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I'm considering getting a Mac Mini for my next computer. . . will I be disappointed?

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Originally posted by: manly
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: manly
Originally posted by: BigJ
Originally posted by: episodic
Originally posted by: RallyMaster
I think it's pointless. Photoshop will want 2 gigs.
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Is it really that different? I'm quite satisfied with photoshop's performance on a sempron 2600 processor and a gig of pc2700 ram.


Surely a dual core processor, faster bus, and all will be an upgrade?
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Just my $0.02, but if I'm going to be spend a couple of hundred $ on a new machine, I would want all I could for my bucks. So for me, a Mac wouldn't be worth it.

However, this is why I'm saying get an older Mac and see if you like it or not. If you don't you can sell it for a minimal loss and get a nice cheap Dell. If you do, you can sell it and get another, newer Mac.
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I disagree.

New Intel-based Macs have better bang for the buck than older Macs. This is because Macs hold resale value well for computers.

If he puts several hundred dollars towards an old Mac (whatever it is), he'll most likely walk away with the impression his Sempron box is superior.
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I think you're missing my point.

He's wanting to try something new, as in probably wanting to try the OSX. I suggest he find an older, maybe $200-$300 Mac that he can run the latest OSX on. Try it out for a bit, see if he likes working on a Mac. Then, he'll be able to take a relatively small loss selling it after a month or two, and wind up buying either a Mac/PC.
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And I think you're missing his point. If he's to do this at all, his goal is likely to not be disappointed by the purchase.

If he is, then he surely can still resell the Mac. But to purchase a Mac that's weaker than his Sempron box is setting himself up for at least a minor disappointment. Sounds to me like he wants to know if Photoshop runs well, not just to try out Mac OS X.

My argument still stands; you just can't get that great of a Mac for a few hundred dollars. I suppose the best would be a bare-bones original Mac mini. Power Mac G4s are still relatively pricey.
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This is what I'm basing my viewpoint off of:

Originally posted by: episodic
Originally posted by: BigJ
Why not just get a cheap Dell if you're not going to do much on it?
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I dunno, wanna try something different.
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So I really don't see him being all the concerned with performance versus the experience of using a Mac. He also states he'd rather just get something that fits his needs (already has keyboard, monitor, speakers) versus a more powerful/upgradable system.
 
Here is my opinion as someone who uses a dual core AMD with 2GB RAM and a Macbook w/ 512MB.

I don't see a difference in performance during normal usage. Surfing the web, using iTunes, puttering about with photos, it's pretty much a wash.
 
Some of the reasons I want a mini - can't afford the other mac's #1 reason

I really like the reviews on the iseries of software like iphoto, etc.

I'm not dependent on Microsoft for anything other than an OS at the moment. I'll be perfectly content to use a thirdparty wordprocessor, etc. Don't they still include appleworks or something free with the mac?

I like the idea of a stable bullet proof OS that is vendor supported. I like linux, have ran linux, but just could not stand all my stuff that I've bought I could not get to work with it (easily at least). I'm perfectly capable (and have) recompiled kernels, etc - but I find linux a real chore.

I want it just to work.

I'm also concerned with not liking vista at all.


Noone has answered - how hard is it to upgrade ram yourself?


My idea would to strip the computer I have now - put the dvd burner in a usb case - put my 300 gig harddrive in a usb2 case, etc - and that will add to my storage, etc.

I noticed there was a deal for a dual core mini for 699$ now - but curses still only includes 512megs of ram. They (in my opinion) charge way too much for ram on the customize it pages.

Finally - the warranty is only a year. Do I really need to get an extended warranty - I hope not.
 
Originally posted by: Fraggable
Originally posted by: manly
Originally posted by: phisrow
Do remember that the Mini has a 2.5 inch drive in it. They are cute little boxes; but limited RAM slots +laptop drive != Photoshop powerhouse.
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The new Mac minis can handle up to 4GB RAM. If the standard 5400 rpm isn't adequate, you can install your own 7200 rpm drive or use an external drive.
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Using an external drive is only a good idea for storage, but IIRC even a 5400rpm drive is bottlenecked by USB 2.0 or firewire. Upgrading to a 7200rpm internal drive would show a difference though.

Mac minis are a really great value for their hardware IMHO, plus they look really cool. If you had a core duo and a gig of ram photoshop will run just fine.

Photoshop runs under rosetta?? What about photoshop for MAC?
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I think you misunderstand what Rosetta does. Rosetta translates PPC code for Macs (It's not an Acronym, the name is short for Macintosh) into Intel code for Macs. Adobe, in their money grubbing manner, decided to not release a free, or cheap upgrade for CS2 to offer universal compatibility. This means that photoshop will be running under Rosetta, since it needs to translate the PPC instructions to x86 instructions.
 
ALso, I have never purchased Applecare and have never had a reason to use it in five Apples now. If you are really concerned, I suggest using a CC that doubles the mfg. warranty.
 
Originally posted by: episodic
Some of the reasons I want a mini - can't afford the other mac's #1 reason

I really like the reviews on the iseries of software like iphoto, etc.

I'm not dependent on Microsoft for anything other than an OS at the moment. I'll be perfectly content to use a thirdparty wordprocessor, etc. Don't they still include appleworks or something free with the mac?

I like the idea of a stable bullet proof OS that is vendor supported. I like linux, have ran linux, but just could not stand all my stuff that I've bought I could not get to work with it (easily at least). I'm perfectly capable (and have) recompiled kernels, etc - but I find linux a real chore.

I want it just to work.

I'm also concerned with not liking vista at all.


Noone has answered - how hard is it to upgrade ram yourself?


My idea would to strip the computer I have now - put the dvd burner in a usb case - put my 300 gig harddrive in a usb2 case, etc - and that will add to my storage, etc.

I noticed there was a deal for a dual core mini for 699$ now - but curses still only includes 512megs of ram. They (in my opinion) charge way too much for ram on the customize it pages.

Finally - the warranty is only a year. Do I really need to get an extended warranty - I hope not.
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isn't there an upgrade article in anandtech mac section? or was that arstechnica.com meh, lots of sites started mac stuff after the mini came out...
 
Don't strip your PC unless you plan on selling off the parts. IMO Apple charges a "fair" (not great) price for the 2x512MB RAM option. They don't rip off on memory nearly as much as they used to.

It's not worth getting AppleCare for a Mac mini.
 
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