Hi, I recently bought a 2009 mac mini, I noticed the superdrive is extremely slow and noisy and vibrates a lot, it took nearly two hours to install ilife 09 which on my other machines takes a matter of minutes. It also seems to be running very hot idling at about 45-50 c where as my other machines idle at 35-40. The fan never seems to step up above 1500 rpm, are these things normal in minis?? Thanks for the help.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
New Mac Mini User - Some Questions
- Thread starter SOLLERBOY
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Oh, it definitely needs to be taken back to the store - maybe for an exchange rather than repair!
A defective Apple product . . . impossible! 
Yes, it's a hardware issue . . . it took less time to install Leopard and iLife '09 on a Dell Mini 9.
Yes, it's a hardware issue . . . it took less time to install Leopard and iLife '09 on a Dell Mini 9.
I bought the thing from an apple store in the us, the guarantee is still worldwide though isn't it?BTW, I've never returned an apple product before what is the procedure?? Should I call them first?
And can anyone tell me what minis are normally like?
BTW, I've never returned an apple product before what is the procedure?? Should I call them first?
Yep. Worldwide warrantee. Just call Apple and they will assist you.
This thing is supposed to make my life easier. not harder. I just turned it on again now and the colours are all odd on the screen like blues and greens all washed out, I did the hardware test but it found nothing,. Apple here I come.
I did a fresh re install of leopard when I got it as I don't need all the printer drivers etc, I decided to install all of my other stuff separately.
I called apple and they said that it was my tv's fault
I insisted that a superdrive issue could not be caused by my screen but they did help me to get rid of the screen issue by messing with PRAM - I was told to call back if the disc issue persists.seems to be ok, still a bit hotter than my other two machines but no major issues, I used the superdrive quite a bit to add to my itunes library and it was silent and ran very slowly which is a bit odd but it seems ok.
Superdrive
What do you mean it's hotter? If the Superdrive is slow, I would take it back to Apple and get a new one if you just bought it. You shouldn't have to put up with a defected product. :/
Hugh
seems to be ok, still a bit hotter than my other two machines but no major issues, I used the superdrive quite a bit to add to my itunes library and it was silent and ran very slowly which is a bit odd but it seems ok.
What do you mean it's hotter? If the Superdrive is slow, I would take it back to Apple and get a new one if you just bought it. You shouldn't have to put up with a defected product. :/
Hugh
seems to be ok, still a bit hotter than my other two machines but no major issues, I used the superdrive quite a bit to add to my itunes library and it was silent and ran very slowly which is a bit odd but it seems ok.
...do you think the mini has less venting on it than your MB?
My iMac seems to vent fairly well and SMC works well to turn the fans up when needed, why not try that on your mini?
yeah, both the imac and macbook seem to manage their temps fine and have less vents than the mini.
I did a fresh re install of leopard when I got it as I don't need all the printer drivers etc, I decided to install all of my other stuff separately.
I called apple and they said that it was my tv's fault
Call them back, don't let Apple put you off into using a defective drive. If its showed problems have them fix it.
Get a complete replacement. The Sales of Goods Act in the UK means you're entitled to a replacement for up to six months after purchase (and the burden of proof is on the manufacturer to show it isn't faulty rather than your duty to show it is). Even if it's working OK-ish now, I would be weary of the entire machine - it's hard to say whether it will be isolated to only the CD drive (or I/O in general)
So yeah, get a replacement. They'll fob you off with a load of flak about "it isn't our policy" but it's irrelevant, you're legally entitled to a repair or replacement (and you get to select which, not them).
So yeah, get a replacement. They'll fob you off with a load of flak about "it isn't our policy" but it's irrelevant, you're legally entitled to a repair or replacement (and you get to select which, not them).
It's what i'm probably gonna do but i'm concerned as i don't know how these should behave so i don't want to look like an idiot going into the store with a working mac lol.
Just bought my mini today. Spent an hour installing 4 gig of Crucial ram and a WD 500gig drive. Have been installing software for 4 hours now. It took 2 hours just to do iphoto alone!! Obviously there HAS to be a problem with this superdrive. Cant believe im going to have to do open the bloody thing up and swap the hd and ram out again just to take it back to the store. What the hell is going on with these superdrives??
Mine sounds very "loose" for lack of a better term than my imac and macbook. It sounds week and feeble, when and where did you buy your mini? also does the power brick state 120-240v or 210-220. I believe there is a certain batch of minis that shipped with a mis labeled power adapter.