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kaplanreject

macrumors member
Original poster
Ok. Looking to get myself a second Mac.

My current unit is a late 2009 15" MBP 2.8GHz C2D. My first Mac, loved it from day one, and I'm still absolutely in love with it. I also have a 27" ACD and love it just as much as my MBP.

The work I do is oilfield documentation. Spreadsheets, data keeping, emailing, etc. Personal work is heavy internet usage, music and movie watching, more internet usage, and that's about it. I don't game. The most graphics intensive thing I do is watch some movies. :eek:

Yeah, I know, hella power user I am.... :p

I started considering a second unit, cause most of the time my MBP stays hooked up to my ACD pulling duty as desktop of sorts. I wanted a second Mac so that I could leave my office computer where its at and keep a notebook with me when traveling. I originally was considering leaving my MBP in its current duty and buying a MBA for the on the go computer. However I have recently had another line of thought.

I am thinking about getting a Mac Mini for the office duty and using my MBP as a portable. My MBP, while not as small or trendy as a MBA, is plenty powerful for what I need it for, and I really enjoy using it still. I figured that getting a Mac mini, beings I already have the 27" ACD would also save me some coin to the tone of almost a grand vs a 13" MBA with high specs. I don't need my second unit right now, and intend to wait a couple of months to see if Jobs and Company do indeed refresh the mini soon.

Anyway, to wind up a very long winded post, my actual question is.....

In a theoretically update mini, do y'all think whatever graphics processor is included will handle powering my ACD with my usage. Im certain that all of its other specs will, just wondering about the graphics unit.

Thanks in advance to all who took the time to indulge me on this little spiel!
 
the refreshed mac mini (if it happens this yr) will almost certainly be sandy bridge with the integrated graphics intel HD 3000. it should have no problem whatsoever driving your ACD unless you're playing high-res games.
 
the refreshed mac mini (if it happens this yr) will almost certainly be sandy bridge with the integrated graphics intel HD 3000. it should have no problem whatsoever driving your ACD unless you're playing high-res games.

Thank You!

Gaming is something that I never did get into. I think this is gonna be a perfect lil unit for me.
 
It should be fine. I don't game either, but if I can hold out long enough for a Mac mini refresh, I intend to get one as a file/media computer and extra computer when I don't have access to my late 2008 MBP. My alternative, if the refresh doesn't happen soon will be a used white Mac Mini with nvidia, which would be fine for the same purpose. I don't get into games, either.
 
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