Mac mini Core Duos Benchmarked

Macworld.com benchmarks the new Mac mini Core Duo line: the 1.83GHz (US$799) and 1.66GHz (US$599) models.

Both of these new Mac mini models are good values, and Apple made an excellent choice in dropping the underpowered Core Solo-based model-the last single-core Mac in Apple's product line. As a budget Mac, a supplemental home computer, a server, or a home media set-top box, the Mac mini's price and size make it an impressively versatile system. If you're a gamer, the Mac mini's integrated graphics system won't be powerful enough for your needs. But for everyone else, the Mac mini remains an excellent system, especially for users with a limited amount of free space or money-or both. [Mac mini Core Duo - Macworld]

The article compares 4 minis and iMacs with benchmark scores on Speedmark, Adobe Photoshop CS2, Cinema 4D XL, Compressor, iMovie, iTunes, Unreal Tournament, and Finder.

Technorati : Apple, Benchmark, Core, Duo, Mac, mini

Intel-based Mac minis Reviewed

Macworld reviews the Intel-based Mac minis (Core Solo US$599, Core Duo US$799), and tests its performance against the Mac mini G4s, 17" iMac, and MacBook Pro.

If you're concerned about the Intel minis' shared-RAM strategy and lack of a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and if you want better performance over time without spending much more money, you may want to consider an Intel iMac. [Macworld]

Judging from the Pros and Cons stated in the article, I believe that if you really like to get a Mac mini, the Core Duo is the one to get. Also, if you don't need the "Intel inside" and would prefer a less expensive mini, maybe you could look for one of the older Mac mini G4s.

Technorati : Apple, Intel, Mac, Review, mini

Intel-based Mac Minis Now Available

The new Intel-based Mac minis are now available, and comes with either a 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo ($599) or a 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo ($799) processor.

The low-end model (Solo) comes with a combo optical drive and a 60GB hard drive, while the dual core version comes with a SuperDrive and a 80GB hard drive.

The common features are an Apple remote controller with Front Row, Gb ethernet, 4 USB 2.0 ports, Firewire, Bluetooth, Intel GMA950 graphics processor, DVI connector, VGA adapter, Slot-loading optical drive, Analog and digital audio, iLife '06, and Mac OS X Tiger.

[source: Switchblog]

Also, BYODKM.net reports that Macworld examines the insides of an Intel-based Mac mini.

Technorati : Hardware, Intel, Mac, Mini
Ice Rocket : Hardware, Intel, Mac, Mini

Intel-based iMac Performance Claims Challenged

Yahoo News reports that new benchmark tests are calling into question whether the new Intel-based iMacs are living up to Steve Jobs' claim that they are two to three times faster than their predecessors.

In a series of tests using iMovie and iPhoto, two high-performance applications, the magazine Macworld found that an iMac running an Intel 2.0-GHz Core Duo processor gained only a modest performance increase of 10 to 25 percent over older iMacs. [Yahoo News]

I believe that this proves that increase of Gigahertz of processors don't really translate to the equal increase in performance. Anyway, faster is still faster, no matter if it is 300% ,or just 25%.

Technorati : Intel based, PC Hardware, Performance, iMac

Windows Will Not Run on Intel MacBooks & iMacs

BetaNews reports that Apple senior vice president of worldwide product marketing Phil Schiller said the company would not specifically block the use of Windows on Mac hardware. Instead, limitations in Windows itself will prevent its use on the new MacBook Pro laptop and iMac.

With the announcement of the first Intel based Macs yesterday, many users have rejoiced in being able to dual-boot both Mac OS X and Windows. Unfortunately, this is not the case; due to Apple's use of the extensible firmware interface (EFI) rather than BIOS, current Windows releases will not run on the systems. [BetaNews]

It would be great to have a single machine that can boot Windows, Mac, or Linux OS. This would be especially useful for laptops and notebooks. For home or office deskbound environments, I believe using a KVM switch with three machines is a more realistic and more productive solution, if you really need to juggle between operating systems. (But of course, it is a more expensive approach.) :)

Technorati : Dual Boot, Intel, Mac, MacBook, Windows, iMac

10 Tips for New Mac Owners

PaulStamatiou posts an article about 10 Things Every New Mac Owner Should Know. [source: Lifehacker]

I've compiled a list of 10 things every first time Mac owner, particularly Mac Mini owner, should know about their new computer and operating system. This article should answer some burning questions, enlighten you about some features you did not know about OS X and just all around be helpful. Enjoy. [PaulStamatiou]

In upgrading your memory, I would suggest that you always get DDR400 (PC3200) or higher, with CL 2.5 or lower. If the system only runs at DDR333 (PC2700), the DDR400 with CL 2.5 memory can run at PC2700, but with faster timings.

Technorati : Mac, New Owner, OS X

Mac mini Reviewed

A Linux user reviews the Apple Mac mini. [source: Switchblog]

Apple filled an important gap in the Unix/Linux world, by providing an extremely well-designed GUI that makes it a pleasure to use. It is built on top of an operating system that is a close relative to Linux. The underpinnings of the GUI have a disappointing number of serious defects, but they are apparent only to Linux users who are already used to more advanced technology - a Windows user likely wouldn't notice since Microsoft is generally several steps behind Apple here. [Bitrot.de]

Reading the article made me realize a few things:

• I should start saving up for a Mac mini and a KVM switch. I've always been curious about the "Mac experience", and the mini could probably be the most practical way of getting it.
• I should really learn to use and love Linux. Although I do have a Linux install as a second boot option in my system, I seldom boot my PC in Linux and actually use the OS. Which brings me to the next:
• I should start saving up for a standalone Linux machine. This will "force" me to use the OS more. I would then port all my data and tools to the Linux box, leaving the non-essential stuff in the Windows box.

Technorati : Apple, Mac mini, Review

KVM Switch in Mac Mini Form Factor

The Princeton PKV-02MM is a KVM Switch for Mac mini. It supports the control of a Mac mini and another PC (Windows, Linux, etc.) using just one set of USB keyboard, Video monitor, and USB mouse. Furthermore, the switch shares a mic, set of speakers or headphones, and 2 extra USB slots to the two machines.

This is the first time I've seen a KVM switch in a Mac mini format. It's a great design from Princeton of Japan! [Switchblog]

This is a great KVM solution if you are planning to get a Mac mini, and use your present Windows/Linux PC keyboard, video, & mouse with it. It would be fantastic if you can pair it with the AOpen miniPC!

Technorati : AOpen, KVM, Mac mini, PC Hardware, Princeton, USB

The $200 Mac

iHacked.com has an interesting article on how to build an Intel-based machine where you can install OSx86 (OSX Tiger for Intel chipsets). The machine is based on Intel's 915 Chipset, using an Intel Celeron D 340 (Socket 478).

Once the MacIntel machines roll out, I won't be surprised at what the hardware modders would come out with. I like having a PC because of the many possible configurations that I can come up with. I just hope that modding would not translate into unstable MacIntel machines... something that's scary on OSX. [Switchblog]

It would be nice to see a "home-brewed" Mac in action. Maybe someday, Apple would offer retail versions of OSx86. Maybe not. I guess I wouldn't hold my breath until that time comes. As for me, I'm still saving up for a Mac.

Technorati Tags: OSx86, Apple, Mac, Intel, Hack, News, Tech

Mac OS X 10.4.3 Released

The Mac OS X 10.4.3 Update (Delta) updates Mac OS X 10.4.2 to version 10.4.3.

Improvements for:

* Finder and Spotlight
* Safari, Internet, and networking
* Syncing
* Mail
* iChat
* Other applications

Read more >>

Technorati Tags: Mac, OS X, Tiger, Apple, News, Tech