Apple has launched a refreshed Mac mini computer that is designed to match both the decor and advanced capabilities of today’s advanced home entertainment systems. The new Mac mini can connect with HDTV sets, iPads and other electronic gadgets by way of wire-line HDMI, mini DisplayPort and FireWire 800 ports, and over high-speed Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth wireless connections.
The new Mac mini models unveiled Tuesday sport an aluminum housing featuring a minimalist footprint that measures just 7.7 inches square and 1.4 inches thick — despite Apple having integrated the AC power supply into the chassis this time around.
“The sleek, aluminum Mac mini packs great features, versatility and value into an elegant, amazingly compact design” offering “twice the graphics performance, HDMI support, and industry-leading energy efficiency,” said Apple Vice President Philip Schiller.
Doubled Graphics Performance
Priced at $699, the standard Mac mini runs Mac OS X and is equipped with a 2.4-GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 320GB hard drive and 2GB of RAM. By contrast, the more expensive Mac mini priced at $999 runs the Snow Leopard Server X OS and sports a 2.66-GHz Intel Core Duo processor, two 500GB hard drives, a DVD/CD optical drive, and 4GB of RAM.
Apple has doubled the multimedia performance of both machines through the addition of Nvidia’s GeForce 320M graphics hardware, which features 48 processing cores. Both Mac mini offerings also integrate an SD card slot for accepting cards from cameras, camcorders and other portable electronic devices; four USB 2.0 ports; and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
Apple’s new machines ship with iLife, Apple’s suite of applications for managing photos, making movies, and creating music. Other Mac mini options and accessories include an Apple remote control as well as standard peripherals such as mice, keyboards and digital displays.
The standard amount…