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1079 reviews
May, 2025
alaTest has collected and analyzed 1079 reviews of Apple Mac mini (2011 / Server ). The average rating for this product is 4.2/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other Desktops for all reviews. People really like the size and reliability. The design and price are also mentioned favorably.
usability, price, design, reliability, size
We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Desktops the Apple Mac mini (2011 / Server ) is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.
Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)
alaTest has collected and analyzed 85 user reviews of Apple Mac mini (2011 / Server ) from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Desktops on Amazon.co.uk. People really like the size. The design also gets good comments. Many are less positive about the reliability. There are some mixed opinions about the price.
usability, design, size
reliability
92% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.
Consumer review (amazon.com)
alaTest has collected and analyzed 644 user reviews of Apple Mac mini (2011 / Server ) from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.0/5 for other Desktops on Amazon.com. Views about the size and reliability are generally positive. The design and price also get good comments.
usability, price, design, reliability, size
89% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.
Expert review by : Ian Osborne (techradar.com)
Apple's small form factor Mac takes a step forward, but not a giant leap
Excellent new processors ; USB 3.0 ; Better integrated graphics ; Faster memory
No optical drive ; No discrete graphics ; No media centre software ; SD card reader awkwardly placed
The Apple Mac mini has long been the cheapest way to own a Mac. Since its introduction in January 2005, the small form factor desktop Mac has offered a low-cost alternative to the all-in-one iMac or the high-end Mac Pro.
Expert review by : Ian Osborne (t3.com)
With the Mac Mini it was always thought that size didn't mean sacrifice, however things have changed with the optical drive disappearing. That said while it has created new opportunities, is it a fair exchange?
Great new processors ; Discrete graphics ; Thunderbolt port
No optical drive
Some might bemoan the loss of the optical drive, but if you need one, you can get an external Apple SuperDrive for £66. With streaming content becoming ever more popular, the new mini makes an excellent under-the-TV media Mac, and it’s very portable if...
Expert review by : Hunter Skipworth (pocket-lint.com)
Size, design, perfectly capable for regular computing tasks, HDMI
SD card slot location is impractical
With the Mac mini occupying the slot as the most affordable route to Mac ownership, it may well appeal to anyone who is looking for value for money. Being able to pair it with existing peripherals may appeal, but its price may also tempt those who want...
Expert review by : Andrew Harrison (techadvisor.co.uk)
Ultra-compact in size, ultra-low in power consumption, and crucially quiet to use, the Apple Mac mini makes a compelling media centre when matched with the right peripherals and software. Its performance is much faster than a box this size deserves and...
Expert review by : Andrew Harrison (techadvisor.co.uk)
The Apple Mac mini is more than just the cheapest Mac money can buy. It's a compact but powerful desktop PC that can turn its talents to office and home computing, or serve as a media-centre PC. We test the big-hearted entry-level 2.3GHz Mac mini...
At £529, the Apple Mac mini is the cheapest Mac out of Apple’s complete line of desktop and portable computers. But its superb build quality and feature set puts it ahead of any other compact PC. While it’s measurable a little slower than the 2.5GHz...
Expert review by : Paul Monckton (techadvisor.co.uk)
Although not specifically designed as a Media Centre PC, the tiny Mac mini's diminutive proportions, elegant design, excellent performance and low power consumption all add up to a formidable piece of hardware for the living room.
Ultra-compact in size, ultra-low in power consumption, and crucially quiet to use, the Apple Mac mini makes a compelling media centre when matched with the right peripherals and software. Its performance is much faster than a box this size deserves and...
Expert review by : John C Welch (techadvisor.co.uk)
Apple upgraded the Mac mini server's processor to an 2GHz Intel quad-core Core i7, which is a major upgrade in CPU power from the 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo in the 2010 model. Apple also increased the overall memory bandwidth; the Mac mini server uses...
The Mac mini with Lion Server is a real improvement on an already solid performer. In its target market (companies with up to 200 users), it is an outstanding performer and is also a capable utility server in a wide range of usage needs. The Mac mini...
Expert review by : Andrew Harrison (techadvisor.co.uk)
We expected to see faster performance from the Apple Mac mini (Mid 2010) now it's finally received the Intel Core-series Sandy Bridge upgrade. But we weren't prepared for these lab results.
We're always looking for a true contender to take on the Apple Mac mini as the perfect discreet desktop PC, or as a stylish, compact and quiet media centre PC for the lounge. There are still no true rivals, and the latest slew of performance updates...
Expert review by (stuff.tv)
The Mac Mini gets a CPU boost and better graphics, but there's something missing from the front
Still a beautiful computer, but USB 2.0 and no DVD feels obstinate rather than clever
Expert review by : Rich Brown (cnet.co.uk)
Editors' note (October 23, 2012): The 2011 Mac Mini reviewed here has been replaced by a modestly updated 2012 model that offers a newer Ivy Bridge CPU and USB 3.0.
The new Mac Mini boasts Apple's usual design leadership, as well as new internal components that nearly double its performance compared with that of the older model.
Some users will find the lack of an optical drive too forward-looking, and may struggle to understand the benefits of the Thunderbolt port. The new Mac Mini also offers suspect value compared with Windows PCs in the same price range.
Apple's new $799 Mac Mini demands that you abandon disc-based media, and that you surround it with potentially expensive extra hardware to realize its full benefits. It makes most sense for committed Mac users, those who need it for a specific...
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