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Current Mac Mini worth it?

U

ugadawgs311

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 1, 2012
105
2
I'm looking to upgrade from my 2008 Macbook and am considering getting a Mini since I already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. However, I feel that getting the current Mini would mean getting outdated technology since it hasn't been updated in quite a while.

So my options are: 1) get the Mini now, 2) wait to see if a new Mini is announced any time soon, or 3) get the current Macbook Pro.

What do you all think? What's the best bang for buck? I'm looking to get a new computer sometime within the next month or so. Thanks for any help!
 
If you're considering a Mini, that tells me you don't really need a laptop, so you're down to two choices.
 
There is nothing wrong with getting the current Mini. Sure, Apple hasn't updated it in over a year now, but it's not guaranteed they ever will update it again. If they do update the Mini, it could be in 2013 or 2014. The point is, in the world of computers, you can easily justify waiting for months and months for, "the next one".
 
I have the same problem...
I have decided to wait till the end of october. There are some cool products comming, Imac's, iPad mini's etc.. I think the MacMini will get a silent release this month. But it is you to decide.
 
All good thoughts. Thanks for your input. As far as needing portability of a laptop; I really don't need portability I guess. I do like being able to edit pictures while I'm on vacation or away from home. But I have a work laptop that I could use if I had to. I also have an iPad, so I usually use that for any web browsing or email work while I'm away from home.

The cheapest option is the Mini for sure (even if I upgrade the ram). But I just wanted to make sure that I wouldn't be buying an old processor or not as good processor. I guess I'd rather spend extra money now on the Macbook pro, if need be, and have that last for 3-4 years, vs. having to replace my mini in 1-2 years.
 
I was about to get a Mac mini server, but am waiting till October 17th.
There's supposed to be an Apple announcement then.

If they release new mac minis, then that means prices of used 2011's should drop nicely.
 
henchman said:
I was about to get a Mac mini server, but am waiting till October 17th.
There's supposed to be an Apple announcement then.

If they release new mac minis, then that means prices of used 2011's should drop nicely.
Click to expand...

It may make sense to wait until 10/17. The event seems to be about the iPad mini though; is there any chance of computers being announced at this conference too?
 
ugadawgs311 said:
It may make sense to wait until 10/17. The event seems to be about the iPad mini though; is there any chance of computers being announced at this conference too?
Click to expand...

Rumors are its about the iPad mini, new iMacs and mac mini's.

We will see. But I can definitely wait 2 more weeks.
 
Last edited:
The base model 13" MBP is currently available online at Fry's for $999 vs. the usual $1199. I'm considering getting it instead of waiting for a Mac Mini that may never arrive...

The MBP has the hardware upgrades that we can expect in a Mini: Ivy Bridge CPU, Intel HD4000 GPU and USB 3.0. plus the portability factor...

I currently use an early 2011 13" MBP with an external display. Except for an issue waking it from sleep the combo works just fine.
 
Mojo1 said:
The base model 13" MBP is currently available online at Fry's for $999 vs. the usual $1199. I'm considering getting it instead of waiting for a Mac Mini that may never arrive...

The MBP has the hardware upgrades that we can expect in a Mini: Ivy Bridge CPU, Intel HD4000 GPU and USB 3.0. plus the portability factor...

I currently use an early 2011 13" MBP with an external display. Except for an issue waking it from sleep the combo works just fine.
Click to expand...

I'd get a used Mac mini server personally. Quadcore i7.

The frys $999 MBp is a dualcore i5
 
Mojo1 said:
The base model 13" MBP is currently available online at Fry's for $999 vs. the usual $1199. I'm considering getting it instead of waiting for a Mac Mini that may never arrive...

The MBP has the hardware upgrades that we can expect in a Mini: Ivy Bridge CPU, Intel HD4000 GPU and USB 3.0. plus the portability factor...

I currently use an early 2011 13" MBP with an external display. Except for an issue waking it from sleep the combo works just fine.
Click to expand...

That is very tempting. So what you're saying is, even if the Mini is updated soon, it'll likely have the same hardware components that the current MBP has?

I currently use my 2008 Macbook with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The set-up works great for me, Bluetooth technology makes everything a cinch.
 
ugadawgs311 said:
That is very tempting. So what you're saying is, even if the Mini is updated soon, it'll likely have the same hardware components that the current MBP has?

I currently use my 2008 Macbook with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The set-up works great for me, Bluetooth technology makes everything a cinch.
Click to expand...

But why pay nearly double for the same thing you'll get in the new Mini? Especially given that you already have a laptop at home, and a laptop at work.
 
fa8362 said:
But why pay nearly double for the same thing you'll get in the new Mini? Especially given that you already have a laptop at home, and a laptop at work.
Click to expand...

Good point as well. I guess it's a matter of if there will be a new Mini anytime soon.
 
ugadawgs311 said:
That is very tempting. So what you're saying is, even if the Mini is updated soon, it'll likely have the same hardware components that the current MBP has?

I currently use my 2008 Macbook with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The set-up works great for me, Bluetooth technology makes everything a cinch.
Click to expand...

I'm just suggesting an alternative to waiting for a Mac Mini update while there is a very good deal available on a 13" MBP.

In the past, Minis have essentially mirrored the 13" MBPs hardware-wise. I see no reason to expect that Apple will deviate from that if and when the Mac Mini is finally updated.

I replaced my 2008 15" MBP with an i5 Intel 13" MBP. It's a significant bump in speed; the 2008 MBP paid for the 13" MBP because I only paid $900 for the 13" MBP during a sale at Amazon.

The i7 only speeds things up 8-10% so $300 additional cost doesn't pencil-out for me. I don't need a 500GB internal drive, much less a 750GB drive.

The difference between the integrated and discrete GPUs used in the Mini is nominal at best. And quad-core CPUs are only fully utilized by some processes, so the need for such a processor is based on what you will be doing with the computer and whether the increase in speed is worth spending the money for it.

I agree with the person who questioned spending almost twice as much for an MBP when a Mini can do the same, except current Minis do not have the equivalent hardware, so it's a moot point... And there are some advantages to having a portable Mac as your main computer because you have two Macs in one, with all your data and programs available wherever you go. Of course, I wouldn't go that route without having a cloned backup and off-site Just In Case...
 
I was going to wait for the new Mini, but I got a pretty good deal last night. I was considering the base Mini for $589 at Best Buy. They happened to have the 2.5 Mini with 4gb of RAM open box for $599. I couldn't resist. I have the 30 return window, so if a new one is announced I can take it back. However, the current Mini suits my needs for now and the forseeable future.
 
TWO2SEVEN said:
I was going to wait for the new Mini, but I got a pretty good deal last night. I was considering the base Mini for $589 at Best Buy. They happened to have the 2.5 Mini with 4gb of RAM open box for $599. I couldn't resist. I have the 30 return window, so if a new one is announced I can take it back. However, the current Mini suits my needs for now and the forseeable future.
Click to expand...

Good choice. :)
 
TWO2SEVEN said:
I was going to wait for the new Mini, but I got a pretty good deal last night. I was considering the base Mini for $589 at Best Buy. They happened to have the 2.5 Mini with 4gb of RAM open box for $599. I couldn't resist. I have the 30 return window, so if a new one is announced I can take it back. However, the current Mini suits my needs for now and the forseeable future.
Click to expand...

That's a great deal. I probably would have jumped on it too. Apparently the 13", 500 GB MBP was going for just over $1000 on Amazon a few days ago. Wish I had seen that offer.

I think I'll hold out for the rumored press conference that's happening on 10/17 and see if a new Mini line up is announced. That is unless there are some good deals that pop up in the meantime.
 
ugadawgs311 said:
That's a great deal. I probably would have jumped on it too. Apparently the 13", 500 GB MBP was going for just over $1000 on Amazon a few days ago. Wish I had seen that offer.

I think I'll hold out for the rumored press conference that's happening on 10/17 and see if a new Mini line up is announced. That is unless there are some good deals that pop up in the meantime.
Click to expand...

The BB website will show you what open box items the store has, that's how I found mine. If the press conference does happen, I can always return my Mini for the newest model.
 
TWO2SEVEN said:
The BB website will show you what open box items the store has, that's how I found mine. If the press conference does happen, I can always return my Mini for the newest model.
Click to expand...

Nice, I'll have to check that out. So with open box, does that mean the product is still new (i.e. not refurbished or a return)? Do you still get a warranty?
 
ugadawgs311 said:
Nice, I'll have to check that out. So with open box, does that mean the product is still new (i.e. not refurbished or a return)? Do you still get a warranty?
Click to expand...

They can be either floor models or returns. Mine was a return. He hooked it up on the floor and let me check it out. They have the same warranty and return policy.

Mine was missing the lid of the box (strange), but had the paperwork, power cable, HDMI>DVI adapter and :apple: stickers. The lid of the box was worth the savings :)
 
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