This compact computer is smaller than the standard and midsize tower PCs that fit under your desk, making it ideal for limited work areas. Small case designs vary, too. However, such PCs tend to be underpowered (especially on gaming), and mini cases also have few available expansion slots and drive bays. Generally you'll have to expand the system via USB, FireWire, or eSATA peripherals, so make sure your compact system has a large number (and assortment) of ports.
Duration of ownership:
Strengths: Small, includes many standard features
Weaknesses: Has minimal memory and hard drive compared to what's out there
Overall Evaluation: This is a good, relatively inexpensive introduction into the world of MACs. I am using this for both work and play, learning the ins and outs of the newer MAC OS. As a pure Windows guy for years, I've wanted a newer MAC to play with for a while. With the release of Leopard, I figured now was the time. I did own a MAC back in 1999, I think it was a G4. I liked it, but not enough to move permanently away from Windows PCs. I like that there's a lot of basic features built in, such as bluetooth and wireless internet. There's also plenty of USB ports as well as a firewire port. I've heard it could be a pain upgrading anything on this thing. I'd like to upgrade the memory so I hope it's easy. On my old G4, it was quite easy to pop in upgrades with the snap open cases they came with. I didn't feel like paying thousands of dollars for a MAC (don't need a monitor or laptop) so I settled on this mini. I hope Apple continues this line of "mini" computers and offers more systems.
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