I want an Apple desktop...experience.

[DaveF]

I've been a happy MacBook owner for two years now, and would like to add a desktop to my collection...or at least the experience of one.

So, should I just buy a large lcd screen, mouse and keyboard for my MacBook, or should I get an actual desktop, like a mac mini (and all the peripherals)?

Useful questions:
* What's your budget?
* How much time is spent at-desk and not-at-desk?
* Would you need / want to keep two separate Macs synchronized in apps, data, music, etc.?
* How much do you dislike unplugging cables?

I have a laptop for home, mostly used at the desk. I plug in:
* one USB, for the hub which has mouse, keyboard, TimeMachine drive, iPod cable
* speaker cable
* video cable for second monitor

It's a minor inconvenience to plug/unplug as I come and go from the office. But it's easier, affordable, and takes less room than managing two computers for myself.

My wife, a graphic designer, has no interest in a laptop, and uses a desktop solely.

Since you're apparently happy doing graphic / video work on a MacBook, there's no downside to using it as a "desktop". If budget allows, I'd suggest the iMac over the mini. The mini is especially overpriced and still requires a keyboard, mouse, monitor; If you're buying those, just use your MacBook.

 

[arcadeforest]

Apple need to go back to providing a proper tower IMOP that you can had hardware to without loosing your warranty

With the mini base only coming with 1gb of memory and not being (officially) user upgradable I for one would never consider it

I have to agree with you on the tower. As far the mini goes if you would never consider one then I feel that your missing out on a wonderful machine. Upgrading the hard drive and ram is a breeze. In the end you have a decent, capable computer at a resonable price (for apple anyways).

 

[jmpage2]

Did you mean faster CPU? iMac with GT120 costs 1799$ and Mini is around 1000$ with upgrades and monitor.

They aren't even comparable. Even 'with upgrades' the Mini has a vastly slower CPU than the iMac and the video is MUCH slower on a Mini than a GT120 equipped iMac.

As to your previous comments re: display quality, you yourself admit that the higher end Mac display has much better color, viewing angle, etc. You can't deem that "it's more than most consumers need", such a statement is laughable.

Obviously consumers "need" it or they wouldn't buy it.

Consumers don't need an iMac quality display any more than they "need" an Audi or BMW over a Toyota or Honda but I see plenty of Audi and BMW where I live.

 

[Hellhammer]

They aren't even comparable. Even 'with upgrades' the Mini has a vastly slower CPU than the iMac and the video is MUCH slower on a Mini than a GT120 equipped iMac.

As to your previous comments re: display quality, you yourself admit that the higher end Mac display has much better color, viewing angle, etc. You can't deem that "it's more than most consumers need", such a statement is laughable.

Obviously consumers "need" it or they wouldn't buy it.

Consumers don't need an iMac quality display any more than they "need" an Audi or BMW over a Toyota or Honda but I see plenty of Audi and BMW where I live.

I understand your point. LED display id gorgeous and very good one, but I'm happy with my BenQ. Everyone can buy what they want

 

[MinorBidoh]

As much as I love the mini, I'd say get a usb hub and an apple display. Switching between computers just isn't an cool. I've tried it and frustration left me like stressed Eric. Don't get a stand for MB, unless you need more screen real estate, instead get a stand for the display so you can slip the MB underneath. Wireless keyboard and mouse and decent speakers and that would be experience. Give it a year or so till you need to upgrade the MB and in low and behold your current reserves for a desktop is sitting there (minus the display).

 

[BulletToothTony]

I understand your point. LED display id gorgeous and very good one, but I'm happy with my BenQ. Everyone can buy what they want

I'm with you hellhammer, we both got bad displays and for the price apple should really have the upper hand on better quality products..

And i absolutely agree that spending over $1000 for a monitor is not needed unless of course is needed.. I would also buy a $200 monitor.. Is not that i don't like apple i obviously have apple products and love them but that doesn't mean that apple is the only option for everyone.. I love to have good quality products.. an 24" imac for 1199 is great.. just a monitor for that much.. i'm not that dumb

 

[tomster2300]

Useful questions:
* What's your budget?
* How much time is spent at-desk and not-at-desk?
* Would you need / want to keep two separate Macs synchronized in apps, data, music, etc.?
* How much do you dislike unplugging cables?

I have a laptop for home, mostly used at the desk. I plug in:
* one USB, for the hub which has mouse, keyboard, TimeMachine drive, iPod cable
* speaker cable
* video cable for second monitor

It's a minor inconvenience to plug/unplug as I come and go from the office. But it's easier, affordable, and takes less room than managing two computers for myself.

My wife, a graphic designer, has no interest in a laptop, and uses a desktop solely.

Since you're apparently happy doing graphic / video work on a MacBook, there's no downside to using it as a "desktop". If budget allows, I'd suggest the iMac over the mini. The mini is especially overpriced and still requires a keyboard, mouse, monitor; If you're buying those, just use your MacBook.

Unfortunately my budget is not very large. I really can't afford anything around $1,000 right now. A purchase of that much would be hard to justify with both my MacBook and Vista desktop still running strong; especially since I just built the desktop about two years ago.

I'm still considering the mini though. How poor of a computer is it? Can the fans go above 6,000 rpm? Is it basically a MacBook inside a cube container, or is it a bit more powerful? Basically, is it worth the $600 price tag?

As with being satisfied doing my work on my MacBook...I'm not completely satisfied, but it's what I have right now. My biggest concern is how hot it runs and how poorly it dissipates heat. It's pretty sad how bad a job it does.

Thanks to everyone who has posted so far. This has been a very insightful and interesting read. Keep your posts coming!

 

[zedsdead]

Based on your last post, it seems you have two major options:

(1) Either get the Mini and connect it to your current LCD set-up

or

(2) Wait and save up for an iMac.

I strongly suggest the latter. The Mini is a very apt machine, but since you Macbook is only two years old, the iMac will be a much greater leap in performance. I really urge it.

 

[DaveF]

Unfortunately my budget is not very large. I really can't afford anything around $1,000 right now

Then without reservation you should connect a keyboard, mouse, monitor to your MacBook and use it as a desktop as desired. If you decide you want a mini, you can buy it and you'll already have the keyboard, mouse and monitor it requires

If you want to save a lot of money, use a KVM switch to connect your Vista machine's keyboard, monitor and mouse to your MacBook. You can get a KVM switch for as low as $25.

 

[sortie]

KVM switches are as cheap as $25, but you should be wary of any under $50 usually. The lower end switches tend to have poorer video and less stable USB.