Mac Mini as a backup for Ipad 2

[dndandrea]

I have a 15" macbook pro (mid 2009) that i'm selling tomorrow for $1000. The reason im selling is to buy an ipad 2 since i rarely use any larger applications and im basically just using my computer for safari, email, itunes, quicktime, and some smaller applications here and there. And i'd like to have some leftover cash, and upgrade to have higher resale value in the future. I figured the mid-2009 MBP i have now will depreciate in value soon since intel core 2 duo are basically outdated.

My plan was to go halves with someone on a 32gb ipad 2 ($315) and then buy a mac mini as a backup computer. I'd use the ipad as my primary computing device throughout the day and the mac mini would always be connected to my 46" HDTV with a mouse & keyboard hidden away. I figured i'd buy the latest mac mini or wait a few months to see if Apple drops the sandy bridge processors in them.

My main concern is will the mac mini be worth getting as a backup computer or will it not be much different from the ipad 2? What i mean by this is will i be able to run apps like photoshop, final cut express, and maybe a game on low settings without lagging like crazy? Maybe i'll use it for movies as well.

I figure $315 for ipad plus $500-$750 for mac mini (depending if i buy used or new).

 

[KennyMac]

The Mac Mini will be fine and Look Great On a 46inch TV, I have the same SetUp. I view The Mac Mini as an Older MBP. (Same Specs)

I got Mac Mini b/c I didn't need a MacBook, iPad, and a iPhone So I Sold My MacBook and Got the Mac Mini and I Love It, I added 4GB of Ram and it Runs Smooth

 

[dndandrea]

Thanks, and yea i'll probably spend $90 to upgrade the ram to 4GB. I didn't realize apple mouse & keyboards are like $140. i'll probably just stick with some old keyboard and mouse i have laying around here for it when i need it.

 

[mr.steevo]

I'm planning on the very same set up. Mini sitting up stairs and an iPad doing what we mostly do (surf, email, post on MR). Even though our needs are light I am still waiting for the mini to update before making the purchase. Why buy old technology when I can wait for newer?

 

[KennyMac]

Thanks, and yea i'll probably spend $90 to upgrade the ram to 4GB. I didn't realize apple mouse & keyboards are like $140. i'll probably just stick with some old keyboard and mouse i have laying around here for it when i need it.

$80 Will Get U 8GB of Ram, Try The TrackPad U Can Find it Online for about $45 and People are Always Selling Apple Wireless Keyboard On CL

 

[bearcatrp]

Get a refurb 09 model to save some cash. Not to much difference between 09 and 10. One thing the mini can do that the iPad cannot is view web pages with flash. I have a few web sites i visit that use flash so i use the mini. I spend most of my computing time with the iPad but use my mini for certain programs I use. Plus, the mini streams my movies to 2 ATV's in the house. Great setup. Think it will work for you. Just hoping apple sticks a quad core in the next refresh.

 

[blevins321]

Thanks, and yea i'll probably spend $90 to upgrade the ram to 4GB. I didn't realize apple mouse & keyboards are like $140. i'll probably just stick with some old keyboard and mouse i have laying around here for it when i need it.

Download an app called Conductor for your iPad. Then install its corresponding server on the Mini. It turns your iPad into a touchpad and iOS-style application dock for the Mini. Works great on mine - and I have the same setup

 

[mrklaw]

where is your 46" TV, and how far away do you sit when you watch it?

I have my mac mini attached to a 46" HDTV but I use it in 720p mode as I find 1080p too small to comfortably read when sitting on the sofa (about 10ft away). I also have a gaming computer attached to a 40" HDTV in the spare room, but I sit about 5ft away from that and thats better in 1080p. But even then, when web browsing it can get tiring reading across such a large area.

Balancing that can be difficult. I don't know if I could do that for normal apps. Realistically I'm in the same boat as you - I have an ipad, a mac mini for HTPC duties, and a MBP (late 2008). But I can't bring myself to give up the MBP. I find it much easier to type on than the ipad, *love* the trackpad, and for things like iphoto organisation etc I'm not sure I could use a large TV. also I use it for remote administering my NAS and Mini (although I guess I could do that fairly well on the ipad)

It is something I revisit every 6 months or so, but its so hard letting go of my MBP

 

[dndandrea]

Well it's in a small room and I use it as my primary television for watching tv shows or movies. I just figured I could boot it up once in a while when i need it. Eventually maybe get a monitor but I figured the specs are pretty low so it wasn't worth going all out for. Just something stored away (connected to the tv) incase I needed it like my xbox 360 that I rarely play.

 

[nineohtoo]

I had sold my 13MBP to a friend and picked up a mini this week. I'm pretty happy with it connected to my ACD. It's exactly what I had before just in a different form factor. I'd say it's a great companion to a iPad 2, but I'd be concerned with using it with a TV, simply in terms of usability/comfort. My only issue has been I haven't found a way to stick two hard drives in it. My MBP had an SSD in the DVD slot and 1TB HDD in the original slot, and I really miss it.