Mac mini Core 2 Duo/2GHz
Apple made little noise about this update to its Mac mini line, which is highlighted by the addition of Intel Core 2 Duo chips to replace the older Core Duo processors. The minis also now ship with 1GB of RAM, up from 512MB, and more hard-drive capacity. The higher-end Mac mini also comes with 4MB of shared L2 cache, instead of 2MB on the 1.83GHz offering. The minis continue to use an integraged Intel graphics processor that shares memory with the system RAM, hampering performance in graphic-intensive applications.
| Reviewed | Full Review |
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The latest Mac mini models have made some impressive gains in terms of performance, without gaining bulk or higher price tags. Still a great bargain, especially for those who already own a mouse, keyboard, and display, the Mac mini's size and price allow it to fit into spaces and budgets that other Macs cannot. With its faster performance and DVD burning capabilities, the 2GHz Mac mini is worth the extra $200 over the 1.83GHz model.
Pros: Small size; least expensive Mac available; faster than ever before.
Cons: Hard drive and graphics performance underwhelming; slower, shorter-ranged 802.11g wireless networking.
Basics
Reviewed Price: $799
Processor: 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Price Comparison
| Shop at: | Price |
|---|---|
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$789.00 |
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$798.99 |
| iUnitek | $781.00 |
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$789.99 |
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$789.99 |
Compare Prices for All Sellers
Lab Tests
| Speedmark 5 Score | 172 |
|---|---|
| Cinema 4D XL 10.5 | 1:07 |
| iMovie HD 6 | 0:56 |
| iTunes 7.5 | 1:09 |
| Photoshop CS3 | 1:19 |
| Compressor | 2:21 |
| Unreal Tournament 2004 | 23.4fps |
| Tested Configuration | Mac OS X 10.5 with 2GB of RAM |
Macworld's Product Guides
Best Prices on Desktops
iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 24" DesktopPrice: $1778.99
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Mac mini 2GHz Core 2 Duo DesktopPrice: $781.00
iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 20" DesktopPrice: $1427.03
Mac mini MB138LL/A DesktopPrice: $568.96
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