The Mac Mini … Upgraded …

Oh, My Lord, Apple, have done it, again, haven’t they?

Mind you, so has Dave Veloz; who’s managed to do a rather yummy steampunk modification — pictured at the bottom — to his Mini.

At any rate, I managed to go through this month’s Macworld magazine, complete with their review of the upgraded Mac Mini.

Now, I love using my Mac.   As you might have guessed, I’m something of a fan of OS X, and the hardware they ride in on.

And I’ve a 2007 vintage 2 Ghz, Core 2 Duo, Mac Mini sitting besides me as I write.

It’s a fine little machine.

But I’m getting twitchy about the re-vamped version, I know that; not so much because of the boosted spec — which you can read about, here, and here, nor the fact it includes five, instead of four USB ports, a Firewire 800 connection, and a seriously upgraded graphics card — nor the fact it’s still in the same basic chassis*.

Oh, no.

It’s the fact it’s got two — TWO — monitor ports.

Oh, god, YES!!!!!

That’s something I’ve wanted to do with mine since I got it; yes, I know how strapped for cash I am, but being able to write my quizzes, play the kind of casual games I like or post here, whilst having some of the films I’ve got playing on an extra monitor, is something I’ve personally dreamt of, since getting hold of the Mini, in the first place.

Hang on, let me take a deep breath, here …

I wouldn’t mind upgrading to the new version, I really wouldn’t.

But for now, I will have to put this on my wish-list.   And gently dream onº.

* Not that much larger than five cd cases stacked together, and roughly the same weight as the older chip & pin machines you find we have at work.

º I’ll also happily admit to not being a tech writer, or reviewer.   However, as a point, when taking about making computer’s to people, I tend to mention the Mac Mini.   Unlike the iMac, or any of Apple’s MacBook and MacBook Pro range, it comes without a monitor, keyboard or mouse; it’s aimed at someone who’s already got a PC, and just wants to replace the tower.   The top end of the two Mini’s is a bit more of option, I think.   I’d also urge you to read Windoze tech writer Preston Gralla’s  recent article from Computerworld, about his experience of using a Mac.   (You may also wish to wait until the rumoured release of Snow Leopard — Mac OS X 10.6 — in June.)