I was quite excited to initially learn of the new Apple Mac Mini. A relatively inexpensive Mac, with OS X goodness, that I can actually afford. Or so I thought.
For $500, sure, why not?
However, AnandTech’s recent review indicates that a mere 256MB of RAM is simply inadequate for OS X. So, add another $75 at time of this writing for an upgrade to 512MB. For WiFi, add another $79 for an Airport Extreme. Add another $58 for the Apple wired keyboard. It’s $149 for the extended warranty, which bumps it up to three years.
So, how cheap is that $500 Mac Mini now?
$860. Estimated shipping time, three to four weeks.
Perhaps not. Too bad, too, as I was quite excited.
Technically I could skip all that, find some cheap PC USB keyboard, recycle my unused Kingston ValueRAM 256MB PC2700 module, and forgo WiFi entirely. If I decide I don’t care about the warranty then it really is a $500 Mac. If the ValueRAM module is stable, then I’m good. It feels wrong somehow, though.
I guess I’ll just stick with my Dell Inspiron 1100.