Mac Mini

[MacBooksRock]

I am really considering buying a new Mac Mini.

This is the one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Apple-Mac-Mini-...yZ111418QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I know the updates will come soon, but my dad's birthday was today (I know I'm late), and I wanted to order this one with overnight shipping. Is there that much of a difference in the 1.83 vs. the 2.0GHz?

Also, they take 2.5" Notebook hard drives, correct? Because I want to put in a 7200RPM 200GB drive.

They don't have the Santa Rosa processors, correct? So they can max out at three (3) gigs of RAM?

All that it'll be used for is Microsoft Office, Web Browsing, LOTS of file storage (solved w/ a 200GB hard drive), and email.

Are they reliable? Would I need to buy AppleCare for it? I plan on using it for two - three years. I haven't read of any problems with the logic boards - any problems with superdrives, or logic board problems that I haven't heard of, etc???

Thanks so much for all of your help,
MBR

 

[iGrant]

Yes that Mac Mini can have 3gb of ram, yes you can install up to a think the largest hard drive you can get for a laptop is 320gb, and yes the computer is realiable.

What you should know is that that computer does not come with a DVD Burner, just a DVD player with CD-RW Burner. You can upgrade that later but I think that is like 100 bucks:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/mac-mini/superdrive/

From what I have heard those are wonderful machines and I would like to get my hands on one sometime. My friend has one and it works just wonderfully.

Getting Apple Care is up to you and I did on my iBook G4 and then I never used it, so I didn't with my MacBook and I still have not had the need for it.

All depends on how much you know about computers though . . .

Here is the ram you need to get 3gb you will need one 1gb stick and one 2gb stick:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220078
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220229

I highly recommend using the Patriot ram from Newegg. I have used Patriot ram in my Macbook, my Power Mac G5 and my wife's Dell Laptop! Thats 12 sticks of ram and not a single one has failed!

Here are some hard drives you could put in the Mac Mini:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136197 <-- Hard drive prices have severally dropped since I last checked . . . side thought

Heres a 7200rpm drive that will work in the Mac Mini:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148307

Hope this helps!

-iGrant

 

[Cave Man]

Is there that much of a difference in the 1.83 vs. the 2.0GHz?

"Much" is a relative term. I don't think so, but you might.

Also, they take 2.5" Notebook hard drives, correct? Because I want to put in a 7200RPM 200GB drive.

You should really consider a 320 gig 5400 rpm instead. Performance is nearly as good, and exceeds once you get around 150 gigs of capacity.

They don't have the Santa Rosa processors, correct? So they can max out at three (3) gigs of RAM?

Santa Rosa is a chipset. The processors are T-even Meroms. The chipset in the Mini is the Calistoga, which will give you 3.1 gb of available RAM with two 2 gig SO-DIMMs.

All that it'll be used for is Microsoft Office, Web Browsing, LOTS of file storage (solved w/ a 200GB hard drive), and email.

Then you really should get a 320/5400. A lot cheaper and a lot more space.

 

[MacBooksRock]

I just ordered one from Newegg. Hope he'll like it - it'll be his first mac.