Apple Updates Mac mini Line to all Dual Core

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Apple Updates Mac mini Line to all Dual Core

Sep
06

By: switchtoamac at: 11:41 AM on September 6, 2006 | Comments (0)

Apple's Mac Mini line is now a full Core Duo offering with faster Intel Core Duo (Yonah) processors and no increase in price. The updated Mac mini line is immediately available the Apple's retail locations and at the online Apple Store.

The Mac mini line now bangs more power for the buck. Gone is the Intel Core Solo processor from the base mini. The $799 model now ships a 1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo processor. The $599 model now ships with the 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor which was previously reserved for the high end mini. This represents a significant upgrade from the previous 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor. Pricing remains the same, as do all the system specifications.

The specs of the 1.66 GHz Mac mini are as follows:

$599 USD
60 GB 5400-rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot-loading Combo drive (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)

The specs of the 1.83 GHz Mac mini are as follows:

$799 USD
80 GB 5400-rpm SATA Hard Drive
Slot-loading SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Features standard to all Mac minis include:

2MB Shared L2 Cache
667 MHz System bus
512 MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (expandable to 2GB)
Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics - 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
1 Firewire 400 Port
4 USB 2.0 Ports
DVI output
VGA output (with included adapter)
S-video and composite video output
Optical Digital/Analog Audio In/Out
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit ethernet)
Airport Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR standard
Apple Remote

Upgrades to the systems are also available:

80 GB SATA Hard Drive (1.66GHz only)
120 GB SATA Hard Drive
160 GB SATA Hard Drive
Up to 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Apple Wireless Keyboard
Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse
Apple USB Modem

All Mac mini models ship with the latest version of Apple's operating system, Mac OS X "Tiger" (currently 10.4.7) and iLife ‘06, Apple’s digital lifestyle suite that includes iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand, and iWeb.

Analysis

By dropping the Core Solo from the low end mini, Apple has taken the next step to transform the mini into a more affordable option for today's consumers. As Apple's entry level Mac, the mini breaks the price barrier for people who are interested in purchasing their first Mac or are considering the switch to Mac. The mini is the most affordable Macintosh. I expect sales of the Mac mini to be strong during the upcoming 2006 holiday shopping season.