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Intel Mac mini Q&A - Revised November 4, 2009
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What ports are provided by the Intel Mac mini?
Please refer to the applicable ports page for the original, Mid-2007, Early 2009, and Late 2009 Intel Mac mini models, complete with corresponding icons for each port.
What type of keyboards and mice does the Intel Mac mini support?
The Intel Mac mini supports essentially all USB-based keyboards and mice, ADB-based or PS/2-based keyboards and mice with adapters, and Bluetooth wireless keyboards and mice. If you use a third-party keyboard designed for Windows, the Intel Mac mini will treat the "Windows" key as a "Command" key and the "Alt" key as an "Option" key.
For additional information on keyboard compatibility, please refer to "Mac mini: What Keyboard and Mouse to Use" and for additional information on third-party keyboards, please refer to "Third Party Keyboards May Not Have Command, Option Keys" [no longer online] each from the Apple Support Site.
What printers and scanners are compatible with the Intel Mac mini?
Apple has released a list of printers that have MacOS X drivers pre-installed. This includes a large number of printers from Apple, Brother, Canon, Epson, HP, Lexmark, Xerox and other companies.
In the list of printers that are compatible with Intel-based Macs, Apple mentions to "always check your printer manufacturer's website" for the latest drivers.
Apple also states that:
Bundled printer drivers and PPDs [PostScript Printer Descriptions] may not offer every feature of a printer, such as built-in faxing, scanning, or an optional sheet feeder. If your printer has a feature that is not available, contact the printer manufacturer for more information regarding the use of that feature. For example, the [Apple] LaserWriter 16/600 PS Fax driver allows many printing features, but not the built-in fax feature.
It is important to note the above, as some printers that work with MacOS X 10.4 "Tiger" or later on an Intel Mac mini may not offer complete functionality.
Before purchasing a printer for your Intel Mac mini, or upgrading from an older system with an older printer, you will want to verify complete compatibility from the manufacturer.
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