Official "I Ordered an Intel Mac Mini" Thread...

[iHeartTheApple]

I don't think they usually do, but the one near me often orders beefed-up minis and certain other models.

Don't they carry what Apple calls the "Ultimate" version of some of the compies? I know when I bought my PB, the sales guy asked me if I wanted a better computer without buying from the webstore, then went on to explain that they had a PB "Ultimate" in stock.

 

[admanimal]

Some interesting Solo benchmark results:

http://www.macintouch.com/#tips.2006.03.01

 

[bevo]

so according to a poster on the apple boards... he opened up the mac mini and was unable to find the ram?!


anyone with a mini now care to be adventerous and open one up? take pics?

etc etc etc?

 

[lord patton]

anyone with a mini now care to be adventerous and open one up? take pics?

MacWorld's got some...

http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/macword/2006/03/minicsi/index.php

 

[iHeartTheApple]

Some interesting Solo benchmark results:

http://www.macintouch.com/#tips.2006.03.01

Wow, the graphics results are pretty impressive. It consistently performs at or above the level of the iMacG5, but what's up with its Hardware OpenGL score? The disk results are good, too. I'm not sure what's up with the DV-MPEG4 results, it does absolutely terrible...The authors don't seem to provide anymore info as to why this might be the case. Any ideas?

 

[iMeowbot]

anyone with a mini now care to be adventerous and open one up? take pics?

Opening up the Intel Mac mini

 

[iHeartTheApple]

MacWorld's got some...

http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/macword/2006/03/minicsi/index.php

Yep, so that review pretty much answered the previous question about whether the RAM is user-serviceable. Actually, it probably still could be done, though I personally won't be taking a putty knife to my mini when i get it. I guess I'll have to make sure to get all the upgrades I want when I place the order...

 

[admanimal]

Wow, the graphics results are pretty impressive. It consistently performs at or above the level of the iMacG5, but what's up with its Hardware OpenGL score? The disk results are good, too. I'm not sure what's up with the DV-MPEG4 results, it does absolutely terrible...The authors don't seem to provide anymore info as to why this might be the case. Any ideas?

There is some issue with MPEG4 encoding on Intel Macs...not sure if its hardware or software related. You can see on that page that the G4 Mini actually beats out the Core Duo iMac in that test.

 

[bevo]

mines already on its way....

looks like I'll be doing it eventually ....

answers my other question as well.... SO-DIMMS are more expensive :|

 

[yoda13]

well, these benchmarks are providing me with at least a little optimisim that the mini might be able to play Civ IV and Tropico. Actually the card seems better than I expected. Perhaps that is because I expected so little...

 

[wpwj40e]

Here is an early report from a happy mini solo owner. All looks pretty good...no 1080p playback...but otherwise - better than I expected

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=287542

 

[tjwett]

Opening up the Intel Mac mini

gah! time to call and get mine pre-beefed to 2GB RAM before it ships. doesn't seem like a total nightmare but i'd rather not deal with it. plus the 3rd party prices on this RAM aren't so hot anyway. thanks for this link!

 

[risc]

Here is an early report from a happy mini solo owner. All looks pretty good...no 1080p playback...but otherwise - better than I expected

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?t=287542

xterm says 1080p plays fine on his Core Duo looks like that is the one to get for use with a HDTV.

 

[iHeartTheApple]

Yes, Xterm said that he had no problems with 1080p...I thought he was on a solo, but I might be wrong.

 

[gammamonk]

They can't give the mini a good video card, or sales of the iMac would drop. I'm sure they make more money on the iMac.

I was really hoping to get one, I don't have a "desktop" machine, but if it sucks at WoW, forget it. I don't have space for an iMac right now.

 

[yoda13]

Well, we should know fairly shortly whether it will play it or not. The more of these things that get into people's hands the more likely someone will try to play WOW on it and give us some feedback. Or at least, one can only hope that anyway.

 

[generik]

Where can I buy this putty knive thing that I have been reading about?

Do I need a special Apple Certified(tm) putty knive to service my Mini?

 

[yoda13]

lol. I don't think I will be cracking mine open if I get one. I don't have the guts to open a machine, possibly violate the warrently, and be left with possible repair costs on a rev. A mahcine. However, I admire the fact that you are part of the "Intel Mac mini beta test team."

 

[admanimal]

Where can I buy this putty knive thing that I have been reading about?

Do I need a special Apple Certified(tm) putty knive to service my Mini?

Apple stopped selling them after too many people complained that the shiny metal surface was being scratched during normal use.

You'll just have to pick up a generic Home Depot brand one instead.

 

[generik]

However, I admire the fact that you are part of the "Intel Mac mini beta test team."

Let's just say temptation won over.. when the MBP came out I was like "Omg omg omg.. I gotta buy that" (but I'm really steadfast about Merom!), the Duo Mini is like the next best thing.

*PS: They really need to make the iMac have detachable monitors and sell it optionally without the damned monitor

 

[generik]

Apple stopped selling them after too many people complained that the shiny metal surface was being scratched during normal use.

You'll just have to pick up a generic Home Depot brand one instead.

But seriously, how do the Apple technicians open theirs? Same thing with the iPod..

Maybe I should look for job openings for AppleCare to solve that mystery once and for all.

 

[iMeowbot]

Do I need a special Apple Certified(tm) putty knive to service my Mini?

There is an official putty knife, Apple part number 922-6761

They explain that it is a plain narrow putty knife from a hardware store, with one side ground down so that it has a beveled edge. They recommend using sandpaper to shape the blade of a generic putty knife if you don't have the official tool.

 

[yoda13]

Let's just say temptation won over.. when the MBP came out I was like "Omg omg omg.. I gotta buy that" (but I'm really steadfast about Merom!), the Duo Mini is like the next best thing.

*PS: They really need to make the iMac have detachable monitors and sell it optionally without the damned monitor

I completely agree with your sentiments about the iMac and detachable monitors, etc. I would be all over that.

I think I am going to be joining you in this beta test community, but I am not quite there yet. I doubt that I will be able to resist all weekend, and almost certainly not at all if it will play Civ IV.

Even if it won't, I am not sure that I will be able to resist.

 

[generik]

I completely agree with your sentiments about the iMac and detachable monitors, etc. I would be all over that.

I think I am going to be joining you in this beta test community, but I am not quite there yet. I doubt that I will be able to resist all weekend, and almost certainly not at all if it will play Civ IV.

Even if it won't, I am not sure that I will be able to resist.

Well I told myself that even if I found it too slow (eventually when Merom comes.. and same with the Mac Pros :drool: ) you really can't argue with the fact that a tiny computer that uses so little power is very useful.

Heck I'll just put it in the basement or besides the TV and run it 24/7 as a web server or bit torrent client for that matter

Edit: it also happens that I have a Pee Cee for my gaming needs. Need to game, get a Pee Cee! Leave the Mac for the real apps!

 

[yoda13]

Edit: it also happens that I have a Pee Cee for my gaming needs. Need to game, get a Pee Cee! Leave the Mac for the real apps!

I hear you. I have an xBox 360 and a PS2 for gaming. The only games I really ever play on the Mac are Tropico and Civ III. I want to play Civ IV. I don't want to have to buy a PC just for that. But there is no doubt that gaming is better on the PC...