There are a bunch of websites that have the inside view of the new Mac Mini. Here is one of the better ones:
If you click on the above link, there are 22 pictures that progressively take the Mac Mini apart, letting you see just how sophisticated this new computer is. By no means should anyone thing this is a low-rent Macintosh. In fact, for the money, there is (again) nothing on the market that comes close to having these features, this advanced OS, or the computing power, of the new Mac Mini.
I especially enjoyed this view (below) because if you look closely at the crowded field of components in the upper middle of the motherboard, you can sort of see a ‘portrait’ of Steve Jobs!
While you are looking at this bare motherboard, notice all the external connectors on the right side. At the top is the single DDR RAM slot, which will take either the 256MB, the 512MB ($99) or the 1GB ($350) DDR RAM card. The connector on the upper left is for the AIRPORT card. To the lower left is the Speaker. To the lower right is the CPU minus its heat sink and fan enclosure. Enjoy this view, because THIS is true miniaturization!
Another shot you rarely see anywhere is the underside of the Mac Mini, which is rubbery, made of the same material as the underside of your iPod Dock. Notice all the air vents around the edge of the base.
Overall, there is nothing about this new Mac that is not world-class design!
A lot of people are saying that there will soon be many iterations of the Mac Mini.
One of the very first, will be for installation into cars (as Tim mentioned ).
It is not hard to foresee custom versions of these Mac Minis for games (think Playstation with a hard drive, Firewire, USB and KMD).
Think of the Mac Mini for focused business uses, giving business owners inexpensive, reliable, and productive computing sans virii, trojans and spyware.
Think of the Mac Mini for inexpensive editing stations at publishing houses, bringing back the good old days of an inexpensive Mac in every cubicle.
Think of the Mac Mini for an entertainment center – a TiVo without viewing time limits, unwanted advertising, or secret updates sent to someone about your private viewing habits.
The secret to all this is not just a tiny, powerful, inexpensive computer, but it’s the awesome power of the software that comes standard with every Mac Mini. HD video editing and production, Quicktime 7, the replete iLIfe Suite, all mixed into an integrated, fast OS X.
All that is required for most of these foreseeable custom builds is a new or modified cover with a few controls built in, or with an infrared port installed in front to be used with a remote – or a PDA interface that plays the role of the monitor, keyboard and mouse for the new Mac Mini. Or perhaps all it will really need is a working VOICE interface.
I believe there will soon spring up a few small companies selling Mac Minis in many different configurations to the public. Count on seeing lots of educational models too, sans the CD/DVD drive.
This new, tiny, sophisticated design is too good to leave alone!
On payday I am ordering one (with bigger RAM and iWorks) from Apple’s Store. I am thinking (one can hope) that the Tiger OS X update (swoon!) will be free for all us early Mac Mini buyers…. Then, I will study it to see what new things I can do with this new computer from Apple, besides doing my art, music and writing.
MacWorld 2005 is now over. I hope you enjoyed the ride. Have a great Weekend – and sweet Mac dreams!
Roger Born
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