Trying to build or buy a mini computer

[lazyazn]

I am trying to built or buy a mini computer. I was fascinated by apple for a while, so i was considering getting a mac mini. After getting a macbook, i decided that i am a pc guy.
So i am trying to build a mini pc to replace my IBM t60(on a dock). I think my budget is 500, however the lesser that i can spend the better. cuz i am only a college student.
I dont really have that many needs, so the pc doesn't need to be top of the line. Mainly for web browsing and homework, play games at times. I do occasional graphics editing and movie editing.(very basic stuff)

any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[TheStu]

You can install Windows on teh Mac Mini, or you can check out the desktop eeePC when it gets released.

Other than that, there is the AOpen barebones i think, but I am not positive where to get it (newegg? im to lazy to look) but since that is barebones, you will be providing all your own hardware.

 

[lazyazn]

Thanks for the quick reply TheStu. If i put windows on Mac Mini, that really would defeat the purpose since all apple products are overpriced. I will look into the AOpen barebones, especially the cost.

 

[DaveSimmons]

play games at times.

What kind? If they need a gaming video card that makes a huge difference.

If you just play Flash / web games, the Shuttle Kpc is around $220 running Linux and will get the job done.

 

[lazyazn]

the games i have played in the past year are CS source, Sim city 4, Medieval total war.

 

[Parasitic]

Looks like you need to build your own SFF Shuttle or pick up one of those Vostro slims.

 

[DaveSimmons]

... or use a standard microATX motherboard with an Ultra Microfly or Aspire X-Qpack2. And a replacement power supply, there are a lot of stories about problems with the bundled PSUs.

 

[IlllI]

microATX is quite a bit larger than a mac mini

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: clandren
microATX is quite a bit larger than a mac mini

... but mac mini is useless for gaming.

The Shuttles that support decent gaming cards like an 8800GT are in the $250-350 range before you add the CPU, RAM, etc.

A QPack2 + motherboard + PSU will also be around $225 but will run cooler and quieter thanks to the 120mm exhaust fan and room for a decent CPU HSF.

Which one is best depends on whether the smallest possible size is more important than cost and noise.

 

[IlllI]

well he also mentioned he mostly wanted to use it for web browsing and homework. and i also assume he likes the form factor of the mac mini.. otherwise he would not have created the topic in the first place

 

[DaveSimmons]

It's too bad they don't offer a laptop graphics module option for the mac mini to support at least light gaming. But they don't

The Shuttle XPC is a decent looking mini PC but it's more expensive than a regular shuttle cube or microATX self-built.

 

[lazyazn]

thanks for all the replies guys. However, i am a little bit lost. This is my first SFF, actually my first time doing anything related to SFF. So i have no idea about half of the stuff that you guys are talking about. Could you guys provide me with some links? or explain a little more?

thanks

 

[DaveSimmons]

Mac mini: built-in motherboard graphics are too weak for gaming, graphics are not upgradeable.

Shuttle XPC 1xx model: has Radeon X1400 which might be good enough but is outside of your budget

Shuttle cubes: barebone cubes with custom small motherboards. You can put a real graphics card in some models, the ones with a PCI-E slot and a 250-350 watt power supply. The Sudhian forums have a thread on what cards worked in what cubes.

See: us.shuttle.com & www.sudhian.com forums

Aspire X-QPack2 : larger cube that lets you use any micro-ATX motherboard, and standard power supplies (don't use the one it comes with).

See: newegg.com

 

[Peter]

If you're really aiming for minimal size without the added cost of notebook equipment, try this:

MSI's Axis series are pretty neat. I've used the weakest version (Axis-700, VIA C7 1GHz) and found it good enough for internet, mail, office and even DVD viewing. There's a faster version out now with an 1.5 GHz CPU, and also AMD and Intel variants for more CPU power - you lose the only PCI slot though, owed to the much larger CPU heatsinks.

Add RAM, a 3.5" SATA HDD and an IDE optical, and you're all done. The VIA solution is ultra quiet, low power (less than 50W when viewing a DVD), and super small.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

But he wants to game, which means he would need more than a PCI slot. The Axis looks pretty nice, though.