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| Mac Mini |
Mac mini series from Apple.Inc are designed to fill "low-end" market for people who want to use Macintosh computer. The mac mini series designed as an entry-level computer, which described by Steve Jobs as "the cheapest, most affordable Mac ever". We all know that "the cheapest mac" is still relatively expensive, the press even agrees that the price tag for mac mini series is still considered expensive.
Mac mini is not designed for graphic designer. Yes... if you're a graphic designer, then you'll probably need the higher-end macintosh products. It's because the technical specifications for mac mini isn't designed to fulfill the need of graphic designer. Mac mini is more suitable for everyday use such as reading emails, writing some documents, watching movies and play some games that doesn't require too much graphic processing.
Acording to Cpubenchmark.net, the late 2014 cpu score lower than late 2012 cpu. Late 2014 Mac mini comes in three models, macmini7,1, macmini7,2, and macmini 7,3. All of these model uses only dual core processor, while some of the late 2012 mac mini models comes with quad core processor. The late 2012 model score 8216 while the late 2014 model score only 4959. Macmini7,1 uses dual core intel i5 (i5-4260U), macmini7,2 uses dual core intel i5 (i5-4278U) but upgradable to dual core intel i7(i7-4578U), macmini7,3 uses dual core intel i5 (i5-4308U) upgradable to dual core intel i7 (i7-4578U). However, since mac mini is designed to be used for basic applications such as reading emails, writing documents etc, users probably wouldn't feel the difference at all.
Mac mini late 2014 uses intel iris as graphic processor. According to videocardbenchmark.net, Intel iris 5100 only scores 721 which clasified as mid-range graphics processing unit. Intel iris 5100 is probably good enough for regular applications, but if you're a graphics designer, video editor, or people who require a heavy duty graphic card, then mac mini probably isn't suitable for you. Note that only macmini7,2 and macmini7,3 uses intel iris 5100 graphic card, while macmini7,1 uses lower intel HD 5000 graphic card.
Mac mini late 2014 uses 4 GB to 16 GB RAM. Late 2014 mac mini uses different size of RAM depending on the model. Macmini7,1 uses 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3 soldered on board, but upgradable to 8 GB or 16 GB, while both macmini7,2 and macmini7,3 models uses 8GB 1600 MHz DDR3 soldered on board and also upgradable to 16GB.
Mac mini late 2014 uses 500 GB to 2TB Hardisk. Late 2014 mac mini is also uses different storage capacity depending on the model. Macmini7,1 uses 500GB (5400rpm) hard-drive, but can be reconfigure using 1TB fusion drive. Macmini7,2 uses 1TB (5400rpm) hard-drive but can be reconfigure using 1TB fusion drive or 256GB SSD drive. Macmini7,3 uses 1TB fusion drive which can be reconfigure using 2TB fusion drive or uses 256GB SSD drive.
Mac mini late 2014 support up to two display at 2560 x 1600 pixel at millions of colors. All late 2014 mac mini models claim to support two display at 2560 x 1600 pixel. The display connectors for all late 2014 mac mini are two thunderbolt 2 digital video output and HDMI output. For DVI and VGA output, apple provide a converter for both connector to mini display port which sold separately.
Mac mini late 2014 have a builtin speakers and support for iphone headset. In sound section, all mac mini models have an audio input with minijack connector. The audio output connector uses 3.5mm headphone connector. The HDMI port is also support multichannel audio output. Mac mini is also support built-in speaker but the brand for the built-in speaker is still hard to find online.
Mac mini late 2014 can connect wirelessly through WIFI and Bluetooth, and also can connect through standard wired network. For wireless standard, late 2014 mac mini add support for 802.11ac for its wifi connection, while the bluetooth is support up to version 4. For wired connection, late 2014 mac mini uses 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet (RJ-45 connector).
Mac mini late 2014 maximum power consumption is at 85 Watt. This small power consumption in mac mini is probably because mac mini series often use onboard graphic card which reduce the need of power.
