The Tech Bench

Today Apple released the latest generation of the Mac mini desktop.

The new mini has an aluminum Unibody design and is billed as being up to 25% more energy efficient than the previous generation.

Here are the highlights:

• HDMI (yes!)
• FireWire 800
• SD card slot
• Removable panel fore easy RAM upgrades.
• No separate power brick, power supply is built in.
• 1.4″ thin
• NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256MB Graphics

The new minis are available today and start at $699 for a 2.4Ghz Core 2 Duo processor with 2GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive.

A mini with Snow Leopard Server pre-installed, a 2.66Ghz Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of memory and a 7200rpm 500GB hard drive is available for $999. This would make a great little server.

[ Mac mini ]

Mac Mini 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

We do a lot of Mac Mini hard drive and RAM upgrades here at MyService.

From time to time we’ll get one in who has lost audio or wireless after a customer attempted DIY upgrade. We’re seeing this happen more and more with the latest revs of Minis.

The cables and wireless connectors are much more delicate in the latter models so extra care should be given when working on these Minis.

A good rule of thumb is to not disconnect a cable if you don’t have to.

If you damage a cable or connector when attempting a DIY upgrade, we can help.

Our Mac Mini page lists the different hard drive upgrade services we offer as well as the free diagnostic option if your Mini has been damaged.

[ MyService Mac Mini Repairs & Upgrades ]