Mac Mini questions. (Performance, if I should wait etc)

[WiseDuck]

I've been thinking about getting into Macs lately, I want to see what the hype is all about. I'm split between a Mac Mini, Macbook White and iMac at the moment. But no matter what you choose you have to make compromises, Mac Min has got old hardware but with the money I save I can get a nice LCD that can be used with the Mac Mini and my current desktop.

But the Macbook is portable, however, it doesn't have the unibody design or the multi-touch features. So are the extra features worth another 200 bucks?

iMac seems like a nice choice, but it would be difficult to set up here because I don't have space for two desktops in the same place, and I still need my current desktop for gaming.

I'm not sure what to go for... If they updated the Mac Mini it would've been a no-brainer, but all we have are a few rumors and that's it. Also, what can the GMA950 do? Not much, probably, I know it's a ****** card in almost every way imaginable, but can it handle the effects in Leopard well? Can it drive a 22" LCD at 19xx*1xxx something resolution well? Can it play 720P movies well if connected to an external monitor?

 

[Cave Man]

Also, what can the GMA950 do? Not much, probably, I know it's a ****** card in almost every way imaginable, but can it handle the effects in Leopard well? Can it drive a 22" LCD at 19xx*1xxx something resolution well? Can it play 720P movies well if connected to an external monitor?

I love the Mini as much as anyone here on the forums, but if you can wait, you should wait. A new Mini is coming, we just don't know when.

As far as the current Mini with the GMA950, it is perfectly capable of 1920x1200 resolution (native 24" display) and can play 1080p video at up to 30 fps with the right software (Plex). It can also passthrough digital audio to a receiver (e.g., Dolby Digital, DTS). Just don't expect too much from it in terms of 3D work.

 

[gkarris]

The GMA950 is great - 2 years ago...

I wouldn't invest in ANYTHING with GMA950 (NetBooks included)....

The X3100 is starting to show its age, and the laptop I bought just this past December has an X4500M, which is ALREADY outdated, replaced with the X4500MHD...

 

[WiseDuck]

I dont think Id ever call Intel gfx cards great. They never have been, probably never will...

I can wait, but I'd rather not wait until late April or something. I'll have enough money in early march to buy a really nice laptop, or something from Apple. I just hope they've announced a new Mini by then or updated iMacs.

 

[azdunerat]

I have a 22" Acer that my C2D mini is driving just fine. I have used it for video editing and riping movies. I finally figured out the Plex media program and it is amazing.

I was so happy with my mini for media I am going to be buying another one in a couple of months as a media center for my home theater. I am just waiting to recoup some funds for a 2TB external to load all of my DVD's onto and I will buy another mini at the same time. If a new one is out great if its the same one I will hapily drop my coin for it. I dont really care if its outdated it does everything I want it to do and it does it very well.

I guess the answer for you is to buy what is within your budget and meets your needs, both now and growing. If you want to play the waiting game I am sure you can join the guys that have been waiting sense last year for an update that is comming next month.

 

[ADent]

I am a Mac mini fan, but the extra $200 is worth it for the White MacBook over the high end mini. It comes with 2GB of RAM, with the mini you have to pay Apple $70 or crack it open yourself to get that usable amount.

You also get the better graphics card and portability.

If you have other Macs (and a Superdrive somewhere) then get the low end mini. You get a slightly slower CPU and lose the Superdrive when going down to the $599 model.

 

[macrockbuddy]

IT'S TUESDAY! but it's almost noon now & my hope for new minis/imacs 2day is running on E now.

W/ all the recent rumors I felt like today was the day for the much anticipated release, o bother

 

[PuckDaddy]

if you're looking at the Macbook's, I'd suggest going with the "Whitebook" considering it retained FireWire

I would not buy any Mini's or iMac's until we see how they are refreshed

 

[WiseDuck]

I dont need Firewire tho. I just want to see what the hype is all about and also have a nice new laptop for everyday usage, plus some composing in Garageband and/or Logic later on.

I'm not sure what my economy is going to look like in a few weeks, but I know for sure I'll be able to afford the whitebook or if I'm lucky, the alu Macbook.

I checked out a white Macbook the other day at a store nearby and it was the old model with the X3100. Now, I'm not sure if they've done anything to fix the build-quality on the 9400M models, but the one I tried was just terrible really. For 1000 bucks you kinda expected this one to be a little bit better, it creaks, there's some flex around the keyboard and the screen can be twisted/bent with ease, gently pushing on the back gives you plenty of ripples.

Should it be like that?