[image courtesy of Apple Inc. ]

Apple updated today it’s entry level consumer desktop model, the Mac Mini. It’s touting it as a faster, greener machine than it’s predecessors. Quoting from the Apple PR release.

Starting at $599, the Mac mini is an innovative, tiny desktop measuring only 6.5 by 6.5 by 2-inches. Available in two models, Mac mini features a 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, up to 4GB of DDR3 1066 MHz memory, up to 320GB Serial ATA hard drive, five USB 2.0 ports, FireWire 800 and a SuperDrive®. The Mac mini features NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics for up to five times better graphics performance than before* and now with dual display support can drive two Apple or third-party displays with Mini DisplayPort or DVI connections. Using less than 13 watts of power at idle, up to 10 times less power than a typical desktop PC, the new Mac mini is the most energy efficient desktop in the world.**

Apple is offering two standard models for the Mac Mini.

The new 2.0 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

* 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
* 1GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
* 120GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
* a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
* Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
* built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
* Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
* five USB 2.0 ports;
* one FireWire 800 port; and
* one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

The new 2.0 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US), includes:

* 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor with 3MB shared L2 cache;
* 2GB of 1066 MHz DDR3 SDRAM expandable up to 4GB;
* NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics;
* 320GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
* a slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
* Mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI for video output (adapters sold separately);
* built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.1+EDR;
* Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
* five USB 2.0 ports;
* one FireWire 800 port; and
* one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog.

As with its other computers, BTO options are available.

Read the complete press release here.

Somehow Macworld this year just doesn’t feel the same. With Phil Schiller set to deliver the keynote instead of Steve Jobs, the buzz around Macworld is less.

However Macworld is still Macworld. This is also Apple’s last participation in the expo and thus I hope that Apple goes out with a bang. Here are some news bits regarding Macworld.

Rumor: 17″ inch Unibody MacBook Pro to be unveiled - 9to5mac.com reports that the 17″ Unibody MacBook Pro is set to make its debut during MacWorld. It will also sport a non-removable batter.

Rumor: Mac Mini to get dual display support - AppleInsider reports that the Mac Mini will get dual display support. It’s also set to debut during MacWorld along with an iMac update.

Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak to appear at Macworld - The other Steve will make an appearance at Macworld. He will be on hand at the unveiling of the latest products of Axiotron, the makers of the Modbook.

If you’re attending the expo please be sure to check out the Macworld Expo Digital Art Gallery. It’s back after a 2 year vacation. Selected digital artists will get the chance to showcase their work for all the world to see. The exhibit will be featured in the hallway between the two halls. Go check it out.

According to this post on Gizmodo the Mac Mini might be heading to its final resting place. Reports that two major retailers in Europe couldn’t place orders for the Mac Mini anymore.

With this news, are you going to miss the Mac Mini?

Currently the Mac Mini is the most affordable Mac. The entry price for a Mac Mini is $599 and that will buy you a 1.83 Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 1GB RAM and an 80GB HD. Quite expensive in my opinion.

The Mac Mini while it is the cheapest Mac it’s a bit over priced for what you’re getting, yet it’s still quite appealing to some. It’s the form factor that’s winning hearts all over. It’s compact and stylish. It also gives you the option to use different peripherals.

A lot of people are using it as cheap servers or media centers.

As much as I know it’s a bit over priced for the specs you’re getting the I’d still hate to see the Mac Mini go. It serves a particular need. It gives people a cheaper way to enter the world of Mac.

Instead of laying it to rest, I’d really like Apple to just give it a spec bump or introduce a whole new Mac Mini altogether.

What say you?

According to an AppleInsider Story, Mac sales are soaring. It posted a 50% year on year growth for the month of April. A staggering figure compared to 17% for the PC market.

It’s not only the numbers that show it. Even in everyday life you see the Mac gaining popularity. I’ve been seeing more and more glowing Apple logos in coffee shops, schools and offices here in Manila. Sales of Macs are up as evidenced by more and more stores selling Apple stuff.

The strength of Mac OS X coupled with the blunder that is Vista is making people really think about getting Macs.

Check out the full story here.

The folks over at MacWorld got themselves Psystar’s Open Computer to test. The Open Computer is the ‘Mac Clone’ Psystar built. They say that for a fraction of the cost, you can have a decent spec’d computer running the Mac OS.

However according to what I’ve read so far, It’s not that simple. For one thing, it’s not that easy to install OS X on it. MacWorld actually paid $155 dollars to have OS X installed. So you’ll have to add that to your cost of ownership. Plus in the event that you need to reformat your computer, you’ll either have to ship it back or pray that you’re technically gifted and be able to install it yourself.

Software updates is another problem. Apparently the OS X version that Psystar ships the Open Computer with can’t use the Apple Software Update Utility. You need to go to Psystar’s web site in order to download the updates and install it yourself.

All-in-all here’s the breakdown of what MacWorld spent for their Open Computer.

System - $399
FireWire Card - $50
Graphics Card - $100 (optional)
OS Installation - $155

Total Cost of their Machine is $714.99 ($751.47 w/ shipping)

Machine Specs
2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor
2GB of 667MHz RAM
250GB Hard Drive

It’s a decent machine. You can opt not to get the Graphics card and just rely on the built-in graphics chip. That will be $100 less.

Now let’s compare that to a Mac Mini.

Machine Specs
2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
120GB hard drive

Cost $799

Now the Mac Mini has pales in comparison to the Open Computer specs wise. At about twice the price you get 1/2 of the specs. That might seem bad but then again there’s the intangible things that are good with the Mac Mini.

One, it comes with everything pre-installed already. OS X plus iLife 08 is included that’s additional value right there. You won’t have trouble with software updates since the Apple Software Update Utility works flawlessly with it.

The Mac Mini is also small and takes up less space.

Of course there are pluses to the Open Computer. It has better specs, you can upgrade it easier. However it’s not as elegantly put together as the Mini and you’ll probably need a lot more technical knowledge to maintain this computer over the course of its life.

Personally I’m still not sure whether a clone is the way to go. I love Apple products because it works and it makes it easier for the consumer. I think this is the way to go for most people. So until Apple officially supports clones, it’s going to be a very tricky thing maintaining one.

Apple posted it’s second quarter results last April 23, 2008. The most notable figure for me was the fact that Mac sales are up. Apple shipped 2,289,000 units in this period equating to a 51% unit growth.

Macs are gaining market share and it has nowhere else to go but up. Macs actually represented the strongest revenue stream for Apple ahead of iPod and iPhone sales.

These facts aren’t just imaginary. I’m experiencing it first hand. I know 8 people who bought new Macs this month alone. Some of them are already Mac users and there are also new Mac users. That’s 8 people I know personally or family members of people I know. That’s saying a lot.

As time goes by more and more people are drawn to Macs because of the simplicity of OS X. It’s just easier for most people to use. Plus the cost of ownership is indeed going down.

I don’t see this as slowing down anytime soon. For the rest of the year I see that more and more people will be switching to the Mac.

Read the complete earnings press release here.

Apple’s cheapest Mac offering was thought to be going the way of the Powerbook, iBook and other extinct Macs. However that doesn’t seem to be the case just yet, as Apple Insider reports.

The Apple Blog has an interesting post chronicling the creative uses for the Mac Mini. Given the Mac Mini’s small foot print, I’m not surprised that a lot of people have thought of creative uses for this Mini wonder.

Personally if I had a Mac Mini, I’d probably use it as the center for my home theater. I mean it’s a full blown Mac and yet small enough to fit perfectly in your living room without being obtrusive.

Check out the article here. If you have any creative uses for the Mac Mini, do share it with us also.

The Hang With Mi for Mac Mini is a great accessory. For those neat freaks that want their desk clean and uncluttered yo can use the Hang and mount your Mini under your desk. It’s a great way to still have access to it but keeping it tucked away. It’s also great for entertainment centers.

Here are some of the features

• Sturdy design.
• Installation template for easy mounting under desk or entertainment center.
• Front access 4-port USB2.0 hub.
• Compact power adapter that won’t take up more than 1 precious outlet.
• Power coat in aluminum color to match Mac Mini.
• Optional: Power Grip Bracket available.

For the complete details view it here.

If you’re a Mac user that needs to run or work with Vista as well, here’s a step by step tutorial on how to get it up and running via Parallels. The fancy graphics stuff of Vista a.k.a Aero, won’t work on Parallels but that’s just eye candy anyway.. They say it might be VMWare who will be the first to bring 3D Graphics to virtualization, so you probably need to wait for that if you want Aero.

That beign said, Simplehelp has put together a nice step by step tutorial to help you get Vista on your Mac. Enjoy… I think…

Jason Snell of Macworld puts the recently updated Mac Minis through it’s paces. His recommendation? Mac Minis are a good value if you’re looking to use it as a supplementary computer, web/file server or as a set-top box for home entertaiment.

Priced at $599 for the 1.6 Ghz Core Duo and $799 for the 1.83 Ghz Core Duo, the Mac Mini makes a compelling argument for the above mentioned uses. Sure you can get faster Windows based systems but you have to take into account what the other things the Mac Mini can offer. Such as a small footprint, a rock solid OS and the versatility of being able to run both Mac OS X and Windows. How’s that for value.

I myself am thinking about eventually getting a Mac Mini to handle my home server needs. I want to be able to use it to serve video files, iTunes Music library as well as act as a media center for watching videos, photos, etc.. That’s what I see the Mac Mini’s use for. Sure the iTV will be coming out next year but we’ll see how that is. Right now the advantage of the Mac Mini is that it’s also a full featured computer. In the event that my main computer goes kaput, I have a back-up one I can use. I just can’t imagine my life without a computer…