FusionDrive
Apple has quite satisfied with the mini’s
latest feature, the FusionDrive, though the hybrid storage solutions have been
used for quite a long time. So, what is it exactly? In addition to the
marketing term, this setting combines 128GB of flash storage with 1TB of
traditional hard drive storage. It works like this: from the moment you take it
out of the box and boot it up, the Mac mini will start, run, and save the files
by using this drive. But as time goes by and your storage starts to exceed the
SSD’s 128GB limit, the FusionDrive will activate, analyzing user-level actions
based on algorithms to determine which files are commonly used and then allocate
them accordingly.
Apple
has quite satisfied with the mini’s latest feature that is the FusionDrive.
For instance, you are a photo editor who
makes a great deal of use of Aperture, but rarely bothers to iPhoto. Over time,
the system will know this usage model and move iPhoto to hard disk's slower
volume, so Aperture will continue to start and run fast from flash.
Furthermore, all of this is done behind the scenes when mini is running in the
idle mode, so the user will not notice any changes happening. In fact, there is
no real way to monitor or edit how the system disposes the storage - it is made
to appear as one unified drive.
Conclusion
It is fair to say the Mac mini takes up a
particular position on the consumer distribution. We gave it 3 points in the Kinsey
scale of technology relationships with consumers. It is the perfect bridge for
everything of Apple. At first, it is designed to help Windows users feel
comfortable at home in the Mac ecosystem, the mini was supplied as an elegant
solution - a compact desktop would play nice with everyone's current
accessories. But as time elapsed, this "Mac device" had other uses in
the enterprise and among well-informed users. Finally, it was to get into all
kinds of server-based applications: digital signage, airport arrival screens
and so on.
The
compact and attractive design
However, the mini might also attract
customers who want to economize by packing a quad-core Intel Core i7 into the
top-end $799 model. Whether you really need the enhancement of the 1.12TB FusionDrive
or not, which depends entirely on your consumption habits, because you can
always choose a 256GB SSD. In fact, the latter option may be enough for most
people. What is so difficult? If you fit the type of user whom we have been
describing about, we are not sure there are any problems. After considering
carefully, the mini is destined to stay outside of Apple’s public limelight
like all the models that have launched before it. It is the company’s
jack-of-all-trades, but is a shining star for those who have a wide knowledge
of it.
You
will unlikely to find a small, powerful and cheap desktop like this.
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Info
·
Product name: Apple Mac mini (2012)
·
Price: $500
Advantages
·
The compact and attractive design
·
The USB 3.0 port and high-speed Thunderbolt
·
The wisely hybrid FusionDrive storage
operation.
·
The low price for specs
Disadvantages
·
Intel 4000 HD GPU is not ideal for gaming in
the real desktop.
·
The lack of an optical drive
Verdict
·
The new Mini with a USB 3.0, double the
standard RAM and a hybrid optional storage.
·
In short, you will unlikely to find a small,
powerful and cheap desktop like this.
Apple Mac mini
(2012) specifications
·
Desktop type: small form factor
·
Operating system: Mac OS X
·
CPU brand: Intel
·
CPU family: Ivy Bridge
·
Base CPU model: Core i5
·
Graphics type: Integrated
·
Integrated GPU model: HD Graphics 4000
·
Base RAM size: 4 GB
·
Base storage capacity: 500 GB
·
Optical drive: No
·
Wi-Fi: Yes
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