By now, you already know that Apple has announced the third new Apple system featuring an Intel processor – the new Mac mini now comes with support for both Intel Core Solo and Intel Core Duo processors. It wasn’t any surprise that Apple would end up using the Core processor inside a system this small. The Intel Core processors come from the Pentium M lineage and thus feature high performance and low power emittance.

So what’s the low down on the new Mac mini’s? Well this is the first Mac system to offer the Intel Core Solo processor. Up until now, the new Intel based Macs (MacBook Pro and iMac) featured only the Intel Core Duo processors (dual core processor systems). In order for Apple to come out with a reasonably priced Mac mini system, the Core Solo was chosen to anchor the low end of the spectrum. On the higher end, Apple is packaging a 1.66GHz Core Duo processor inside the Mac mini.  Not too shabby for a small form factor system.

 Other specs on the new Mac mini include the inclusion of Apple’s FrontRow UI (which means you’ll also get the Apple remote control with this system), support for up to 2GB of memory, integrated Intel graphics with the Intel GMA950 graphics processor, a DVI and VGA connector, a slot loading optical drive, up to 120GB HDD, analog and digital audio, USB and Firewire connectors, and of course Apple’s iLife suite of applications.

Gone is the s-video in port which isn’t too surprising since Apple decided to use an Intel chipset which is often limiting when it comes to graphics and video capabilities. Now comes the pricing. The 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo system starts at $599 while the 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo system starts at $799. Both are reasonably priced systems although the mini loses some of the luster by being priced above 500 bucks. At least give us a keyboard and mouse with the system at these prices!!

 

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