Review: New Apple Mac mini 2011

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman','Bitstream Charter',Times,serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding: 0.6em;"> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="150" mce_src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011-1-200-200.jpg" src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011-1-200-200.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="200" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The Apple Mac mini has come a long way since it was first introduced in 2005.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The 2011 Mac mini refresh represents a radical change for Apple's small form factor computer. The ageing Core 2 Duo is gone, replaced by second-generation Sandy Bridge Core i5 processors.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> This is a substantial improvement in processing power for the Mac mini, which was forced to skip the first-generation Core iX chips because its onboard graphics weren't up to scratch, there was no room for a discrete graphics chip and a legal dispute prevented an integrated Nvidia chipset being used.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Early Mac minis featured aluminium casings with a polycarbonate top and base, and used a G4 PowerPC processor. The Mac mini made the inevitable switch to Intel processors in 2006, switching from Core to Core 2 Duo chips the following year.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The 2010 Mac mini dropped the polycarbonate case sections in favour of a wider, flatter aluminium unibody casing. This revision also brought the transformer into the main body of the Mac mini, so those who used it as a portable machine didn't have to carry around a large power brick.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="200" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The Sandy Bridge Core i processors' Intel HD Graphics 3000 integrated graphics on the 2011 Mac minis are more powerful than any before, allowing the mini to switch to the more modern processors.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> But it's not all about the CPU. The new Mac mini has also lost its optical drive, allowing a substantial price drop for the entry-level 2011 model, and freeing up room for a discrete graphics processor in this high-end release.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The Mini DisplayPort video-out socket has been replaced by the powerful and versatile Thunderbolt port, which can handle both data and video, and can daisy chain up to six peripherals on a single port.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The new Apple Mac mini is the first computer to come with OS X 10.7 Lion preinstalled, on both the £529 entry-level mini and the more powerful £699 2.5GHz 4GB mini we tested.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="189" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-2-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-2-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Unlike the 2010 release, the 2011 refresh brings us two Apple Mac mini models. The entry-level mini costs £529, and features a 2.3GHz Intel Core i5 processor and 2GB of RAM.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The higher-end model reviewed here costs substantially more, at £699, but it increases the processor speed to 2.5GHz, ups the memory to 4GB of 1333MHz DDR3 and adds an AMD Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics processor with 256MB of GDDR5 memory.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> If that's not enough, those who buy from the Apple online store can opt for a 2.7GHz Core i7 processor for an extra £80, which seems like a very good deal.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> You can also increase your onboard memory from 4GB to 8GB for £160, which is expensive considering Crucial is currently selling an 8GB kit for £50. Unlike the part-polycarbonate Mac mini, the unibody mini's RAM is user-upgradeable, although other components such as the hard drive cannot be easily accessed.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="200" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Both 2011 Mac mini models have a 500GB 5400rpm SATA hard drive, configurable to 750GB if you order through the Apple Online Store. This higher-end 2.5GHz model can also be customised with a 256GB solid state drive (SSD) instead, or even both a 256GB SSD and a 750GB HDD.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> This is an excellent configuration that enables you to use your SSD as a boot volume and your more capricious hard drive for data storage, although it costs an extra £600.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> For the first time in an Intel Mac mini, the high-end 2.5GB 2011 model has a discrete graphics processor – an AMD Radeon HD 6630M. This makes the new release far better at graphics-intensive tasks such as gaming.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Around the back, the new Mac mini is very much the same as the previous generation, offering generous connectivity options.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> For connecting to a monitor, the Mini DisplayPort gives way for the Thunderbolt port. If you have a Mini DisplayPort screen, you can plug it straight into the Thunderbolt port, with no adapters required. There's also an HDMI port, which is ideal if you want to put it under your TV and use it as a media Mac, and an HDMI-to-DVI cable for connection to DVI displays.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> For peripherals, alongside the new Thunderbolt port there's a FireWire 800 port and four USB 2.0 ports. It's a generous quantity, but they're a little close together – a large USB plug might well block an adjacent port. An SDXC card reader is included too, although it's awkwardly positioned around the back.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> For internet connectivity, wireless N is joined by Bluetooth 4.0.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="189" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011-1-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011-1-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> As mentioned before, the optical drive has been removed, allowing extra space for more under-the-hood technology. If you need to access a CD or DVD on your mini but only occasionally, you can use Apple's Remote Disc feature to 'borrow' the optical drive of a Mac or PC on the same network. If you're likely to do so more often, it's best to buy an Apple SuperDrive USB optical drive for £66.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The 2011 Apple Mac mini comes with the new OS X 10.7 Lion operating system preinstalled, but a few applications have been dropped.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Lion doesn't support Rosetta, Apple's dynamic translator that allows PowerPC applications to run on Intel processors. As a result, software written purely for PowerPCs (as opposed to universal applications, that run natively on both architectures) can't be installed on the new minis.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> If you're still using Microsoft Office 2004, for example, it's time to upgrade or abandon it before moving to Lion.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> iLife Mac App Store licences come bundled with the new Macs, but only GarageBand, iPhoto and iMovie. iWeb and iDVD aren't included, and seem set to be discontinued. Lion also lacks Front Row, Apple's elegant but limited media centre application.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> To learn more about Lion, read our in-depth Apple Mac OS X 10.7 Lion review.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="200" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The 2011 Apple Mac mini's Sandy Bridge Core i5 processors are far more powerful than their clock speed suggests. Don't assume that the 2.5GHz Core i5 used here is only marginally faster than the 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo used in the 2010 Mac minis.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Although dual core, the new chips' Hyper Threading feature means two threads can run on each core, giving a total of four virtual cores. This means it can run applications written to take advantage of multiple cores more efficiently. In our Cinebench tests, which assess the computer's 3D rendering capabilities, it almost doubled its predecessor's score when using every available core.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The new Sandy Bridge processors on the 2011 Mac minis also feature Turbo Boost 2.0. When faced with very processor-intensive tasks, this diverts resources from under-used cores and temporarily increases the CPU's clock speed. The 2.5GHz Core i5 processor can reach speeds of up to 3.2GHz, as long as power and temperature considerations allow.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The second generation Turbo Boost feature kicks in more often and for longer periods than that enjoyed by the first generation of Core i chips.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="189" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-2-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-2-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> As you'd expect, the addition of an AMD Radeon HD 6630M discrete graphics processor means the new 2011 Apple Mac mini is a far more capable gaming machine.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> It ran<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="em" mce_style="font-style: italic;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">Doom 3</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>at 138.4 frames per second (fps), which is over twice as fast as the 2010 Mac mini's 62.2fps.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="em" mce_style="font-style: italic;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">Call of Duty 4</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>ran at just over 72fps, which is also impressive.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Of course, some games (<span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="em" mce_style="font-style: italic;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">Doom 3</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="em" mce_style="font-style: italic;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">Call of Duty 4</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>included) are delivered on a physical disc that must remain in the optical drive during play. Unless you're happy enough to stick with titles sold on Apple's App Store and Steam, gamers should invest in a USB SuperDrive.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> We won't get the most from the Thunderbolt port until a wider range of dedicated peripherals are available, but it's already showing its worth when it comes to versatility.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Up to six Thunderbolt devices can be daisy chained from a single port, and Mini DisplayPort monitors can be plugged in directly, without an adapter.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Its two 10Gbps data channels make it up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800 and up to 20 times quicker than USB 2.0, making it ideal for tasks that require high-speed data transfer, such as video editing.</div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="189" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011-1-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011-1-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The 2011 Apple Mac mini dispenses with the optical drive, but uses the space for more under-the-hood technology. The high-end 2.5GHz 4GB model reviewed here includes an AMD Radeon HD 6630M – the first discrete graphics chip in an Intel Mac mini.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> New Sandy Bridge Core i5 processors – or Core i7 with an optional upgrade – give the Mac mini a significant power boost. Hyper Threading allows two threads to run on each of the processor's two cores, spreading tasks across four virtual cores for greater speed and efficiency.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Turbo Boost 2.0 increases the processor's clock speed for short periods when demand is at its highest. The new Apple Mac minis also feature a high-speed Thunderbolt port, and Bluetooth 4.0.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">We liked</span></div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="200" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-3-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></span></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The new Sandy Bridge processors are awesome, giving the 2011 Apple Mac mini a significant increase in power. It's great to have a discrete graphics chip too, especially if you use your mini to play games.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Thunderbolt will really shine when more peripherals are released, although at the moment, it's merely promising.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Apple wisely stuck to the same form factor as the 2010 release, with its aluminium unibody casing and internal transformer. It's an excellent piece of engineering, cramming in a lot of computer into a very small space.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The removal of the optical drive has allowed more technology to be crammed in. You can even customise the high-end mini to include both an SSD and a HDD.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">We disliked</span></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The most obvious drawback with the new Mac mini is the loss of its optical drive. You can buy a portable USB SuperDrive for £66, but this is a somewhat inelegant solution, even though it's powered by the USB port and a good match for the mini.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Some of the Mac mini's online customisation options are expensive, too. This isn't much of a problem for memory, because you can buy that from a third party and fit it yourself, but if you want a bigger hard drive, you have to buy it from Apple.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Verdict</span></div> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" mce_name="strong" mce_style="font-weight: bold;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="Apple mac mini 2011 - 2.5ghz" class="aligncenter" height="189" mce_src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-2-420-90.jpg" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/Review%20images/TechRadar/Computing/Mac%20mini%202011/mac%20mini%202011%20-2-420-90.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="252" /></span></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Not everyone will tolerate the loss of the Mac mini's optical drive for playing CD-ROMs and DVDs, but with Remote Disc, the Mac Online Store, Steam and iTunes, you can probably get by without one.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> And many would argue that the price drop for the entry-level model and the discrete graphics and second storage drive option for this high-end mini make it a price worth paying.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> The 2011 Apple Mac mini's Sandy Bridge processors are much more capable than the Core 2 Duos they replace, and the Thunderbolt port is sure to show its worth over time.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> With HDMI video-out alongside Thunderbolt, the Mac mini is still a useful media centre computer even without Front Row. Just add Plex or XBMC. But make sure you can get by without your PowerPC applications.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> New operating system Lion drops support for Rosetta, so they can no longer be used.</div> </div> </span></div>

Review: New Apple Mac mini 2011

The Apple Mac mini has come a long way since it was first introduced in 2005. The 2011 Mac mini refresh represents a radical change f...

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Galaxy Tab 10.1 Hits Verizon with LTE and official accessories

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 24px; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman','Bitstream Charter',Times,serif; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; max-width: 640px; padding: 0.6em;"> <div mce_style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"> <img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="121" mce_src="http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1716/galaxttab10lte540x202.jpg" src="http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1716/galaxttab10lte540x202.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px auto 12px; max-width: 640px;" width="324" />Verizon has announced something that I bet some folks out there have been waiting for. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 with LTE inside has now hit the wireless carrier. The Tab 10.1 has the same features we already know with the addition of the LTE modem inside. It has the 10.1-inch screen, a 1GHz dual-core processor, and supports Flash.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; line-height: 1.5;"></span></div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> You can get the LTE tablet with a new 2-year contract for $529.99 with 16GB of storage or $629.99 with 32GB of storage in white or grey. Verizon also has a slew of official accessories that it is selling as well. The official accessories include a Bluetooth Keyboard with Case for $149.99 coming in August. A multimedia carry dock will sell for $49.99.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> There is also a USB and SD Memory connection kit for $29.99 and a HDMI adapter for $39.99. A display protector for the tablet will cost you $19.99. You can apparently get most of the accessories right now, the only one noting a later launch is the keyboard with case for August.</div> <div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia,'Bitstream Charter',serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> )</div> </div> </span></div>

Galaxy Tab 10.1 Hits Verizon with LTE and official accessories

Verizon has announced something that I bet some folks out there have been waiting for. The Galaxy Tab 10.1 with LTE inside has now hit th...

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How to Display All Files on a Memory Stick

<P>Take off the cap from the memory stick, if it has one.</P><P>Plug the memory stick into your computer's USB drive (on the back or side of your computer) or slide the memory card into the mini drive on the side of your computer. A message will pop up that says "Installing Device Driver" the first time that you plug in the stick.</P><P>A prompt will then pop up called "AutoPlay". Look for the "General Options" icon.</P><P>Click on "Open Folder to View Files (Using Windows Explorer)." A box will pop up showing all the folders and files stored on the memory stick.</P><P>If the "AutoPlay" box does not pop up, click on your computer's "Start" menu and double-click on "Computer." The memory stick will show up in this menu as a "Removable Disk." Double-click on the assigned drive for the memory card to view the files on the card.</P><P>Click on each file folder to view its files. After you click on the folder, the list of files stored in that folder will be displayed. Certain files, not assigned to a folder, will show up separately.</P>

How to Display All Files on a Memory Stick

Take off the cap from the memory stick, if it has one. Plug the memory stick into your computer's USB drive (on the back or side of you...

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How to Repair a Broken Memory Card

<P>Look at the memory card. Locate a small slot on the side of the card with a plastic switch. This switch allows you to write protect the card, preventing anything from being saved or deleted from the card. If the switch is in the down position, the write protection is enabled. Correct this by pushing the switch back up.</P><P>Inspect the memory card for any loose corners. If you find one corner is separated, firmly push the corners back together (occasionally the card begins to split into two separate pieces). This snaps the card back into one piece.</P><P>Insert the memory card into the memory card slot on the computer and click "Start," "Computer," then double-click the removable device icon. A window loads with all the files stored on the card. If the card is completely full, delete saved files to make room for additional content. Select a file you no longer need and press "Delete."</P><P>Reformat the card if other troubleshooting steps do not work. Exit out of the window, then right-click the removable device icon and choose "Format." This returns it back to its original factory settings (although it also erases all content currently stored on the card). In a moment the format window loads. Click "OK" to format the card.</P>

How to Repair a Broken Memory Card

Look at the memory card. Locate a small slot on the side of the card with a plastic switch. This switch allows you to write protect the car...

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How to Expand the Memory of a 2Gb Memory Card

<P>Connect a memory card reader to a USB port on your <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer</A> system. If a memory card reader is already present on your <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer system</A>, there is no reason to connect this hardware.</P><P>Insert the memory card into the memory card slot, and then close out the AutoPlay window that loads.</P><P>Click "Start" and then "Computer," and then double-click the removable device icon to load a window with all the files currently stored on the memory card.</P><P>Right-click one of the files, and then choose "Compress" from the pull-down menu. This loads the zip application. Follow the onscreen prompts to compress the file down. Repeat the process with all the files stored on the card. Once complete, the card is going to have significantly more storage space than it originally had.</P>

How to Expand the Memory of a 2Gb Memory Card

Connect a memory card reader to a USB port on your computer system. If a memory card reader is already present on your computer system , t...

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Tutorial: How to install laptop memory

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com//classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.08-200-200.jpg"><br /><P>Upgrading your laptop memory is the easiest way to get a real and relatively cheap performance boost. </P><br /><P>If you're struggling along with a system running 1GB or less then dropping in extra memory will help it run a lot more smoothly and finish tasks faster. </P><br /><P>The reason is that extra memory helps cut-down unnecessary hard drive access. When Windows runs out of real-memory to store application and system data it has to resort to temporarily using the hard drive. </P><br /><P>This takes hundreds of times longer and is a key reason you can end up sat there twiddling your thumbs when switching between tasks.</P><br /><P><br /><P>As we're going to show you, a laptop memory upgrade can be easy and relatively cheap to do, starting at under £15. </P><br /><P>One important issue is the 4GB limit of some Windows versions. We'll explain - Windows comes in two different types, 32-bit and 64-bit versions. For a system to fully access more than 4GB it has to use the 64-bit version of Windows. Read this from <a href="http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/32-bit-and-64-bit-Windows-frequently-asked-questions">Microsoft for more details</A>.</P><br /><P>So, on with the upgrade!</P><STRONG>1. Find what you want</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.01-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>Before you can buy a memory upgrade you need to know what type and how much memory you need. The internet makes this easy thanks to the raft of <a href="http://www.crucial.com/uk" rel="nofollow">memory selectors</A>. These reduce the process of finding out what memory you need to entering the type of device to upgrade, the manufacturer and model. You'll then be told what type of memory it takes and how much you can install. But there's more.</P><STRONG>2. The jargon</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.02-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>The search will return a number of useful bits of information such as the maximum total memory support, the number of memory slots and the number that are free. Also important is the type of memory you need. However, most memory selectors will suggest compatible upgrades, so that's less vital at this stage.</P><STRONG>3. Making a choice</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.03-320-100.jpg" width="320"></IMG></P><br /><P>The confusing part at this stage is knowing which memory slots may or may not be available. You could just open up the memory panel and look. Alternatively, download <a href="http://www.cpuid.com/">CPU-Z</A> and use its SPD tab to check the state of each memory slot. If you just want to find the maximum installed memory, open the Start Menu, right-click the My Computer item and select Properties to see how much is already installed.</P><STRONG>4. Single vs Dual</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.04-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>When choosing how much memory to add, it's worth keeping in mind that many newer Intel-based laptops can use dual-channel memory, this means adding 'matched-pairs' - two separate bits - of memory gives you extra performance, as they can work in tandem. For example, instead of buying a single 2GB memory stick, you would buy two identical – matching-pairs – of 1GB memory sticks, adding up for a total upgrade of 2GB.</P><STRONG>5. Know your enemy</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.05-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>So now you should have an idea of how much memory you need. If you have an unknown system you can still work out the type of memory from the installed SODIMMs and buy similar memory. Laptops use the physically smaller SODIMMs and the most common technologies are DDR2 and DDR3. Outdated models you may still come across are DDR(1) and SDRAM. Each type is physically and electrically incompatible, keyed notches prevent installing the wrong type of memory so don't even try it!</P><STRONG>6. Installing the memory</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.06-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>To start disconnect the laptop from the mains and remove its battery (obviously shut down the laptop properly first). An antistatic wristband is preferable but touching a radiator or any large metallic object will discharge static from your body. Locate the memory panel on the base of the laptop and remove its screws.</P><STRONG>7. The memory slots</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.07-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>SODIMM slots have to metal clips at either end to secure the memory in place. If you're replacing existing memory, gently push both of these back and the memory will pop up and can be removed. </P><STRONG>8. Insert the new memory</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.08-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>Match the notch on the memory stick with that of the slot. The SODIMM is gently inserted at around a 30 degree angle to the laptop's base and once in place can be gently pushed down. The two clips either side should pop into place to secure it.</P><STRONG>9. Test it out</STRONG><br /><P><img alt="How to install laptop memory" src="http://mos.futurenet.com/techradar/classifications/computing/upgrades-and-peripherals/memory/images/install-laptop-memory/memory.09-420-90.jpg" width="420"></IMG></P><br /><P>If everything has gone well your PC will happily reboot into Windows. To see if the memory has been detected and is working open the Start Menu, right-click the My Computer item and select Properties to check it has. If you are running a 32-bit OS with 4GB it's possible this will report around 3.5GB. In this case you need to upgrade to a 64-bit OS to get access to all of the available memory.</P>

Tutorial: How to install laptop memory

Upgrading your laptop memory is the easiest way to get a real and relatively cheap performance boost. If you're struggling along with a ...

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Why Is Virtual Memory Important?

<P> <a are="" chips="" faster="" memory="" solid-state="" than="" title="#jsArticleIntroImageCredit rel=thinbox><IMG title=" virtual=""></A></P><br /><P>Solid-state memory chips are faster than virtual memory.Fotolia.com</A>"> The term "virtual memory" refers to space allocated on a hard drive where data can be stored for rapid access. Virtual memory is slower than solid-state memory chips so it is typically used as backup memory in certain situations.</P><br /><P></P>MultitaskingOne important use of virtual memory is multitasking. When a <a class="StrongLink"" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer</A> user opens multiple programs at once, the data for these programs must be stored in memory for quick access. The more programs are open, the more memory is needed. When the computer's physical memory is full, the excess data is stored in virtual memory.Large ProgramsIn addition to multitasking, virtual memory allows programmers to create larger and more complex applications. When these programs are running, they occupy physical memory as well as virtual memory.FlexibilityIf <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computers</A> only relied on memory chips, far less memory would be available and the usefulness of many software programs would be severely limited. Even though virtual memory is slower, it is still useful because it greatly expands a computer's functionality.Changing TimesWhen virtual memory was first created, solid-state memory chips were much smaller and more expensive. Today's memory chips can store many gigabytes of data at very low cost. As memory chips continue to grow in capacity and prices fall, virtual memory is may be less useful in the future. References <a href="http://www.pcguide.com/ref/ram/sizeVirtual-c.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">PC Guide: Real and Virtual Memory</A>

Why Is Virtual Memory Important?

  Solid-state memory chips are faster than virtual memory.Fotolia.com "> The term "virtual memory" refers to space allocat...

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Removing Virtual Memory in XP

<P>Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Control Panel." Double-click "System" to open the system's settings.</P><P>Click the "Advanced" tab. In this tab, click "Settings," which is the button located in the "Performance" section. This opens a new properties window.</P><P>Click the "Advanced" tab in the newly opened window. Click the "Settings" button to open another window. Click the virtual memory file in the list box. For most users, only one virtual memory file is displayed. Click on it and then click "Custom Size."</P><P>Enter "0" in the text box. This sets the virtual memory file as 0 MB, which deletes virtual memory from the drive. Click "OK" to save the settings.</P><P>Click "OK" again in the main properties window. Click "Restart" at the prompt to reboot your machine. The machine reboots and the virtual memory file is removed.</P>

Removing Virtual Memory in XP

Click the Windows "Start" button and select "Control Panel." Double-click "System" to open the system's s...

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Microsoft 'busily' buying every memory card it can

<img src="http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/classifications/Mobile%20Phones/Hands%20on%20pictures/HTC/HTC%20Mozart/HTC_Mozart9-200-200.jpg" /> <br /> Microsoft is aiming to bring microSD expansion to its <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/microsoft-windows-phone-7-902194/review">Windows Phone 7</a> range as soon as possible, according to the Windows Phone team.<br /> Microsoft's decision to lock down the memory cards and not allow users to expand their microSD allowance drew ire from some users who wanted more than the 8GB or 16GB on offer, but that looks set to change.<br /> In an interview with TechRadar, <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/windows-phone-7-microsd-card-why-you-can-t-change-it-910271">Microsoft's Windows Phone team told us</a> that it was "now busily buying every microSD card they can get their hands on and testing it in their phones, and when they have a list of which cards perform well enough to recommend they'll be distributing the information."<br /> <b>Suddenly getting sloooowwwwww....</b><br /> The reason is that some memory cards will cause the phone to slow down, as it need to access the microSD in short, sharp bursts at times to function - some memory cards don't work well under these conditions and the handset will become sluggish, which is why Microsoft is testing so comprehensively.<br /> "Yes, it's about read write speeds [which is what the SD class number indicates]," senior product manager Greg Sullivan told us. "The IO rate is part of it but actually what's equally important are the bit error rates. That will impact the speed of the checksum rewrite." <br /> This doesn't mean that it's going to be an easy task to upgrade your memory in your new Windows Phone 7 device; you'll need to wipe the card then perform a factory rest on the phone to 'lock' the two together.<br /> But if you're desperate to get your new HTC HD7 up to 40GB, then at least you should have an option soon.

Microsoft 'busily' buying every memory card it can

Microsoft is aiming to bring microSD expansion to its Windows Phone 7 range as soon as possible, according to the Windows Phone team. Mi...

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How to Fix Jumpstart Memory

<P>Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into your computer's optical drive.</P><P>Select your language from the menu that appears and then click the "Next" button.</P><P>Click on the "Repair your computer" button in the menu.</P><P>Click on the operating system from the menu and then click the "Next" button.</P><P>Click on the "Memory Diagnostic Tool" from the menu and wait for the scan to complete.</P><P>Allow the computer to restart to clear your errors.</P>

How to Fix Jumpstart Memory

Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into your computer's optical drive. Select your language from the menu that appears and then cli...

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How to Repair a Virtual Memory That Is Too Low

<P>Click the "Start" button to launch the Start menu.</P><P>Right-click on "Computer" and click "Properties" from the menu to launch the system settings window.</P><P>Click "Advanced system settings" in the left pane.</P><P>Navigate to the "Advanced" tab in the "System Properties" window.</P><P>Click the "Settings" button under the "Performance" header.</P><P>Navigate to the "Advanced" tab in the "Performance Options" window.</P><P>Click the "Change" button under "Virtual Memory."</P><P>Remove the check from the box next to "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives."</P><P>Click your main hard drive letter in the "Drive [Volume Label]" box.</P><P>Place a mark next to the "Customize size" option.</P><P>Type a new numeric value in the "Initial size (MB)" or "Maximum size (MB)" box. You will see the current paging file number listed next to "Currently allocated."</P><P>Click "OK" to complete the configuration and close the system properties window. This should allow you to open your programs without the virtual memory error appearing.</P>

How to Repair a Virtual Memory That Is Too Low

Click the "Start" button to launch the Start menu. Right-click on "Computer" and click "Properties" from the ...

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How to Burn in Nero 7 With No Memory Left & Errors

<P>Press "Ctrl"+"Alt"+"Del" to open a menu of options for Windows. Click the button labeled "Start Task Manager." You can also get to the Task Manager by right-clicking the Windows task bar and clicking "Start Task Manager."</P><P>Click the "Applications" tab. This lists all the programs you opened. Right-click each program except Nero and select "End Task." This frees up the memory taken by the program.</P><P>Click the "Processes" tab. Right-click unneeded processes running in the background and select "End Task." For instance, iTunes starts in the background after you install the program. This program does not need to run while Nero is burning a disc.</P><P>Open the Nero software and attempt to burn the CD or DVD. Now that large amounts of memory resources are freed, you can burn your disc.</P>

How to Burn in Nero 7 With No Memory Left & Errors

Press "Ctrl"+"Alt"+"Del" to open a menu of options for Windows. Click the button labeled "Start Task Man...

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How to Upgrade the Internal Memory of a 7320GZ

<P>Shut down the Gateway 7320GZ through Windows and close the lid. Disconnect all peripheral devices and unplug the charging cable.</P><P>Turn the computer bottom side up. Push the plastic tab on the corner of the battery. The tab locks into place.</P><P>Push and hold the plastic tab next to the battery. While holding the tab, use the rubber foot on the corner of the battery to lift the battery pack out of the computer.</P><P>Remove the screw from the side of the smallest rectangular cover panel on the bottom of the 7320GZ. Lift the panel off of the computer to expose the empty memory upgrade socket.</P><P>Insert the new memory module into the socket at a 30-degree angle, with the gold contacts pointing down. Insert the contacts fully into the socket before pivoting the top of the module down. As you pivot the other side of the module down, the metal clips in the memory socket will click, securing the module in place.</P><P>Reinstall the memory compartment cover and replace the screw.</P>

How to Upgrade the Internal Memory of a 7320GZ

Shut down the Gateway 7320GZ through Windows and close the lid. Disconnect all peripheral devices and unplug the charging cable. Turn the c...

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How to Change Random Access Memory

<P>Unplug your PC and unscrew the <a class="StrongLink" href="http://www.ehow.com/computers/">computer</A> case. Put on your wrist strap and attach the clip to a screw on your computer case.</P><P>Find the RAM inside your computer and remove the old components. Push in the clips on either side of the RAM and gently pull to detach it.</P><P>Find the two notches on the RAM and make sure those are the ends being inserted into the slots. Gently insert the RAM until you see the clips on either side of the slots click.</P><P>Plug your computer back in and make sure it has accepted the new RAM.</P>

How to Change Random Access Memory

Unplug your PC and unscrew the computer case. Put on your wrist strap and attach the clip to a screw on your computer case. Find the RAM i...

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How to Speed Up Virtual Memory 1.5 Times on Vista 64

<P>Go to the Windows "Start" menu and launch the "Control Panel" options. Click the "System and Maintenance" link, followed by "System." On the left pane, select "Advanced System Settings" to open the "System Properties" menu.</P><P>Click "Settings" from the "Performance" settings, then click "Advanced" followed by "Change."</P><P>Disable the setting "Automatically Manage Paging File Size for All Drives." Click "Custom Size" and select a hard disk whose virtual memory needs to be modified from the list shown.</P><P>Enter the required amount in megabytes into the "Initial Size" and "Maximum Size" fields. Microsoft recommends that users set their virtual memory settings 1.5 times faster than those of their physical RAM availability. For example, if your computer possesses 1 GB of RAM, set both the initial and maximum size to approximately 1,500 MB.</P><P>Click "Set" to save your modified virtual memory settings, then "OK" to exit the menu at hand.</P>

How to Speed Up Virtual Memory 1.5 Times on Vista 64

Go to the Windows "Start" menu and launch the "Control Panel" options. Click the "System and Maintenance" lin...

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