No doubt on the SSD. However the Mini is snappy enough for my needs as is. The only issue is the noise, as described in my other posts
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Mac Mini Purchased!
- Thread starter Shayne
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No doubt on the SSD. However the Mini is snappy enough for my needs as is. The only issue is the noise, as described in my other posts
Im saying this as someone who rarely works with Photoshop, but I would expect it to be workable. If you add 4GB's of ram etc, then it should be able to do alot of heavy lifting, just slower then either an iMac or Mac Pro.
But for real life experiences with Photoshop, I would recommend you make a seperate thread
My Mac Mini turned up today, ordered on the 10th, shipped on the 12th and arrived on the 17th.
Ordered a 2.26GHz, 4GB Ram, 120 GB HD (though regretting not getting bigger drive)
Not managed to do much with it yet, wife wanted a spod evening
32bit Geekbench tests where ranging between 3073 & 3099. Not up to paying $20 to unlock the 64-bit test.
Tried watching a 720p MKV file, used roughly 25% cpu, watching a normal AVI file is only taking about 5%. Both of those figures are MUCH better than my Late 2006 MacBook. CPU Tmp for MKV was 56 and 52 for AVI.
-- Update for XBench Results (figures in brackets are my Early 2006 MacBook) ---
Overall result is 130.72 (110.93)
CPU Test 139.16 (123.64)
Thread Test 294.94 (171.38)
Memory Test 179.28 (123.84)
Quartz Graphics Test 177.00 (146.40)
OpenGL Graphics Test 135.31 (296.40)
User Interface Test 303.77 (216.29)
Disk Test 47.48 (38.06)
Looking at the other units tested, couple with results like 149. The difference is basically down to the disk.
Comparing to my MB, the most noteable difference is the OpenGL result. Appears they haven't yet optimized that? Or is NVidia bad at OpenGL in general?
----------
Hopefully once wife off to bed I can install XP and do some 3dMark benchmarks. Hmm and XBench as well I suppose.
Ordered a 2.26GHz, 4GB Ram, 120 GB HD (though regretting not getting bigger drive)
Not managed to do much with it yet, wife wanted a spod evening
32bit Geekbench tests where ranging between 3073 & 3099. Not up to paying $20 to unlock the 64-bit test.
Tried watching a 720p MKV file, used roughly 25% cpu, watching a normal AVI file is only taking about 5%. Both of those figures are MUCH better than my Late 2006 MacBook. CPU Tmp for MKV was 56 and 52 for AVI.
-- Update for XBench Results (figures in brackets are my Early 2006 MacBook) ---
Overall result is 130.72 (110.93)
CPU Test 139.16 (123.64)
Thread Test 294.94 (171.38)
Memory Test 179.28 (123.84)
Quartz Graphics Test 177.00 (146.40)
OpenGL Graphics Test 135.31 (296.40)
User Interface Test 303.77 (216.29)
Disk Test 47.48 (38.06)
Looking at the other units tested, couple with results like 149. The difference is basically down to the disk.
Comparing to my MB, the most noteable difference is the OpenGL result. Appears they haven't yet optimized that? Or is NVidia bad at OpenGL in general?
----------
Hopefully once wife off to bed I can install XP and do some 3dMark benchmarks. Hmm and XBench as well I suppose.
I ordered mine yesterday: 2,26ghz 4gb. Mi Cube is still working fine with Leopard but he refuses to meet a new OS for seventh time next summer. As many of you I wanted a smaller Mac Pro but Apple doesn't seem to have intentions of giving us a regular midprice tower. Probably they will be surprised that we do not jump to the Mac Pro but we comply with the Mini...
It's probably why Apple has been afraid to upgrade the mini for so long. Many people are realizing the mini will do all the Pro will do, just not quite as fast.
Your wife wanted a "Spinning Pizza Of Death"?
*laughs* Spodding is a UK way of saying Vegging. She wanted to sit in front of a screen, having entertainment poured into her brain while munching on unhealthy food
Yep, I've got a MacPro Eight-core 2.8GHz workstation and just bought a new Mini with 2.26GHz and then I upgraded the ram to 4GB and the HDD to 7K320 and I'm just as happy doing general computing tasks and editing Photoshop files professionally on either machine. For most applications, the Mini is practically as suitable as the MacPro.
For extremely processor-intensive apps, of course, like rendering and such, the Pro is a better choice for sure. But for the majority of common computing tasks (including Photoshop editing), the Mini is a magnificently wonderful machine when maxed out and connected to a high quality display.
For extremely processor-intensive apps, of course, like rendering and such, the Pro is a better choice for sure. But for the majority of common computing tasks (including Photoshop editing), the Mini is a magnificently wonderful machine when maxed out and connected to a high quality display.
Okay installed XP 32bit and all of Apple's Bootcamp drivers, these are the results of running 3dMark 06 (not paid version) at 1280x1024 are:
1997
The CPU test was painful, for some reason it was doing about 1 / 0 FPS a sec on CPU Test 1 and about the same on CPU test 2. This surprised me a lot, I expected better.
BTW Memory reported as 2.72GB
Also this is the result of running GeekBench in XP:
2666
Currently downloading all the other 3d Mark versions for curiousity sake.
3dMark 2001: 13034
3dMark 2005: 4147
Arse, realizing I should be putting these in the Gaming thread. Will copy them over in the morning.
1997
The CPU test was painful, for some reason it was doing about 1 / 0 FPS a sec on CPU Test 1 and about the same on CPU test 2. This surprised me a lot, I expected better.
BTW Memory reported as 2.72GB
Also this is the result of running GeekBench in XP:
2666
Currently downloading all the other 3d Mark versions for curiousity sake.
3dMark 2001: 13034
3dMark 2005: 4147
Arse, realizing I should be putting these in the Gaming thread. Will copy them over in the morning.
Guys I am planning on upgrading my about-to-be-delivered mini with some bits and pieces down the road. (first time Mac user
I'd like to do benchmarking in OS X to compare the effect of the upgrade. Does 3DMark run on OS X or does all the benchmarking I've been reading in these threads require XP?
I'd like to do benchmarking in OS X to compare the effect of the upgrade. Does 3DMark run on OS X or does all the benchmarking I've been reading in these threads require XP?
+1
Just ordered mine having very nearly gone for the Mac Pro. But I figured I'll need a HTPC when I finally get a HDTV, and the mini will find a natural home there. Whereas if I buy a Mac Pro now, I'm sure something better will come up for when/ if I actually need the power which wont be for a year or more (or this lot's mac pros will have come down by the price of the mac mini or more by then).
And I don't have to worry about the lead not stretching to the 24in LED cinema display.
Actually got my RAM and hard drive upgrade through Apple - works out £50 more expensive for me but it's worth not having to open the case for now. Might upgrade to SSD (when they come down in price) before eventually going for a Mac Pro
That's exactly what I did! I was about to go for a MP but thought I can always move the mini into the living room. And after reading threads here, it sounds like the mini is quite a decent machine in it's own right.
As I said above, Vertex SSD is coming next week as well .... should make a considerable difference.
Guys I am planning on upgrading my about-to-be-delivered mini with some bits and pieces down the road. (first time Mac user
I'd like to do benchmarking in OS X to compare the effect of the upgrade. Does 3DMark run on OS X or does all the benchmarking I've been reading in these threads require XP?
3dMark is for XP, Geekbench is XP & OSX and Xbench is for OSX.
I was posting the 3dMark stuff mostly to give people an idea what its, admittedly for older games, gaming chops is like. For me the Mini will be initially double duty-ing as a Media server & games machine as it is SO much quieter that my current gaming PC.
My Mac Mini, ordered on the 4th of March did not arrive yet
Yikes, thats not good at all. That was the whole point of the scanning they do, so they have some idea of where the f%!$ it is.
+1
Ordered base, stock mini last weekend, Shipping in trasit, expected delivery tomorrow. Fed ex tracking says it's coming from SHENZHEN CN via Anchorage Alaska, to Portland Oregon.
Debated on getting an iMac, but decided that I didn't want to have monitor integrated w/ computer, since I tend to upgrade once in a while, and don't feel like I need a new monitor when I do upgrade (seems like a waste). ACD is on the list, but may not happen until I'm done w/ $chool.
Ordered base, stock mini last weekend, Shipping in trasit, expected delivery tomorrow. Fed ex tracking says it's coming from SHENZHEN CN via Anchorage Alaska, to Portland Oregon.
Debated on getting an iMac, but decided that I didn't want to have monitor integrated w/ computer, since I tend to upgrade once in a while, and don't feel like I need a new monitor when I do upgrade (seems like a waste). ACD is on the list, but may not happen until I'm done w/ $chool.
Just ordered my mini with 4GB and 250GB drive. Hopefully it'll be good with a Dell 2408 screen.
Capacity
The speed bump for the hard drive will come when SSDs go down in price, probably not for another year or so. I'm not sure the difference between 5400 and 7200 will be that easy for me to discern (unlike the difference between these drives and SSD). And there's always a risk of getting a noisy drive.
I'm getting it with a LED ACD - absolutely worth it at 17% off (for both). I reckon Apple will either start using cheaper (non S-IPS) panels soon or increase the price.
Mac Mini Purchased! 4GB, 2.26 and 250GB CTO. Hopefully arriving Saturday.
128 or 256 SSD once it's out of AppleCare, depending on prices one year from now
128 or 256 SSD once it's out of AppleCare, depending on prices one year from now
stuck in the middle..
Hi,
I bought an 24" iMac 2,93 a few days ago for photo editing and just pure speed and maybe some gaming (if even that). Mainly I use it for photo editing and downloading etc.
I find the iMac to be good (display a bit yellow(y) iMac thing), but I think the 24ACD would be even better for photo editing, not? Realizing that, I would then need to go with a mini as a Mac Pro is way to expensive.
What would you guys suggest? Keep the iMac or get an 24ACD and a mini 2,26 with 4gb and 7200RPM 500GB HDD?
Does the mini keep up with an iMac 2,93 in LightRoom? My current MBP 2,33 doesn't, but that's almost three years old.
Thanks.
Hi,
I bought an 24" iMac 2,93 a few days ago for photo editing and just pure speed and maybe some gaming (if even that). Mainly I use it for photo editing and downloading etc.
I find the iMac to be good (display a bit yellow(y) iMac thing), but I think the 24ACD would be even better for photo editing, not? Realizing that, I would then need to go with a mini as a Mac Pro is way to expensive.
What would you guys suggest? Keep the iMac or get an 24ACD and a mini 2,26 with 4gb and 7200RPM 500GB HDD?
Does the mini keep up with an iMac 2,93 in LightRoom? My current MBP 2,33 doesn't, but that's almost three years old.
Thanks.
My Mac Mini turned up today, ordered on the 10th, shipped on the 12th and arrived on the 17th.
Ordered a 2.26GHz, 4GB Ram, 120 GB HD (though regretting not getting bigger drive)
Not managed to do much with it yet, wife wanted a spod evening
32bit Geekbench tests where ranging between 3073 & 3099. Not up to paying $20 to unlock the 64-bit test.
Tried watching a 720p MKV file, used roughly 25% cpu, watching a normal AVI file is only taking about 5%. Both of those figures are MUCH better than my Late 2006 MacBook. CPU Tmp for MKV was 56 and 52 for AVI.
-- Update for XBench Results (figures in brackets are my Early 2006 MacBook) ---
Overall result is 130.72 (110.93)
CPU Test 139.16 (123.64)
Thread Test 294.94 (171.38)
Memory Test 179.28 (123.84)
Quartz Graphics Test 177.00 (146.40)
OpenGL Graphics Test 135.31 (296.40)
User Interface Test 303.77 (216.29)
Disk Test 47.48 (38.06)
Looking at the other units tested, couple with results like 149. The difference is basically down to the disk.
Comparing to my MB, the most noteable difference is the OpenGL result. Appears they haven't yet optimized that? Or is NVidia bad at OpenGL in general?
----------
Hopefully once wife off to bed I can install XP and do some 3dMark benchmarks. Hmm and XBench as well I suppose.
Only 3k? Thats disappointing. My macbook does 3k, and my amd phenom 9950 rig does 5k. :\ Guess I won't be getting a new mac mini.