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Mac Mini Mid 2010 Teardown Photos

MacFly123 said:
Where is the IR sensor for the Apple Remote? 😕 I see the little white sleep light but nothing that would be the IR sensor. On the server one there is a bigger black dot like an IR sensor but I don't see anything like that on the regular one. Is it hidden inside the disc slot or something? I looked on the store and you can get the Apple Remote with it. Huh. 😕
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I read that it's hidden inside the ODD slot 😎.
 
what about speed.

Anyone have any insight on benchmark tests for the new mac mini? How does it compare to an i5 UMBP? Speaking of, why didn't they just have a version with an i5 or i7 CPU? To me that would have sealed the deal. This way (at least for people looking to upgrade their standard PC) you could choose from a portable MB, iMac with super-duper Monitor or a cost effective Mac Mini all with similar performance and threading?
 
MacFly123 said:
Where is the IR sensor for the Apple Remote? 😕 I see the little white sleep light but nothing that would be the IR sensor. On the server one there is a bigger black dot like an IR sensor but I don't see anything like that on the regular one. Is it hidden inside the disc slot or something? I looked on the store and you can get the Apple Remote with it. Huh. 😕
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Hidden on the right side of the optical drive bay. Just like how it is on the old Mac mini.
 
NyArtboy said:
Anyone have any insight on benchmark tests for the new mac mini? How does it compare to an i5 UMBP? Speaking of, why didn't they just have a version with an i5 or i7 CPU? To me that would have sealed the deal. This way (at least for people looking to upgrade their standard PC) you could choose from a portable MB, iMac with super-duper Monitor or a cost effective Mac Mini all with similar performance and threading?
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Because then they would have had to use discrete graphics (which add heat, cost and space) as the Intel ones are crap. Mini has usually been identical to the MacBook in parts so there is no change from that.
 
wunderboy said:
Maybe I should upgrade my one Windows Media Center computer and try it out.

To be honest, I lost interest in Media Center when all the issues with the cablecard couldn't be resolved. I believe it still falls short of what was intended. My goal is to reduce clutter and it feels like Hulu may be the answer (at least with cable) but it is SO DARN DIFFICULT to get it on my TV consistently...right now I use Play On. However, still have to keep the cable box because...you guessed it...User Interface. Path of least resistance.
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You should be able to get the 90 day trial of Windows 7 Enterprise. It does come with Windows Media Center.

I cringe every time I hear Cable Card. 😱
 
Someone was asking what is the market for this versus, say, a MacBook Pro.

I currently have a PowerMac, but am balking at spending $3000 to upgrade to a MacPro. I am a Photographer and use Lightroom and Photoshop and would like to go to the latest versions, which means Intel. I have 2 24" Apple Cinema Displays, so an iMac doesn't make much sense. I'd actually buy a 13" or 15" MacBook Pro if there was a usable way to run both displays, but I've yet to find one. So the Mini seems to make the most sense to me.

I would have gladly paid more for an SSD option, though. Surprised it isn't offered. Would also have liked a 7200 RPM option in the non-Server model. I'll probably go with the Server, even though I don't have any real need for the Software and will have to buy an external Superdrive.
 
Getting the server version to use as a main desktop for now and as a HTPC later on is what I was thinking I might do just for the two hard drives and easy access to replace the top one. I would put an 80GB Intel SSD in it's place.

My only problem with the server version is I really don't want to use Snow Leopard Server. I just want the regular Snow Leopard retail software. Also, apparently the new Mac Mini has a feature in the display options that allow you to adjust the underscan incrementally and even if you have 10.6.4 installed on the old Mac Mini, you can't get that option. So I'm not sure how I could install the regular Snow Leopard and still get that option. Because of the type of TV I have, I REALLY need that option.

I'm hoping it is because that feature is only available for the Nvidia 320M which means if you have one of the newer Macbooks that have the 320M like in the new Mini then they should have the new display option too.

Can anybody confirm???
 
Hmm..

wolfpacker said:
Someone was asking what is the market for this versus, say, a MacBook Pro.

I currently have a PowerMac, but am balking at spending $3000 to upgrade to a MacPro. I am a Photographer and use Lightroom and Photoshop
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This was part of my first question. What about benchmarks? Is it comparable to the regular MB? If so then I wouldn't get it to run Lightroom and Photoshop. I am also a photographer and it would seem to me it would be better to buy the older Unibody MBP then spend $1K+ on the server version of the Mac Mini if its only as fast as a MB? You could always run Firewire 800 7200rpm externals for cheap. Also I think this thread covers the Dual Monitor problem. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/269658/
 
MorphingDragon said:
According to imation BD is being adopted faster than DVD.

---

You do realise that CD was a joint effort between Sony and Philips, that DVD was a joint effort between Sony, Philips and Pioneer, and that BD was a joint effort between Sony and Philips.

Sony is a major part of all consumer optical media in use today. Sony is darn good at making winner formats.
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Sony has made their fair share of winners, but not too many lately. BD is a dead end with cloud computing so near. It would have to get exponentially better in order to be useful again. I have a 2 Terabyte HD, BD just isn't enough to do anything useful anymore.
 
Hdmi

Just bought the new Mac Mini to replace a 2008 model for one purpose: HDMI connection.

I use the Mini as my home theater hub. I don't have cable or satellite and rely solely on digital content and a blu-Ray player. The only problem I had with the 2008 model was with the pre-set screen resolutions not matching the dimensions of my HDTV. The result was I had 1.5" black bars all the way around the border of the screen. The mini has a slide adjustment to fit the image exactly to your screen size. No more black bars.
 
newagemac said:
Getting the server version to use as a main desktop for now and as a HTPC later on is what I was thinking I might do just for the two hard drives and easy access to replace the top one. I would put an 80GB Intel SSD in it's place.
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If you're going the HTPC route I would recommend putting your content on external drives via FireWire. If you use the internal drives as your main storage you run the risk of generating a constant high level of heat. My HTPC mini runs almost all day long between playing music while I work and Hulu/Netflix/movies/etc at night and gets quite warm even with the digital content on an external drive. Just something to keep in mind.
 
Gotta Hankerin said:
Just bought the new Mac Mini to replace a 2008 model for one purpose: HDMI connection.

I use the Mini as my home theater hub. I don't have cable or satellite and rely solely on digital content and a blu-Ray player. The only problem I had with the 2008 model was with the pre-set screen resolutions not matching the dimensions of my HDTV. The result was I had 1.5" black bars all the way around the border of the screen. The mini has a slide adjustment to fit the image exactly to your screen size. No more black bars.
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What tv are you using the mini with? How are you connecting the new mini to your tv? I am contemplating buying this with my setup. I have a Pioneer VSX-1020 receiver connected via HDMI to Pioneer Kuro PRO-111FD.
 
chasemac said:
What tv are you using the mini with? How are you connecting the new mini to your tv? I am contemplating buying this with my setup. I have a Pioneer VSX-1020 receiver connected via HDMI to Pioneer Kuro PRO-111FD.
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I'm using a Panasonic Viera 32" HDTV with specs of 1388 x 768 which the previous Mini only had a setting for 720p which is something like 1300 x 720. That's why I had the black bars all around. I did buy DisplayConfigX which creates and installs custom resolutions but was way too technical for me -- I couldn't find a setting that worked.

I have the mini connected directly to my TV via HDMI but I'm sure it could go from Mini to receiver/amplifier just fine. If your receiver doesn't have an HDMI input then you could just get a 3.5mm audio jack and plug that into the output of the Mini and then have, RCA plugs I guess, on the other end. I use a Samsung SoundBar as my speaker system which plugs directly into my TV via optical cord. My TV is in a small room so I didn't need a whole lot of power behind my speakers.

The new Mini is very well designed. I took some upgraded RAM out of the old Mini which is a chore as others have said, and put it in the new one which is the easiest computer upgrade task I've ever done. That bottom panel is very well designed.
 
Xtremehkr said:
Sony has made their fair share of winners, but not too many lately. BD is a dead end with cloud computing so near. It would have to get exponentially better in order to be useful again. I have a 2 Terabyte HD, BD just isn't enough to do anything useful anymore.
Click to expand...

And in this parallel universe of yours, is Internet connection also 50MBS world wide under 100% load in every corner of the planet? Because thats the speed youd need to replace blu-ray completely.
 
NyArtboy said:
Is it comparable to the regular MB? If so then I wouldn't get it to run Lightroom and Photoshop. Ihttps://forums.macrumors.com/threads/269658/
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I don't see why not. I am a design student and DSLR photographer. I am in Adobe all day long manipulating very large images with several Adobe programs open, as well as Itunes and a browser.

I had a 2009 Mac Mini (the low end one, which I upgraded to 4 gigs of ram), and it ran the Creative Suite CS4 just fine. The Mac Mini has been and continues to be a very capable machine for graphic arts. If you really want to unleash it, pop an Intel or whatever SSD in it. You won't be sorry. I ran dual monitors on mine as well. Not a single stutter.

I would highly recommend the Mini as a design box. It is small, and has some decent power.

*Edit, check my sig. I am currently using a 23" 1080p monitor tethered to my 13.3" Macbook. 2ghz, 4gb ram, 80gb SSD.. and watch me load my brushes and manipulate layers on a 100 meg+ image in Photoshop.
Photoshop loads in under 3 seconds flat and my brushes and plugins do not stutter. It's like cutting through butter with a hot knife. And that is a pic of my old Mini below. I miss it!
 

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balamw said:
Note too that you can try out any edition of Windows for 120 days, not just Enterprise. Official ISOs from Microsoft are easy to get.

http://techpp.com/2009/11/11/download-windows-7-iso-official-direct-download-links/

http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/21/windows-7-runs-free-without-activation-for-120-days-with-simple/

B
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They're pratically giving it away. 🙄

flopticalcube said:
Not forgetting the cap. 5 movies a month would blow mine.
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MorphingDragon said:
Less than one would blow mine.
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My record is 43 GB in a month. AT&T hasn't knocked my doors down, yet. This is on 768 kbps too.
 
Whingers take note:

It's a pity those who whinge about Apple not using the latest (for the moment) CPU. There is little wrong with the Dual Core, does everything I need to and more on my 10 month old MacBook pro..

This teardown clearly shows where much of the money goes, and that is in design. When I say design, I am not just talking looks (which this MacMini has, by the bucket load). Look how it is put together, this machine is built to last and look cool!
 
Hey Gotta

Gotta Hankerin said:
I'm using a Panasonic Viera 32" HDTV with specs of 1388 x 768 which the previous Mini only had a setting for 720p which is something like 1300 x 720. That's why I had the black bars all around. I did buy DisplayConfigX which creates and installs custom resolutions but was way too technical for me -- I couldn't find a setting that worked.

I have the mini connected directly to my TV via HDMI but I'm sure it could go from Mini to receiver/amplifier just fine. If your receiver doesn't have an HDMI input then you could just get a 3.5mm audio jack and plug that into the output of the Mini and then have, RCA plugs I guess, on the other end. I use a Samsung SoundBar as my speaker system which plugs directly into my TV via optical cord. My TV is in a small room so I didn't need a whole lot of power behind my speakers.

The new Mini is very well designed. I took some upgraded RAM out of the old Mini which is a chore as others have said, and put it in the new one which is the easiest computer upgrade task I've ever done. That bottom panel is very well designed.
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How does the new mini look on your Panny 32 inch? I have the exact same TV and setup. I also encountered all kinds of issues with DisplayConfigX and gave up. I am interested in as much detail as you can provide as I am looking at swapping a new Mini for my old mini still connected to that 720p Panny TV.

THANKS!
 
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