Just got a MBP, now I need a desktop! Mac Mini or iMac?

[BiikeMike]

It seems to me the Mac Mini is capable of pretty much anything the iMac is. Yes, I know the processor is a bit slower, but that doesnt bother me too much.

I have a MacBook Pro, my girlfriend is getting a MacBook, and I just want to complete the collection

I would like to think I am going to be doing a lot of photo and video stuff, which I know the Mac Mini is not that good for, but..... As it has stood for the past 6 months, I have been doing everything on my laptop. (Powerbook G4) I have an XP Desktop, and my girlfriend has an XP desktop that this computer would be replacing (with BootCamp/Parallels for her school work).

Is it worth the extra coin for an iMac, or will a Mac Mini be fine to run fairly basic stuff, possibly some light CS work, and very rarely some FCP work. My new MBP 2.16 is gonna be my big workhorse, and the desktop will be a file server/family computer that will run Windoze.

Thanks all!

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

It seems to me the Mac Mini is capable of pretty much anything the iMac is. Yes, I know the processor is a bit slower, but that doesnt bother me too much.

I have a MacBook Pro, my girlfriend is getting a MacBook, and I just want to complete the collection

I would like to think I am going to be doing a lot of photo and video stuff, which I know the Mac Mini is not that good for, but..... As it has stood for the past 6 months, I have been doing everything on my laptop. (Powerbook G4) I have an XP Desktop, and my girlfriend has an XP desktop that this computer would be replacing (with BootCamp/Parallels for her school work).

Is it worth the extra coin for an iMac, or will a Mac Mini be fine to run fairly basic stuff, possibly some light CS work, and very rarely some FCP work. My new MBP 2.16 is gonna be my big workhorse, and the desktop will be a file server/family computer that will run Windoze.

Thanks all!

If you're doing photo or video editing, go with the iMac, hands down...even if it's just 'light' photo and video editing.

Do you have a monitor already?

 

[Danksi]

It seems to me the Mac Mini is capable of pretty much anything the iMac is. Yes, I know the processor is a bit slower, but that doesnt bother me too much.

I have a MacBook Pro, my girlfriend is getting a MacBook, and I just want to complete the collection

I would like to think I am going to be doing a lot of photo and video stuff, which I know the Mac Mini is not that good for, but..... As it has stood for the past 6 months, I have been doing everything on my laptop. (Powerbook G4) I have an XP Desktop, and my girlfriend has an XP desktop that this computer would be replacing (with BootCamp/Parallels for her school work).

Is it worth the extra coin for an iMac, or will a Mac Mini be fine to run fairly basic stuff, possibly some light CS work, and very rarely some FCP work. My new MBP 2.16 is gonna be my big workhorse, and the desktop will be a file server/family computer that will run Windoze.

Thanks all!

Do you really need a second, less capable machine?

In terms of video editing, I'd stick with the MBP, as it's expandable through the express port. Important for an extra firewire/eSATA channel for external drives/devices.

It sounds like a second larger monitor and keyboard/mouse would be a better setup.

 

[wordmunger]

I think he wants to use the desktop as a file server, family computer -- i.e., for less powerful tasks. The mini makes sense to me. You might want to get a nice big external hard drive for backups, for both the mini and your other computers. You could get all that for less than an iMac.

That said, I like my iMac an awful lot. But my daughter has a mini and she likes it an awful lot too.

 

[GoCubsGo]

I think that the mini is a good idea as well.
The MBP will fit all of your other needs....and more.

 

[wxboss]

It's kind of funny, but I'm in the opposite situation as you (just got a Mini and looking for an MB )

That said, I would stick with your MBP for the heavier stuff you described and opt for a Mini to perform your file server needs. The Mini is a great little machine, and unless you want or can afford the extra dough for an iMac, the Mini should serve you well. As others have mentioned, a larger HD would probably be a good concideration for your needs.

 

[zap2]

Get a Solo Mac Mini, its will not be doing much that requires a fast chip(if it does call in the MBP) that is if you have a display, mouse and keyboard already, if not get a iMac... or a Mac Mini an a ACD, which you also could use with yout MBP

 

[BiikeMike]

I didn't think about getting the single chip........ I guess I wouldn't really need a core duo if I have a MBP huh?

And i'm a step ahead with the HD, I have a 400 GB Seagate, which is why i'm not worried about the 80gig in the Mac Mini.

I guess the mini is the way to go for just a family computer, somthing for my girl to type papers and do research, and a wireless hookup to my external.


And yeah, I've got 2 or 3 monitors, and i'd probably get the apple KB/MM for an extra $90.

The Mac Mini does not support a dual monitor setup, correct?

 

[zap2]

The Mac Mini does not support a dual monitor setup, correct?

There was a hack sometime a while ago to do it, but it does not support duel Screens out of the box.

I'll try and dig up the link
link from Macbytes and the MR thread about it
http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/437.html
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/179823/

 

[Danksi]

And i'm a step ahead with the HD, I have a 400 GB Seagate, which is why i'm not worried about the 80gig in the Mac Mini.

If you're going to be sharing an external drive, make sure it'll spin-down after a period of inactivity. I have a 300Gb backup drive, but the enclosure doesn't spin-down, so it gets hot after a while.

You could also use Sharepoints to share all or parts of the external drive across your home network.

 

[zorg]

If the computer is going to run Windows all the time anyways, why not get a PC? It would be cheaper.

 

[mac000]

why don't just just get an external display for the MBP and have the best of both worlds, doy

 

[wordmunger]

why don't just just get an external display for the MBP and have the best of both worlds, doy

Because when he's away with his MBP, the rest of the family still needs a server.

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

I guess I misunderstood.

If you are not going to use the desktop often, and you're not planning on doing video editing on it, then the Mac Mini is perfect (although I would still consider going for the Core Duo because the speed difference is noticeable and easily worth 200 bucks).

Good luck, and enjoy your MBP - I love mine!

 

[sunrobby]

you have the same case as mine, i have MBP and want to buy the mini it's just, i like the mini design, it's small. im goin to use it for home use, iwork, watch movie, browse internet, i think it's enough. But im concering about the hard disk space, it's 80Gb, my MBP have 100 Gb, and actual size is only 93Gb. so the Mac mini actual size should be around 70Gb ? Can someone have mac mini tell me what is the actual hard disk size? and how bout the solo one, 60 Gb, what is the actual size, should be around 50Gb something.. that's preety small space Thanks

 

[BiikeMike]

If the computer is going to run Windows all the time anyways, why not get a PC? It would be cheaper.

It won't run windows all the time, it will only run windows when Jen needs it for gradschool. She's in Criminal Justice, and they have certain programs that will only run in windows, but they are VERY simple programs! I could probably run it on my PB G4 with Virtual PC (well, not anymore, because I don't have my PB anymore, I gave it to my mom and got a MBP )

Thanks for the help guys, I guess it will be a Mac Mini Dual Core for home and GF use, and the MBP for "pro" use