Is the apple mini the same as an hp mini?  

The difference is in the operating systems used and therefore the software that will run on them. Out of the box, an Apple Mini and a PC Mini (either with Windows or with Linux) will have more or less the same functionality: a desktop with icons to select applications, a browser and, perhaps, a simple word processor amongst other things. It is when you want to install any other applications (games, spreadsheet or presentation software or something like that) that one needs to know what your chosen software will run on.

If you use a netbook (which I imagine is what you mean by a mini) as it is, that is just for connecting to the Internet and maybe for a little word processing (writing letters, articles and so on), then there is little to choose between Apple, HP, Acer or whatever except in style, price and robustness. They will all allow you to do these things and all the functions are very similar.

As with any substantial purchase, it's a good idea to list what you actually intend or want to do with the equipment and what you are going to need it for in, say, a year or two's time. If you expect to play video games, use Photoshop or manipulate large spreadsheets, a mini is not going to be much use. If you mainly connect to the Internet, do email, chat online or even contribute to MyLot then a mini or a netbook are ideal.

I think your first answer is the best one you can get. If something says it is an Apple it is a Mac not a PC. If it is what your daughter wants, some people are very happy with them. I have decided not to buy a net book, but I do want to buy a smaller laptop when I get a new one.

The main difference between a PC and a MAC that the processors in MAC are made by motorola and the processors in PCs are made by intel. In addition to this, the operating systems between the two different types of computers is different. The Apple operating system is 64 bit and has always been. So, the main thing that will be different between your daughter's potential computer and your own computer is that you will have to buy different software for the Apple (MAC) computer.

First you have to ask your daughter. What kind of notebook computer does she like? Why? If she says, I like apple Macintosh. Why? because most of the girls in school are using it. Then buy, she know what she like. Don't buy something that your daughter will be ashamed of using.The 2 kind of notebook computers are apple & ibm compatible. Ask your daughter what most of her schoolmates are using.

First of all u don't have to confused at all as any PC or mini belongs to same thing and only difference is how many mental u carry, observe or handle with per day. So try to develop her mental growth instead of technology.