Help with my Mac mini

[Turbobrad]

Hi. New to this site. Looking for some advice on purchasing a used Mac mini. I have a new iPhone and iPad and do 99% of my computing on those. But for those few things you need an actual computer for I had a am book that has finally kicked the bucket. Lookin for an inexpensive replacement. Considering gettig a mini on eBay. Looking at core 2 duo 1.86 ghz models. Many have 1 or 2 gig ram. Would want to upgrade to 4. How do I know if the machine is capable for the upgrade- most sellers don't know. Also found some reasonable Kingston ram on amazon pretty cheap- good Idea? Thanks for the help!
Brad

 

[willieva]

http://support.apple.com/specs/#macmini

choose your model, the info will be listed.

 

[robbie12345]

don't buy it

just don't this is a 5 year old computer and as i said is very very very old it will only come with an 80gb hd and will only support 2gb ram it is past its life expectancy already and i would not buy it for any means unless it is for 75 or 100 don't go for it

 

[GGJstudios]

Many have 1 or 2 gig ram. Would want to upgrade to 4. How do I know if the machine is capable for the upgrade- most sellers don't know.

You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:

• By visiting EveryMac.com: Actual Maximum RAM
• By using Mactracker
• By entering your serial number here to find specs for your model. (Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac or MacTracker to verify.)

 

[Turbobrad]

don't buy it

just don't this is a 5 year old computer and as i said is very very very old it will only come with an 80gb hd and will only support 2gb ram it is past its life expectancy already and i would not buy it for any means unless it is for 75 or 100 don't go for it

ROBBIE thanks for the advice ( correct me if I'm wrong and I may well be) but I think the mini you are talking about is the original core duo. As far as I understand the core 2 duo was made well into 2007 and can accomodate upgrades past the 2/80. Let me know what you think. Any other ideas for an inexpensive replacement for my Mac book g4 that had a long life but has just become too slow to do anything with?!?!

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http://support.apple.com/specs/#macmini

choose your model, the info will be listed.

Thanks for the link. Looks like it wasn't until early 2009 model that supports 4 gig. Strange though I've seen several on eBay that say they are 2007 with upgraded memory to 4 gig......

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks for the link. Looks like it wasn't until early 2009 model that supports 4 gig.

That's not true. Read my earlier post.

 

[Santabean2000]

Try tracking down a 2010 mini? A little more expensive, but only in the short term.

Or try 2009 mini - the first one to gain 'acceptable' graphics.

Any prior to, are just not worth the $, time and effort.

 

[robbie12345]

As sant bean said yes it is a. Very very very old computer can you give us a price idk if you can upgrade it to lion but as for processor for you it wasn't the processor that was so slow it was more of the grAphics and ram so don't worry about your processor u really dot need more for emails

But anything that runs flash will be unbearably slow or unplayable so keep that in mind also I have 8gb ram on m iMac just fOr web and app so 1gb is going to be worse then your iPad because of the operating system it will probably not support a 1080p monitor or maybe it will with that little graphics memory I just don't know

If you could try to get a newer model that has upgradibility to 4gb and a decent graphics card

 

[philipma1957]

i would say click this link over and over and over and over again.



http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC270LL/A


this is the link to the 2010 apple refurbished 2.4 ghz mac mini

cost is 469 plus tax buy it fast as you can when it pops up.

Here is a clue it sells out so fast that the refurb widget lets you know it is in stock too late mor ethan half of the time ii pops up. if 469 plus tax is too much money I don know how to help .. one more thing sometimes the machine comes with extra ram so don't buy the ram until you get it. If it comes with the stock 2gb ram buy this ram.



http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178334


I have very good luck with it. if you get lucky you will have a mini for around 520 with a 1 year warranty. that runs snow leopard very well and has okay graphics along with a dvd player

 

[GGJstudios]

i would say click this link over and over and over and over again.

Or you could just use refurb.me to be notified when it's available.

 

[philipma1957]

Or you could just use refurb.me to be notified when it's available.

refurb.me


is not always fast enough but can work some of the time. I use it along with random clicking during the week.

 

[GGJstudios]

refurb.me


is not always fast enough but can work some of the time. I use it along with random clicking during the week.

Actually, neither method will be fully effective if you're looking for a sought-after item, as some appear for less than an hour before being bought. It's hit or miss, so trying both methods makes sense.

 

[philipma1957]

Actually, neither method will be fully effective if you're looking for a sought-after item, as some appear for less than an hour before being bought. It's hit or miss, so trying both methods makes sense.

I would give you plus 50 cause this is spot on!

 

[Turbobrad]

Thank you everyone! I bit the bullet and bought a brand new mini from apple. Stock ram is 2. It can be upgraded to 4 or 8. Any suggestions on ram- amazon has so many choices at varying prices. Thanks again!!!!