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Mac mini 2014 questions.

Meister said:
No Mac sold in the last 5 years will slow down due to lack of memory just from the apps you are running.

If you are not tecky, then get the base standard configurations.
If you don't know about computers, then don't order optional upgrades.
If you want a speed improvement, upgrade the hdd to an ssd.
Click to expand...

I installed an ssd in my last Mac but still had slowness after some time. I just think besides the ssd more ram would be a good option.
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
I installed an ssd in my last Mac but still had slowness after some time. I just think besides the ssd more ram would be a good option.
Click to expand...
If you want to buy a $200 upgrade based on an unfounded guess, then knock yourself out. ;)
 
Meister said:
The apple reseller around the corner has these on display.
They work just fine.
Click to expand...

Sure they work just fine. My PowerBook G3 with 320 MB RAM and Quicksilver with 256 MB RAM both also work just fine.

But, do they run the apps the OP mentioned without slowdown?
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
I installed an ssd in my last Mac but still had slowness after some time. I just think besides the ssd more ram would be a good option.
Click to expand...

Trust me, if you get a new Mac mini with 8 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, slowness will not be an issue for the tasks you mentioned.

Could something running in the background have caused the slowdowns before?
 
yjchua95 said:
Hmm. Perhaps the OP's old Mac had a lousy GPU and caused it to lag?
Click to expand...

I had the 2011 MBP 15" with Intel hd3000 and AMD 6490M.

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Meister said:
Get a mac mini with 16gb ram, 500gb ssd and the i7 upgrade then. Enjoy :)
Click to expand...

I'm not really concerned about i5 vs i7 as they are both dual core. I basically just wanted to know how the fusion drive works. I'd likely just get the high end which comes with fusion drive and add the 16gb ram.
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
I've actually found 8gb to be slow after a while and I'd have to restart my Mac. I'm also kinda torn between the Mac mini and the 13" rMBP seeing as I had MBP before.
Click to expand...

If you're torn between the two, the rMBP gives you some options (for a price), one is mobility, and two is the SSD already in place.
 
maflynn said:
If you're torn between the two, the rMBP gives you some options (for a price), one is mobility, and two is the SSD already in place.
Click to expand...

I really like the 13" rMBP. But if I go 16gb and 512gb ssd its a bit over $2,000 with tax (Canadian refurb). I could pay about half that for a Mac mini.
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
I really like the 13" rMBP. But if I go 16gb and 512gb ssd its a bit over $2,000 with tax (Canadian refurb). I could pay about half that for a Mac mini.
Click to expand...
Since nobody is continuing to give advice here I will jump in.

Buying a mac for the tasks you mentioned and upgrading the RAM and ssd like what you are planning makes no sense.
It's bizarre overkill.

Get the base mac mini with a fusion drive here:
http://store.apple.com/us-hed/buy-mac/mac-mini?product=MGEM2LL/A&step=config

Or for canada get this macbook air and buy an external hdd for storage:
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/GD711LL/B/refurbished-macbook-air-14ghz-dual-core-intel-core-i5

Both of those will handle your needs perfectly for the foreseeable future.
 
Meister said:
Since nobody is continuing to give advice here I will jump in.

Buying a mac for the tasks you mentioned and upgrading the RAM and ssd like what you are planning makes no sense.
It's bizarre overkill.

Get the base mac mini with a fusion drive here:
http://store.apple.com/us-hed/buy-mac/mac-mini?product=MGEM2LL/A&step=config

Or for canada get this macbook air and buy an external hdd for storage:
http://store.apple.com/ca/product/GD711LL/B/refurbished-macbook-air-14ghz-dual-core-intel-core-i5

Both of those will handle your needs perfectly for the foreseeable future.
Click to expand...

I'd never go with the current 11" Air. The screen is not very good. Maybe a 13" Air.

I did have my eye on this 13" air. I think the price is a bit high though.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-laptops/ottawa/mint-condition-macbook-air-13-top-spec/1045213959?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

I may go with the mid or high end mini otherwise.
 
Meister said:
Use an external screen and get the base model.
Click to expand...

If I get the mini I'm just going to connect it to my 1080p Hdtv. I may go with the mid with a fusion drive. 4gb ram on the base model is too low.

Also what would you pay for the 13" Air I mentioned?
 
Meister said:
Use an external screen and get the base model.
Click to expand...

Seriously, advising the OP to get an Air and use it in clamshell mode instead of a Mac mini? You know better than that.

bigpoppamac31 said:
If I get the mini I'm just going to connect it to my 1080p Hdtv. I may go with the mid with a fusion drive. 4gb ram on the base model is too low.

Also what would you pay for the 13" Air I mentioned?
Click to expand...

I'll suggest a config: 2.6 GHz/8 GB RAM with 256 GB SSD. If you need more storage you could go with a Fusion drive instead. Either way this should be a very speedy machine for you.
 
redheeler said:
Seriously, advising the OP to get an Air and use it in clamshell mode instead of a Mac mini? You know better than that.



I'll suggest a config: 2.6 GHz/8 GB RAM with 256 GB SSD. If you need more storage you could go with a Fusion drive instead. Either way this should be a very speedy machine for you.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of going with an Air or Pro 13" and using it with and external display. That way I have the option to be portable if I want to.
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
I was thinking of going with an Air or Pro 13" and using it with and external display. That way I have the option to be portable if I want to.
Click to expand...

If portability is enough of a concern that you would pay extra for a 13" rMBP, you can do that if you want.

Edit: I would suggest a refurb late 2013 rMBP, the model with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD.
 
redheeler said:
If portability is enough of a concern that you would pay extra for a 13" rMBP, you can do that if you want.
Click to expand...

Well the portability is nice to have. Even if it's just around the house. But my thought is that if I get a Mac mini I could just use the money I'd save and get an iPad for any portability use. Also I was curious. If the Mac mini (2014) doesn't support Mavericks can I still transfer all my files over from my Mavericks bootable backup?
 
bigpoppamac31 said:
If the Mac mini (2014) doesn't support Mavericks can I still transfer all my files over from my Mavericks bootable backup?
Click to expand...

You can use Migration Assistant to transfer files from the backup.

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bigpoppamac31 said:
But my thought is that if I get a Mac mini I could just use the money I'd save and get an iPad for any portability use.
Click to expand...

A good idea, although getting the rMBP would still be cheaper than Mac mini with SSD or Fusion drive plus iPad Air 2.

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Meister said:
For web browsing and iTunes?
This thread is getting increasingly weird.
Click to expand...

How is suggesting a machine that will meet the OP's needs for years to come weird?
 
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