Contemplating a Mac Mini for University

[JaHawk2009]

I'm going to University in a couple of weeks and have a few questions about the Mac Mini.

First: is it worth waiting for an upgrade or should I just buy now?

Second: how is the Mac Mini (Base model) for video editing, as my Uni course will involve a fair amount of editing.

Thanks in advance

 

[Ice Dragon]

I would recommend it yes and if you need it now, buy now. If you can wait, then wait. The mini could drop anytime this year or next year in the worst case scenario. D:

 

[cxc273]

If time is on your side, I would wait to see what drops.

If cost is an issue, I suggest looking at a refurbished late 2012 Mini from Apple's official store -- one of the souped up quad-core i7 machines. You should also look to upgrade the RAM on your own.

Video editing takes a lot of processing power, so you should get the best machine you possibly can.

 

[blanka]

Just get the current i7 Mini and buy a Vector or Samsung 840pro SSD. You can insert that yourself in the empty slot.
The Haswell will mainly deliver improved graphics, but since it is as 22nm baked as Ivy, the heat envelope does not allow much more power. The raw CPU performance, most important for Video, will be similar to the current models.

 

[Giuly]

Get a MacBook Pro instead, thank me later.

 

[JaHawk2009]

Get a MacBook Pro instead, thank me later.

The only issue with a MacBook Pro is the funds available to me. I'm not gonna have much more than £500 cause I'm not exactly loaded, and my course requires me to have a Mac.

 

[maflynn]

You'll need a monitor as well - make sure you have that accounted for.

The Mac Mini is on par with a base 13" MBP so you should be ok, performance wise. Make sure you have sufficient ram, however - 8GB may be needed

 

[JaHawk2009]

You'll need a monitor as well - make sure you have that accounted for.

The Mac Mini is on par with a base 13" MBP so you should be ok, performance wise. Make sure you have sufficient ram, however - 8GB may be needed

Just gonna hook it up to my tv via HDMI until I can afford an Apple display. That'll work, right?

 

[blanka]

It'll work, but don't get the Apple Display. When you're halfway saving the money, get the Dell U2713HM and thank me in 5 years.