And Three Reasons Not Too
The Mac Mini is a unique desktop in Apple’s lineup, and for some it can be the perfect machine. However, because of it’s unique design and what it comes with, it’s not for everyone. If you are thinking about a Mac, I do believe you should consider the Mac Mini, but you need to understand what it is and is not before you buy it. If you don’t, you may not be happy with your purchase, and no one wants that.
Today I thought it would be fun to look at three reasons why you shouldn’t buy a Mac Mini, and three reasons why you shouldn’t. My hope is that you will see its strengths and weaknesses so you can decide if this little machine is right for you.
What Is a Mac Mini?
In case you haven’t seen one of these little small form factor PCs before, the Mac Mini is a small form Mac designed by Apple that was originally made to help convince PC users to make the switch without them having to invest a lot of money to do it. Over time, these devices have become an affordable option for Mac lovers and has found many uses, even if it does lack the power of some of Apple’s high end desktops and laptops.
Three Reasons to Buy a Mac Mini
First, let’s look at three good reasons to buy a Mac Mini. In fact, these reasons make this little computer a really tempting purchase for almost anyone.
1. Price
If you notice, the Mac Mini is by far the most affordable Mac available from Apple. Starting at just $499, these machines are on par with many other affordable PC desktops out there. If you have been wanting to purchase a Mac but didn’t like the Apple tax you have to pay to get one, then a Mac Mini may be the best route for you to take.
2. Design and Form Factor
Just because it’s a small computer, doesn’t mean it doesn’t feature Apple’s spectacular knack for design. It features the aluminum design that Apple has become well known for over the years and its small form factor means you can put it almost anywhere. It runs quietly and smoothly and allows you to dress up your workstation or your entertainment center with relative ease.
3. Many Great Uses
Because of it’s design and form factor, the Mac Mini has many great uses. If you need a machine for basic use, such as email, word processing and Internet surfing, then this is one of the best machines for you. It’s small design means you can put it anywhere and still have a great desktop experience. Have you been wanting to setup a media center on your television? If so then you should consider this small device. It will fit under your television with ease and give the stylish looking media center you have always wanted.
Three Reasons Not to Buy a Mac Mini
Now that I have given you three reasons to buy a Mac Mini, it’s time to look at some of the downsides so you can understand what are you getting before you hand over your hard earned money.
1. No Accessories Included
While the price is very attractive, if you look closely you will notice that the price doesn’t get you much of anything other than the machine. The Mac Mini doesn’t come with a keyboard, mouse or a monitor. That means that you will have to shell out even more money for these extras. Of course, if you already have these, it’s a good way to get a cheap upgrade, but you have to make sure what you have will work with the ports it comes with or you will have to spend even more money.
2. Power
One of the ways they have kept the cost down is by using slower hardware compared to other Mac models. The processors included on these machines are noticeably slower than other machines and you don’t have the graphics power you need if you want to play the occasional game. These machines are great as basic desktop machines or even for media centers, but they don’t work well for gaming or high end graphics editing at all.
3. Limited Expandability
Macs are already notorious for lacking expandability, and the Mac Mini is even worse. Because of the small form factor, there is very little room to upgrade your machine. On top of that, it uses custom made boards that make replacement difficult and you only have so much space for added RAM. This hampers your upgrade potential and means that the machine won’t last as long as a regular desktop that you can upgrade.
Conclusion
As you can see, the Mac Mini is a sleek and stylish small form machine that is a great way for non-Mac users to get introduced into the world of Apple. Still, it does have its limits and it isn’t the best machine for even the occasional game. However, it does have its place in the world of Apple and many people will find many great uses for these little computers.
Is it right for you? Only you can answer that question. However, by knowing and understanding the reasons I’ve highlighted above, you should be able to make the decision fairly easy once you consider your usage.
Do you like the Mac Mini? If so, tell me about your experience in the comments below.
