Got some time visit Apple iStore near JP Nagar over the weekend. I have been thinking of changing the computer at home for a while now and decided to take a look at Apple Mac mini. 
As usual, the Macs rock! I really got sold for the whole concept and design of this small wonder in the very first look. This Mac Mini is such a small one, it made me recall my good old school days lunch box :).
Through these years, I have seen the Macs from the bulkiest size iMac to the sleekest Macbook Air. But, Apple Mac mini is certainly an out of box concept where in you can attach your own video display and the input devices. Just one small box that you can carry easily since it weighs so less, plug up accessories as you need and start using without any hassles. The best part of this small box is that, it comes with Intel Core 2 Duo processors. I am certainly tempted to get one of the Mac Mini soon. Here is a quick comparison between the two models available in Indian market under this series.
| 120GB Mac mini (MB463LL/A) | 320GB Mac mini (MB464LL/A) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo | 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo | |
| Price | Rs.33,530 * | Rs.44,090 * | |
| L2 cache | 3MB shared | ||
| System bus | 1066MHz | ||
| Memory | 1GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 4GB | 2GB of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 4GB | |
| Hard drive | 120GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm | 320GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm | |
| Optical drive | Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) | ||
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 128MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory | NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory | |
| Ports | One FireWire 800 port (8 watts); five USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps); mini-DVI output; VGA output (using optional adapter); Mini DisplayPort | ||
| Audio | Built-in speaker, combined optical digital audio input/audio line in, combined optical digital audio output/headphone out | ||
| Networking | Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit) | ||
| Wireless | Built-in AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi (802.11n); built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) | ||
| Limited warranty and service | Mac mini comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year limited warranty. Purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan to extend service and support to three years from your computer’s purchase date. Only the AppleCare Protection Plan provides you with direct telephone support from Apple technical experts and the assurance that repairs will be handled by Apple-authorized technicians using genuine Apple parts. For more information, visit Apple support. |
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The mentioned price is as on today and it is just the base price, doesn’t include taxes and if you opt for any configuration different from the base config, obviously the price goes up. Additional options include: LED Cinema Display, Apple Keyboard, Apple Keyboard with numeric keypad, Apple Wireless Keyboard and Wireless Mighty Mouse; AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme Base Station, Time Capsule; Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter, Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (for 30-inch DVI display), Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter, Apple USB Modem, Apple Remote, the AppleCare Protection Plan; and pre-installed copies of iWork ’09, Logic Express 8, Final Cut Express 4 and Aperture 2.
Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard will be the operating system in this box while the standard applications include Cover Flow, Mail, Quick Look, iChat, Stacks, Safari, Time Machine, Spaces etc., Ofcourse you will get iLife. But iWork and MicroSoft Office softwares would be 30 day trial versions. If you need full versions, it costs extra! There are a couple of drawbacks I could make out with Apple products in India. The warranty period is valid only for one year and any support there after costs really hefty! For such services one needs to take the product to the nearest service center and the time to fix the issue is subjected to availability of hardware components. There is no way to get these products serviced outside the authorized service centers as Apple doesn’t share any hardware and technical architecture. I will evaluate a couple more options before making a final call on what to buy. Any suggestions/feedback on this product from readers?
shweta says
Hi I need a MAC machine for developing iPhone application. If I buy Mac Mini (only CPU ) can it be integrated with existing keyboard & monitor of my personal PC.?
Or I need to buy full Apple Machine. ?
What are the concerned that i need to think before i purchase a Mac system ?
Any suggestion to clear my doubts are appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Shweta
Srivats says
Hi,
Is the Sony HD TV eg.,Bx400 compatible to the Macmini? Has anyone tried using a new LCD or LED TV with the Macmini in the living room.
sandeep singh says
Macs are good, but for development purpose. If u want to it for entertainment
these are wastage of money. Prefer windows machines for india. Its cheap and best. I m working in a software company that uses macs for development of application related to iphone.
Mohan says
Well, to certain extent I agree with you if this statement had come a year back or so. That would have been primarily due to the non availability of some of the programs previously. Now I have found an alternate on Mac to almost all the things that one can do on a PC. I don’t feel any difference between mac and windows based OS now 🙂
ravi goswami says
I want to buy mac mini but….. will mac mini be able to support software final cut pro…..for movie editing………also will it be able to support avid pro it is another video editin software?……….also if i can ask which other softwares related to video editin and effects are supported by this computer?
vivek says
r u on facebook??? if den v can hv a chat… also bout pricin of final cut pro n studio…
Bhupendra says
I have Mac Mini with 512 kbps memory and willing to upgrade with either 1 GB or 2 GB.
Any one can do this..? OR Any one know any service provider.?
Thanks in advance.
Mohan says
You have to visit Apple iStore near your place and the service technicians will help you with memory upgrade of your choice and this can be done in no time! Check Apple india website to find the nearest apple store.
Mr. Soumya Putatunda says
I would love to own one of Mac Mini as the features which I need is all in one mini box. Also would buy the apple keyboard. However am bit skepticle about the mac Mini does it has a normal display slot so that my current LG 17″ TFT can be plugged into the Mac mini. Moreover I need support to remove Mac OS X 10.5 leopard software and install only Windows XP along with Microsoft Office 7.0 along with the Mac Mini. Please do let me know for how much will I have to shell to get all what I have mentioned.
Mohan says
You may have to go for parallels desktop virtual machine software on mac os x. this will enable you to run Win XP with MS office software. You can get in touch with Apple iStore and they will be able to provide you the price details.
Bhupendra says
I have Mac Mini with 512MB RAM and want to upgrade. Is there anyone know any service center..? OR anyone can do this job.?
Mohan says
Well, you have to take it to Apple’s iStore. There are many such stores in major cities across India. If you are in Bangalore, you can find them at UB City, JP Nagar, Koramangala etc.,
sol says
@Mohan
Thanks very much for this, Mohan!
whats the price of the 120GB Mac mini (MB463LL/A) WITH taxes in Bangalore? Are the taxes 14%
Zac says
Had the mac mini for three wekks now and it rocks! The 2GHz system is quick enough, very quiet which makes for a relaxing computing, and of course small. I also bought an Apple bluetooth mouse and keyboard because I have another computer (10 times the size of a mac mini and 10 times as loud) which I use Ubuntu Linux. The Apple mouse and keyboard is a little luxury but I wanted to try it out and I must say that it is the best keyboard I have ever used. The Ubuntu machine is my main computer while the mac mini is mainly used for audio (itunes) and video. There are linux audio and video applications available but the Apple applications are better at the moment.
Mohan says
@Jebu
Thanks for the info Jebu. I just received more detailed information on Mac Mini wrt features and price in INR. I will update the post with the latest info 🙂
Looking forward for these new models to hit stores in India!
Jebu says
Mohan, If you are looking at this better wait for the revamped mac minis to hit India. These are the old models, the new models come with better graphics, firewire 800, mini dvi more details at [http://www.apple.com/macmini/]. The mini is an ideal home theater system, and looks cute in the living room. But it is the most affordable mac, so it would make a good replacement for you.
Mohan says
@Srinath
I have no second thought about it 🙂
@Jeevan
Thanks for the info.
@Ruchi
By the time prices come down, current technology might be outdated! One has to shell out good amount to enjoy the latest technology. I am sure, you wouldn’t be disappointed though!
Ruchi says
It is too good to own…..I will wait for prices to come down..a bit.
Jeevan says
Awesome! USB hubs are vey cheap and with the bluetooth option I’d just use a wireless keyboard and mouse. This is a great product for a target market. They are great as media centers to hook up to your HD in the family room. Not to mention Virtual PC runs Windows on your Mac so I can run all my old software easily. I love the design and it’s an affordable way to own a Mac. Just depends what you mean to do with it. I plan to buy one too very soon and use it along with my home theatre.
Srinath says
Mac rocks!