Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hi, I'm a PC and I just converted to a Mac Mini!

dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
2,484
539
Well, after using PCs for a couple decades (I think my last Apple computer was a Laser knockoff of an Apple IIe in the 80's) I just ordered a Mac Mini refurb yesterday from the Apple website. Just the basic version with 2 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, and 120 GB hard drive. I figure if I actually do like it, I can upgrade or move to higher model Mac computers and so on.

The one thing that I read I should do is order more RAM though. I've always preferred Crucial brand for my PCs. I see that Amazon and Newegg have pretty good prices. My question is: Should I upgrade to 2 GB or 4 GB? If 2 GB, do I have to buy two new sticks or just one stick for this machine? On the PCs, they usually recommended installing like sticks in pairs and I don't know on a Mac Mini if that is required or not.

Thanks!
 
Yeah you should install a pair of the same brand/type just incase. If you are going to upgrade you might as well go for 4gb because its not that much more expensive than 2gb and why on earth would you want to open the machine yet again later down the road when 2gb isn't enough?
 
Congratulations on your new Mini.

I have a last years Mini with the Intel graphics and put more memory in it. It's rated for 2gb but 4gb of Corsair seems to work OK. (that's what I had around)

Opening it up to put the memory in is a bit tricky. There are how-to webpages that you want to look at before trying.

Once you hook it all up, it's a fine little computer but different from Windows.
It will take a little getting used to. Online Windows Media Videos don't work until you install Flip4Mac, but that's really no worse than QuickTime not working in Windows until you install QT.

Overall, I find the Mini an enjoyable little machine. Here's hoping that you do too.

Have Fun,
Keri
 
KeriJane said:
Congratulations on your new Mini.

I have a last years Mini with the Intel graphics and put more memory in it. It's rated for 2gb but 4gb of Corsair seems to work OK. (that's what I had around)

Opening it up to put the memory in is a bit tricky. There are how-to webpages that you want to look at before trying.

Once you hook it all up, it's a fine little computer but different from Windows.
It will take a little getting used to. Online Windows Media Videos don't work until you install Flip4Mac, but that's really no worse than QuickTime not working in Windows until you install QT.

Overall, I find the Mini an enjoyable little machine. Here's hoping that you do too.

Have Fun,
Keri
Click to expand...

Thanks, I can't wait for it to arrive! It looks like 4 GB of Crucial RAM can be bought for about $75 online. I found some good tutorials for installation (iClarified was pretty good). Sounds like since it's a pain to get into the box, I might as well max out the upgrade once. Maybe down the road I'll upgrade the hard drive, but I think external seems like a viable option.

Thanks for the tip on the Flip4Mac too!
 
Hi DMK!

Oh, I forgot to mention:

The Mini is sold without Keyboard or Mouse.
Nearly any USB KB or Mouse will work but there's a catch:

There is NO "Eject" button for the DVD drive on the Mini! (or on any other Mac)

Apple puts the "Eject" button on the Keyboard. This is unique to Apple KB's or ones intended for Mac use such as MaCally, Moshi or Logitech for Mac.

You can also eject a disk from within Finder (Apple's version of Windows Explorer) . There's probably other ways to eject a disk too.

Personally, I like the much maligned Mighty Mouse. Just don't have dirty fingers and it's fine.
The Mini seems to get along fine with any USB mouse I've tried, so if you have a favorite it'll probably work.

Other little things that might get you annoyed:
"One Button Mouse" may be enabled by default. If you like Right-Clicking things, System Preferences lets you enable "2-button"

There's no "Start" button! You could use "Go", but it's just as easy to click on the Finder icon, go to "Applications" then choose your program. If it's a favorite, just drag it to the dock or desktop... hint: "Alias" = "Shortcut"

Enjoy,
Keri

PS. Microsoft had to use "Recycle Bin" because Mac already used "Trash" :)

PPS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHO8l-Bd1O4
 
I posted in a different thread a question about video memory, but here is the description of the RAM I found on ebay that was pulled from a Macbook. I'm hoping this will work ok with my new Mini that is on order. It should, right?


SPECS:

SAMSUNG
1066 MHz Double Date Rate (DDR3) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM).

Both memory slots can accept an SDRAM module that meets the following specifications:
Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR SO-DIMM) format
30mm
2 x 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 2 Gigabyte (GB)
204-pin
PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz Type RAM
SamSung DDR3 1066Mhz PC-8500
Non-ECC, unbuffered
2 Sticks, each at: 1GB (1x1024MB) 2Rx16 PC3-8500S-07-10-B1 for a total of 2GB when installed.

Description: 2GB Module ( 2 x 1 GB)
Mfgr's System P/N's: Samsung M471B2873EH1-CF8 0912
Form Factor: Memory Module
 
KeriJane said:
Hi DMK!

Oh, I forgot to mention:

The Mini is sold without Keyboard or Mouse.
Nearly any USB KB or Mouse will work but there's a catch:

There is NO "Eject" button for the DVD drive on the Mini! (or on any other Mac)

Apple puts the "Eject" button on the Keyboard. This is unique to Apple KB's or ones intended for Mac use such as MaCally, Moshi or Logitech for Mac.

You can also eject a disk from within Finder (Apple's version of Windows Explorer) . There's probably other ways to eject a disk too.

Personally, I like the much maligned Mighty Mouse. Just don't have dirty fingers and it's fine.
The Mini seems to get along fine with any USB mouse I've tried, so if you have a favorite it'll probably work.

Other little things that might get you annoyed:
"One Button Mouse" may be enabled by default. If you like Right-Clicking things, System Preferences lets you enable "2-button"

There's no "Start" button! You could use "Go", but it's just as easy to click on the Finder icon, go to "Applications" then choose your program. If it's a favorite, just drag it to the dock or desktop... hint: "Alias" = "Shortcut"

Enjoy,
Keri

PS. Microsoft had to use "Recycle Bin" because Mac already used "Trash" :)

PPS. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHO8l-Bd1O4
Click to expand...

Thanks. Funny video by the way :)

I am planning to just use the USB keyboard and mouse that came with my Dell 530S earlier this year. Hopefully I'll get used to mapping any keys and so on.
 
dmk1974 said:
I posted in a different thread a question about video memory, but here is the description of the RAM I found on ebay that was pulled from a Macbook. I'm hoping this will work ok with my new Mini that is on order. It should, right?


SPECS:

SAMSUNG
1066 MHz Double Date Rate (DDR3) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM).

Both memory slots can accept an SDRAM module that meets the following specifications:
Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR SO-DIMM) format
30mm
2 x 1 Gigabyte (GB) = 2 Gigabyte (GB)
204-pin
PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz Type RAM
SamSung DDR3 1066Mhz PC-8500
Non-ECC, unbuffered
2 Sticks, each at: 1GB (1x1024MB) 2Rx16 PC3-8500S-07-10-B1 for a total of 2GB when installed.

Description: 2GB Module ( 2 x 1 GB)
Mfgr's System P/N's: Samsung M471B2873EH1-CF8 0912
Form Factor: Memory Module
Click to expand...

Dont buy 2x1gb!

The macmini already has a 1gb stick in it.
 
reebzor said:
Dont buy 2x1gb!

The macmini already has a 1gb stick in it.
Click to expand...

I know, but it was under $10 for the two sticks from ebay and figured it's still a good deal even if I put a stick on the shelf.
 
CubeHacker said:
Yeah you should install a pair of the same brand/type just incase. If you are going to upgrade you might as well go for 4gb because its not that much more expensive than 2gb and why on earth would you want to open the machine yet again later down the road when 2gb isn't enough?
Click to expand...

Yeah may as well go for 4GB, so you don't have to upgrade down the track.:D
 
KeriJane said:
There's probably other ways to eject a disk too.
Click to expand...

You can right-click > Eject (or ctrl+click) or you can drag the disc icon on the desktop to the trash can on the dock, which will turn into an eject button.

I like doing it that way, because it seems like the least Windows-y way of doing things, and I'm still new to the Mac, so I still like to do it the fun way, rather than the most productive way. :D
 
mrsir2009 said:
Yeah may as well go for 4GB, so you don't have to upgrade down the track.:D
Click to expand...

Well, I only paid $10 for the two 1 GB sticks. However, the seller just e-mailed me and asked if sending one 2 GB stick instead would be ok and I said yes. My understanding is that the March 2009 Mini can run fine with a 1 GB plus a 2 GB stick (3 GB total...I know, easy math). Correct?
 
dmk1974 said:
Well, I only paid $10 for the two 1 GB sticks. However, the seller just e-mailed me and asked if sending one 2 GB stick instead would be ok and I said yes. My understanding is that the March 2009 Mini can run fine with a 1 GB plus a 2 GB stick (3 GB total...I know, easy math). Correct?
Click to expand...

Yeah, it should run fine on 3GB :cool:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back