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How is Mac Mini noise level? And 30" display?

L

lily69

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 4, 2010
134
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I am thinking getting a Mac Mini, not sure how is it's fan and harddisk noise level compares to iMac?
Thanks.

EDIT: Oh, by the way, I wish it works with 30" Apple display @ 2560x1600, I know I need adapter thing, but is Apple $99 adaptor the only choice? Any cheaper ones?
 
As far as the noise level goes, you won't hear the machine unless you're in a totally silent room, unless there is a CD in the drive.
 
lily69 said:
I am thinking getting a Mac Mini, not sure how is it's fan and harddisk noise level compares to iMac?
Thanks.

EDIT: Oh, by the way, I wish it works with 30" Apple display @ 2560x1600, I know I need adapter thing, but is Apple $99 adaptor the only choice? Any cheaper ones?
Click to expand...

I cannot hear mine in a closed room with no other noise except the central air conditioner. Also do not hear my iMac in the same room when its on.

My Mini drives my HP ZR30W IPS monitor just fine. I decided to buy a miniDisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter 6" for $15 from KanexLive. Works great.
 
in a fairly quiet room, you'll hear the hard drive clicking when it's doing its thing, but you could say that for just about any computer that sits on your desk. i guess you can replace the hdd with a quieter one if it really bothers you though.

fan noise is whisper quiet at the default 1800rpm, so you won't hear much of it until it starts spinning faster.
 
I have the new mac mini (2010) connected to a 27 inch 720p HDTV and it's whisper quiet. I faintly hear the hard disk clicking when my room is absolutely quiet.
 
I have the server (2010), it is very quiet. You can only hear the fan if you put your ear near the mini, approx 5 inches away.
 
I would say that the Mac mini (2010) is basically a silent machine, unless there is a CD/DVD inside, where it will make noise but still less so than a Macbook Pro. I installed an SDD in mine so its basically a silent machine. Very pleased with it.
 
Thanks for all replies, that's good news!

mangrove said:
My Mini drives my HP ZR30W IPS monitor just fine. I decided to buy a miniDisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter 6" for $15 from KanexLive. Works great.
Click to expand...

So I don't need any adapter, is HP 2560x1600? I read through all Mac Mini 2010 specs, nowhere it mentions dual link.
 
lily69 said:
Thanks for all replies, that's good news!



So I don't need any adapter, is HP 2560x1600? I read through all Mac Mini 2010 specs, nowhere it mentions dual link.
Click to expand...

Yes, the HP is 2560x1600. It has DisplayPort not Mini DisplayPort-that's why I bought the adapter cable from Kanex. I use the Mini's MiniDisplayPort for the HP with the Kanex cable. The Mini outputs 2560x1600 through the MiniDisplayPort.

Check out the HP-Small Bus site. It comes w 3yr warranty extendable to 5 yrs. Also it comes with a Dual Link DIV cable, USB cable (it can be a USB hub if you want) and a DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. I like the matte screen it has-and boy is it BIG! I always have 2 pages/windows open side by side.

It makes my Mini a real joy to use.
 
Although I have not tested this- I have found HDMI to dual link DVI adapters for like $15. Just google it. I don't see why they wouldnt work...
 
lily69 said:
I am thinking getting a Mac Mini, not sure how is it's fan and harddisk noise level compares to iMac?
Thanks.

EDIT: Oh, by the way, I wish it works with 30" Apple display @ 2560x1600, I know I need adapter thing, but is Apple $99 adaptor the only choice? Any cheaper ones?
Click to expand...

Yes it does work with the Apple 30" display but you do need the Apple adapter to use it since unlike the HP mentioned by mangrove, the Apple screen only has dual link DVI input capability and not display port. You can sometimes get the adapter for much less if you hunt around though. I got mine for only £12.49 delivered second hand from eBay (UK list price is £69). The hard disk is also incredibly quiet. I've got a 2009 model and it's been serving as a lounge computer with my TV for over a year now and I've never heard it.
 
Well I sure hear mine. It's under my desk on the floor and it has a low but annoying somewhat high-pitch whirrrrr sound, the fan I guess. I would put in a solid state drive just to stop this. I have the 2 hard-drive server model. Is the regular model any quieter? Thanks.
 
rgs92 said:
Well I sure hear mine. It's under my desk on the floor and it has a low but annoying somewhat high-pitch whirrrrr sound, the fan I guess. I would put in a solid state drive just to stop this. I have the 2 hard-drive server model. Is the regular model any quieter? Thanks.
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound normal.
 
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