[Comp] Refurbished Mac Mini - Current Gen $509 2.5GHz i5; $679 2.3GHz i7

[nosnoop]

Refurbished Mac Mini - Current Gen $509 2.5GHz i5
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FD...re-i5#overview EARN CASH BACK

$679 2.3GHz i7
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FD...-intel-core-i7 EARN CASH BACK

Newest gen, released Oct 2012

Processor    		2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz)
L3 cache 		3MB shared
Memory 			4GB (two 2GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 16GB
Hard drive 		500GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA1
Graphics 		Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
Ports 			Thunderbolt port, One FireWire 800 port; four USB 3 ports; HDMI port; SDXC card slot, VGA output (using optional adapter)
Audio 			Audio line in minijack (digital/analogue); Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analogue); HDMI port supports multichannel audio output; support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone; built-in speaker
Networking 		Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet (Gigabit)
Wireless 		802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking2; IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible; Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
Size and weight 	Height: 3.6 cm (1.4 inches)
Width: 19.7 cm (7.7 inches)
Depth: 19.7 cm (7.7 inches)
Weight: 1.22 kg (2.7 pounds)

Processor 		2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz)
L3 cache 		6MB shared
Memory 			4GB (two 2GB) of 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM; supports up to 16GB
Hard drive 		1TB 5400-rpm Serial ATA1
Graphics 		Intel HD Graphics 4000 processor
Ports 			Thunderbolt port, One FireWire 800 port; four USB 3 ports; HDMI port; SDXC card slot, VGA output (using optional adapter)
Audio 			Audio line in minijack (digital/analogue); Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analogue); HDMI port supports multichannel audio output; support for Apple iPhone headset with microphone; built-in speaker
Networking 		Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Ethernet (Gigabit)
Wireless 		802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking2; IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible; Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
Size and weight 	Height: 3.6 cm (1.4 inches)
Width: 19.7 cm (7.7 inches)
Depth: 19.7 cm (7.7 inches)
Weight: 1.22 kg (2.7 pounds)3

[klover]

$70 cheaper than a new unit (using Educational pricing). Not a bad price.

[Captain Snazzypants]

Apple refurbs are either new units (overstock) or absolutely mint reconditioned ones - either way, they are fully warranteed and good to go. Thanks OP.

[ChopSuey]

Here is a link to the 2.3 Ghz quad core version for $679, which is also a good price:

http://store.apple.com/ca/product/FD...-intel-core-i7 EARN CASH BACK

[sazaks]

The 2.3GHz I7 is also $120 off at $679. If had not already gone through the exercise of adding an SSD and setting fusion on my new mini I would have retuned it and purchased the refurbed. Great deal.

[moufasa]

$500 for a dual core...HOT deal. BUY BUY BUY

[Merc with a Mouth]

$500 for a dual core...HOT deal. BUY BUY BUY

Do you have an alternative with the a similar form factor made from aluminum that can run OS X and Windows? If you do have one can you post it?


Thanks.

[sikkinixx]

I had just bought the base model last week, going to return it and order the $679 model. I'll take a bigger HDD and a quad-core processor for an extra $100. "Ships in: 30 business days" is a bit rough though. Hope it's SIGNIFICANTLY shorter than that... [edit: well yesterday it said 30 days, now 1-3! Argh! Better call Apple and see what the heck is going on]

[while[1];do;done]

$500 for a dual core...HOT deal. BUY BUY BUY

It's not that simple. If it was, then there would be only a single model of car. There would be no difference between a 200 HP Kia and 200 HP BMW. Anyways, the point is, it's a combination of the build (material and hardware), OS (runs Windows with Bootcamp as well) and design (cooling, form factor, noise, etc...). This is one of the most reliable and quietest designs for any PC of this form factor. Try placing your PC by your TV. When your movie goes quiet, you hear the fans. It takes away from the experience.

Not everyone values the full experience though. That's why Gap has Old Navy, Gap and Banana Republic brands. One brand for each type of consumer. Just because you don't find value, doesn't mean it is a bad deal.

My dual core mac mini refurb (old model) which is two to three years old now is running strong and quiet and is still snappy.

[raspeed]

Bet he does drive a Kia.... Really wish they'd add a system where we could just vote out troll posts.

[hdom]

^Also is one of them is a Quad Core.

[frugal1]

I've been thinking about buying one for a very long time, but am not sure if it's overkill for my purposes. I'm thinking of buying the least expensive model and installing the server software so it can be used as a server. I'd also like to attach it to my tv so I can watch movies on it. Would this work? I've thought about buying a NAS, but I need to use itunes as my wife won't use anything else. Are there any other alternatives?

[Dark_fantom]

Hmmm, I'm not saying this is a cold deal, but looking at the specs I can't say I see anything particularly thrilling. I think most people might be better off throwing $100 more into a system and getting a lot more for the money....unless you're an apple fan.

[Gotoff]

im in the process of building a htpc with a g540 and a ssd for 200 flat.

Much better solution for 400 less.

[stevhorn]

I've been wanting one of these for a while now and $679 for the i7 is a good deal, but I'm waiting for some movement on my Lenovo E31 pricing error purchase so I can't jump at this.