Apple Mac Mini Desktop - MC815B/A (July, 2011)

Perfect for my computing needs - after upgrading the RAM to 4GB. Silent in operation, fast processor, compact and stylish with great connectivity (HDMI, 4 USB2, Thunderport & Gigabit internet, plenty of storage (500gb 5400) and room to expand to a second HDD or an SSD for near instant start up and app opening.
No disc drive is no problem as you can "borrow" your laptops or spend £60 on a SuperDrive or £20 on a generic USB DVD drive if you feel the need.
There is also no keyboard, mouse or screen so you can use what you have. However, you will end up buying the gorgeous Apple aluminium wireless keyboard along with an Apple Magic Mouse and/or Trackpad - all of which are excellent additions.
Comes with Lion OS and for £14 can be upgraded to Mountain Lion for greater integration with your IOS devices.
The perfect starter Mac and a great transfer machine for those, like me, moving away from Windows.
Highly recommended with excellent resale prices if you decide you can't get along with the move from windows.

Ok, so an Apple computer may not seem cheap compared to a pc. This replaced a very old original pre intel mini mac, that still works as needed to this day, That was a gateway and now I love Apple products.

This is a great machine. Plugged in the hdmi lead and keyboard and mouse and set up in minutes, simply beautiful design and powerful machine and beats the option of an ugly and large pc hands down.

Then there is the great Apple software. iLife gives you all the software you''ll need and the operating system is years ahead of windows and far smaller on the hard drive. I can't recommend it highly enough

Bought this to replace an earlier Mac mini. Had initial trouble achieving a display on my HP monitor, eventually solved by resolution adjustment.
Use of data migration tool in Lion OS did not carry over some application support files and I had to manually rebuild my Mail mailboxes and get my 1password data by syncing with Dropbox (another learning curve).
Installed 8GB of Kingston RAM, which was instantly recognised.
The new Mac mini is certainly faster than the older model.
Time will tell whether the lack of an optical drive leads to frustration!

This is my first mac and it will not be my last. I am a firm convert to the cult of Mr Jobs.

I decided to make the move from a PC to a Mac as I'm sick of Windows and have found desktop Linux difficult to get along with. I couldn't justify the extra £300 for an IMAC so instead I went for this Mac Mini and a good quality 24" HD monitor. It's a marvellous setup.

Depending on what you're going to use this machine for your first add-on purchase will probably be more memory. I've just ordered an 8GB kit from Crucial as the 2GB provided does run the machine but anything memory hungry quickly eats what's left after the OS takes the Lion's share (there's a pun there :)

Next purchase is the DVD Superdrive and then the rather sexy wireless keyboard and mouse. That's one thing to bear in mind, the Mac Mini comes as BYOK/M so unless you're got one lying around from another mac you'll need to spring for one pretty quickly (I came by a spare old style IMAC keyb and mouse).

This product is fabulous, it has all the features of a mac at a fraction of the price, i bought this because of a tight budget and it was one of my best investments.

compared to other desktops in the 400-600 pound range,this is far superiour , a definite buy, i would recommend it to anyone.