PC Hardware : Apple Mac mini MA608LL/A (1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo, 512 MB RAM, 80 GB Hard Drive, SuperDrive)

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars - Great computer.... still haven't found any flaws with it
I don't know if my review is fair since I can't compare this Mac mini to others because this is my first Mac in about 20 years, so I can compare it to my Windows PC.

Since there are very few things I didn't like about this Mac, I'll list them right away:

first I have the feeling I should've gone for an Imac since 800.00 for this Mac mini is expensive, don't get me wrong it works great and has almost everything I need but the Imac offers a lot more (LCD,keyboard, mouse, more RAM, more CPU,etc) for not much more dollars. But thats not a computer flaw is a miscalculation on my part mainly because I didnt want to spend more in case I didn't like the Mac world.

Its very dificult to upgrade, as I said I miscalculated the amount of work I would do on this litlle Mac, so I ended up buying it more RAM, since I've been around computers for quite a while I was able to install it myself without major problems, but an average user would surely need to take it to a shop adding cost to it.

The main things I have loved about this Mac:
- Its quiet and small, it takes as much space as my external HD.

- Im still blown about how easy to use almost everything is in OS X, I've been a MSDOS/Windows user for 20+ years and the adjustment to the Mac system isn't nearly as big as I thought it'd be. On the contrary, I found myself missing my Mac at work where I have a Compaq, I've gotten use to the conveience of the dashboard or changing windows/apps with the mighty mouse or setting up reminders on the iCal or how fast you find files or apps with Spotlight

- Bluetooth and networking, I got it working with my wireless network in a matter of seconds, I sent all my pics from my nokia through bluetooth with amazing ease. When I setted up my network it has always been a pain for my windows machines to comunicate with each other, I conected the Mac with my HP laptop right away, I still can't believe it!!

- NO ANTISPYWARE OR ANTIVIRUS, maybe some antivirus would be needed in the future, but not the annoying type like Norton.

- The software compability didn't hit me as much as I expected, at first I thought that with no Internet Explorer, the internet experience would be limited but I haven't missed it at all, I have replaced it with Netscape although my favorite is Firefox. My main concern was with the games I had for windows, small games which I expect to run with Parallels and a Windows copy.

- It uses Unix, I use several Unix applications at work so I may be able to replace the two machines with one Mac in the future.

To sum it up I can gladly say there is life after Windows, I plan to change each of my computers at work and laptop to Mac gradually, since I may still need to run some windows apps I can do it with parallels or bootcamp, and still enjoy the security of the Mac system most of the time.

Rating:

- Not as compatible as they say
I got this Mac and I loved it when it came out of the box. Less wires, looks great...........then I turned it on. First of all, when you put in a CD or DVD of any type, the thing sounds like it is eating the disc. Maybe mine is broken, but it definitely isn't a quiet purring little machine.

Secondly, I've had a home network for 2 years with Linksys components, and I've never had a problem. But not only does my Mac not connect to the network, but it crashes the entire thing so I have to reset my router for my laptop to connect. After hours on the phone with Apple's support team trying different configurations, their best advice was that I buy their AirPort base station......forget it, my network was fine before.

Thirdly, I figured that the Mac has Bluetooth, my Treo has Bluetooth....no problem, right? Wrong. They recognize each other, but they won't sync together. I've since read on numerous forums that the Mac has had this problem with syncing with Treos for quite a while. And of course, there is no fix; I have to use the same old wired cable that I used before.

All in all, I am not pleased with this computer. I'm going to give it two more weeks, and if I can't get these problems resolved, then I'm sending it right back to California.

Rating:

- This MacMini is the best
This is my fourth Mac, upgrading from the G4Cube. You can't beat the silent operation of the G4Cube, so I expected some noise. There's not much at all on this Mac, which is why it's OK to put on your desktop. Heck, it's only 6 inches by 6 inches by 2 inches tall, and it is a full computer with CD and DVD burner. My recommendation is to get 2 GB RAM - when I had 1 GB, it was OK, but then I got 2 GB and Wowhee, this thing is so fast it flies. My 2 GB RAM is now my minimum recommendation on all PCs. I added a miniStacker II which fits exactly underneath the MacMini unit, for mucho extra Hard drive storage (I digitize video, so I need lots of space). I may have added too many peripherals once (USB speakers, Firewire HD, another Firewire HD, camera, phone, iPod) and it kinda froze. unplugging them upon bootup fixed the problem. The original Apple RAM died in warranty, but it was replaced No Charge

Rating:

- Beatiful, small, quiet, fast.
A great computer. The 512 MB of RAM it comes with is not enough though and will degrade performance. Install at least 1 GB and you'll see this thing fly. Highly recommended. Awesome as a HTPC.

Rating:

- make the switch
This is my first experience with a Mac and I'm very happy with it.
No more locking up no more pop ups no more spyware no more viruses no more control alt delete.Been using it for about three months and it has worked flawlessly. I will never go back to a PC again.

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