Buying advice needed

[bhags8]

Im looking to buy my first mac. Im not a laptop fan and prefer desktop. After looking at all the offered products I think the mini makes the most sense. I have a few questions that I would love to be answered. Im not a power user at all. I use the internet, watch videos and download music, someones use Photoshop. Im looking at the 2.3GHz Mac mini base model. I want to configure it to 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 for $90. Then I want at least 16gb of RAM. I have never upgraded my own RAM in a cpu before but Im sure its easy. So should I select: 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB ? Then buy this?

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-1...qid=1373070533&sr=8-2&keywords=crucial+memory

Is this the right one?

Will I be able to have 20GB of RAM? Or just the 16? Would I have to remove the 4GB and put in the 16GB? Should I select 8GB on Apple and then add 16GB?

I also want a SSD. Should I select the 256GB SSD option and then add an external HD? Can you upgrade your own HD/SSD? How many HD/SSD's can the mini support?

What is a good monitor to use with the mini? Do you guys hook it up via HDMI?

Thanks guys, I REALLY appreciate it. I am so looking forward to making the switch.

 

[rocknblogger]

Im looking to buy my first mac. Im not a laptop fan and prefer desktop. After looking at all the offered products I think the mini makes the most sense. I have a few questions that I would love to be answered. Im not a power user at all. I use the internet, watch videos and download music, someones use Photoshop. Im looking at the 2.3GHz Mac mini base model. I want to configure it to 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 for $90. Then I want at least 16gb of RAM. I have never upgraded my own RAM in a cpu before but Im sure its easy. So should I select: 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB ? Then buy this?

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-1...qid=1373070533&sr=8-2&keywords=crucial+memory

Is this the right one?

Will I be able to have 20GB of RAM? Or just the 16? Would I have to remove the 4GB and put in the 16GB? Should I select 8GB on Apple and then add 16GB?

I also want a SSD. Should I select the 256GB SSD option and then add an external HD? Can you upgrade your own HD/SSD? How many HD/SSD's can the mini support?

What is a good monitor to use with the mini? Do you guys hook it up via HDMI?

Thanks guys, I REALLY appreciate it. I am so looking forward to making the switch.

Upgrading a mini is a fairly straightforward process. There are plenty of tutorial online. You cab start with anandtech.com and search YouTube for video tutorials.

Mini is capable of only 16GB of RAM and you would have to replace whatever you order with a 16GB kit.

Installing an SSD is also fairly easy and there are tutorials for that too. The only advice I can offer is make sure you have all the right tools before you start, take your time with each step, be careful to not break any cables or connectors and if you're not sure about something, don't guess. Come here and post your question.

As for the monitor, you'll get better results using Thunderbolt to miniDisplay port if the monitor has it. The higher quality monitors should have a number of different ports on them but it really depends on your budget. A little more info on that and what you'll be using it for will allow us to give you more concrete recommendations.

By the way, congrats on finally making the switch to Mac. I switched in 2009 and I could not be happier

 

[bhags8]

I just want a HD monitor thats all. So you use Thunderbolt to minidisplay port converter then plug that into a monitor? I really dont want to spend more than $500 on a monitor. Oh and thanks btw.

 

[Omnius]

I just want a HD monitor thats all. So you use Thunderbolt to minidisplay port converter then plug that into a monitor? I really dont want to spend more than $500 on a monitor. Oh and thanks btw.

ummm you can just put HDMI to connect the to a 1080p monitor. And thunderbolt doesn't need to be converted to minidisplay port. it'll just connect. It's basically the same thing but thunderbolt is a newer iteration capable of carrying data.

 

[Elbert C]

So should I select: 4GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB ? Then buy this?

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-1...qid=1373070533&sr=8-2&keywords=crucial+memory

Is this the right one?

Yes, that will work on your Mac mini. Buy the 4GB model and install the 16GB RAM yourself.

 

[fig]

I usually get my memory from Otherworld Computing, it's pretty cheap and they make it very easy for you to make sure you pick out exactly what you need. Nice warranty too.