Hello all, I'm new here but looking for some help that searches didn't quite answer. In short I have a later 2009 mini that I bought new around that time -- for whatever reason I've hardly used it since 2011. It's basically been used as a dvd player and hard drive for music.
Anyway, I'm a student on a tight budget. I need a machine for home use for basic photo editing. I use lightroom 99% of the time though having the capability of basic photoshop use would be a plus. I have access to a mac lab at school for heavy PS lifting if needed.
In short I have the following model: 2.26 GHz Intel Core2 Dup, 2GB RAM, 160gb hd, GeForce 9400 graphics card.
In an ideal world I'd love to spend $2,000 on a new machine but that's just not in the cards with grad school and a very limited income. I can, however afford some upgrades and a new display. Forgive my ignorance. Questions:
1. OWC offers an 8gb memory upgrade for $59. Reviews are positive and install seems straightforward. Anything else I should consider?
2. I'm assuming the stock processor is not something I can upgrade. If I'm wrong what would you suggest I do?
3. Disk setup: there are lots of options out there. Any recommendations for replacing the stock drive? Is it possible to add two drives if I take out the optical drive. It appears that macsales has kits that allow this. If so, what setup would you suggest. I was thinking of having a two internal drive setup -- a smaller ssd for my os, apps, LR catalog, etc and a larger drive for storage of photos, docs, etc. Then having an external drive for each internal drive as a backup.
4. Video card: I'm lost here. Ideally I'd like something that will allow me to use a 27" display that's as good as I can afford (<$450).
5. Display: any limitations I'll have here given the ports on the late 2009 models? If you have recommendations for displays I would take that too!
I should mention that running 10.10 or newer is required. I'd prefer to be on El Capitan.
I'm a photographer first and foremost but shoot primarily in film and use a traditional darkroom. That being said I do standard editing in lightroom with RAW files only and the macbook pro I have is hardly capable of the task. If this mini is capable post upgrade it would be my primary device for photo editing and basic programming and playing music/basic web browsing. Everything else will be done on my laptop.
Apologies for the load of questions. I've searched a lot online and thought asking the experts would be best. Any help you can suggest is appreciated.
Anyway, I'm a student on a tight budget. I need a machine for home use for basic photo editing. I use lightroom 99% of the time though having the capability of basic photoshop use would be a plus. I have access to a mac lab at school for heavy PS lifting if needed.
In short I have the following model: 2.26 GHz Intel Core2 Dup, 2GB RAM, 160gb hd, GeForce 9400 graphics card.
In an ideal world I'd love to spend $2,000 on a new machine but that's just not in the cards with grad school and a very limited income. I can, however afford some upgrades and a new display. Forgive my ignorance. Questions:
1. OWC offers an 8gb memory upgrade for $59. Reviews are positive and install seems straightforward. Anything else I should consider?
2. I'm assuming the stock processor is not something I can upgrade. If I'm wrong what would you suggest I do?
3. Disk setup: there are lots of options out there. Any recommendations for replacing the stock drive? Is it possible to add two drives if I take out the optical drive. It appears that macsales has kits that allow this. If so, what setup would you suggest. I was thinking of having a two internal drive setup -- a smaller ssd for my os, apps, LR catalog, etc and a larger drive for storage of photos, docs, etc. Then having an external drive for each internal drive as a backup.
4. Video card: I'm lost here. Ideally I'd like something that will allow me to use a 27" display that's as good as I can afford (<$450).
5. Display: any limitations I'll have here given the ports on the late 2009 models? If you have recommendations for displays I would take that too!
I should mention that running 10.10 or newer is required. I'd prefer to be on El Capitan.
I'm a photographer first and foremost but shoot primarily in film and use a traditional darkroom. That being said I do standard editing in lightroom with RAW files only and the macbook pro I have is hardly capable of the task. If this mini is capable post upgrade it would be my primary device for photo editing and basic programming and playing music/basic web browsing. Everything else will be done on my laptop.
Apologies for the load of questions. I've searched a lot online and thought asking the experts would be best. Any help you can suggest is appreciated.
