Review: Apple Mac Mini (Core Duo)

Following on from the Imac, Apple's miniature computer gets a similar Intel makeover

When it was first released, the Mac Mini was the cheapest Mac that Apple  had ever come up with.

It was also responsible for tempting quite a few PC owners into using a Mac for the very first time.

So we were initially disappointed to see that prices for the new Mac Mini start at £449 and go up to £599 – a good £100 more than the previous versions.

But, in return, you do get a lot more power and a good set of hardware and software features.

As you may well have heard, Apple is now using Intel processors in all its new machines (read a review of the Intel Imac), so the new Mac Mini dumps the aging G4 processor in favour of the new speedy new Intel alternatives.

For £449 you can get a Mini with a 1.5GHz Core Solo (single core) processor, 512MB Ram, 60GB hard disk and a DVD-Rom/CD-RW drive.

However, our review unit was the more expensive £599 model, which has 1.66GHz Core Duo (dual core) processor, 80GB Ram and a DVD-RW drive.

Both models have built in wireless networking, Bluetooth, USB, Firewire and digital audio in/out. You also get the excellent ILife '06 software suite included as well (read a review of ILife '06).

This Core Duo model is a particularly good performer, running almost twice as fast as the old Mac Mini for certain tasks, such as handling video files or ripping MP3s.

The Core Solo model wasn’t available for review, but the indications are that it provides a respectable 25-30 per cent speed increase over the previous Mac Mini.

The one big disappointment is the use of an Intel integrated GMA950 graphics processor. This is good at handling video files, but not too hot on 3D performance, so the new Mac Mini is certainly no games machine.

Still, as a general-purpose home or office computer the new Mini works really well. It’s more expensive than before, but the speed increase is worth it – and it’s still cheaper than PC rivals such as Evesham’s Mini PC.