MAC Mini?

[ChristopherCoy]

I'm in the market for a new computer, since this laptop is finally starting to head to the crap bucket. I went to Crap Buy tonight and priced some computers to start getting an idea of what I can afford. Since everyone is always raving about Mac etc... I looked at them. The only one that I could afford would be the Mac Mini. It was $599 and had the following specs.

2.26GHz intel core 2 duo processor
2GB DDR3 Memory
160GB 5400RPM HD
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Slot Loading Disc Drive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M Graphics w/ 256MB DDR3 Memory
Wireless-N Networking

I realize that 160GB worth of hard drive is not optimal, and I'll have to buy an external 1,2,3 or more TB drive to keep up, but would this little Mac Mini perform the very small time editing I do with CS and LR?

My only other options are some mid budget ($400-$700) laptops and HP desktops.

The thing I like about the mini, is that I can pack it up in a backpack and take it with me like a laptop. (course I'll have to buy the Mac keyboard and mouse to go with it)

[picman]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I'm in the market for a new computer, since this laptop is finally starting to head to the crap bucket. I went to Crap Buy tonight and priced some computers to start getting an idea of what I can afford. Since everyone is always raving about Mac etc... I looked at them. The only one that I could afford would be the Mac Mini. It was $599 and had the following specs.

2.26GHz intel core 2 duo processor
2GB DDR3 Memory
160GB 5400RPM HD
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Slot Loading Disc Drive
NVIDIA Geforce 9400M Graphics w/ 256MB DDR3 Memory
Wireless-N Networking

I realize that 160GB worth of hard drive is not optimal, and I'll have to buy an external 1,2,3 or more TB drive to keep up, but would this little Mac Mini perform the very small time editing I do with CS and LR?

My only other options are some mid budget ($400-$700) laptops and HP desktops.

The thing I like about the mini, is that I can pack it up in a backpack and take it with me like a laptop. (course I'll have to buy the Mac keyboard and mouse to go with it)

Is a monitor going to fit in the backpack?
I would budget for some more RAM - 2gb is kind of slim for ps and lr. Had good luck with Apple® Mac® mini Memory.

[Concisus Cognatus]

I bought my most recent Mac from a fellow selling it on Craigslist. It's a 17" iMac, 2 GHz Intel Core2 Duo w/4 GB of memory, 800 MHz bus. It is less than a year old and I was lucky enough to get it for much less than it sold for retail.

My point is you may want to patiently scour CL. There are deals to be had for one that exorcises patience.

[Some Idiot]

more bang for your buck if you go PC platform and same internal components, unless the apple logo fashion statement is a must a PC is a much better value, this is of course just my opinion

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Some Idiot

more bang for your buck if you go PC platform and same internal components, unless the apple logo fashion statement is a must a PC is a much better value, this is of course just my opinion

Its quite true.... For the same price as the Mac Mini, I can get an HP that has whatever big stylish processor, with 6GB DDR memory and a 1TB drive, along with whatever dedicated memory for the graphics card... and it comes WITH the keyboard, mouse, and a monitor.

Am I 99.999999% sure I'll end up with a PC... yup! But on the off chance that this may do everything I need, now may be the right time to get into, and learn the Mac way of doing things.

[S-Man]

I dunno, I don't want to turn this in to a mac vs. PC argument. They're both great. I haven't used a late-model PC so I'm un-informed about the newer ones with Windows 7 on them etc. The last PC I had was a Tosihba laptop. It was OK, but it would have hiccups here and there. Overall it was pretty solid. But it conflicted with some newer stuff that was coming out and PS didn't work well in it.
Since I've had my MBP for a little over a year now, it's been solid and without problems. I'm a pretty loyal mac man now. They are over priced IMO, but they're very solid. I'm not sure that Mini would be very fast working with CS3/4 and LR2. Might have some lag, if not at first then after it gets loaded with stuff it will.
I got a great deal on my MBP on Amazon. It was a year-old model but brand new. It just so happened that one broke and Apple gave me a brand new MBP with upgraded specs etc for a straight swap. I lucked out on that one.
Tough decision for sure, but you'll probably be fine with a PC. After you feel you can afford the expense, get a mac and you won't regret it.

[PhotoByLeal]

I have bought used MACs all the time and they last me 2 or 3 times longer than the PC! I would buy an older Mac Pro or an IMAC which will come out to about the same as a MAC MINI & a screen..... just saying!

PC is sheaper and the best bang for your buck up front, but get what jew want vato!

[tukaniray]

I also haved used both.

I have friends that have some awesome Windows Computers that were self-built. And I myself enjoy building Windows Computers.

But for the creative side of what we are in, I feel the Mac OS and the way software run on a mac is what draws me in. I like the functionality and overall UI of the Mac System.

Sure, the PC can be as fast or even faster than the Mac, but it's about workflow for me.

In terms of cost, I also agree with Angel that getting a used Mac online is not a bad idea at all. The iMacs work wonders. I have an iMac from the 2nd generation (Intel Core 2-Duo and White casing) and have had it for 4 years now. Still running strong.

Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Oh, other options are that the new Mac OSX can also run Windows, so you can go back and forth with one computer ... OR .... you can build a Hacintosh. Basically, a windows hardware built computer with MacOSX.

-Ray-

[CaptainTom]

did you see THIS POST ?

[tukaniray]

Lol ... that's my post Tom.

To defend the post ... I've had my Portable Apple for over 3 years. The battery lastest as long as Apple expected it would.

-Ray-

[ChristopherCoy]

Whats the difference between 'integrated graphics' and graphics with dedicated memory?

[tukaniray]

Integrated graphics share the Memory from the board and hence slows down the system a bit. That's why games don't recommend the on Board Integrated Graphic Cards.

The ones with Dedicated Memory have their own memory to use for the graphic purposes, and keep your Added Ram from working on the graphics also.

-Ray-

[ChristopherCoy]

What about refurbished stuff from the Apple store? Anyone ever bought something that way? I was just looking at a few things and they have an iMac 20" thats in my budget.

I'm starting to lean very far into the Apple side of things, even if it means that I will have to buy a used MacBook like the one Bill Bunton is selling, or purchasing the simple Mac Mini new, or buying something refurbished.

[Concisus Cognatus]

They're good units. They come with the standard Apple warranty. Good bang for the buck if one is inclined to go the Mac route.

[RKEnnis]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

What about refurbished stuff from the Apple store? Anyone ever bought something that way? I was just looking at a few things and they have an iMac 20" thats in my budget.

I'm starting to lean very far into the Apple side of things, even if it means that I will have to buy a used MacBook like the one Bill Bunton is selling, or purchasing the simple Mac Mini new, or buying something refurbished.

The refurb. units from Apple are very good - I've purchased several of them, including my current Mac Pro and MacBook. They are indistinguishable from new product, except that the box is brown instead of white. The warranty is the same.

Keep in mind though, that sometimes a new machine from Amazon can be cheaper than a refurb. Amazon has special pricing on certain Apple units, plus you don't pay sales tax, and often get free shipping. This can result in a lower total price than for the Apple refurb. It's worth doing the comparison of the final "shipped" price.