2011 Mac Mini?

[mobi79]

I'm kinda in the same boat - need to get a desktop soon for my 3d animation work as my iMac was destroyed in an attempted burglary earlier this year

Am probably goin to relocate a few thousand miles away in a few months, so been holding off getting another iMac as it would be hard to fly with. Been making do with my Macbook Pro for the past few months. Mac mini would suit me perfectly as it would be real easy to pack up and fly with. Would definitely get it if there's a quad-core sandy bridge processor option on it - any idea if there will be? For my 3D work, more cores definitely come in handy....

 

[bobthedino]

I'm kinda in the same boat - need to get a desktop soon for my 3d animation work as my iMac was destroyed in an attempted burglary earlier this year

Am probably goin to relocate a few thousand miles away in a few months, so been holding off getting another iMac as it would be hard to fly with. Been making do with my Macbook Pro for the past few months. Mac mini would suit me perfectly as it would be real easy to pack up and fly with. Would definitely get it if there's a quad-core sandy bridge processor option on it - any idea if there will be? For my 3D work, more cores definitely come in handy....

You might want to bear in mind your graphics needs - it's likely that the new Mac mini will have the same Intel HD3000 graphics as the current 13-inch MacBook Pro. Unless, of course, Apple has a nice treat in store for us! The 15-inch MBP would give you both portability and 3D graphics performance.

 

[srxtr]

I have both a MacBook unibody and a Mac mini - one thing to think about is that the laptop can be used around the house, like while watching TV on the couch, where the mini can be used where it is.

So, even if you don't travel with your laptop, having one can be pretty handy at times.

Thing is I already have an iPad or iPhone to use while watching TV on the couch, so even if I had a MacBook I probably won't carry it and use it around the house as long as I have my iPad.

Depends on which MBP she had, IMO.

2010 13" MacBook pro with base specs.


I think my decision now depends on what Apple has to offer with the new Mac mini. If it looks good I'll probably get it.

 

[AppleDApp]

On the hardware subject:

Any word on the new MM moving to USB 3.0?

I know Thunderbolt is a given, but I'd also like to take advantage of a new WD Passport drive, which has a 3.0 connection.

I'd hope Apple wouldn't pass up an upgrade, just to push users towards Thunderbolt (not rumour-mongering, I just don't know how this typically goes)

It probably wont have USB 3.0 because intel chipsets do not support it yet.

 

[AppleDApp]

2010 13" MacBook pro with base specs.

is the they 2,4 Ghz or 2.66Ghz model?

 

[srxtr]

is the they 2,4 Ghz or 2.66Ghz model?

2.4GHz. Does that make a difference?

 

[dolphin842]

I'm kind of needing to get another mac for the office. It's going to be doing general office stuff. I'm debating between getting a used (but in great shape) 2010 model mini for $550, or going i5 hackintosh for a couple of hundred more.

Decisions, decisions.

The headless imac osx86 promises to be a lot more machine for the money, and could just about be a workstation slash server. But I don't know if I want to frak with editing kexts and the like every time there's an upgrade.

If you scope out the right hardware ahead of time (Gigabyte motherboards are usually a good starting point), updating the OS is a lot easier than it used to be. That said, given you'd be using the computer in an office for general office duties, I'd prioritize stability over power. Many folks have had good luck getting stable osx86 builds, but it's still an enthusiast/hobbyist space. The fact that I would have to rely on a hackintosh as my primary system is what has kept me from actually building one .

 

[clyde2801]

If you scope out the right hardware ahead of time (Gigabyte motherboards are usually a good starting point), updating the OS is a lot easier than it used to be. That said, given you'd be using the computer in an office for general office duties, I'd prioritize stability over power. Many folks have had good luck getting stable osx86 builds, but it's still an enthusiast/hobbyist space. The fact that I would have to rely on a hackintosh as my primary system is what has kept me from actually building one .

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

I was thinking this one, and pairing it up with a 2.66 core 2 quad and micro atx thermaltake lanbox I already have, and letting her use my 2.4 aluminum macbook with bt kb and mouse until it's ready.

I'd guess you'd go ahead and get the mini for her, huh? $550 for 2010 base spec mini, allegedly in perfect condition.

 

[dolphin842]

I have no idea how compatible the older LGA 775 boards are. The tonymacx86 site does a great job of rounding up compatible boards, but the focus is on LGA 1156 and newer.

To me, the advantage of a hackintosh is dramatically-better performance for the money, which is relevant when you're looking at a Mini's Core 2 Duo vs. a modern quad-core Sandy Bridge chip. Given that you'd be using a Core 2 Quad at best for your hackintosh, the performance advantage is much lower, in which case I'd say just grab the cheap Mini. Paired with an SSD down the line (or even just some RAM), the Mini will handle office duties quite well for years to come.