New Mac Mini Launched By Apple

An all-new Mac mini was introduced today, following a few hours of maintenance to the Apple Online Store. The new device is quite different from multiple standpoints (compared with its predecessors), featuring a beautiful unibody enclosure, smaller form factor, and equally impressive specs to boot. A Server-optimized version – the successor of Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server launched in January 2010 – is also available. Base configuration prices remain almost unchanged – $699 for the standard Mac mini; $999 for the new Mac mini with Snow Leopard Server.

As expected, the Mac maker has issued an official report previewing the new Mac mini, saying, “Apple today unveiled a completely redesigned Mac mini, featuring up to twice the graphics performance, a new HDMI port and a new SD card slot, all in an amazingly compact aluminum enclosure. Mac mini is the world’s most energy efficient desktop and starting at $699, is the most affordable way to enjoy Mac OS X, iLife or Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server.”


The new Mac mini is shipping today and will be available through the Apple online store, Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers worldwide. For the retail price of $699 (US), the new Mac mini includes the following specs, according to Apple:

- 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB of shared L2 cache;
- 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM, expandable up to 8GB;
- a slot-load 8X SuperDrive® (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) optical drive;
- 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
- NVIDIA GeForce 320M integrated graphics;
- AirPort Extreme 802.11n wireless networking and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
- Gigabit Ethernet;
- four USB 2.0 ports;
- SD card slot;
- one FireWire 800 port;
- one HDMI port and one Mini DisplayPort;
- HDMI to DVI video adapter;
- combined optical digital audio input/audio line in (minijack); and
- combined optical digital audio output/headphone out (minijack).

Customers can opt for up to 8GB of RAM, a 500GB hard drive, an Apple Remote, Aperture 3, Final Cut Express 4, Logic Express, iWork (pre-installed), accessories like the Apple Wireless Keyboard, the Magic Mouse, as well as an Apple 24-inch LED Cinema Display, in what is known as “build-to-order options” over at Apple. The AppleCare Protection Plan can also be purchased for an additional $149.

The Mac mini with Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server, available for $999, features similar specs, but lacks the built-in 8 SuperDrive (optical unit), in favor of an added 500GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 7200 rpm for a total of 1TB of storage. Both minis meet Energy Star 5.0 requirements and achieve the EPEAT Gold status, Apple says. Visit Apple’s website here for a complete overview of the new computer.