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 a compact yet fully-functional desktop Mac. The mini ships without a keyboard, mouse or monitor, allowing you to choose the accessories that best suit your needs for use with the system.
iLife, 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 a quad-core Ivy Bridge 2.6GHz Intel Core i7 processor and includes 16GB of 1600Hz DDR3 RAM, a 1TB 5400rpm hard drive, Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, an SDXC card reader, and integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000.
This Mac mini comes with either Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion or OS X 10.9 Mavericks preinstalled; both operating systems feature a user-friendly interface. Mac OS X 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 gives you a bird's eye view of everything that is happening on your computer.
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.
Features
Quad-Core Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7 Performance
With an Ivy Bridge Intel Core i7 processor, this Mac mini keeps up with computers twice its size. The quad cores of the processor can run at a stock speed of 2.6GHz. The processor can also be overclocked up to 3.6GHz, thanks to Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. With a 6MB L3 cache, 16GB of DDR3 RAM and Intel Hyper-Threading technology, you'll be able to experience smooth and seamless multitasking
Integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000
Intel HD Graphics 4000 delivers up to 65 percent more pixel-pushing performance than the previous generation of integrated graphics. So the video you watch and the games you play are smoother and more responsive. Flipping through photo albums is a breeze. And you get the power you need to edit your HD video
High Capacity Storage
This Mac mini comes with a 1TB 5400rpm hard drive so you have plenty of space to save your photo libraries, movies, music, files and more
Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt technology in the Mac mini is phenomenally fast. It features two 10-Gbps 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 gives you unprecedented expansion capabilities. You can daisy-chain as many as six Thunderbolt devices - including two Apple Thunderbolt Displays - to a single port. And since Thunderbolt is based on DisplayPort technology, Mini DisplayPort devices like the Apple LED Cinema Display plug right in, too
USB 3.0
With USB 3.0 built into the Mac mini, you can connect your external hard drive and transfer large files in seconds instead of minutes. Every Mac mini comes with four USB 3.0 ports - with speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0 - and you can connect all your USB-compatible devices, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod or digital camera
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The 802.11a/b/g/n wireless technology is built into every Mac mini. It automatically locates your Wi-Fi network, so you can connect and start surfing the web, printing, and streaming your music wirelessly. Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology is also built in, so you can connect accessories such as a wireless keyboard and mouse
HDMI
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, surfing 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
Bring Your Own Display, Keyboard & Mouse
Plug your own display, keyboard and mouse into Mac mini. Turn it on. And just like that, everything works together. You can mix and match it with almost anything
Design
Sleek Aluminum Body
The 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
No Detail is too mini
The power supply is built right into the 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
Port Authority
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 like 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
Energy Efficient
Even though the new Mac mini can deliver a huge performance boost compared to the previous generation, it still uses less than 11 watts of power when idle. It doesn't just meet the ENERGY STAR requirements, it exceeds them - six times over. Mac mini is also made from highly recyclable aluminum, and with a built-in power supply, there's no plastic housing
Mac OS X
User Friendly Interface
The Dock is a handy place for all your favorite apps. From the Dock, you can launch apps quickly and switch between them easily. If an app isn't on the Dock, you'll find it in Launchpad. Go there to see all the apps on your Mac full screen and organize them however you like. And Mission Control gives you a bird's-eye view of all your open windows, so you can keep track of everything you're working on. OS X offers system-wide support for gorgeous, full-screen apps that use every inch of your 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
UNIX Foundation
Making powerful things simple requires some seriously advanced technologies. OS X is loaded with them. It's built on a rock-solid, time-tested UNIX foundation that provides unparalleled stability and industry-leading support for Internet standards. And the incredible graphics performance in OS X allows applications like Aperture and Final Cut Pro to give you photo and video editing capabilities
iCloud
Sign in once with your Apple ID on your Mac mini and iCloud is automatically set up in all the apps that use it. So if you have iCloud set up on your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, whatever you do on your Mac happens on those devices, too. And it works the other way around. Update something on another device, and the same update will be made on your Mac. So your mail, contacts, calendars, messages, documents, data, and more go wherever you go. From your Mac to your iPhone to your iPad and back to your Mac
Safety. Built Right In
Every Mac is designed with powerful, advanced technologies that work together to constantly scrutinize, encrypt, update - and ultimately keep your Mac safer. For starters, OS X is built on a proven, secure UNIX foundation. It also includes a host of features designed to protect your Mac and the information on it. Gatekeeper makes it safer to download and install apps. FileVault safeguards data using powerful encryption. Find My Mac helps you locate your missing Mac on a map, set a passcode remotely, and more. Customizable privacy settings keep your personal information under your control. And the best way to keep your Mac up to date with the latest security features? Just install software updates with a click
Windows 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
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. Quick and simple editing tools let you make so-so shots picture perfect with just a few clicks. Photo Stream in iCloud automatically pushes new photos to all your devices, so you're never without your latest shots. And if you feel like showing off what you've captured, iPhoto lets you share with beautiful photo books and letterpress cards or online via Facebook and Flickr
iMovie
With iMovie, you can transform the videos you shoot into your very own indie flicks. 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. 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. New 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 version
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. Don't have time to finish what you've started? Reading List lets you save links to articles and other web pages for later, and iCloud keeps your Reading List up to date across all your devices. Since pages render fast in Safari, you won't miss a minute of the web
Mail
Mail makes it easy to manage all your email from a single, ad-free inbox. It features powerful search capabilities, with search suggestions and tokens built in. It works with the free me.com email account you get when you sign up for iCloud, as well as most email standards - including POP3 and IMAP - and popular email 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 email account, no problem. Add your accounts to Mail and you'll be able to access all your email 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
Calendar
Keep track of your busy schedule and share it with others using Calendar. 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. Calendar lets you create invitations using information from Contacts, update your guest list, keep track of responses, and receive the latest status information. When you or another Mac user receives a Calendar invitation via Mail, it's automatically added. Calendar also works with iCloud, Yahoo!, and Google. And when you use iCloud, every Calendar edit you make on your Mac automatically appears on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch. So no dinner dates are missed, no meeting goes unattended, and no anniversary is forgotten
Contacts
Contacts is a flexible and convenient place to store information for everyone you know. It's easy to import names, numbers, addresses, and photos from other applications. And it's designed for Facebook, too. Contacts automatically includes your friends' profile photos and information. And when friends update their information, Contacts updates your Mac. You can create smart groups for clubs, activities, and business purposes; print address labels and envelopes; and more. iCloud updates your contacts on your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, and Mac - so when you enter someone's contact info once, you have it everywhere. And since Contacts 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 into your contacts list - no typing required
Messages
Messages on the Mac replaces iChat. It does everything iChat does, and so much more. For starters, it comes with iMessage. So you can send unlimited messages to anyone on a Mac - and on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5 or later, too. You can even start a conversation on your Mac and pick it up on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. Send photos, videos, documents, and contacts. And send messages to a group. You can see when your message has been delivered and when someone's typing a reply. Turn on read receipts, and friends can see when you've read their messages. With end-to-end encryption, your messages stay safe and private
Reminders
Reminders helps you get all your to-dos done - on the Mac and on your iOS devices. Make as many to-do lists as you need and easily add to them. Set due dates and you'll get alerts as deadlines approach. Check items off your lists as you go and keep track of what you've completed. And to be sure you don't forget anything, iCloud keeps your reminders up to date on your Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch
Time Machine
Time Machine works with your Mac and an external hard drive or Time Capsule (sold separately). 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, iPhone, iPod touch, or another Mac from your Mac. So you can catch up, hang out, and stay in touch with a click. Just find who you want to see in Contacts and start a FaceTime call. And when someone wants 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
Photo Booth
Take fun snapshots and make short videos in Photo Booth. Right from there, you can share what you shoot on Facebook and Twitter. Use photos as your Messages icons. Assign them to friends and family in Contacts. And add photos to your iPhoto library. But the real fun starts when you use the effects and backdrops. 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 and trim video clips, complete with effects. And see your Photo Booth photos full screen