New Mac Minis

The Mac mini remains an impressive feat of hardware engineering and design, fitting decent computing power and a solid set of features in a tiny package. And apart from the slow stock hard drive, there’s not much to complain about with the latest model—this is as full-featured a computer I’ve seen in a package this small, and the new enclosure looks great and is built like a tank. As with last year’s models, the new mini makes for a great starter or switcher Mac, and it’s a solid upgrade for those looking to replace an aging Mac. In addition, the new HDMI output makes the mini even more appealing as part of a home-entertainment system, and the improved graphics chip helps the mini perform well enough to enjoy most games.

In other words, the latest Mac mini is Apple’s most versatile desktop computer, and an appealing option for those who don’t need workstation-level performance. If you've been considering a mini but passed on the 2009 models, now is a great time to make the jump. On the other hand, the new mini doesn’t offer a major jump in performance over the previous generation—only AV enthusiasts desperate for a true HDMI output, or people who’d like to be able to play some of the more-demanding games without splurging for a Mac Pro, should consider upgrading from one of last year's models.

The biggest negative about the new Mac mini is, in fact, its price. While you get a computer that's better than last year's $799 Mac mini for only $699, that's your only option—the price of entry is $100 higher this year than last, and it's now $200 higher than when Apple touted the Mac mini as the first Mac for under $500.