Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Desktop PC

Apple Unveils Mac mini with Intel Core Duo (2006)

204121.jpg

New Mac mini Delivers Performance Up to Four Times Faster

Apple today unveiled the new Mac mini with the Intel Core Duo processor, delivering performance up to four times faster than its predecessor and providing even greater expansion in the same innovative and incredibly compact design.* Starting at just $599, the Mac mini is the most affordable way to enjoy iLife ’06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications, and features the Apple Remote and Front Row so you can play your music, enjoy your photo slideshows, watch your DVDs, iMovies, music videos and television shows from across the room.

“With the new Mac mini, Apple has now moved 50 percent of its entire product line to Intel within 60 days–a record transition,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. “The new Mac mini is now up to four times faster with the Intel Core Duo, includes even greater expansion in the same incredibly compact design, and is the most affordable way to enjoy Front Row and iLife ’06.”

Featuring the next generation of Apple’s breakthrough Front Row media experience, the new Mac mini gives customers a simple way to enjoy their digital lifestyle content on the Mac mini including music, photos and videos from across the room using the Apple Remote. With the latest version of Front Row, customers can now effortlessly access shared iTunes playlists, iPhoto libraries and video throughout their home via Bonjour™, Apple’s zero configuration wireless networking built into Mac OS X.

The new Mac mini offers a completely new system architecture for performance up to four times as fast as the previous Mac mini, including a 667 MHz front-side bus and 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM memory expandable to 2GB. With the latest high-performance connectivity options, every new Mac mini now includes built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet for high-speed networking, built-in AirPort Extreme 802.11g WiFi for fast 54 Mbps wireless networking**, built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and a total of four USB 2.0 ports, twice as many as the previous generation. Mac mini includes a DVI interface and a VGA-out adapter to easily connect to a variety of displays, including many of today’s most popular flat panel televisions, and now features both analog and digital audio outputs to easily connect to a home stereo.

The new Mac mini includes iLife ’06, the next generation of Apple’s award-winning suite of digital lifestyle applications featuring major new versions of iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, GarageBand™ and introducing iWeb™, a new iLife application that makes it super-easy to create amazing websites with photos, blogs and Podcasts and publish them on .Mac for viewing by anyone on the Internet with just a single click. All the iLife ’06 applications are Universal applications that run natively on the new Intel-based Mac mini for maximum performance.

Every new Mac mini comes with the latest release of the world’s most advanced operating system, Mac OS X version 10.4 “Tiger” including Safari™, Mail, iCal, iChat AV and Front Row, running natively. Mac OS X Tiger includes an innovative software translation technology called Rosetta™ that lets customers run most Mac OS X PowerPC applications seamlessly.***

Pricing & Availability
The new Mac mini is shipping today and will be available through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

The new 1.5 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $599 (US), includes:

  • 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor;
  • 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, expandable up to 2GB;
  • a slot-load Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW) drive;
  • 60GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
  • Intel GMA950 graphics processor;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  • Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
  • four USB 2.0 ports;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately); and
  • the infrared Apple Remote.

The new 1.66 GHz Mac mini, for a suggested retail price of $799 (US), includes:

  • 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor;
  • 512MB of 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM expandable up to 2GB;
  • a slot-load 8x SuperDrive™ with double-layer support (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW);
  • 80GB Serial ATA hard drive running at 5400 rpm;
  • Intel GMA950 graphics processor;
  • built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking & Bluetooth 2.0+EDR;
  • Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000 BASE-T);
  • four USB 2.0 ports;
  • one audio line in and one audio line out port, each supporting both optical digital and analog;
  • DVI-out port for external display (VGA-out adapter included, Composite/S-Video out adapter sold separately); and
  • the infrared Apple Remote.

Build-to-order options and accessories include up to 2GB DDR2 SDRAM, 80GB, 100GB and 120GB Serial ATA hard drives, iWork ’06 (pre-installed), AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base Station, Apple Wireless Keyboard, Apple Wireless Mouse, Apple USB Modem and the AppleCare Protection Plan.

The new Mac mini line is also available to education customers in the US and Canada through the Apple Store for Education at apple.com/education/store or by calling an Apple education sales representative at 800-800-APPL.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

* Based on estimated results of industry-standard SPECint and SPECfp rate tests. SPEC is a registered trademark of Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC); see apple.com/macmini for more information.
** Actual speed will vary based on range from the base station, environmental conditions and other factors.
*** See apple.com/rosetta/ for information on Rosetta supported Apple software. Contact the manufacturer directly for 3rd party software.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

Latest Products

Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro 2 Nike Special Edition Wireless Earbuds

New Products

Beats and Nike team up for Powerbeats Pro 2 Special Edition with fitness features, bold design, and zero upgrades under the hood. Smart move...

Fosi Audio S3 Music Streamer Front Angle Silver with Orange Knob Fosi Audio S3 Music Streamer Front Angle Silver with Orange Knob

Music Streamers

Can the $259 Fosi Audio S3 streamer DAC and preamp challenge WiiM and Bluesound with balanced outputs and HDMI eARC despite missing key features?

LAiV Crescendo Verse DAC headphone amplifier lifestyle with headphones and IEMs LAiV Crescendo Verse DAC headphone amplifier lifestyle with headphones and IEMs

Headphone Amps

Can the $849 LAiV Crescendo VERSE deliver real R2R DAC performance in a one box system for headphones and speakers?

2026 Samsung QN70H and QN80H Neo QLED 4K TVs 2026 Samsung QN70H and QN80H Neo QLED 4K TVs

New Products

Samsung’s 2026 Neo QLED 4K TVs deliver AI picture upgrades, gaming support, and sizes from 43 to 100 inches. What will it cost you?...

Samsung M80H and M70H Mini-LED 4K TVs Angle Samsung M80H and M70H Mini-LED 4K TVs Angle

New Products

Samsung 2026 Mini LED TVs offer 4K UHD, gaming features, Vision AI, and sizes from 43 to 85 inches. Here’s pricing, specs, and lineup...

Bravia 3, II TV with BRAVIA Home Theater Bar 9 and 2 BRAVIA Theater Sub 9s. Bravia 3, II TV with BRAVIA Home Theater Bar 9 and 2 BRAVIA Theater Sub 9s.

New Products

Sony just launched two new soundbars, new rear speakers and three new subwoofers plus the ability to add a second powered sub to their...

Gift Ideas?

Kaleidescape Paradise Theater Ultimate Man Cave

Gift Guides

Building the ultimate man cave in 2026? Discover the best home theater, hi-fi, and tech upgrades that deliver real performance, not hype.

You May Also Like

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2026 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.