Do you have a Mac? (Or Mac Mini?)

[thehstrybean]

Originally posted by: kmrivers

Originally posted by: uhohs
mac hardware = pc hardware
have fun upgrading anything in a mac mini besides the ram.

Hmmm.
Standard notebook optical drive.
Standard sata 2.5" drive
Standard Intel CPU (upgradeable as someone said, and I have done it)

So, he can have fun upgrading more than the RAM.

I think his point was it's a PITA to change anything except the ram...Possible, just a pain

 

[bigrash]

I got an intel mac mini. This thing is sweet. I'm really thinking of getting a mac pro.

 

[OSX]

iBook G4. I haven't used it much since I got my new PC.

 

[Baked]

I use a G5 PowerMac at work. Mac hardware = PC hardware. You install Mac hardware just like you would w/ PC hardware. I bought the G5 2-3 years ago, never had a problem. Just like PC, if there's a problem, it's user error. /flameon.

 

[jhu]

i just bought a blue and white powermac for $30. it works well.

 

[aphex]

I currently have a 1.42ghz G4 Mac Mini... Love the system, but put it up for sale on eBay today as i want something a bit faster as well as the ability to run some XP proggies.

 

[timswim78]

I've had these Mac's:

PowerMac G4 800MhZ
PowerMac G4 Dual 1GhZ
Mac Mini G4 1.25Ghz
Mac Mini Core Solo 1.5Ghz


My conclusion is that Mac's can be fun. However, there are a few things to point out.
1. Don't even think about running OS X with less than 1GB of RAM (2GB is even better). It just sucks!
2. Don't worry about having the fastest Mac. Apple constantly releases something just a little bit faster than what you just bought, two days after you make your purchase.
3. The GUI seems to be a little sluggish, when compared to Windows. However, you'll quickly become accustomed to it.
4. Whatever you buy, new or used, make sure that it includes the iLife suite. iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, and etc. are lots of fun and help one to learn the OS and decide if they want to continue with it.
5. Have fun.
6. Oh, I think that dual booting is a pain in the neck, so I wouldn't go into this with the idea that you can replace your Windows machine with a Mac. We have something for people that use more than one OS, it is called a KVM.

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: Rip the Jacker
Call me crazy, but I think I wanna try out a Macintosh... I've always loved the user interface, customizing my Windows Desktop to look like a Mac. I think I'm ready to get the real thing.

I'm considering buying a Mac Mini for $800 (1.83 GHz Intel Dual Core // 512 MB Memory // 80 GB HD).

Has anyone done this? Was it worth it?

By the way...
- I'm not looking to play any games.
- I'm looking forward to using BBEdit and Safari browser (Web Development)
- Looking forward to the sleek user interface

The only downside would be that, the hard drive is only 80 gigs.. and MAC hardware costs more and is harder to install (I think).

Oh, I'd suggest getting a refurb Core Duo Mini for $649. It comes with the sames spec's as you mentioned, except that the CPU is a wee bit slower. Then use the $150 that you saved towards some RAM. (You will need it!)

 

[Rip the Jacker]

Originally posted by: timswim78
I've had these Mac's:

PowerMac G4 800MhZ
PowerMac G4 Dual 1GhZ
Mac Mini G4 1.25Ghz
Mac Mini Core Solo 1.5Ghz


My conclusion is that Mac's can be fun. However, there are a few things to point out.
1. Don't even think about running OS X with less than 1GB of RAM (2GB is even better). It just sucks!
2. Don't worry about having the fastest Mac. Apple constantly releases something just a little bit faster than what you just bought, two days after you make your purchase.
3. The GUI seems to be a little sluggish, when compared to Windows. However, you'll quickly become accustomed to it.
4. Whatever you buy, new or used, make sure that it includes the iLife suite. iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, and etc. are lots of fun and help one to learn the OS and decide if they want to continue with it.
5. Have fun.
6. Oh, I think that dual booting is a pain in the neck, so I wouldn't go into this with the idea that you can replace your Windows machine with a Mac. We have something for people that use more than one OS, it is called a KVM.

Sluggish? Haha, then I don't think its for me. I need my alt tabs to be super fast.. oh crap.. its a Mac. You can't alt tab, can you?

 

[L1FE]

How are macs as HTPCs?

 

[timswim78]

Originally posted by: L1FE
How are macs as HTPCs?

They are OK. The main problem is that you need an external TV-Recorder, and the included HTPC software (FrontRow) doesn't include support for recording shows. (Basically, Apple wants you to pay $1.99 per show from iTunes rather than recording it yourself).

If you want an HTPC, you should DEFINITELY stick with XP Media Center or Vista.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: timswim78
I've had these Mac's:

PowerMac G4 800MhZ
PowerMac G4 Dual 1GhZ
Mac Mini G4 1.25Ghz
Mac Mini Core Solo 1.5Ghz


My conclusion is that Mac's can be fun. However, there are a few things to point out.
1. Don't even think about running OS X with less than 1GB of RAM (2GB is even better). It just sucks!
2. Don't worry about having the fastest Mac. Apple constantly releases something just a little bit faster than what you just bought, two days after you make your purchase.
3. The GUI seems to be a little sluggish, when compared to Windows. However, you'll quickly become accustomed to it.
4. Whatever you buy, new or used, make sure that it includes the iLife suite. iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, and etc. are lots of fun and help one to learn the OS and decide if they want to continue with it.
5. Have fun.
6. Oh, I think that dual booting is a pain in the neck, so I wouldn't go into this with the idea that you can replace your Windows machine with a Mac. We have something for people that use more than one OS, it is called a KVM.

you dont have to dual boot anymore with parrallels

 

[spikespiegal]

Mac hardware = PC hardware. You install Mac hardware just like you would w/ PC hardware. I bought the G5 2-3 years ago, never had a problem. Just like PC, if there's a problem, it's user error. /flameon.

No need for your flame shields because anybody with an I.Q. above 90 should be agreeing with you. Unfortunatley that excludes about 95% of hardcore Apple users with the remaining 5% being forced to provide proof in the form of a death certificate (that's an old Detroit voting joke).

I don't care for OSX, but I have no arguement with those who prefer it over Win*.* It's the other issues that seem to come with owning a Mac that force a suspension of common sense that bug me. You named the biggest one, which is the Intel Macs *are* clones and no different than generic PC's except for the whatever firmware Apple uses to prevent you from running OSX on what you want. Say that in an Apple forum and you'll get flamed to death though.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

I don't have a mac right now, but as soon as the MacBook Pros are upgraded to the Core 2 Duo, I'll have one as fast as Apple can send it to me...

Right now I'm using a custom built AMD X2 system, which is plenty fast, but I want a 64bit apple laptop, and the Core Duos are no such thing.

 

[jman19]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

But they are right for some people.

:laugh:

I'm pretty sure that stopped being funny after Gurck posted it a million times.

 

[Oil]

Originally posted by: Rip the Jacker

Originally posted by: timswim78
I've had these Mac's:

PowerMac G4 800MhZ
PowerMac G4 Dual 1GhZ
Mac Mini G4 1.25Ghz
Mac Mini Core Solo 1.5Ghz


My conclusion is that Mac's can be fun. However, there are a few things to point out.
1. Don't even think about running OS X with less than 1GB of RAM (2GB is even better). It just sucks!
2. Don't worry about having the fastest Mac. Apple constantly releases something just a little bit faster than what you just bought, two days after you make your purchase.
3. The GUI seems to be a little sluggish, when compared to Windows. However, you'll quickly become accustomed to it.
4. Whatever you buy, new or used, make sure that it includes the iLife suite. iMovie, iDVD, iPhoto, and etc. are lots of fun and help one to learn the OS and decide if they want to continue with it.
5. Have fun.
6. Oh, I think that dual booting is a pain in the neck, so I wouldn't go into this with the idea that you can replace your Windows machine with a Mac. We have something for people that use more than one OS, it is called a KVM.

Sluggish? Haha, then I don't think its for me. I need my alt tabs to be super fast.. oh crap.. its a Mac. You can't alt tab, can you?

Alt-tab = Command-tab
(command is the button next to the space bar with the apple logo)

Oh, the command-tabs are just as fast as XP

 

[preslove]

I would recommend getting either a refurbed core duo mini foor $650 or a refurbed intel 17" iMac for $950. The iMac has a mini-dvi port that allows you to connect a second monitor.

 

[chcarnage]

Originally posted by: Rip the Jacker
Sluggish? Haha, then I don't think its for me. I need my alt tabs to be super fast.. oh crap.. its a Mac. You can't alt tab, can you?

You Command-Tab in OS X. It looks like this.


(Oh well, that happens if you leave tabs open for hours)

 

[dug777]

Neither

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: timswim78

Originally posted by: L1FE
How are macs as HTPCs?

They are OK. The main problem is that you need an external TV-Recorder, and the included HTPC software (FrontRow) doesn't include support for recording shows. (Basically, Apple wants you to pay $1.99 per show from iTunes rather than recording it yourself).

If you want an HTPC, you should DEFINITELY stick with XP Media Center or Vista.

Well, yes and no. I used my Mini as an HTPC for awhile. It's not nearly as powerful as MCE, but it does have it's good points. You can record shows using Elgato's EyeTV software. They also sell an external tuner here:

http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetv250

The EyeTV 250 lets you hook up cable TV as well as composite/s-video sources like VCRs and whatnot. It also has zero lag for playing games through (if you want to record games for whatever reason, or use a computer monitor as your screen). They recently added a full-screen menu, so it's easier to use as an HTPC:

http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=pr...ain&countrytogo=36&signal=all#frontrow

Personally, TiVo plus XBMC works great for me