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How would a Mini fair as a replacement for a 2007 Mac Pro?

Apple...

Apple...

macrumors 68020
Original poster
May 6, 2010
2,148
0
The United States
I have a 2007 Mac Pro for small video editing using Final Cut Pro X (weddings, etc.). The current Mac Mini doesn't allow for the same amount of storage space on the Pro (it has over a terabyte), but I could use an external drive if I had to. Just wanted to know performance-wise if the Mini could replace it? Thanks. :)
 
If you pick the highest end Mini, throw 16GB of RAM and get an SSD installed either at the time of purchase OR sometime afterwards, I believe the little beast will fair pretty well for you. If anything, it can hold you until the highly rumored (huge) 2013 Mac Pro update. Reason why I went with the Mini over iMac was because so I could just use my two 24 inch dell monitors as a dual display. It does everything I throw at it pretty well, but I assume your line of work surpasses what I do!
 
I don't know what exactly you do, but if you were satisfied with the speed of your Mac Pro, you'll probably be happy with the Mini. The quad-core Mini with 16 GB RAM and a SSD is a real monster.
 
As you are coming from a Mac Pro, you surely need a high speed machine..
Mac Mini Quad +16GB + an SSD should be fine.
But,if you are into Video Editing and stuff, the lack of GFX card may hurt your performance. In that case, get an iMac 21.5"/27" or a MBP 15
 
I would agree with a tricked out mini

I came from a Dual G5 2.7 that was pretty well tricked out to a 2011 i7, and I have to say the only reason I miss my G5? Lion SUCKS!! I have tried since July of last year to like it... And it SUCKS! But that aside. Sorry for the rant.

Unless you are doing some seriously heavy editing, need special expansion card setups and what not I think you will be pleasantly surprised. These are most defiantly the understated beasts of the mac world.

I have personally had Safari (20+tabs), Mail, Opera(10-15 tabs), iMovie, iPhoto, iDvD, Handbrake and Mactubes open all at the same time. And can't forget Pages with nary a stutter. The fans kick on, but with any sort of audio going you really can't hear it. Did I mention I have not upgraded past 4 gigs of ram and still have the stock 500gig drive on board? Have yet to find the time or justification to pay for the upgrades.

Now if I could only install SL on my beast I would truly be a happy camper.
 
I can't really compare the Mini to the 2007 Mac Pro because I never owned one, but I can tell you that my Mid 2011 Mini, with dedicated graphics card, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD is a real little beast.
It does everything I throw at it with ease, even some video encoding, Photoshop and Aperture work, iMovie, Final Cut... you name it.
I am very happy that I went with the Mini instead of an iMac, it cost me much less (I live in Croatia, so you have to understand that Macs cost 30 - 40 percent more over here than in the US), I have two Dell 24 inch IPS monitors hooked up to it and the Mini flies...
I would recommend it.
 
Apple... said:
I have a 2007 Mac Pro for small video editing using Final Cut Pro X (weddings, etc.). The current Mac Mini doesn't allow for the same amount of storage space on the Pro (it has over a terabyte), but I could use an external drive if I had to. Just wanted to know performance-wise if the Mini could replace it? Thanks. :)
Click to expand...
If you wait for the Ivy Bridge Mac mini, you get USB3 and FW800 (likely) and the device supports with high probability 2 x 2.5" drives, which means that you can have 2 TB internal storage space.

My Ivy Bridge Mac mini basic configuration would look like this:
1. Highest processor which is available (i cannot upgrade this in the future).
2. Lowest amount of RAM, Lowest amount of internal storage space. I can, and will upgrade these later.
3. Mac-compatible 16 GB RAM (look in your handbook, to check the type).
4. 2 x Western Digital 1 TB Scorpio Blue 9.5 mm WD10JPVT (RAID or non-RAID)
5. 2 x Western Digital 3 TB Caviar Green 3.5" WD30EZRX within two InXtron SK-3500 Super-S3 SK3-SBU3OS (one HDD for Time Machine, one HDD for temporary files). Silent and fast enough (USB3, FW800, eSATA). The external enclosures support "only" SATA-II so use the correct jumper settings (click), before you install the HDD.
Another important hint is this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1210567/

I hope they redesign the cooling system in the 2012 Mac mini. The highest available processor (usually Core i7 something) can beat some of the 2010 Mac Pros, IIRC, and Ivy Bridge should increase this advantage. The HD 4000 IGP is able to decode two 4K resolution H.264 videos in realtime and supports OpenCL. This IGP supports also realtime H.264 encoding via Quick Sync. Apple uses this hardware unit in Mountain Lion to implement AirPlay.

Btw, i can see why people need SSDs in MBPs, but i think they are not necessary in desktop computers.
 
DrakkenWar said:
I came from a Dual G5 2.7 that was pretty well tricked out to a 2011 i7, and I have to say the only reason I miss my G5? Lion SUCKS!! I have tried since July of last year to like it... And it SUCKS! But that aside. Sorry for the rant.

Unless you are doing some seriously heavy editing, need special expansion card setups and what not I think you will be pleasantly surprised. These are most defiantly the understated beasts of the mac world.

I have personally had Safari (20+tabs), Mail, Opera(10-15 tabs), iMovie, iPhoto, iDvD, Handbrake and Mactubes open all at the same time. And can't forget Pages with nary a stutter. The fans kick on, but with any sort of audio going you really can't hear it. Did I mention I have not upgraded past 4 gigs of ram and still have the stock 500gig drive on board? Have yet to find the time or justification to pay for the upgrades.

Now if I could only install SL on my beast I would truly be a happy camper.
Click to expand...
What specifically don't you like about Lion? I'm still using Snow Leopard.

borostef said:
I can't really compare the Mini to the 2007 Mac Pro because I never owned one, but I can tell you that my Mid 2011 Mini, with dedicated graphics card, 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD is a real little beast.
It does everything I throw at it with ease, even some video encoding, Photoshop and Aperture work, iMovie, Final Cut... you name it.
I am very happy that I went with the Mini instead of an iMac, it cost me much less (I live in Croatia, so you have to understand that Macs cost 30 - 40 percent more over here than in the US), I have two Dell 24 inch IPS monitors hooked up to it and the Mini flies...
I would recommend it.
Click to expand...
That's the thing! I already have a Dell monitor, so I wouldn't need an iMac. I've thought about another Mac Pro, but since it's far more expensive, takes up more room, (and if a Mini can handle the workload), I'm all in! :D


Mr. Retrofire said:
If you wait for the Ivy Bridge Mac mini, you get USB3 and FW800 (likely) and the device supports with high probability 2 x 2.5" drives, which means that you can have 2 TB internal storage space.

My Ivy Bridge Mac mini basic configuration would look like this:
1. Highest processor which is available (i cannot upgrade this in the future).
2. Lowest amount of RAM, Lowest amount of internal storage space. I can, and will upgrade these later.
3. Mac-compatible 16 GB RAM (look in your handbook, to check the type).
4. 2 x Western Digital 1 TB Scorpio Blue 9.5 mm WD10JPVT (RAID or non-RAID)
5. 2 x Western Digital 3 TB Caviar Green 3.5" WD30EZRX within two InXtron SK-3500 Super-S3 SK3-SBU3OS (one HDD for Time Machine, one HDD for temporary files). Silent and fast enough (USB3, FW800, eSATA). The external enclosures support "only" SATA-II so use the correct jumper settings (click), before you install the HDD.
Another important hint is this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1210567/

I hope they redesign the cooling system in the 2012 Mac mini. The highest available processor (usually Core i7 something) can beat some of the 2010 Mac Pros, IIRC, and Ivy Bridge should increase this advantage. The HD 4000 IGP is able to decode two 4K resolution H.264 videos in realtime and supports OpenCL. This IGP supports also realtime H.264 encoding via Quick Sync. Apple uses this hardware unit in Mountain Lion to implement AirPlay.

Btw, i can see why people need SSDs in MBPs, but i think they are not necessary in desktop computers.
Click to expand...
I could probably wait. And yeah, SSDs cost more anyways.
 
Apple... said:
I have a 2007 Mac Pro for small video editing using Final Cut Pro X (weddings, etc.). The current Mac Mini doesn't allow for the same amount of storage space on the Pro (it has over a terabyte), but I could use an external drive if I had to. Just wanted to know performance-wise if the Mini could replace it? Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

NO. YOUR video work will suffer due to low end graphics. I would look for a 2011 iMac refurb. I will find a link for you.
 
Apple... said:
I'm assuming the next-gen Mini still wouldn't be able to take care of this?
Click to expand...

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC812LL/A

no mac mini matchs this gpu. the new mini will have intel hd 4000 and it will not match this card. your work needs a quad core and good graphics. the imac has it. maybe the new mini will have a quad core
and a discrete gpu like the 650m . the new macbook pro has that option. a quad core with a 650m would work for you
 
Mr. Retrofire said:
If you wait for the Ivy Bridge Mac mini, you get USB3 and FW800 (likely) and the device supports with high probability 2 x 2.5" drives, which means that you can have 2 TB internal storage space.

My Ivy Bridge Mac mini basic configuration would look like this:
1. Highest processor which is available (i cannot upgrade this in the future).
2. Lowest amount of RAM, Lowest amount of internal storage space. I can, and will upgrade these later.
3. Mac-compatible 16 GB RAM (look in your handbook, to check the type).
4. 2 x Western Digital 1 TB Scorpio Blue 9.5 mm WD10JPVT (RAID or non-RAID)
5. 2 x Western Digital 3 TB Caviar Green 3.5" WD30EZRX within two InXtron SK-3500 Super-S3 SK3-SBU3OS (one HDD for Time Machine, one HDD for temporary files). Silent and fast enough (USB3, FW800, eSATA). The external enclosures support "only" SATA-II so use the correct jumper settings (click), before you install the HDD.
Another important hint is this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1210567/

I hope they redesign the cooling system in the 2012 Mac mini. The highest available processor (usually Core i7 something) can beat some of the 2010 Mac Pros, IIRC, and Ivy Bridge should increase this advantage. The HD 4000 IGP is able to decode two 4K resolution H.264 videos in realtime and supports OpenCL. This IGP supports also realtime H.264 encoding via Quick Sync. Apple uses this hardware unit in Mountain Lion to implement AirPlay.

Btw, i can see why people need SSDs in MBPs, but i think they are not necessary in desktop computers.
Click to expand...


The question is....WHEN.

*laments...whimpers...screams...pulls hair...cries silently*

I also need something to tide me over until the new Mac Pro comes out next year. Grrrrr. I would really be disappointed if I got the MacMini today, and in two weeks an ivy bridge MacMini is released. I can wait a little while, but my server is really struggling these days....grrrrr....
 
Apple... said:
Not bad. Do you trust refurbished though?
Click to expand...

They're backed by a full warranty, and are eligible for applecare. I would actually trust refurb more than I would trust new; refurbs are tested far more extensively than new ones before they are sold.

Basically, a new one is made, maybe it has a manufacturing defect, so the user sends it back. The defective part is replaced, then it's extensively tested and resold with a full warranty.

And it may not have been defective to begin with-- maybe the customer just ordered the wrong thing, didn't want it, etc.

I saved $150 on my mini server by going refurb and it's awesome, it's just like getting a new computer but in a plain white box instead of fancy Apple one.
 
DrakkenWar said:
I have personally had Safari (20+tabs), Mail, Opera(10-15 tabs), iMovie, iPhoto, iDvD, Handbrake and Mactubes open all at the same time. And can't forget Pages with nary a stutter. The fans kick on, but with any sort of audio going you really can't hear it. Did I mention I have not upgraded past 4 gigs of ram and still have the stock 500gig drive on board? Have yet to find the time or justification to pay for the upgrades.
Click to expand...

Last night I was doing something similar. I have the 2.5GHz i5 model.
- MakeMKV ripping
- Handbrake encoding all night long
- Mail
- Randomly checking MKV's with VLC (these stuttered at times)
- Safari with multiple tabs (sometimes youtube)
- iTunes running playing audio
- Aperture 3
- App Store updating apps
- Secure emptying trash can full of .mkv files

Little bugger never got too hot to touch. I don't have anything to monitor my temperatures. I love my mini for what I need.
 
The iMac is a tempting choice, but I think I'd still opt for the Mini all things considered.

My Mini which is the mid-2011 with AMD is pretty impressive with 16gb of RAM and I'm just using the stock HDD in it.

I have a PC at my office which is an Intel (SandyBridge) i5 Quad 2500 with 8gb of RAM and a 1gb Radeon 6770. Most of us have experienced how Windows machines slow down over time, and at this point my Mini at home performs productivity applications far better than my office Windows machine. Obviously it doesn't touch gaming performance.

I do design work so I'll have Photoshop, Illustrator, Word, Excel, Coda, FireFox with 10 windows and Chrome with 15 windows open while running a movie on my 2nd monitor for my kids to watch while I work. And it'll just crank out and get a little warm at worst (even without the SSD). I've also converted movies while working as well and it isn't been that bad at all.

My office PC just "thinks" all the time when doing the same tasks.

So I won't just count the mini out. You could pick up a refurb mid-level mini with a SSD for under $900. Yes, the iMac will perform better. But if you are like me and get really irritated at the glossy screen and want to use your own monitors and other peripherals, then the mini I think might do what you need it to. Plus I would say the mini does offer more upgrade options in terms of SSDs.

I would at least wait until the end of July though just in case - if there is a quad core option with discrete graphics you would probably kick yourself for pulling the trigger now :)
 
That's good to hear. The question now is, does the gpu add a boost as big as 2 additional cores? This would help with the i7 dual core wirh AMD or i7 quad core decision. From that link, i take that the gpu only helps with real time effect rendering which is good while editing but to me faster final rendering times would be better. The AMD in the mini probably doesn't provide much faster real time rendering anyway.

The true answer to this problem is to given us a quad core + discrete gpu mini :D
 
micrors4racer said:
That's good to hear. The question now is, does the gpu add a boost as big as 2 additional cores? This would help with the i7 dual core wirh AMD or i7 quad core decision. From that link, i take that the gpu only helps with real time effect rendering which is good while editing but to me faster final rendering times would be better. The AMD in the mini probably doesn't provide much faster real time rendering anyway.

The true answer to this problem is to given us a quad core + discrete gpu mini :D
Click to expand...

WHICH goes back to the 21 inch refurb imac
 
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