04-17-2009, 06:19 PM
Wags wrote:
Blu-ray, HDMI, 7.1 channel High Definition Audio, etc - seems like it would make a nice media device, at a decent price. Apple, are you paying attention?
I'm wondering if Dell is paying attention. You can come sort of close to a base Mac mini configuration for "only" $200 more for the Studio Slim (I like that name--"Slim" compared to what?) for delivery on May 11th (!) but the Mac mini still provides:
- DDR3 RAM @ 1066 MHz rather than DDR2 @ 800 MHz
- a 1066 MHz FSB rather than a 533 MHz FSB
- Nvidia 9400M GPU rather than Intel integrated graphics
- iLife rather than Sony Imagination Studio Suite + Photoshop Elements
- 6-pin FireWire 800 rather than 4-pin FireWire 400
plus:
- 802.11n WiFi
- Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
- optical audio I/O
Note that this $200 more configuration of the "Slim" does not include a Blu-ray drive.
On the other hand, the Studio Slim includes 2 GB of RAM vs. 1 GB, a larger HD (500 GB vs. 120 GB), 8 rather than 5 USB ports, and a keyboard and mouse. I guess Dell has to give you something for the extra $200...
BTW, the Mac mini is near silent, very compact, and much more energy efficient that the "Slim." I know which one I'd rather have in my living room.