Affordable little powerhouse
Pros:
small, thin, relatively lightweight, fast startup and computing, tight resolution, battery life, screen brightness
Cons:
integrated graphics. all plugs on left (it awkward dude), Glare in some places
The Bottom Line:
This computer is good bang for its buck. If you look at similarly-priced pc laptops, you'll see this one is just as fast/feature-laden. Truth.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I just got my 1.8 ghz mac mini yesterday and I already know it is the best computer purchase i've made. First of all, after you have used it a couple of times, it starts up extremely quick. Much quicker than my $2000 powerbook did when that was new. So far, all tasks are noticeably quicker than my old 867 mhz G4, most are MUCH quicker.
I love the new Magnetic technology, but it stinks that I can't use my old power adaptors. That remote is pretty swell... I can't help but think if it were 3 or so years from now it would have a storage slot built into the computer(!) Like the Nintendo DS has for the stylus.
I have been using the computer now for 3 hours and 25 minutes on a full battery charge, and it's telling me I've got 8 percent left. Not too bad! (though I do have the brightness down 4 notches).
The built in camera is (here it comes) a nice touch. There I said it. I would trade it in an instant for a screen with a small border like my old Powerbook, that border was tiny. This one is big like the ibooks... but then that is what it replaces.
Sinking into the machine is a full size keyboard that is one solid piece, with each button being pressed through the plastic shell into its own hole. Unlike the iBooks, the dreamy sleep light is exposed sitting just left of the remote sensor.
The right side of my monitor has a panel that can be pushed in slightly and it makes a plastic popping sound when I do it... I know that isn't supposed to be like that and I gotta stop pushing it!
Hm... Also, the screen is overall a good laptop experience. Again, it makes me yearn for my old G4.. may it apparently rest in peace. I just found out the glossy screen is for "more vibrant" color, but so far I have just noticed that it looks cool as ice cream when the computer is off, and glares in brighter rooms like my office at work... I love how apple keeps squeezing more and more pixels into smaller spaces. No sarcasm, I really think its cool. I'll have to remember to get new glasses.
Graphics are moderate-significant leap up from the last generation of ibooks and a great big leap from the old 867 with its 32 mb dedicated chip. I wish they didn't do integrated graphics though! it's like my old Compaq which was a fairly ghetto* machine. Apple upgrades things fast though, so they have to take small steps or the machines will get to fast to quick... and nobody can afford that son.
Apple Store
