The Fairly Complete Mac Mini Switcher’s Hardware Guide

It doesn’t matter if you were wooed by the Mac Mini’s cool industrial design, the lack of commas on the Mini’s price tag or if you just got fed up with Windows based PCs you, like a plethora of other folks, have decided to switch. Congratulations, I think you’ll be very happy.

While the switching process can be as simple as hooking everything up to your new Mac there can be a lot of complicating factors to consider.  Hence I’ve produced a handy guide for the various flavors of switchers. Below you’ll find recommended products, their prices and places to find them. You can order everything straight off the internet or you can walk into the brick and mortar stores listed and ask for the item by number. No need to confuse the guy getting paid eight bucks an hour at your local Best Buy or CompUSA, just saunter in, request the item and leave with the realization that everything will work flawlessly.

The “tepid” switcher:
The tepid switcher just wants to get their toes wet. A quick dip in the Aqua flavored waters of OS X if you will. You a tepid switcher if you want to run your Mac Mini next to your XP box and use the same peripherals. The road for you is golden all you’ll need is a Mac Mini and a KVM switch (KVM as will become apparent in a moment stands for Keyboard Video Mouse). What a KVM switch allows you to do is switch, predictably, your keyboard, video and mouse between the two computers. It’s a nice thing to have around and much more convenient than unplugging and then re-plugging every component each time you want to switch between computers.

Apple Store: Belkin 2 port USB KVM with cables $59.95
CompUSA: Belkin 2 port KVM $59.99 Product Number 302004
Best Buy: IOGEAR Miniview Micro 2 port USB plus KVM switch $59.99 Model number: GCS632U

A quick note: This assumes your current computer features USB and not PS/2 connectors (USB connectors are rectangular while PS/2 connectors are round). If your current setup features PS/2 ports you’ll need to mix in a PS2 USB adapter.
Apple Store: Belkin USB to 2 PS/2 $19.99
Comp USA: Belkin USB to 2 PS/2 Adapter $24.99 Product Number: 310389
Best Buy: Belkin USB to 2 PS/2 Adapter $19.95 Model Number: F5U119-E

There are cheaper USB to PS/2 adapters, the things go for as little as a couple of bucks but this model allows both the keyboard and mouse to occupy one port. An important consideration because the Mac Mini features 2 USB ports and you’ll want one free for other USB devices.

The “can’t hardly wait” switcher:
If you’re ready to jettison your old PC entirely without a second thought but you want to still use the monitor, keyboard and mouse you already have (which is a good idea because the Mac Mini comes without any of those items) the process is much more streamlined. All you’ll need to do is make sure your keyboard and mouse are USB. If they’re PS2 flavored. If they’re not USB see the note above USN to PS/2 adapters. That’s it, you’re golden.

The “I threw my old set up out of the window I need new everything” switcher:

If you’ve jettisoned every scrap of computer related gadgetry you own you’re going to need quite a few things, fortunately we’ve got you covered;
Monitor:

Apple Store: The pickings are slim. Chances are if you’re buying a Mac Mini you aren’t going to be interested in dropping a cool grand on Apple’s lowliest display. So you’re left with one viable choice.
NEC MultiSync FE770 17” CRT $159.00
CompUSA: A71f+ 17-inch (16.0 visible) Monitor, Silver/Black $149.99 Part Number: 311510
Best Buy: Gateway 17” Flat CRT Monitor $149.99 Model Number: VX750

Keyboard: You’ll be happier with a keyboard designed specifically for OS X. These feature Mac specific keys and make life a little easier. I couldn’t find a keyboard quite as functional as the Apple keyboard during my research trip to the local CompUSA hence
CompUSA: Apple Keyboard $29.99 Product Number: 305061
Apple Store: Apple Keyboard $29.00

Mouse: If you’re switching from Windows you don’t want the single button mouse that Apple offers. There are plenty of other options.

Apple Store: Kensington Pilot Mouse Optical $19.95
CompUSA: Kensington Pilot Mouse Optical $19.99 Product Number: 307996
Best Buy: Logitech Optical mouse $19.99 Model Number: 9311144-0403

And there you have it, a handy guide to all the hardware you need when you’re switching to the Mac Mini. Of course I left out the Mac Mini because those things are hard to come by. If you run into a well-stocked source let me know.