But you CANNOT compare ANY entry level Windows box with the mini. NONE of the towers will run OSX. I know, youll find some reason to say Im wrong or short sighted, I expect it from you.
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Mac Mini's are a joke!
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But you CANNOT compare ANY entry level Windows box with the mini. NONE of the towers will run OSX. I know, youll find some reason to say Im wrong or short sighted, I expect it from you.
Of course, with this being a mac-oriented forum, you are going to get a somewhat biased oppinion. With me being only 14 as well, I understant how money is a problem. Maybe a mac isnt for you? Dells are actually very nice for your price range (700+), as well as vaios. Of course, those will not have the same life expectancy of a mac. Have you thought of constructing your own hackintosh? You could make a very nice one for your price. Also, dont loose hope on the refurb store/ebay/macofalltrades.com etc.
With my $.02 over, now lets get to the point that matters. Mac Mini's are pretty!
With my $.02 over, now lets get to the point that matters. Mac Mini's are pretty!
I love my mini, but it does not meet the spec for FCP. The specs state that integrated Intel video cards are not supported.
While the earlier models of mini had dedicated video cards, they did not support quartz extreme; another requirement of FCP.
I run FCP at work on a G5 tower and even that beast chugs along with some of the complex renders and high res encodings.
While the earlier models of mini had dedicated video cards, they did not support quartz extreme; another requirement of FCP.
I run FCP at work on a G5 tower and even that beast chugs along with some of the complex renders and high res encodings.
Ok... here it is again for FCP 5. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301576
Let's not play the version game. FCS includes FCP6.
Attachments
It requires AGP graphics and quartz extreme. This support article talks about video cards on an AGP or PCI express card with FCP5- http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303405 . To my knowledge there is not a mini that meets that standard, but that does not mean it is unavailable. I suppose if you could find a Mac Mini that met both of those requirements you could manage to get it to run.
The fact is, I was referencing FCP 6 (which is part of FCS2). The OP did not specify which version of FCP they intended to run. Perhaps they have an old version with lesser specs.
What people fail to realize is that your comparing a macs specs to a windows machine specs. Macs with lower specifications will run faster then windows machines with higher specs. A 3 year old mac pro at school was killing my brand new higher speced windows machine when it came to photoshop/lightroom/after effects.
just wait a while
As a veteran Mac user, I agree with the OP. I'll NEVER buy a PC, but being on a small budget myself and only buying a new Mac every 5-7 years, I want the best I can get for my money. At this time, the Mini just isn't. Sure it's a Mac which is a great plus. Sure, it looks nice and is very small, super! But it has the same damn f**** intel processor you can find in cheap PC's. It has the same HD, CD/DVD, ... as in a PC. Actually, it is a PC in a pretty Mac box with the addition of some chip that makes it capable of running OS X!
At this time, the price of the Mini is just way too much because of the outdated specs.
I for one am convinced that when the updated Mini gets finally launched (IF Apple will do so - which to me still isn't certain although I would deeply regret it if Apple would kill the Mini), I will not be a MINOR update. It can't be. Reason: Intel pulled the plug on the Merom processor, so they need a Penryn processor which needs a Santa Rosa platform and this platform will very likely bring the X3100 graphics. It is highly unlikely Apple will keep 802.11n out of that update since they are moving to the n wireless on all their platforms. And a slightly bigger HD and maybe even bigger standard memory size are very common in an update. IF(!) Apple brings us the update, this will be very likely it. I would not call that a minor update. Definitely worth it's price again and worth waiting for if you can.
As a veteran Mac user, I agree with the OP. I'll NEVER buy a PC, but being on a small budget myself and only buying a new Mac every 5-7 years, I want the best I can get for my money. At this time, the Mini just isn't. Sure it's a Mac which is a great plus. Sure, it looks nice and is very small, super! But it has the same damn f**** intel processor you can find in cheap PC's. It has the same HD, CD/DVD, ... as in a PC. Actually, it is a PC in a pretty Mac box with the addition of some chip that makes it capable of running OS X!
At this time, the price of the Mini is just way too much because of the outdated specs.
I for one am convinced that when the updated Mini gets finally launched (IF Apple will do so - which to me still isn't certain although I would deeply regret it if Apple would kill the Mini), I will not be a MINOR update. It can't be. Reason: Intel pulled the plug on the Merom processor, so they need a Penryn processor which needs a Santa Rosa platform and this platform will very likely bring the X3100 graphics. It is highly unlikely Apple will keep 802.11n out of that update since they are moving to the n wireless on all their platforms. And a slightly bigger HD and maybe even bigger standard memory size are very common in an update. IF(!) Apple brings us the update, this will be very likely it. I would not call that a minor update. Definitely worth it's price again and worth waiting for if you can.
Very good for Cave Man thinking. I notice you don't seem to have a WinPC. As such your ability to logically and reasonably compare is broken. I've owned everything from a Timex Pocket PC to a TI-99/4A, the original IBM PC, and a dozen or more DOS then Windows desktop PCs since then. I'm on my 6th notebook. I also own an iMac, which I think was a good deal for what I paid. Come back when you've evolved.
Actually, I have one in my lab. It runs an instrument and makes the lab uglier.
Go back and reread the OP. He's claiming that his $500 Best Buy PC makes the Mini a "joke".
Thanks for the personal history lesson, it was most helpful...
And that's great for you. It's unfortunate that yours and the OP's limited imaginations cannot understand the value of the Mini.
And you're scientifically illiterate, too?
et it if Apple would kill the Mini), I will not be a MINOR update. It can't be. Reason: Intel pulled the plug on the Merom processor, so they need a Penryn processor which needs a Santa Rosa platform and this platform will very likely bring the X3100 graphics. It is highly unlikely Apple will keep 802.11n out of that update since they are moving to the n wireless on all their platforms. And a slightly bigger HD and maybe even bigger standard memory size are very common in an update. IF(!) Apple brings us the update, this will be very likely it. I would not call that a minor update. Definitely worth it's price again and worth waiting for if you can.
Yes, if Apple updates the Mini and doesn't kill it, it will be a MacBook in a Mini's enclosure.
I've seen posts elsewhere of people installing FCP5 on their Minis. They've used Firewire drives for capture. I don't see why FCP6 can't also run on a Mini. Has Apple added code to it such that it uses the gpu for some of its routines? When I bought Aperture (1.0.2) it was listed as needing a dedicated gpu with its own vRAM, but it installed and ran fine on my Mini (although I had to use Pacifist to install it).
Are you kidding me? Because a guy doesnt have a Windows pc his opinion is not valid? I guess mine in not valid either since I no longer have a winpc. I had one for 10+ years, but I havent for the past 2. Guess that invalidates my opinion on anything also.
I did have a mac mini though, does that count for anything?
without the screen, of course
and losing the combo drive would help bring Apple into 2006
I don't know why people are jumping down the original poster's throat.
Yes, Mac Mini is a nice machine and yes it has a niche in the marketplace and yes there are certain inherent advantages a Mac has over a PC.
All that said, the Mini is long overdue for an update -- even an modest one. It is the only Mac in the current lineup that doesn't have 802.11n. It can only "officially" take 2GB RAM (unofficially 3GB). And the hard drive options are behind the times.
Apple will update the mini soon and then people on this board will be bragging about how much power it has and how much bang for the buck you get. Apple's update cycle is always "lumpier" than the PC world because it is only one manufacturer whereas you have dozens of companies introducing Windows PCs on a regular basis. When we are near the next update cycle the product almost always appears a bit long in the tooth versus the PC competition.
Does this mean that you shouldn't buy a Mini now if you want one? Not necessarily. That depends on your needs, your budget, and your patience. Does it mean that if you already own a Mini you made a mistake or your self-worth is somehow diminished? Of course not. When it comes to computers, love the one you're with!
But I personally find it a bit irritating when people ignore the realities of the computer market, where "faster, cheaper, better" is the law of the land. The mini is a nice little machine, but it will be a much nicer little machine when Apple updates it sometime this spring. I hope they do it sooner rather than later.
Yes, Mac Mini is a nice machine and yes it has a niche in the marketplace and yes there are certain inherent advantages a Mac has over a PC.
All that said, the Mini is long overdue for an update -- even an modest one. It is the only Mac in the current lineup that doesn't have 802.11n. It can only "officially" take 2GB RAM (unofficially 3GB). And the hard drive options are behind the times.
Apple will update the mini soon and then people on this board will be bragging about how much power it has and how much bang for the buck you get. Apple's update cycle is always "lumpier" than the PC world because it is only one manufacturer whereas you have dozens of companies introducing Windows PCs on a regular basis. When we are near the next update cycle the product almost always appears a bit long in the tooth versus the PC competition.
Does this mean that you shouldn't buy a Mini now if you want one? Not necessarily. That depends on your needs, your budget, and your patience. Does it mean that if you already own a Mini you made a mistake or your self-worth is somehow diminished? Of course not. When it comes to computers, love the one you're with!
But I personally find it a bit irritating when people ignore the realities of the computer market, where "faster, cheaper, better" is the law of the land. The mini is a nice little machine, but it will be a much nicer little machine when Apple updates it sometime this spring. I hope they do it sooner rather than later.
Yeah... I suppose that works if you are not using the elements that require the discrete video card.
Let me just say I would not want to be the editor that has to use a mini/FCP 6 set up. My students struggle with 2 yr old iMacs running FCP 3. Maybe newer versions are optimized better, but the reality is FCP is a pretty demanding app. Trying to force an install against recommendations or requirements is just asking for frustration. I already have no hair and can't afford the aggravation.
I don't know why people are jumping down the original poster's throat.
Yes, Mac Mini is a nice machine and yes it has a niche in the marketplace and yes there are certain inherent advantages a Mac has over a PC.
All that said, the Mini is long overdue for an update -- even an modest one. It is the only Mac in the current lineup that doesn't have 802.11n. It can only "officially" take 2GB RAM (unofficially 3GB). And the hard drive options are behind the times.
Apple will update the mini soon and then people on this board will be bragging about how much power it has and how much bang for the buck you get. Apple's update cycle is always "lumpier" than the PC world because it is only one manufacturer whereas you have dozens of companies introducing Windows PCs on a regular basis. When we are near the next update cycle the product almost always appears a bit long in the tooth versus the PC competition.
Does this mean that you shouldn't buy a Mini now if you want one? Not necessarily. That depends on your needs, your budget, and your patience. Does it mean that if you already own a Mini you made a mistake or your self-worth is somehow diminished? Of course not. When it comes to computers, love the one you're with!
But I personally find it a bit irritating when people ignore the realities of the computer market, where "faster, cheaper, better" is the law of the land. The mini is a nice little machine, but it will be a much nicer little machine when Apple updates it sometime this spring. I hope they do it sooner rather than later.
I think you have touched on a couple of quintessential points here; namely, that Apple is unfairly being compared to the rest of the field, and that their product life cycle is perhaps deviant from that seen in traditional models.
But I also agree that the Mini needs an update, or a price reduction as of *now*, although I cannot see the latter happening.
I have always wondered what 'Apple market research' tells corporate the Mini should be for, since there could be a model in either direction of current prices (with adjusted specifications).
Peace and God Bless!
The reason is because of the OP's inflammatory and inaccurate title of this thread.
How can an opinion be inaccurate? It seems that you're just such a fanboy you can't deal with a dissenting opinion.
I like Macs. I plan on buying a Mini when they are updated, but I too think that the current price and configuration are a joke. Sorry if that riles you up.
Me is eevulved...
Couldn't agree more! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to start up a new thread entitled "Macs all suck, and so do all of you!"