hear it. Mac mini is full of big ideas.
Many Ports. Major Possibilities.
Built-in Thunderbolt technology lets you daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt peripherals, including the Apple Thunderbolt Display, to a single port. It also supports Mini DisplayPort peripherals you might already have, including the Apple LED Cinema Display. The HDMI port lets you connect Mac mini to your HDTV with a single cable. And a built-in SDXC card slot makes speedy work of transferring photos and videos from your digital cameras.
Exactly What You Need. And Nothing You Don't
Mac mini is designed without an optical disc drive. Because these days, you don't need one. It's easier than ever to download music and movies from the iTunes Store. And you can download apps from the Mac App Store with a click. So what did we do with all the extra space? We squeezed in more powerful processors, advanced graphics, and Thunderbolt technology. And removing the optical drive gave Apple room to do one more thing with Mac mini: lower its price. If you still want to burn discs, consider the external MacBook Air SuperDrive, which connects to Mac mini with a USB cable.
One of the World's Most Energy-Efficient Desktop Computers
What Mac mini doesn't do could be its biggest feat. It doesn't waste energy. When idle, Mac mini consumes less than 13 watts. Mac mini is also made from highly recyclable aluminum. And even its package is designed to be mini, so it's as efficient as possible to ship.
Features
Intel Core i5 Processor
The dual-core 2.5GHz Intel Core i5 CPU comes standard on this Mac mini. With up to two times the performance of the previous generation, Mac mini keeps up with computers twice its size.
When you're using processor-intensive applications, Turbo Boost 2.0 increases the clock speed. Hyper-Threading lets each core run two threads, so OS X multitasks even more efficiently. And an integrated memory controller connects fast 1333MHz memory directly to the processor, so it gets right to work on your data. In short, Mac mini is a little box of vroom.
When you're using processor-intensive applications, Turbo Boost 2.0 increases the clock speed. Hyper-Threading lets each core run two threads, so OS X multitasks even more efficiently. And an integrated memory controller connects fast 1333MHz memory directly to the processor, so it gets right to work on your data. In short, Mac mini is a little box of vroom.
AMD Radeon HD 6630M Graphics
The dedicated AMD Radeon HD GPU in the mini is loaded with 256MB of GDDR5 memory. That delivers up to twice the horsepower than the previous generation system -- perfect for graphics-intensive applications and games.
Thunderbolt
The Thunderbolt technology in Mac mini is phenomenally fast. It features two 10Gbps channels for data transfer. That's up to 12 times faster than FireWire-800 and up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0. But beyond speed, Thunderbolt technology gives you unprecedented expansion capabilities. You can daisy-chain as many as six Thunderbolt peripherals, including the Apple Thunderbolt Display. And since Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, your Mini DisplayPort devices plug right in, too.
Plenty of Ports Make It Ready for Anything
The Thunderbolt port lets you connect up to six Thunderbolt devices, including the Apple Thunderbolt Display. You can also daisy-chain an Apple LED Cinema Display. Have a third-party display? Use the HDMI port and HDMI to DVI adapter that comes with Mac mini to connect it. You can even connect two displays to see more of your photos, movies, and documents at the same time.
A built-in SDXC card slot makes it easy to grab all those photos and videos from your digital cameras. And four USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire-800 port let you plug in your keyboard, mouse, iPod, iPhone, iPad, digital camera, DV camcorder, external hard drive, printer, and just about any other device you use.
A built-in SDXC card slot makes it easy to grab all those photos and videos from your digital cameras. And four USB 2.0 ports and a FireWire-800 port let you plug in your keyboard, mouse, iPod, iPhone, iPad, digital camera, DV camcorder, external hard drive, printer, and just about any other device you use.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
802.11n wireless technology is built into every Mac mini. It automatically connects to your Wi-Fi network, so you can get right down to browsing the web, printing, and streaming your music wirelessly. Bluetooth wireless technology is also built in, so you can connect accessories such as a wireless keyboard and mouse.
Use What You've Got
Plug your own display, keyboard, and mouse into Mac mini. Turn it on. And just like that, everything works together. That's one of the great things about Mac mini. You can mix and match it with almost anything.
No Screen Is Too Big
It's easy to connect Mac mini to the biggest screen in the house -- your HDTV -- courtesy of a built-in HDMI port. All it takes is one HDMI cable to start enjoying movies and TV shows from iTunes, browsing the web, and flipping through your photo library, all in brilliant HD. There's also a handy control that lets you adjust the output on Mac mini to fill even the biggest HDTV screen. And when you just want to listen to music, you can play your entire iTunes collection through your home entertainment center, or stream it to a set of speakers in any room via an AirPort Express Base Station.
Start with 500GB of storage. And Take It From There
Mac mini comes with a 500GB hard drive. So you can pack in your photo libraries, movies, music, files, and more, more, more. Need to burn discs? The external USB-based MacBook Air SuperDrive does the job for a modest cost.
Add Memory with a Twist
Mac mini comes with 4GB of fast 1333MHz DDR3 memory. And thanks to a removable bottom panel, it's easy to add more. Just give it a twist, and you're in. Pop your new memory into the SO-DIMM slots, and you're ready to go.
Mac OS X
Hardware and Software Made for Each Other
Since the software on every Mac is created by the same company that makes the Mac, you get a fully integrated system in which everything works together perfectly. OS X works with the processor in your Mac to deliver the best possible performance. The Multi-Touch trackpad on every Mac notebook gives you more than enough space to pinch, swipe, and tap your way around most of the apps on your system. OS X gives you long battery life by dimming the screen in low-light conditions and even regulating processor activity between keystrokes.
Interact with Your Computer in a Whole New Way
Tap, scroll, pinch, and swipe using Multi-Touch gestures, directly controlling what's on your screen in a more fluid, natural, and intuitive way. When you scroll down on your trackpad or Magic Mouse, your document scrolls down. When you scroll up, your web page scrolls up. When you swipe left, your photos move left. And there are many more gestures that make all you do on your Mac the best experience you can have on a computer. Hands down.
Easy to Use and Incredibly Powerful
From the desktop you see when you start up your Mac to the applications you use every day, everything is designed to be simple and intuitive. Of course, making amazing things simple requires some seriously advanced technologies, and OS X is loaded with them. Not only is it built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability, it also delivers incredible performance, stunning graphics, and industry-leading support for Internet standards.
Easy Access to All of Your Apps
Working and playing on a Mac is all about apps, so OS X makes it simple to find and open those apps fast. The Dock is a handy place on your desktop for storing and launching your favorite apps, and it makes switching between them a breeze. The Dock also includes Stacks, folders that give you quick access to documents, files, and downloads. Launchpad is a full-screen home for all the apps on your Mac. It lets you arrange them the way you want, group them in folders, and delete them with ease. And apps purchased from the Mac App Store automatically appear in Launchpad, so you can browse thousands of apps and start using the ones you buy right away.
Find, Organize, and Share Files Fast
The Finder gives you easy access to all the files on your system. It lets you find, organize, and access practically everything on your Mac -- including applications, files, folders, discs, and shared computers on your network. You can sort files by kind, application, date modified, date added, or size. But with so many files on your computer, finding a specific one can be a challenge. Not on a Mac. Features like Spotlight and Quick Look make locating the file you're looking for effortless -- even if you don't know the filename. Say you're searching for a document, and the only thing you recall about it is the phrase "surrealist painters." Open Spotlight, start typing "surrealist painters," and your Mac generates a list of files that contain those words. And with Quick Look, you don't need to open an application to verify that you've found the right file - view a full-screen preview by hitting the space bar. Want to share a file with someone nearby? Just drag and drop to send it to the person wirelessly with AirDrop.
See Everything Running on Your Mac. In an Instant
OS X offers systemwide support for gorgeous, full-screen apps that use every inch of your Mac display. You can have multiple full-screen apps open at once -- along with multiple apps in windows. And it's easy to switch between full-screen and desktop views. Mission Control gives you a bird's-eye view of all your windows and full-screen apps, and allows you to instantly navigate among them.
It Does the Saving for You
Say goodbye to the worry and the hassle of manually saving your work. Auto Save automatically saves your work, while you work, without you having to do a thing. Versions creates a new version of a document each time you open it and every hour while you're working. It saves only the differences between successive versions, so the impact on your disk drive is minimal. Just open Versions to see the current document next to a cascade of previous versions. You can copy and paste between versions or revert to an earlier version. And when you share a document, you share only the most recent copy.
Highly Secure by Design
OS X doesn't get PC viruses. And with virtually no effort on your part, the operating system protects itself from other malicious applications. Because every Mac ships with a secure configuration, you don't have to worry about changing complex settings in order to stay safe. Even better, OS X won't slow you down with constant security alerts and sweeps. Apple responds quickly to online threats and automatically delivers security updates. And with FileVault 2 in OS X, all the data on your Mac is protected by powerful encryption.
Built for Compatibility
The versatility and power of OS X help a Mac fit in just about anywhere -- including Windows networks. Want to transfer your files, photos, and other data from a Windows PC? OS X lets you do that easily. If you want to run Windows on your Mac, you can do that, too. OS X has built-in support for the latest version of Microsoft Exchange Server, so you can use your Mac at home and at work and keep all your messages, meetings, and contacts in one place. OS X works with virtually all of today's digital cameras, printers, and other peripherals without the need to manually download separate drivers. And it opens popular file types such as JPG, MP3, and PDF, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint documents.
Accessible Innovation
OS X comes standard with a wide range of assistive technologies that help people with disabilities experience what the Mac has to offer, including many features you won't find in other operating systems -- at any price. For example, built-in VoiceOver screen-reading technology, available in over 20 languages, makes it possible for those who are blind or have low vision to control their computers using key commands or gestures on a Multi-Touch trackpad. OS X also offers out-of-the-box support for more than 40 Braille displays (including Bluetooth displays) and many other accessibility features, such as dynamic full-screen magnification, playback of closed captions, and a scalable screen.
Reliable from the Very Start
Just about everything you do on a Mac -- even upgrading to the latest version of the OS -- is safe and reliable. OS X checks your applications to make sure they're compatible and sets aside any programs known to be incompatible. If a power outage interrupts your installation, OS X can start again without losing any data. Best of all, upgrading doesn't require reformatting your drive -- you keep all your compatible applications, files, and settings. And if something goes wrong when you're using your Mac, Time Machine is there to restore your data if needed.
Built-In Apps
iPhoto
iPhoto is an easy-to-use photo application that makes it fast and fun to organize and find your pictures, as well as make them look their absolute best. With features like Faces, Places, and Events, iPhoto helps you keep track of your photos by who's in them and when and where you took them -- all in an immersive full-screen view. Use quick and simple editing tools to make so-so shots picture perfect with just a few clicks. iPhoto even lets you share your photos with the world with beautiful photo books and letterpress cards or online via Facebook and Flickr.
iMovie
Don't settle for boring home movies. With iMovie, you can transform the videos you shoot into your very own indie flicks. Create a Hollywood-style trailer that'll make your audience laugh, cry, and cheer for more. If you know how to drag and drop, you can make a movie in iMovie. It comes with Apple-designed themes that look fun and professional. Just choose one and iMovie does the rest, adding animated titles and sophisticated transitions automatically. Customize your screen gem further with your own words and audio.
GarageBand
Whether you're musically gifted or mostly curious, GarageBand is the application for you. Plug in your electric guitar or USB music keyboard and get ready to rock with virtual replicas of the most revered amps and stompboxes in the world, as well as over 100 software instruments. Just because you didn't grow up learning your A, B, and C sharp doesn't mean you can't. Basic Lessons teach you just that: the basics. Choose from 40 lessons that cover blues guitar, rock guitar, classical piano, pop piano, and more. Or get a private lesson from one of your musical heroes, like Sting or Death Cab for Cutie, with Artist Lessons.1 GarageBand even tells you how well you're playing in real time with a feature called "How Did I Play?"
Mac App Store
Just like shopping the App Store on iPad, the Mac App Store offers endless possibilities to browse and purchase apps. Apps install in one step right to Launchpad. And the Mac App Store lets you know when app updates are available, so you always have the latest versions.
Safari
Designed with the Mac in mind, Safari emphasizes browsing, not the browser. In full-screen view, the browser frame is only a pixel wide, and you can hide almost the entire interface if you choose. So there's nothing to distract you from an article, video, or photo album. Navigating web pages is easy with trackpad gestures -- flip through web pages with a swipe, and double tap or pinch the trackpad to zoom in on text or images. Safari also features Reader, which lets you peruse articles sans annoying ads. Or save articles for later with Reading List. And since pages render fast in Safari, you won't miss a minute of the web.
Mail
Mail makes it easy to manage all your e-mail from a single, ad-free inbox. It features powerful search capabilities, with search suggestions and tokens built in. It works with most e-mail standards -- including POP3 and IMAP -- and popular e-mail services such as Gmail, Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, Cox, Yahoo! Mail, and AOL Mail. Mail supports Microsoft Exchange 2010, too. If you have more than one e-mail account, no problem. Add your accounts to Mail and you'll be able to access all your e-mail from one place.
And Mail looks as great as it works. It makes full use of your display with a gorgeous widescreen view featuring a full-height message and a message list that includes snippets. With Conversations, messages from the same thread appear in an elegant timeline showing each communication as it was sent while hiding redundant text.
And Mail looks as great as it works. It makes full use of your display with a gorgeous widescreen view featuring a full-height message and a message list that includes snippets. With Conversations, messages from the same thread appear in an elegant timeline showing each communication as it was sent while hiding redundant text.
iCal
Keep track of your busy schedule and share it with others using iCal. Create separate calendars -- one for home, another for school, a third for work, and so on. See all your calendars in a single window or choose to see only the calendars you want. iCal lets you create invitations using contact information from your Address Book, update your guest list, keep track of responses, and receive the latest status information. When you or another Mac user receives an iCal invitation via Mail, it's automatically added. iCal works with Yahoo! and Google calendars too, and syncs to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, so you'll always be up to date on all your devices.
Address Book
With Address Book you have a flexible and convenient place to store contact information for everyone you know. You can import names, numbers, addresses, and photos from other applications, create smart groups for clubs, activities, and business purposes, print address labels and envelopes, and more. It syncs to iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch so there's no need for duplication. And since Address Book is built on vCard, an industry standard for storing contact information, your friends can send you cards that you can add simply by dropping them in -- no typing required.
Time Machine
Time Machine works with your Mac and an external hard drive or Time Capsule. Connect the drive, assign it to Time Machine, and start enjoying some peace of mind. Time Machine automatically backs up your entire Mac, including system files, applications, accounts, preferences, music, photos, movies, and documents. But what makes Time Machine different from other backup applications is that it not only keeps a spare copy of every file, it remembers how your system looked on any given day -- so you can revisit your Mac as it appeared in the past.
FaceTime
FaceTime for Mac makes it possible to talk, smile, and laugh with anyone on an iPad 2, iPhone 4, iPod touch, or another Mac from your Mac. So you can catch up, hang out, joke around, and stay in touch with just a click. And when someone tries to reach you, the call rings through on every Mac you own, even if FaceTime isn't running. So you never have to worry about making yourself available. If you don't want to receive calls, just turn FaceTime off in preferences. FaceTime is integrated with your Address Book so you can initiate chats easily.
Photo Booth
Take photo snapshots and video clips with your Mac using Photo Booth. Send them to your friends, use one as an iChat icon, add them to your Address Book, or organize and edit them in iPhoto. The real fun starts when you use the effects and backdrops in Photo Booth. Snap a photo of yourself at the Eiffel Tower or in outer space. Choose from nine effects that use facial tracking technology so effects look great whether you're front and center -- or left of center. Snap single photos or shoot multiples in a four-photo burst. You can even shoot video clips, complete with effects, then trim them right in Photo Booth and send them to friends and family. And since Photo Booth can be viewed full screen, you'll enjoy every detail down to the last pixel.
The Mac Experience
Every Day Use
Every Mac is designed to make your life easier, not more difficult. The system ships with Mac OS X, which gives you all the tools you need for e-mail, personal organization, Internet browsing, watching movies, and more. Its software and hardware are designed work to together seamlessly, eliminating the compatibility nightmares that often plague PC users. What's more, the Mac mini can run Windows via Boot Camp, perfect for users who have a Windows-only application that they absolutely need to use.
iLife '11
The included iLife '11 suite is a suite of applications that help you organize your digital life. It includes iPhoto for photo management and editing, iMovie for HD video editing, iDVD to burn your movies to disc, GarageBand for music production, and iWeb for web publishing.
Secure and Reliable
Worried about viruses and malware? Don't be. The Mac mini isn't plagued by constant attacks from the outside world. It is designed to be secure out of the box, eliminating the need for additional software to protect your system from danger. OS X will warn you if a downloaded file is potentially dangerous, ensuring that you don't accidentally open a malicious application. Apple responds quickly to any security threats, prompting you to download updates that keep your Mac up to date and safe.
Advanced Technology, Standard
Powered by an Intel dual-core CPU, the Mac mini is fully loaded with 3D graphics, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. You'll find features on this system that are foreign to the PC world. A powerful 64-bit operating system built on a UNIX foundation is pre-installed on the system.
Environmentally Friendly Design
Apple understands that the Earth is our most precious resource. They've worked to create a computer that is energy efficient, free of many toxins, and highly recyclable. Because Apple designs both hardware and software, the Mac mini is able to use a highly efficient power supply that reduces wasted power. The computer is free of mercury and arsenic, and its internal components are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). When the computer reaches the end of its long life, you can rest assured that it can be recycled. It is constructed from materials that are highly desirable to recyclers. The Mac mini has been awarded EPEAT Gold status for responsible manufacture, energy efficiency, and recyclability.
Tech Support
Have a problem with your Mac? Get support and advice at the Genius Bar, located at every Apple Retail Store. Apple also provides online tutorials, troubleshooting forums, and 90 days of phone support for users who aren't able to make it to an Apple store.
Optional AppleCare
Apple provides 90 days of free phone support and a 1-year limited hardware warranty on the computer. You can opt to add an AppleCare Protection Plan, at additional cost, which covers support and repairs for 3 years from the date of purchase. AppleCare can be purchased at any time within the first year of ownership of the computer.