Mac Mini, upgrade processor or ram?

[Kuski]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to buy a Mac Mini for my dad. I was wondering if I should get the base model and upgrade the RAM or the processor. It would be used for general internet surfing and word processing, as well as burning DVDs and CDs.

Would he benefit most from a RAM upgrade or processor upgrade

(I'll be splitting the cost with my sister and would like to keep the total under $1,000)

 

[mercuryguy]

If I was you, if its just for general use (internet, word and excel) you can just go with the base mini without any upgrades.

 

[MacMini2009]

The base model without any upgrades would be more than enough. Save some money. But if you really have to, it would benefit more to upgrade the RAM.

 

[beaner454]

Definitely go for the RAM. Not only will you notice a bigger bump in performance compared to the processor upgrade, but you will also be upgrading the abilities of the integrated graphics.

 

[Kuski]

Will the RAM upgrade have an effect on DVD burning speed? (I know that a faster disc drive will do that) I mean the total processing time of burning it to the computer.

 

[mercuryguy]

The base model without any upgrades would be more than enough. Save some money. But if you really have to, it would benefit more to upgrade the RAM.

hey man, I see that you have installed a 500G 7200 rpm drive on your mini, Did you see significant increase in performance with that? I just ordered a base mini with 4G.

[OP sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread]

 

[Kuski]

[OP sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread]

 

[Techhie]

If I were you, I'd go buy a soldering iron and A HUGE FRIGGEN GPU AND....sorry about that, I guess everyone isn't like us upgrade addicts

 

[300D]

The base model would be more than adequate.

 

[MacMini2009]

hey man, I see that you have installed a 500G 7200 rpm drive on your mini, Did you see significant increase in performance with that? I just ordered a base mini with 4G.

[OP sorry didn't mean to hijack your thread]

Yes, I did see an increase in performance. Everything just seems a little faster than before.

 

[flopticalcube]

Keep in mind that the RAM can be upgraded by yourself in the future. Its scary but not too difficult. You can slo take it beck to Apple for an upgrade. The CPU, however, can not be upgraded as they are now soldered in place.