Mac Mini

Definition - What does Mac Mini mean?

The Mac Mini is a consumer-oriented Apple computer. It was launched in 2005 and as of 2012, Apple continues to support it with upgraded models. It was created as an inexpensive and consumer-friendly way to attract a larger audience, which is why it lacks its own display and has lower specs than other Mac models produced around the same time. It is meant to be connected to an HDTV set and function as a server for movies, Web surfing and light productivity tasks.

Cisco CloudCenter: Get the Hybrid IT Advantage

Techopedia explains Mac Mini

The Mac Mini provides a much more affordable option for a second PC or Mac at home. Apple is said to have originally targeted Windows PC users with the Mac Mini in order to draw them into Mac OS X and Apple products. The Mini's design can be compared to the Apple TV in that it is compact, light, rectangular and geometrically aligned. It doesn't come with an optical drive (as of 2012), but does offer DVD or CD sharing with other Macs and PCs.

Specs include:

HDMI output support
A Thunderbolt port supporting resolutions of 2560x1600
Dual display and video mirroring
An SDXC card slot
2 GB to 4 GB RAM depending on the model
Either an Intel 2.3 GHz or an Intel 2.5 GHz dual-core CPU
Intel HD Graphics 3000 or AMD Radeon HD 6630M
Further hardware upgrades are also configurable with additional costs from Apple's online store.