New Mac minis come in single and dual core versions

Posted by Dennis Sellers Feb 28, 2006 at 2:42pm

Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled Intel-based Mac minis at an invitation-only, special event at 10 a.m. Pacific at the Apple Town Hall on the company’s Cupertino, California campus. They come in both single core and dual core versions with prices starting at US$599.

Jobs said that the Intel Mac mini’s performance is up to four times faster than its predecessor, but as tests have shown with the Intel iMac and MacBook Pro, that’s under very specific, ideal conditions. Still, the new Mac minis come with iLife ‘06 and feature the Apple Remote and Front Row software.

The new Mac mini offers a completely new system architecture, including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. All models come with built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi for 54 Mbps wireless networking, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and a total of four USB 2.0 ports, twice as many as the previous generation. The Mac mini includes a DVI interface and a VGA-out adapter to connect to a variety of displays, including flat panel TVs. Plus, the teeny Macs now sport both analog and digital audio outputs for connection to a home stereo.

The new 1.5 GHz Mac mini, at a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

°  1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor;

° 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable up to 2GB;

° A slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive;

° 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;

° Intel GMA950 graphics processor;

° Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

° Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);

° Four USB 2.0 ports;

° One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

° DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);

° The infrared Apple Remote.

The new 1.66 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799, includes:

° 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;

° 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 2GB;

° A slot-load 8x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD+-RW/CD-RW);

° 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;

° Intel GMA950 graphics processor;

° Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;

° Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);

° Four USB 2.0 ports;

° One audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;

° DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately);

° The infrared Apple Remote.

Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB, 100GB and 120GB Serial ATA hard drives, iWork ‘06 (pre-installed), AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Wireless Mouse, Apple USB Modem and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

The new Mac mini line is also available to education customers in the US and Canada through the Apple Store for Education or by calling an Apple education sales representative at 800-800-APPL.

“Fifty percent of our entire product line is now available with Intel processors, in less than sixty days,” Jobs said.

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