Tough call: new Mac mini or wait til Mac Pro?

[TehMac]

The new Mac Pro looks (and sounds) like it will be exorbitantly expensive, but the Mac Mini with a Fusion hard drive (SSD and HD) and 8GB of ram is around 1100 +tax.

I LOVE the Mini's form factor however and think it'd be great for compiling code/running Unity 3D's kit.

Any great experiences with the mini?

 

[MrX8503]

I think prices for the Mac Pro have been released? Not sure.

The mini and Mac Pro is targeting two entirely different markets. Mac Pro is catered towards power users and the mini is more of a general consumer product.

 

[Kaido]

Only downside is that the Mac Mini is limited to integrated Intel HD4000 graphics, no dedicated video card anymore. In theory you can add an external GPU via Thundebolt, but those chassis are wicked expensive.

 

[Rakehellion]

I think prices for the Mac Pro have been released? Not sure.

$2999 for a base model.

The mini and Mac Pro is targeting two entirely different markets. Mac Pro is catered towards power users and the mini is more of a general consumer product.

This. If a Mac Mini is enough, the Mac Pro is waaaaay overkill.

 

[scannall]

$2999 for a base model.



This. If a Mac Mini is enough, the Mac Pro is waaaaay overkill.

Considering the parts in the Mac Pro, the price is actually pretty good. It just depends on if you need that much horsepower.

 

[snouter]

These are not even close to the same computers. As always it depends what you plan to do with the computer.

FWIW, When I was waiting for Adobe and Apple to get their poo together during the switch to Intel, I sold my dual G5 and picked up a 1.42GHz G4 Mac Mini to use for light Photoshop and web design/programming stuff and I was fairly impressed with it. I know that story is both old and anecdotal, but, yeah, the Mac Mini is a capable computer for a lot of things. It just depends what those things are.

For the most part, I would draw the line at things requiring hardware video cards - gaming, video editing, 3d design or CPU power - rendering, audio processing, etc.

The Mac Mini has a laptop CPU and integrated graphics. The Mac Pro has a desktop CPU, ECC ram and dual video cards.

The Mac Mini is quiet and runs cool if that appeals to you as well.

 

[Mixolydian]

I had a Mini, but it was underpowered for my needs. Definitely getting one of the new Mac Pros as soon as they come out.

 

[mmntech]

If you're up for some tinkering, you could always build a small form factor PC with a dedicated GPU and hackintosh it.

 

[TehMac]

I had a Mini, but it was underpowered for my needs. Definitely getting one of the new Mac Pros as soon as they come out.

What were your needs?