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Mac Mini

8

8Everything

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 3, 2013
2
0
Okay guys, so I'm currently using a Windows machine with the following specifications, and I am frankly bored of my Windows rig.

  1. AMD Phenom II X2 560 Processor @ 3.30 GHz
  2. 8 GB RAM
  3. 64 Bit Windows 7
  4. ATI Radeon 6670 HD

In my free time, I like to design websites and work on a little bit of photoshop.

Off late, I've been wanting to switch over to a Mac for my designing and I am a 20 year old student, so as far as money is concerned, there is no way I can afford a MacBook.

Therefore, when I saw the Mini for $600 on Apple's website, its got me thinking, is it a good machine to buy? I am not a technocrat, and whatever gadget(s) I buy, I like to use for at least 3-4 years.

So I've a few questions basically,

1) The $599 model vs. the $799 model? (I have tonnes of external storage) - so the 1TB thing is not a factor for me.

2) I intend upgrading the RAM in any case to 8 GB - irrespective of whichever mini I buy. I am thinking about a Corsair RAM (1333 Mhz) 10600 chipset. Is it a good idea?

3) With the i5 + 8 GB RAM combo, while running Adobe Photoshop + Dreamweaver - will the Mini perform better than my windows rig?

Now please don't hate me for coming across as a total noob - because that's who I really am when it comes to Mac :)

Can't wait to hear your views.
 
As a student you should check into academic discounts. Also vendors such as bh photo, amazon, microcenter, best buy, etc. They sell for less than msrp and offer secondary perks.

also

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_mini


currently its loaded with a bunch of configurations you may not want.

my 2012 i7 base model was $680 from it.

apple refurbs are indistinguishable from new other than the box they come in.
 
8Everything said:
Okay guys, so I'm currently using a Windows machine with the following specifications, and I am frankly bored of my Windows rig.

  1. AMD Phenom II X2 560 Processor @ 3.30 GHz
  2. 8 GB RAM
  3. 64 Bit Windows 7
  4. ATI Radeon 6670 HD

In my free time, I like to design websites and work on a little bit of photoshop.

Off late, I've been wanting to switch over to a Mac for my designing and I am a 20 year old student, so as far as money is concerned, there is no way I can afford a MacBook.

Therefore, when I saw the Mini for $600 on Apple's website, its got me thinking, is it a good machine to buy? I am not a technocrat, and whatever gadget(s) I buy, I like to use for at least 3-4 years.

So I've a few questions basically,

1) The $599 model vs. the $799 model? (I have tonnes of external storage) - so the 1TB thing is not a factor for me.

2) I intend upgrading the RAM in any case to 8 GB - irrespective of whichever mini I buy. I am thinking about a Corsair RAM (1333 Mhz) 10600 chipset. Is it a good idea?

3) With the i5 + 8 GB RAM combo, while running Adobe Photoshop + Dreamweaver - will the Mini perform better than my windows rig?

Now please don't hate me for coming across as a total noob - because that's who I really am when it comes to Mac :)

Can't wait to hear your views.
Click to expand...

Mentioning all the specs of your present computer seems fairly techy to simple old me..... and meaningless...... which is among the reasons I went Mac for my first computer.

That was the base model Mini, back in 2005. It had its shortcomings, but did what I wanted until the HDD and the power supply packed a sad four years on. With Mac Having gone over to Intel, it was outdated by then, so rather than having it repaired I replaced it with an early 2009 Mini, also the base model. I didn't replace any of the peripherals. Last year I added 4 GB of RAM, and up-graded to OS X 10.6 to 10.8, Mountain Lion. For my simple needs it honks along, and should be good for several more years.

The 2005 Mini really was the runt of the Mac family. By 2009 it had established its place in the line up. It seems the 2012 is seriously considered as a replacement of the iMac by some

You already have the peripherals you need, so a change to a Mac Mini would only involve buying the computer itself, and maybe a bit of software. It doesn't sound like your needs are all that demanding, so i guess the base model would be adequate for you, and many others.
 
8Everything said:
Okay guys, so I'm currently using a Windows machine with the following specifications, and I am frankly bored of my Windows rig.

  1. AMD Phenom II X2 560 Processor @ 3.30 GHz
  2. 8 GB RAM
  3. 64 Bit Windows 7
  4. ATI Radeon 6670 HD

In my free time, I like to design websites and work on a little bit of photoshop.

Off late, I've been wanting to switch over to a Mac for my designing and I am a 20 year old student, so as far as money is concerned, there is no way I can afford a MacBook.

Therefore, when I saw the Mini for $600 on Apple's website, its got me thinking, is it a good machine to buy? I am not a technocrat, and whatever gadget(s) I buy, I like to use for at least 3-4 years.

So I've a few questions basically,

1) The $599 model vs. the $799 model? (I have tonnes of external storage) - so the 1TB thing is not a factor for me.

2) I intend upgrading the RAM in any case to 8 GB - irrespective of whichever mini I buy. I am thinking about a Corsair RAM (1333 Mhz) 10600 chipset. Is it a good idea?

3) With the i5 + 8 GB RAM combo, while running Adobe Photoshop + Dreamweaver - will the Mini perform better than my windows rig?

Now please don't hate me for coming across as a total noob - because that's who I really am when it comes to Mac :)

Can't wait to hear your views.
Click to expand...

Just here to add my 2 cents worth.

The new mini's run 1600mhz ram not 1333mhz.

I installed 16gb of Corsair Vengeance in my i7 and have not had any problems at all.

Also done a DIY Fusion on it and have to say that it runs like a dream.
 
utekineir said:
As a student you should check into academic discounts. Also vendors such as bh photo, amazon, microcenter, best buy, etc. They sell for less than msrp and offer secondary perks.

also

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_mini


currently its loaded with a bunch of configurations you may not want.

my 2012 i7 base model was $680 from it.

apple refurbs are indistinguishable from new other than the box they come in.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, I will certainly go through the machines shown there - seems like a good idea so long as Apple takes responsibility for machines that they've patched up.

lovememac said:
Just here to add my 2 cents worth.

The new mini's run 1600mhz ram not 1333mhz.

I installed 16gb of Corsair Vengeance in my i7 and have not had any problems at all.

Also done a DIY Fusion on it and have to say that it runs like a dream.
Click to expand...

I had absolutely no idea, LOL! (Thanks for the input).

Micky Do said:
Mentioning all the specs of your present computer seems fairly techy to simple old me..... and meaningless...... which is among the reasons I went Mac for my first computer.

That was the base model Mini, back in 2005. It had its shortcomings, but did what I wanted until the HDD and the power supply packed a sad four years on. With Mac Having gone over to Intel, it was outdated by then, so rather than having it repaired I replaced it with an early 2009 Mini, also the base model. I didn't replace any of the peripherals. Last year I added 4 GB of RAM, and up-graded to OS X 10.6 to 10.8, Mountain Lion. For my simple needs it honks along, and should be good for several more years.

The 2005 Mini really was the runt of the Mac family. By 2009 it had established its place in the line up. It seems the 2012 is seriously considered as a replacement of the iMac by some

You already have the peripherals you need, so a change to a Mac Mini would only involve buying the computer itself, and maybe a bit of software. It doesn't sound like your needs are all that demanding, so i guess the base model would be adequate for you, and many others.
Click to expand...

So I take it that you'll vouch for a Mac Mini over an iMac (for simple usage of course)?

Thanks!
 
I love my mini my use is much lighter then yours but if you get the upgraded processor and boost the ram should be fine. I have no hiccups with browsing movie streaming music etc. I don't game on my Mac so I wouldn't know. Ill never buy another of if I can help it.
 
BH Photo has the base MM for $579.86 and it includes a free copy of Parallels 8 which use can use (and run windows in a 'window') or sell for $40.00 +/-, thus lowering your initial cost.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/897209-REG/Apple_md387ll_a_Mac_mini_Desktop_Computer.html

If you are looking for Apple Care, I believe it's $54.00 @ BH Photo when you buy a computer from them.

You apparently have a monitor, keyboard and mouse so just adding a MM will replace your Windows box - is your monitor VGA? If so you will need a cable as the MM has no direct VGA out...

I find the MM to be relatively portable by adding a 16" USB powered monitor(AOC @ Amazon.com) and a 15' power cord. Fits nicely in my laptop bag with a keyboard and mouse --- is it for everyone? NO! But it IS doable and I mention it here as food for thought.

The MM is a solid performer and has great expandability - SSD drive, fusion drive, two regular drives (I have a 750 Hybrid drive and a 750 'regular' drive).

Good luck to you, you are in the correct place!
 
utekineir said:
As a student you should check into academic discounts. Also vendors such as bh photo, amazon, microcenter, best buy, etc. They sell for less than msrp and offer secondary perks.....
Click to expand...

I'll be ordering my Mini (i7 2.3 quad core w/fusion drive) from BH Photo in a week or so. While the actual cost is a little more than Apple (less than $30), there's free delivery, no tax (Apple charges tax), and free Parallels software...
 
QWERTYMac7 said:
BH Photo has the base MM for $579.86 and it includes a free copy of Parallels 8 which use can use (and run windows in a 'window') or sell for $40.00 +/-, thus lowering your initial cost.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/897209-REG/Apple_md387ll_a_Mac_mini_Desktop_Computer.html

If you are looking for Apple Care, I believe it's $54.00 @ BH Photo when you buy a computer from them.

You apparently have a monitor, keyboard and mouse so just adding a MM will replace your Windows box - is your monitor VGA? If so you will need a cable as the MM has no direct VGA out...

I find the MM to be relatively portable by adding a 16" USB powered monitor(AOC @ Amazon.com) and a 15' power cord. Fits nicely in my laptop bag with a keyboard and mouse --- is it for everyone? NO! But it IS doable and I mention it here as food for thought.

The MM is a solid performer and has great expandability - SSD drive, fusion drive, two regular drives (I have a 750 Hybrid drive and a 750 'regular' drive).

Good luck to you, you are in the correct place!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip about B&H.

Does it worth to cancel the MM order with Apple? (order on Sunday and they shipping it from CHINA! well got the 2.6 i7) I really need the Parallels 8.
 
Yakuzahi said:
Thanks for the tip about B&H.

Does it worth to cancel the MM order with Apple? (order on Sunday and they shipping it from CHINA! well got the 2.6 i7) I really need the Parallels 8.
Click to expand...

I've never cancelled an order from Apple, sorry I can't help there. I'm in the Western States and shipping from China is fairly fast.

Don't forget that if/when you do use Parallels, you need to buy the proper full-blown operating system (not an upgrade) to work within Parallels - I picked up a Windows 7 System Builder at Amazon for +/- $95.00.

Good luck!
 
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