Tag Archive for 'Mac Mini'

Mac Mini 2.0GHz Review and Media Center setup Guide

Published
by
mollerade
on January 20, 2008
in Technology
. 8 Comments

mac mini new I’ve been waiting over a year for Apple Inc to make a considerable change to the Mac Mini, hoping for faster Hard Drives (currently 5200rpm) and better graphics (currently GMA 950). But no, they budgeth not.My PC has been running on vapour trails for quite some time now, and it either undergoes a major overhaul and refit, or its time to replace and go all Mac (i’m a little scared). But i’ve never been one to give into my fears, and so i’ve ordered my Mac Mini 2.0GHz (160GB HDD, 2GB RAM) and once it arrives (Apple.com/uk site says 2 weeks!! - ouch wasn’t expecting that!) i will be setting this baby up as the new nerve center of my home’s electronics, above the Television.
Update - 29th Jan - I forgot to mention that i will be testing the Mac Mini for use with 3 external Hard Drives (currently being used with my PC) a 60GB photo library, and 100GB video library + one drive will act as my backup with time machine. I will be editing video, images, setting the machine up to play all the codecs possible within front row, examining alternatives, setting up my email, importing my old email (PST files from PC) and generally giving it a good workout.

Step 1. Buy a Mac Mini.

Their are four main ways of buying a Mac these days, PCWorld or similar, an Apple Mac Retail Store (if you have one close by) an web reseller, or directly from Apple’s website. I chose the later, as the nice lady, deborah from Apple’s Online chat (great tool thats free to use) helped explain that because i wanted a non standard Mac Mini (i need 2GB RAM, not the standard 1GB) the store would have to send away for it, add to that I couldn’t find another online retailer offering a lower price than the Apple.com/uk store.

UK Apple Store Delivery Times.

Ordered on the 23rd of January and scheduled for delivery on the 2nd Feb. It was built and shipped on the 24th of January, since then the current delivery status has been - In Transit to Customer - Shipment on Schedule. The only gripe i have is that the Carrier Tracker Number was - In transit to final destination - carrier details to be updated shortly from the 24th Jan, to the 30th, i then recieved the UPS tracker info and the delivery was the 31st, which makes the delivery closer to one week than two. I never noticed any option to have faster delivery, and from my web search, i don’t believe the Apple UK Store offers one, which is a shame, as i would have gladly paid more for a faster delivery.

mac mini newmac keyboard

mac mighty mouse

Equipment Purchased from Apple Store, Mac Mini 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, Intel GMA 950 Onboard Graphics, 160GB Hard Disk (5200rpm), Superdrive (DVD RW + CD RW) + Mac Wireless Keyboard+ Mac Wireless Mouse

Step 2. Unboxing.

Here is a video of the unboxing, (i’m no Ridley Scott), its the usual attention to detail you expect from Apple.

Step 3. The Hardware Setup.

The setup has proved more challenging for one reason only. Getting the resolution to display perfectly on my JVC 37DR7 has caused me a few headaches (more on that later).The Mini has four USB ports side by side on the back, i have 3 external HDD, a printer, my iPod, webcam, and i’m out of ports already so a quick trip down to the shops and i’m back with the Belkin 6 Port Hub designed for the Mac Mini. For £9 you can’t argue with that, especially if you prioritize, keeping your high demand peripherals connected directly to the Mac Mini and the less frequently used on the hub.

Connecting to your HDTV

jvc

I had a choice of connecting my Mac Mini via the VGA on my JVC (using the Apple supplied DVI to VGA converter) or a spare DVI to HDMI cable i had. I chose the latter, and powered on. Apple proceeds to guide you through its first time start up questions, giving you a user name and connecting you to any available wireless or wired network. By now i’ve remembered why the Cable was spare, i tried this on my old PC the one i’m migrating away from, and i could never get the text to look as sharp as i could with the VGA cable. Never mind i thought i’ll sort that out later. Well it didn’t quite work out that easy, as you can see from my points below;

a) Apple displays resolutions that are compatible with the monitor. These are the only setting available for you to choose from without using custom tools like SwitchRes and DisplayconfigX (can be more trouble than they are worth).

b) DVI to HDMI can cause problems if you plan on using your TV Speakers, as your TV will expect the audio to be coming from the HDMI connection (and it won’t be, because DVI can’t carry audio). So you will need to use external speakers, or have a TV which allows manual selection of Audio Source. The DVI to HDMI connection never managed to produce a sharp enough image, probably because it was being forced into a non native resolution by OSX.

c) Sticking with the HDMI cable caused me to run into Overscan (image is stretched beyond the boarders of TV chopping off the top menu). You can turn off overscan in the Display settings but that gave me the opposite problem which is a large black boarder around my desktop. This led me to using DisplayConfigX or SwitchRes, which caused black screens on startup.

d) DisplayConfigX can provide custom resolutions, but as i found out can cause your screen to go black if your monitor doesn’t like the custom resolution you have setup. Usually you can plug into a second monitor to get out of such a bind, but i only have my TV, so i followed these instructions and it got me back into OSX, these instruction also worked for me when SwitchRes turned my screen black.

i) Power off the Mac Mini
ii) Power on Mac Mini wait a second and hit command key (Apple key) + s and hold them down until you enter the single user mode.
iii) Type “mount uw /” and hit return (don’t include the “”)
iv) Type “cd system/library/displays/overrides” and hit return (don’t include the “”)
v) Type “rm -R D* and hit return (don’t include the “”)
vi) Type “Reboot” and hit enter (don’t include the “”)

These actions will remove the stored display settings, and when you reboot, OSX should repopulate with standard settings, bringing your screen back to life, at least that’s how it worked for me.

e) Using the Apple Supplied DVI to VGA converter, plus a VGA to VGA cable didn’t display any image even in safe mode, most likely due to my monitor only supporting strange resolutions using VGA -1366 X 768). Eventually i got my VGA cable working perfectly. It wasn’t easy, and was a matter of much trial and error, but by installing a trial version of VNC on my Mac Mini, whilst connected using the DVI to HDMI cable, and installing another trial version on my wife’s Macbook, I was able to remotely connect to my Mac Mini, switch the DVI to HDMI cable to the VGA (using Apple supplied DVI to VGA converter), and play around with the Display settings on the Mac Mini via the Macbooks remote connection, until I got the resolution working. In the end it wasn’t just the resolution that was causing the problem, it was also the Hz which needed to be set to 60hz, I’ve settled on 1280 X 768 res for now. I will play around with the resolutions more in the future, as i’d like to eek a little more out, but for now i need to get on with setting up the software. One thing to note. During the boot sequence my screen remains black, and only displays the image once its completed OSX startup, problably because this is when my selected settings are forced into action. I will work on getting this resolved too.

Step 4. Software Setup.

As i stated previously this Mac Mini is my main computer, so i want to run all my everyday software and watch my movies, play my music etc. I can only recommend you all visit this site: http://www.opensourcemac.org it is a great place to get started with your software needs. I will be listing and testing software during the next few weeks, however so far my Mini is managing to keep up with all the tasks i’ve thrown at it. The Core 2 Duo CPU seems very capable.

Parallels 3.0

Awesome doesn’t come close. So easy to setup and use and Vista runs like a charm. If you only plan to dip into Vista or XP occationally then use Parallels. The Core 2 Duo is very capable of running OSX and Vista at the same time, and i was able to troubleshoot a very annoying issue with folder permissions being locked on my external drives (only way to fix this was to make a copy of the folder in OSX, boot Vista and delete the original folder). I use Vista to troubleshoot my OSX migration issues, and because Parallels automatically maps your OSX local folders in Vista, you can easily copy accross any work between the systems.

Step 5. Summary and Conclusions.

The setup of the Mac Mini was complicated by the lack of support for my JVC LCD TV, although it displayed an image using the DVI to HDMI cable, i wasn’t satisfied with the quality of the image. I knew from my previous PC setup that the VGA cable would provide a better image, and yet it took some serious effort to get the VGA cable working with the Mini. Not everyone has had these problems, but from what i’ve read in the troubleshooting forums, it seems to be a regular issue. For this reason i cannot recommend the Mac Mini as a Media Center for the average consumer. The Apple TV no doubt provides much better LCD TV support, and if surfing the Internet or reading your email doesn’t need to be done from your LCD TV then it must be better choice for you.

If you are metaphorically prepared to get your hands dirty, then the Mac Mini is proving to be a most excellent Media Center. The wonderfully rich OSX experience means i’m never far away from my media and applications. I firmly believe that the HD TV should be connected to a fully functional computer, unfortunately most consumers are not prepared to mess around with VNC inorder to get their display working.

Imagined Apple Inc 2008 Product Roadmap

Published
by
christian
on January 4, 2008
in Technology
. 3 Comments

The imagined 2008 Product Roadmap covers only the major products in Apple’s arsenal and ignores peripheral devices. A full breakdown of each product specifications is available below.

Mac Portables

Macbook Touch - Large Multitouch screen 20cm X 12cm X 1.5cm, Flash Storage (32GB -128GB), Memory (1-2GB), Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor, MAC OS X v10.5x, USB, Firewire, Bluetooth, Wifi.

Macbook - The technical specifications remain much the same (albeit faster processors), however a new chassis, 4mm thinner than the 2007 model and a Multitouch keyboard radically change the Macbook’s appearance and functionality. The Multitouch keyboard is effectively a flat surface area covering the area previously occupied by the keyboard. The track pad is gone. The area switches between keyboard mode and mouse by pressing a key or using a Multitouch finger gesture. The keys are lit for use in the dark (similar to the Macbook Pro), and printed on the flat surface area, with raised lines on F and J key. No more sticky fingers on the screen!

Macbook Pro - The Macbook Pro also makes use of the Multitouch keyboard, with faster CPU, Memory and a larger HD.

Mac Desktops

Mac TV - The Mac TV is the evolution of the Mac Mini and Apple TV of 2007. In 2008 we see these two devices merge, creating Mac TV. The Mac TV is equally comfortable connected to a computer monitor as it is an LCD TV, but either way its been designed to be conceivably the only household computer you will need.

Roughly twice the size as the Mac Mini, Mac TV incorporates many of the connections found on both the Mini and the Apple TV, with some notable additions and exceptions. Although composite connectors have gone in favour of two HDMI slots and one DV they are available with a DVI to composite at extra cost.

One of the most interesting software additions coming with the Mac TV is an application called MultiSpaces. MultiSpaces is automatically activated when connecting two keyboards and or mice to the Mac TV. This is an extension of Leopards Spaces technology, which allows the users to have multiple desktops. Using MultiSpaces you can split the screen equally in two (or more if your screen is big enough) giving each user has their own desktop to do with as they want. In case you are wondering only one audio channel remains open at any time, on a first come first served basis. Now you can watch TV and surf the web.

Yes, PVR functionality is included.

iMac - iMac gets bigger! The range begins at 22”, with 24” in the middle and a new 32” model arriving in March. The 32” model is the thinnest, and is wall mountable. MultiSpaces is active on all models, but only the 32” model carries PVR functionality.

Mac Pro - The Mac Pro comes in two versions now, Mini Tower and Full Tower. There isn’t much difference between the two other than cost and expandability.

Peripherals

 Multitouch Input (combining keyboard and mouse functionality). Layed in a solid wood or  aluminium. Bluetooth conectivity. (think luxury Wacom tablet).

Mac Mini and Apple TV Combine to become Apple TV +. The Mac Plus debuts.

Published
by
christian
on December 19, 2007
in Technology
. 7 Comments

Apple TV+ I’ve been listening to what a few of you have been saying about the Mini and Apple TV, as i’ve had similar thoughts, seeing little reason why the two devices shouldn’t be combined, after all the Mini does everything the Apple TV can?

In fact there exists only one strong reason not to combine these two products. The cost of the Mini (£399) is two hundred pounds more expensive that the Apple TV in its current form. The question is, is the added functionality a fully fledged computer offers you worth it? In my opinion yes, absolutely.

I’ve been using a PC attached to my 37″ JVC LCD television for over a year now, and i can tell you, i will never go back to having the main TV separated from a computer, i would like all TV’s to have the functionality of a computer, and would be willing to bet that the first manufacturer to integrate computers and televisions on a mass scale at a competitive price will be a monumental success. The TV is generally the technical hub of any house, and a natural place to go for information. Todays LCD Televisions produce great resolutions, so your computer will look great on the TV. Add a wireless keyboard and mouse, and instead of just Movies and TV shows, you can surf the web, chat to your friends via Skype, read your emails and write that essay, all from the comfort of your lounge.

So the idea of the Apple TV or Pinnacle’s Showcenter is a great one, they just didn’t go far enough with the added functionality. Why do i want to spend £200 to stream movings from the computer to my TV, when a 20M VGA cable costs £15 add to that a 20M audio cable (£3.99) and you’ve done the same thing for £181 less.

The Apple TV + could limit functionality, adding only an internet browser, and an email Application. This would keep the costs down, but as a user, it greatly limits what i can do, should i need to quickly edit an email attachment in word, or touch up a photo before printing it, and considering we know the market is heading in the direction of combining the TV and computer, we really only have three options left;

1) Do we build a box to go under your TV
2) Do we combine the TV and computer ourselves (AKA iMac)
3) Do we do both?

I choose No.3.

So we now have two requirements

1) we need a combined Apple TV and Mac Mini product, that we are going to call (for the sake of discussion Apple TV +), and

2) we need to enlarge the screen size of the iMac from its current 24″ limit to beyond 40″ to compete with the TV manufacturers (whilst sliming its profile down).

This leaves us with a gap in our product line where previously the Mac Mini filled. What about a Smaller version of the Mac Pro. Call it the Mac Plus, and make it 2/3 size of the Mac Pro.

So our new Mac line up looks something like this;

1) Apple TV +

2) iMac

3) Mac Plus

4) Mac Pro

And for my next write up we will be investigating the possible specifications of these 4 products. Happy Holidays!

Update - JAN 2008 (POST MACWORLD 2008) -As i previously stated i believe the Mac Mini and Apple TV could be merged sucessfully. However based on Apple’s announcement of the software enhancements to the Apple TV, which allow content to be added directly rather than going through iTunes installed on a seperate computer, i would like to make a change to my original thoughts of the Apple TV+. I would keep the Apple TV, for those only interested in watching Movies and TV, listening to music or viewing their photos on their Television, the Apple TV makes perfect sense, and is priced accordingly. The Apple TV+ would in addition to everything the Apple TV does, be a fully fledged computer, running OSX, and include similar specs to the Mac Mini.

What has Apple got in store for the new year?

Published
by
christian
on December 9, 2007
in Technology
. 0 Comments

iphone iPhone

I would be surprised to see a new iPhone so soon after the first one, and would hope Apple spend their time improving the functionality of the first before moving on and launching the second. However the irresistible urge to improve their products and pressure from the mobile phone carriers may be too much. Hardware improvements in the new iPhone will be 3G (depending on battery life, something Apple wasn’t and still won’t be willing to sacrifice), improved camera on the phone, louder speakers, and more flash storage. Software improvements will bring the ability to save from safari to a folder on the phone, copy and paste functionality, and the ability to record using the microphone.

Apple TV+Mac Mini

Something going to happen here, otherwise you have to explain why Apple upgraded its MacBook to the Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor, but kept the Mac Mini using the older Intel GMA 950 graphics processor. If i were a betting man, i’d bet a change is due, and they didn’t want to spend any more money upgrading the graphics processor with only 6 months before the newly redesigned Mac Mini arrives.

I’d add that the Mac Mini is in a prime position to replace the Apple TV as a functionally more rounded product. Giving you access to your email, internet, applications, music and video. The only thing its waiting for is a little more beef in the specs, and perhaps a fresh look, (by all means, call it the new Apple TV+), its no secret that Apple has been itching to get rid of the Mini in its current form.

itab mac with multitouchUltra-Portable MacBook

There has been a lot of talk about an Ultra-Portable from Apple in 2008. Based on the information from Toshiba, we should be seeing 32GB, 64GB and 128GB NAND Flash storage in 2008. With the 128GB module not coming out until May 2008, any ultra-portable Apple creates would most likely have a) two 32GB versions, or b) two 64GB versions, making a max of 128GB storage using the latter configuration. Based on the estimate that the iPhones’ multitouch technology costs $33.50 per phone, i wouldn’t be surprised to see the ultra-portable come equipped with that technology. How Apple plans on implementing a touchscreen on a portable, be it a swivel screen, or something unique, we will have to wait and see.