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Mac Mini 2.53 first impressions

c.s.

c.s.

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 11, 2007
262
225
I picked up the mini today (2.53, 4 GB RAM, 320 GB HDD) -- I had purchased the previous gen. 2.26 less than 2 weeks ago, and Apple was kind of enough to take it back without a restocking fee.

I'm impressed with the speed. I have a 2.66 MacBook Pro, and can hardly tell a difference. Both have 4 GB of RAM, most intense app I use is Photoshop.

The ONLY downside is the fan seems to run _slightly_ louder, but I still have to put my head near it to notice. Idle temp seems to be around 44C, whereas the previous always sat around 40C.
 
Whats your setup? The temp may be higher because of more power? Does it still use the little power as stated in the previous model? I'm looking to buy one since i have the total apple setup that all i would need is a mac mini but of course, the magic mouse would be a necessity. :D

I didn't know stores had the shipments in already?
 
Btw again, when are all stores in the US, especially Hawaii going to have shipments? If I can get one from the store with my student discount, i may as well do that instead of ordering it since Hawaii is so small and it is only 30 minutes away from my house in Ala Moana shopping center. 30 minutes though, is considered a LONG way for us living in Hawaii as we're spoiled with everything in close proximities. :D
 
I thought the website said it draws the same power when idle - maybe that just applies to the slower model? No idea if the 2.53 processor requires extra power & produces more heat, but it seems that way.

I think Apple stores are getting small shipments. Mine in TX said they got a small shipment of iMacs this morning and immediately sold out.
 
Maybe it just took forever to index or something, because now it's hanging around 40C... and even quieter. Good news.
 
Do you see any difference between the 2.26 which you returned and this 2.53 macmini?
I am debating to go with the 2.26 or 2.53.

thanks!
 
Yes please tell use if you noticed any significant differences! Should i order it or just wait till it comes out to stores? I'll be using my student discount!
 
I guess the difference between 2.26 and 2.53 would be rather small, as the processor uses basically the same architecture as I understand it.
It is around 10% in raw processing power, but perceived performance also depends quite a bit on harddrive speed and the amount of memory, and of course the applications being run.

I have the previous gen. 2.0 cpu and the upgrade from 1->4GB RAM and replacing the stock 120GB hd with a fast SSD simply turned my Mini into a different machine!

Would sure like the new BTO 2.66 , but not if the fan is louder than my current setup? Also the price is steep: 949$ which is almost half the price of the new i5 iMac which is much more powerful, especially for graphics, has 3 times the harddrive space and includes big screen, mouse and keyboard.

I could sell the old one with a 320gb drive (from the new machine) and 4gb ram, but that would probably not get me more than 400$ or so?
So the ugrade would cost like 500$ at least - even the inclusion of Snow Leopard can really justify that. Or what do you guys think???
 
c.s. said:
I thought the website said it draws the same power when idle - maybe that just applies to the slower model?
Click to expand...

It think the website for the NEW mini said 14W on idle.

My Mini previous 2.0 version I'm sure said 13W on idle.
not a huge difference in the idle stakes. But I wonder how much extra it draws when under load?
 
batistuta said:
I could sell the old one with a 320gb drive (from the new machine) and 4gb ram, but that would probably not get me more than 400$ or so?
So the ugrade would cost like 500$ at least - even the inclusion of Snow Leopard can really justify that. Or what do you guys think???
Click to expand...

Are you saying you want to sell your mini with 2.0 cpu, 4G ram and SSD for $400?? I will buy it if you are serious.
 
Honestly, I can't tell much difference between the 2.26 & 2.53, except in Photoshop (which is probably due to the jump from 2 GB RAM to 4 GB, rather than the processing power). If they'll exchange it for free, might as well.
 
mercuryguy said:
Are you saying you want to sell your mini with 2.0 cpu, 4G ram and SSD for $400?? I will buy it if you are serious.
Click to expand...

I would swap in the 320gb drive from a possible new Mini for the SSD. Thus ending up with a Mini with Leopard, 4GB RAM and 320GB drive.
Compare that to a new base model with 2GB RAM and 160GB drive, but a faster processor (2.26 vs 2.0) and Snow Leopard, retailing for 599$ - given this scenario I don't think a realistic price for my machine (½ year old) could be more than 400-450$, do you?
Going for the 2.53 cpu instead of the BTO 2.66 would save me 150$, but that upgrade would set me back 800 - lets say 450 = 350$

Not included is the hassle to swap the drives...

I am using US pricing to make it easier to follow the reasoning, pricing here in Denmark is actually a whopping 860$ for the base Mini...

No, I will wait for the next generation Mini, whenever that might be; it wasnt upgraded for ages and this year it has seen two (!) upgrades. My guess is that the next upgrade is not exactly right around the corner!
 
batistuta said:
I would swap in the 320gb drive from a possible new Mini for the SSD. Thus ending up with a Mini with Leopard, 4GB RAM and 320GB drive.
Compare that to a new base model with 2GB RAM and 160GB drive, but a faster processor (2.26 vs 2.0) and Snow Leopard, retailing for 599$ - given this scenario I don't think a realistic price for my machine (½ year old) could be more than 400-450$, do you?
Click to expand...

Oh ok, I got confused. I thought you were selling the mini with the SSD for $400+
 
katyoshi said:
Btw again, when are all stores in the US, especially Hawaii going to have shipments? If I can get one from the store with my student discount, i may as well do that instead of ordering it since Hawaii is so small and it is only 30 minutes away from my house in Ala Moana shopping center. 30 minutes though, is considered a LONG way for us living in Hawaii as we're spoiled with everything in close proximities. :D
Click to expand...

As of yesterday, the Ala Moana store had the new models on display, both the 21.5 and 27 Core 2 Duo iMacs, Mini and the new notebook. The Magic Mouse was being monitored by a salesperson, since there was no cable or security device on it.
 
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