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Do I need a mac mini

B

benledgebob

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 8, 2010
50
0
Ok so hear is the dilemma i have and ipad and a high spec gaming p.c. (custom built) I would like a mac but i cant see any need for one. The reason this is posted here is that if i were to get a mac I would probably go with the mac mini. wat do you guys think?
Thanks in advance :)
 
I would consider turning your current PC into a Hackintosh instead. It's free and then you won't have the hassle with two computers. Need is a wrong word, you may want it but you have no need for it
 
Hellhammer said:
I would consider turning your current PC into a Hackintosh instead. It's free and then you won't have the hassle with two computers. Need is a wrong word, you may want it but you have no need for it
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Thanks for the advice but i could never be without a PC with windows 7 on it and my thought was to upgrade the mini's RAM and have it on a 32 inch LG tv that i already have. I have the money spare ( max of £1800 ) but would like to continue to save for future things at the same time as wanting to buy myself a mac.
 
benledgebob said:
Thanks for the advice but i could never be without a PC with windows 7 on it and my thought was to upgrade the mini's RAM and have it on a 32 inch LG tv that i already have. I have the money spare ( max of £1800 ) but would like to continue to save for future things at the same time as wanting to buy myself a mac.
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You don't have to uninstall Windows 7.. You can keep it there and select which OS to load when booting. With OS X, you can even use Parallels to run Windows along with OS X.

In the end, it's your decision. IMO you have absolutely no need for it but usually want overtakes need.
 
Hellhammer said:
You don't have to uninstall Windows 7.. You can keep it there and select which OS to load when booting.

Yeah thats a really good idea but how easy would hackintoshing it be. I have heard that there are allot of problems with hackintoshing.
Click to expand...
 
benledgebob said:
Yeah thats a really good idea but how easy would hackintoshing it be. I have heard that there are allot of problems with hackintoshing.
Click to expand...
There are a lot of problems hackintoshing and you need to buy a retail copy of Mac OS X. If you really want a Mac, buy a Mac. A used or refurbished Mac mini would be a great way to start. If you like it, then you could later think about installing Windows on it if needed.
 
benledgebob said:
Yeah thats a really good idea but how easy would hackintoshing it be. I have heard that there are allot of problems with hackintoshing.
Click to expand...

Depends on the components you have in your rig. If you listed your components, I could take a look and see how compatible they are

iDave said:
you need to buy a retail copy of Mac OS X.
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No you don't. People tend to use hacked OS Xs which include some extra kexts and those you cannot get from any stores. You are already breaking the EULA when installing OS X on PC so at least I couldn't care less do I have a license or not since OS X has no serial
 
I would say you don't need the latest mini. Try to find an older generation for cheap and you can at least get a taste of OS X without a large investment. Since you have a nice custom built PC, you don't need a powerful mac.

I recently acquired a 1st generation intel Mini and it ran great for internet/itunes/word processing. I upgraded the CPU, RAM and Hard Drive because it is the only machine I have, but if you already have a powerful PC you wouldn't even need to bother with upgrades.

So you don't need one, but you could find a cheap Mini to at least mess around with.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys I think hackintoshing is out the question but i am still considering getting in the mini I probably would get the current gen and upgrade the RAM I have never owned a Mac myself but I very familiar with snow leopard from school and friends macs. I just need one more thing to push me to to get out there and buy it. :)
 
Wait to get a refurbished one. They had base model 2010's like a week ago for $599 in the US. Only you know if they have them in the UK. The idea here is that if it's not for you, then reselling would be less of a hassle.

You can do as another mentioned to either bootcamp windows or, better yet, run parallels and have both OS opened simultaneously.

I love my 2010 HDMI'd to a big screen. You sit back with wireless keyboard and mouse/trackpad on a TV tray and you're livin'!:D:D
 
Ok guys I have 1 more question can I get the apple student discount if I buy instore or can you only get it through the apple education store online? As I qualify for it, but would like to be able to get my mac the day I want it rather than have to wait for delivery.
 
benledgebob said:
Ok guys I have 1 more question can I get the apple student discount if I buy instore or can you only get it through the apple education store online? As I qualify for it, but would like to be able to get my mac the day I want it rather than have to wait for delivery.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can get that in-store as well.
 
mangrove said:
Hey, go to that new Covent Garden store and tell us how it was.
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I have already been a couple of times it's amazing it's huge 3 shop floors and basement toilettes LOL it has loads of all of apples products to try out but not any more than the normal other products (3rd party stuff) just a load more stock of the ordinary stuff. Overall it is one of the coolest :cool: shops in London.
Especialy if your an apple fan :)
 
benledgebob said:
I have already been a couple of times it's amazing it's huge 3 shop floors and basement toilettes LOL it has loads of all of apples products to try out but not any more than the normal other products (3rd party stuff) just a load more stock of the ordinary stuff. Overall it is one of the coolest :cool: shops in London.
Especialy if your an apple fan :)
Click to expand...

I think that store alone is worth making a detour to the UK (I try to avoid your airports) the next I travel to Europe. Used to love lunch on a little street behind Harrods-but that was years ago.

I noticed they were about to open a new store in Paris (by the Opera) last year, but left before the grand opening.
 
Ok guys so after alot of thinking, reading your posts and looking over the Internet I thought about what I could afford and how badly I wanted a Mac and I have decided to get a 27 inch iMac latest gen I will probably order it this friday not sure how I went from a mini to this but still can't wait now! :)
 
Do this instead... Buy a Mac pro 6 core with the best ati gpu, boot camp win 7, then sell your gaming rig to recoup some money. 1 computer for both OS's and the power to do just about anything you throw at it. BUT, if you don't have the need for it, why waste the money. You can always install Linux on your gaming rig. Just how high spec is your gaming rig anyways?
 
More memory needed

I recently took the plunge and did the switch from PC to Mac. Replaced my Windows media centre at home with a Mini Mac.

Out the box my Mac has 2gb ram...I found this was just not nearly enough and pimped up to 8gb using generic memory for about $120. Well worth the money and my new media centre rocks!
 
I run nothing but Plex on my two Media Center Mac minis. 2GB of RAM has been fine with them.
 
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I am in the Same boat as you .. Have a high end pc but want the mac experience ... Going to buy the 2011 mini when it comes out .. Ooooh weeee!!!
 
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