Cheap Mac Mini
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard is accurate on all Mac mini models through 2009 with at atomic 512 MB of RAM; we acclaim at atomic 1 GB in G4 Minis and 2 GB in Intel Minis for abundant added good performance. Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is accurate on all Intel-powered Macs with at atomic 1 GB of RAM, but we acclaim at atomic 2 GB for bigger performance. See the alone computer profiles for a account of accurate and bottomless Snow Leopard technologies (for instance, the Mac mini Core Solo cannot run in 64-bit mode, cannot use Grand Central Dispatch, and has no abutment for OpenCL).
OS X 10.7 Lion, which comes with the Mid 2011 model, is accurate on all 2007 and after models. Earlier models use Intel Core Solo or Core Duo CPUs, which are 32-bit alone and cannot run Lion, which is a 64-bit operating system.
We anticipate the Mac mini is absolutely the value. Keep in apperception that it ships with no abrasion or keyboard. The Mac mini can be ordered with a Apple's USB 2.0 keyboard and USB Abrasion for $98 added ($20 added for the wireless Magic Abrasion or the Magic Trackpad). That's a lot to absorb for a abrasion and keyboard. We're big admirers of some of the added good Logitech keyboards and mice, as able-bodied as the Macally KeySlim USB 2.0 keyboard, all of which we use at Low End Mac headquarters.
Apple recommends that annihilation activity central the mini be installed by an accustomed Apple dealer, although user accession of anamnesis will not abandoned the warranty. Getting central the Mac mini to add RAM or advancement the adamantine drive is a bit catchy with pre-2010 models, and a lot easier with the fresh architecture - abnormally advance memory.
For those gluttonous added ability on a budget, the Core Solo or Core Duo CPU in the 2006 models can be replaced by a faster Core Duo or the newer, faster Core 2 Duo. We do not acclaim affairs the Core Solo Mac mini unless you plan to advancement the CPU, as it is broadly appear as actuality actual apathetic with its single-core CPU. Note that advance to a Core 2 CPU does not acquiesce use of added than 2 GB of RAM, nor will it acquiesce these Minis to run Lion.
The 1.42 GHz and 1.5 GHz G4 models alien with 512 MB of RAM, and the Intel-based models don't accommodate a modem.
Many of the dealers listed action chargeless arena aircraft on fresh units. Best deals agency in estimated arena aircraft costs. Used Macs usually accommodate a 90 day warranty. Used minis do not accommodate abrasion or keyboard.
Best Used Mac mini Prices
1.25 GHz G4 Combo, $200, Small Dog
1.42 GHz G4 Combo, $350, MacResource
1.5 GHz G4 Combo, $380, MacResource
1.66 GHz Core Duo Combo, $449 shipped, PowerMax
1.83 GHz Core Duo SD, $449, MacResource
1.83 GHz Core 2 Combo, $479 shipped, PowerMax
2.0 GHz Core 2 SD, $529 shipped, PowerMax
2.26 GHz Nvidia SD, $659 shipped, PowerMax
2.53 GHz Nvidia SD, $689 shipped, PowerMax
Best Refurbished Mac mini Prices
2.53 GHz 2009 Server, $739 shipped, Apple
2.66 GHz 2010 Server, $749 shipped, Apple
Best 2010 Mac mini Prices
2.4 GHz Unibody, $544 shipped, Amazon.com
2.66 GHz Unibody, $830 shipped, B&H
2.66 GHz Unibody Server, $880 shipped, Amazon.com, MacMall
Best 2011 Mac mini Prices
2.3 GHz i5, $580 shipped, PC Connection
2.5 GHz i5, $780 shipped, PC Connection
2.7 GHz i7, $899 shipped, Apple, PowerMax
2.0 GHz cloister i7 Server, $960 shipped, PC Connection
Recent Prices on Anamnesis Upgrades
Prices are per bore unless contrarily noted.
G4 (one slot): 512 MB, $16.79; 1 GB, $31.79
2006, PC5300: 1 GB, $19.88; 2 GB kit, $35.99
2007, PC5300: 1 GB, $19.88; 2 GB kit, $35.99; 3 GB kit, $47.99; 4 GB kit, $59.99 (can alone abode 3 GB, but some feel akin anamnesis modules improves performance)
2009-2010, 1066 DDR3: 1 GB, $22.79; 2 GB kit, $39.99; 3 GB kit, $54.99; 4 GB kit, $69.99
2011, PC10600: 4 GB kit, $38.97; 8 GB kit, $84.99; 12 GB kit, $759.99; 16 GB kit, $1,419.99
