Initial experiences with my mini

used to be jwoodget · Feb 20th, 2005, 06:34 PM

For anyone out there thinking of a mini as a second Mac or as a switcher, here are a few personal observations.

1. Installing RAM: This is easy once the case is cracked. I used two thin metal bladed kitchen spatulas. Need to ease the case opposite the port side (on each side). The aluminium case is very strong (4-5 mm thick) so while scratches are possible, its not really a worry. I put in a 512 Mb stick of generic RAM DDR400, PC3200 ($99 at Compusmart - they also had a deal on mini's with free iWork). I should have bought the machine with the 512 Mb option from Apple which costs $97 but I do now have an extra 256 Mb stick if anyone is interested....).

2. Installing anything else - be wary. If you want wireless (either Bluetooth and/or 802.11g) then order the mini with these on-board. There are two "windows" in the top surface of the mini (not visible from the outside) that allow reception. It would be cool for the top surface to glow or pulsate (a USB powered blue glow base collar is coming out from a third party). The only indication on the mini is a tiny white LED on the front right, below the slot drive, that throbs when put to sleep.

3. Performance. The mini is a wonderfully responsive little Mac. The little box is almost silent. I have hooked it up to a 20" Apple display (new version) and toa 15" (with an ADC converter). The displays look great with the mini.

4. Software. The mini is loaded with iLife 04 but also has an iLife 05 DVD in the box. Mac OS X comes on a DVD and is specific for a mini. I couldn't find extra printer drivers on this disc - compared with a Panther install disc. The mini will not boot from a Panther full install disc and hangs before the startup screen. I had to re-install the OS X software from the DVD and specifically check for installation of extra printer drivers to get my printer (an Epson C84) to work. This required an archive and install because I'd updated the OS to 10.3.8 prior to finding out that I needed extra system software.

The mini has several other apps pre-installed inc. a couple of games. In addition to the system DVD disc (with the hardware test application and X-code tools) there is a second disc with OS9 (OS 9 is not installed by default).

All in all, this machine is extremely capable. The Cube was remarkable for its form factor (and a flop because of the price). Somehow, Apple chopped off 80% of the size from the cube as well as 70% of the price.

My config? 1.25 GHz, 80 Gb drive, 512 Mb RAM, CDR/DVD combo drive, Airport Extreme.

Macaholic · Feb 20th, 2005, 06:52 PM

Nice post, bud

Questions:

	Quote:
	The mini will not boot from a Panther full install disc and hangs before the startup screen.

Odd. Wonder what the difference will be with Tiger's DVD to install it off a general disk.

	Quote:
	I had to re-install the OS X software from the DVD and specifically check for installation of extra printer drivers to get my printer (an Epson C84) to work.

But, presumably you can install the Epson drivers off the DVD without a reinstall. Right??

	Quote:
	there is a second disc with OS9 (OS 9 is not installed by default).

Huh. So, it's got Classic mode. Good to know.

mmp · Feb 20th, 2005, 07:16 PM

used to be jwoodget,
Do you have two monitors hooked up at the same time? I thought there was just one connector? Just curious.

used to be jwoodget · Feb 20th, 2005, 07:20 PM

Nope, needed to reinstall the whole OS to get the extra drivers (and X11, etc). I archived and installed and then deleted the old system. I'd guess there are some new video driversa and whatnot required for the mini. I'm sure the Tiger DVD (and you can bet it'll be a DVD) with boot the mini.

One odd thing is that the mini box has the new iLife symbol on the side (kinda like a bulb with a little plant sprouting) yet you have to install it youself from a DVD. So they had time for packaging but not for transferring to disc. Not surprisingly you also need to run OS X update to install at least 5 updates (10.3.8, Java update 1.4.2 update 2, AR Destop client, iPod updater, iCal 1.55, etc).

Macaholic · Feb 20th, 2005, 07:26 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by used to be jwoodget
	Nope, needed to reinstall the whole OS to get the extra drivers (and X11, etc).

That's insane.

used to be jwoodget · Feb 20th, 2005, 07:26 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by mmp
	used to be jwoodget, Do you have two monitors hooked up at the same time? I thought there was just one connector? Just curious.

No I tried them one after the other. The 32 Mb Radeon card will drive up to a 23" cinema display at full resoultion.

The mini also comes with a DVI -> VGA adaptor that's kinda cool. It's one piece (as in no wire in beween the two ports) and has built in screw tighteners. Much better than the adaptor that used to come with powerbooks.

macsackbut · Feb 20th, 2005, 07:51 PM

Thanks for this UTBJ. Keep us posted re: your mini experiences. I'm going to buy one pretty soon and am hungry for any and all info. Also hoping (against all odds) that the 23" cinema display will come down in price before then...

MacS

gmark2000 · Feb 21st, 2005, 12:36 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by macsackbut
	Also hoping (against all odds) that the 23" cinema display will come down in price before then...

See my thread about the Future Shop sale this week on the BenQ 23" 'cinema' display. 23" LCD 'Cinema' HD Panels for C$1299.99

It's C$1000 less than the Apple version! I ordered one yesterday.

Strongblade · Feb 21st, 2005, 08:19 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Macaholic
	That's insane.

Actually, that's normal for all the Mac OS X releases so far. The OLD drivers, ones for printers several years old, are not installed by default.

However, you should be able to do a custom install to add them in.

Conversely, the printer manufacturer may have the drivers on their website, so you might be able to download them and install them without using the original OS install disc.

macsackbut · Feb 21st, 2005, 08:24 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by gmark2000
	See my thread about the Future Shop sale this week on the BenQ 23" 'cinema' display. 23" LCD 'Cinema' HD Panels for C$1299.99 It's C$1000 less than the Apple version! I ordered one yesterday.

Hi gmark,

Yep, saw your post, but I want to go with an Apple display for now. The Benq monitors do look good, however; I saw one in CompuSmart last week hooked up to a mini. Quite impressive.

MacS