Buying advice

[dbs0026]

I am looking to replace a Windows 7 machine, already have a new macbook air and want to keep moving to the mac line.

For my desktop, I MUST install Windows 7 back on it, parallels, etc. So that will have to go on this mini, whatever version I get.

I don't play games, ever, so graphics are not a worry for me. The most is surfing the web, using the VPN back to work, nothing very intensive.

Is the basic mini ok or would it be better to bump up to the 2.5 with dedicated graphics card? I am going to bump the ram to 8gb no matter what. The hard drive speed doesn't need to be lighting fast, I can add an SSD later on.

Main question is it worth the cost to go from 2.3 to 2.5 and the dedicated graphics?

Thanks!

 

[miles01110]

There is zero reason to buy a Mac if you're just going to install and use Windows 7 the whole time.

 

[eutexian]

I asked the same question, when I bought mine. I asked the salesman who you might think had a vested interest in extracting as much money from me as possible.

his answer was: No. the base model is perfectly adequate.

And so it has proved to be.

The only difference between you and I was, I was so glad to see the back of windows. and all the nonsense that goes with it.

 

[dbs0026]

There is zero reason to buy a Mac if you're just going to install and use Windows 7 the whole time.

Ok, I never said I would install and use it the whole time, so thanks for being a jerk about it.

----------

I asked the same question, when I bought mine. I asked the salesman who you might think had a vested interest in extracting as much money from me as possible.

his answer was: No. the base model is perfectly adequate.

And so it has proved to be.

The only difference between you and I was, I was so glad to see the back of windows. and all the nonsense that goes with it.

While I would love to get rid of windows completly, the VPN from Checkpoint is a pain to make it work properly. So the simplest solution is to have a copy of win7 running someplace to connect and do the work I need to do.

 

[DrakkenWar]

2.5 mini

I would have to agree that the 2.5 is more than adequate for what you are looking to do. Mine here with 4 gigs of ram does everything I throw at it and them some without skipping a bit; including gaming ( i.e: Urban Terror, WoW, EvE. etc). As well as pushing a 24 inch Handspree lcd at full 1080p, and a Samsung 22 inch at 1900x1200.

Eventually I will get around to maxing out the ram and either adding a larger hd, or a time capsule. But for now, this has been the best mac investment I have ever made. It was sad to see my G4's and G5 go. But thus is progress.

~Drake

 

[dbs0026]

I would have to agree that the 2.5 is more than adequate for what you are looking to do. Mine here with 4 gigs of ram does everything I throw at it and them some without skipping a bit; including gaming ( i.e: Urban Terror, WoW, EvE. etc). As well as pushing a 24 inch Handspree lcd at full 1080p, and a Samsung 22 inch at 1900x1200.

Eventually I will get around to maxing out the ram and either adding a larger hd, or a time capsule. But for now, this has been the best mac investment I have ever made. It was sad to see my G4's and G5 go. But thus is progress.

~Drake

You mean the 2.3 or the 2.5? I purchased the 2.3 and the upgrade of 8gb RAM from Amazon. I figure worst case I have to return this and get the 2.5, I highly doubt it though.

 

[DrakkenWar]

2.5 core i5

I have the 2.5ghz core i5. I did look at the i3. However the price difference was so close (Appox $200) between the two. I bit the bullet and went with the i5 and I do not regret it.

I know it is basically a macbook in a nice little matte aluminum case, but for my needs? It is outstanding.

~Drake