“Since its unveiling in January 2005, the Mac Mini has been the cheapest Mac that Apple sells, making it the least expensive way to get hardware that natively runs OS X. In the past, this usually meant settling for older components — especially compared to the pricier iMac and MacBook Pro lines,” Michael deAgonia reports for Computerworld. “Although Apple has updated the Mini’s look several times since its debut — most recently in 2010 — the internal hardware often received only minor improvements.”

“That changed in July, when the newest Mini received significant upgrades — including some serious speed enhancements — as well as an interesting subtraction or two, one of which might be a deal-breaker for some potential buyers,” deAgonia reports. “The loss of the optical drive means you’ll be more dependent on the Mac App Store for software… Or you can buy an external SuperDrive for $79. It plugs right in to one of the USB ports.”

deAgonia reports, “For those interested in purchasing a Mac, this Mini is the least expensive option. It makes a great living room machine for anyone looking for a full Mac OS X experience on their TV, and it fits in just fine in the office if you’re looking for an inexpensive Mac. Recommended.”

Read more in the full article here.