Quick unboxing, take apart and review for Mac Mini Mid 2010

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 17:58:58 +0800

The long overdue Mac Mini refresh drop in between the headlines of iPhone 4 and iOS4 release weeks. But that doesn’t kill the heat on this little Mac that does almost everything you every dream. And Apple sort of “done it right” this round by changing the look and adding HDMI with audio out right on it.

Without bragging about those spec and stuff and you can get yourself on apple.com/macmini, I will just move on with photos and keep it short ;)

My unit arrived within a week after ordered from online store. Packed nicely inside the familiar brown box.

Similar packaging was used on Airport Extreme, Time Capsule as well as older Mac Mini. Underneath the Mac Mini is the 2-pin power cord, manuals & software discs.

After removing the (twist open) back cover, you will get to see the RAM. And that’s something a regular user should able and allowed to upgrade. The next thing to come out is the system fan. Next is the antenna plate. Also note that Apple is now using hex screws that wasn’t in Mac Mini before as I aware.

The next thing to come out are the cowling on top of the heatsink. Once that is out, the logicboard is almost ready to come out. Here’s the tricky part, Apple introduced a U-shape tool specifically to remove the logicboard from the casing. But its not necessary for that, I uses hex wrench.

Here you go, everything you need to remove to do a hard drive upgrade.

This setup is intended for living room, pair with a HDTV, WD My Book Studio II and Logitech DiNovo Mini.

Here’s my short point-form review about this new Mac Mini:
• Smaller profile, nice sleek look perfect for living room.
• HDMI with audio out. Plus a bundled HDMI to DVI-D adapter.
• Bottom case doesn’t stick well to table, it get slide a bit quite easily.
• It doesn’t get that hot as I busy doing updates, install stuff into it. The My Book Studio actually felt warmer than the Mini after watching some 1080p MKV with it.
• 2 pin only power cable, what happen to grounding Apple?
• Separate 10.6.4 updater required.
• 4 USB ports against 5 on 2009 model.
• For technical person like me, there are more tiny and easy to break vertical connector like those on MacBooks. Hex screws is back so go dig up yours.

All in all, for RM2399, I would say it’s a good buy. Consider this fella will stay for a while.

One last photo :)

Shortcut to turn off your Mac’s display

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 12:23:03 +0800

“⇧ + ctrl + ⏏”

That’s “Shift + Control + Eject”.

Is your Unibody MacBook/ MacBook Pro shocking? Here’s why and how to get rid of it

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:30 +0800

There’s been an increasing numbers of unibody MacBook/MacBook Pro users complain having electrostatic kind of shock coming from their unit when charging. It’s all fine when running on battery. The first thing to look at is your grounding.

To solve the issue of some ‘shocking’ problem, just swap the short pin head to the long extension cord. It should be in your box. Be sure to use the right one.

You can clearly see there’s a grounding knob on any MagSafe adapter (1st picture). And that supposed to connect to something just like the AC port (Life & Neutral).

It turn out that the short 3-pin head (upper on 2nd picture) doesn’t come with any grounding (earth) contact. While the long cable has it. This is the major cause of many case. If you are using the long cable and still you have the shock. Please check if your wiring is properly done. Have a electrician to check it. If it’s all turn out alright, send your unit to service center together with the charger and plug.

How to hide Bootcamp volume from your  Mac OSX desktop

Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:58:33 +0800

The Bootcamp volume on my desktop is rather redundant, I rarely touch it and it’s ugly as it doesn’t have an nice icon. So I decide to hide it away.

All you need to do is to rename the drive with a “dot” in front. For example, “BOOTCAMP” to “.BOOTCAMP”. OSX will then hide the volume from desktop, but you can still see it under any finder window with sidebar.

There are several way to rename the drive:
• Install NTSF 3G or Paragon NTFS to enable write function in OSX.
• Boot into Windows and rename from there (right click Drive C: > rename).

Tested on my Mac running 10.6.2.

How to use GSC online E-payment Ticketing

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:53:22 +0800

Want to know how to buy movie ticket on GSC website with your Mac? Here’s how.

What browser will work on Mac + "gsc.com.my" (at the time of posting):
- FireFox
- Google Chrome (untested by myself)

Other thing you will need:
- Good internet connection.
- Payment method Credit Card or Maybank2U. If you use Maybank2U makesure you apply TAC with no problem. Ofcouse, makesure your payment method is active and have enough fund.
- Do not block pop-up window. Or allow for gsc.com.my.

Step-by-step
- Browse to gsc.com.my
- If you haven't register an user account pls do. Login.
- Go to "E-payment Ticketing".
- Wait for loading. And close the notice after reading it.

- Choose the where you want to watch your movie.

- Choose when you want to watch your movie. You can only buy within the next 3 days.

- Choose the movie and time you want to watch. Click next.

- Choose your seat. Click next.

- Review your purchase. Click accept if everything correct. Next you need to pay for the ticket using Credit Card or Maybank2U (M2U). There will be a pop-up window for M2U. I’m not going to show you that. It is very strait forward. Log-in with your M2U, click confirm. Wait for confirmation, key-in TAC. Done.

- When you are done, you should be back to GSC e-ticketing site with your summary. Write down the Confirmation ID (6 digit number). Go to the cinema 1 hour before the show and collect your ticket from the counter. Enjoy your movie!

Quick unboxing, take apart and review for Mac Mini Mid 2010

Shortcut to turn off your Mac’s display

Is your Unibody MacBook/ MacBook Pro shocking? Here’s why and how to get rid of it

How to hide Bootcamp volume from your Mac OSX desktop

How to use GSC online E-payment Ticketing

How to hide Bootcamp volume from your  Mac OSX desktop