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New Mac Mini mid-2010 fast enough?

A

ApplePu

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 3, 2010
149
30
Switzerland
Hey

I'm currently thinking about selling my MacBook Pro for a desktop mac as I've got an iPad lately and my mobile needs are well served by that.

So I've already got a 24-inch display and therefore the mac mini is my favourite.

I'm just not sure if the mini will serve my needs. I'm doing raw file editing (EOS 7D raw files in lightroom 3 + photoshop), some video editing/encoding and just the usual stuff like browsing, watching movies, typing and and and.....it would be nice if my new setup would have some performance reserves though....

I'm considering the following mini setup:

-2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo
-320M Graphics
-8 GB RAM (got these already in my mbp)
-500 GB Momentus XT Hybrid

What do you think? Is that sufficient for my needs?
 
It seems fine, although I wonder when you talk about video editing/encoding how intensive/often you're going to be doing that...I almost think you might be better off with one of the iMacs because of the new processors that Apple's put in. I know you have a 24" monitor...but I almost feel like you'd be better served with an i3/i5/i7. That also, of course, depends on your budget situation...although if you're willing to spend 800+ on a Mac Mini, something tells me an iMac is not too far outta reach.

Just my two cents.
 
the whole video thing is not really important, that's just on playing around level. i've already decided against the imac for some other reasons. i would prefer to have display + mac separately.
 
ApplePu said:
the whole video thing is not really important, that's just on playing around level. i've already decided against the imac for some other reasons. i would prefer to have display + mac separately.
Click to expand...

I made this decision as well. It's much cheaper for me when a Mac Mini suits my needs and I already have a screen and monitor.

I'd much rather pay 700 every 2-3 years vs. 1200.

The new Mini is more than capable for most peoples video editing needs.

If you want the Mini, go for it. I'm ordering one in a week or so to replace my 12" PowerBook (for in home use).
 
Can't comment on the video side, but you should be fine with LR & PS. I'm running LR3 and PS CS5 on a Mini 2.53GHz/4G RAM. The spot healing tool in LR gets a little laggy on a 100MB TIFF with 30-40 spots already there, but that's about it. And I suspect that may be an issue that Adobe are addressing, as I've seen a few comments around to the effect that it wasn't like that in the beta.
 
FourCandles said:
Can't comment on the video side, but you should be fine with LR & PS. I'm running LR3 and PS CS5 on a Mini 2.53GHz/4G RAM. The spot healing tool in LR gets a little laggy on a 100MB TIFF with 30-40 spots already there, but that's about it. And I suspect that may be an issue that Adobe are addressing, as I've seen a few comments around to the effect that it wasn't like that in the beta.
Click to expand...

ok that sounds really good. have you got the impression that there is some spare performance or is the mini already running hot under these circumstances?
 
I have the previous Mini with 2GHz, 4GB RAM and SSD drive. The drive made a serious difference, but unfortunately isn't a BTO for the Mini. I could never go back to a normal hard drive.
I use mine for everything; TV (DVR with EyeTV), photos, movies, browsing, work and it is almost perfect.
For converting video I would like a bit more cpu oomph, but with a new one you will get faster cpu and graphics than I have, so I give it my warmest recommendations.
Also it is very energy efficient.

But do consider the SSD...it makes it even more quiet...and FAST!
 
batistuta said:
I have the previous Mini with 2GHz, 4GB RAM and SSD drive. The drive made a serious difference, but unfortunately isn't a BTO for the Mini. I could never go back to a normal hard drive.
I use mine for everything; TV (DVR with EyeTV), photos, movies, browsing, work and it is almost perfect.
For converting video I would like a bit more cpu oomph, but with a new one you will get faster cpu and graphics than I have, so I give it my warmest recommendations.
Also it is very energy efficient.

But do consider the SSD...it makes it even more quiet...and FAST!
Click to expand...

I was considering a full SSD option as well but I don't like the idea of having most of my data on external drives. so I'll try the hybrid drive first where I should get a performance boost and decent internal storage at the same time.
 
I honestly would not do the hybrid. That is just me. I opted for an 80 gig intel drive and popped the old hard drive in my macbook into an external enclosure. I mean, SSD drives are blistering fast man. Those hybrid drives won't come close to the pure performance a true SSD will give you, especially for video editing and image editing. The hybrid drives also just put programs that you use often into the flash memory, which also is only what around 8 gigs guys? Seriously, plugins alone for a lot of my editing programs are over that amount.

When I want brushes to load, or large images, I can seriously count on my SSD drive.
 
Jason Beck said:
I honestly would not do the hybrid. That is just me. I opted for an 80 gig intel drive and popped the old hard drive in my macbook into an external enclosure. I mean, SSD drives are blistering fast man. Those hybrid drives won't come close to the pure performance a true SSD will give you, especially for video editing and image editing. The hybrid drives also just put programs that you use often into the flash memory, which also is only what around 8 gigs guys? Seriously, plugins alone for a lot of my editing programs are over that amount.

When I want brushes to load, or large images, I can seriously count on my SSD drive.
Click to expand...

Ok I probably need some teaching, but: What is the advantage of an 80 gig SSD when every image file is located on a slower external drive? I guess there is a speed increase once I opened a file but isn't it very slow to load?

edit: would the mini server be the top solution? to have 1 ssd + 1 500gb drive internal? it's a bit pricey though...
 
I'm using my Mac Mini for almost the same needs and everything works just perfect. And i got less RAM in my Mini than in the Mac Mini you plan to buy. So i believe it'll be perfect for you too :)
 
I had my own reservations about getting a Mac Mini(Server). Glad I got it though. I've had it setup for 2 days now and HD Video play back is great from Youtube and Hulu.

I've raided the drives after an hour of frustration on how to get my DVD drive on my iMac to be visible on Mac Mini. I guess I should have read the manual but Raiding (striped the drives for performance) was easy enough!

Streaming video from my iMac (2.8GHz i7, 2TB) is seamless w/ no stuttering and HDMI audio out to my receiver is epic. HD sounds great through my Marantz 6003!
 
ApplePu said:
I was considering a full SSD option as well but I don't like the idea of having most of my data on external drives. so I'll try the hybrid drive first where I should get a performance boost and decent internal storage at the same time.
Click to expand...

I've got the 2010 Mini 2.66/8GB/500GB HDD. Like you I do not want an external drive to mess with right now. Although later an NAS might work for me on my 2010. I do have a Time Capsule for backup.

So, I have an OWC SSD + an XT 500GB and bought the Optical Bay mounting bracket which is very well made and which OWC said will fit in the 2010 Mini's SD spot. Also got the Modeus.com OBHC for a 2009 Mini which is OK but not nearly the quality of the OWC. Plus OWC gives tech advice should I need it and told me in advance that this OBHC works in the 2010 Mini.

The stock HDD is giving me beach balls nowadays after about 2 months and that's why I'm putting in the SSD. I know everyone's situation is different. I keep open all day long about 6 email and safari windows plus one each of numbers and pages windows.

To me this should be light work. but hey 5200rpm is 5200rpm. I got the XT thinking just like you. But after the beach balls started coming too often for me and I was continually reading about the 2 drive option (SSD+HDD) available in any Mini, I decided to go that route.

Instead of going the small SSD route and large HDD for large data files as many do, due to the high cost of SSD's (I have 117GB of Music I play from time to time while working), I decided to go for a good sized SSD from OWC, even though I still plan to keep iTunes/iPhoto etc large Files on the XT.

Time will tell how it works out for both Minis, but after buying Imacs and an Air which I love for travel, I feel the Mini was made for my non-travel needs, especially if you have a nice monitor to use with it.

Hey, why not try the XT first and then if you want more zip, get an SSD later and maybe then the SSD prices will drop, budget allowing.

Sorry this got so long, but to me it is important to hear from as many people as feasible who are as close to your EXACT hardware & usage situation as possible. Hope this helps.;)
 
BKMK5 said:
I had my own reservations about getting a Mac Mini(Server). Glad I got it though. I've had it setup for 2 days now and HD Video play back is great from Youtube and Hulu.

I've raided the drives after an hour of frustration on how to get my DVD drive on my iMac to be visible on Mac Mini. I guess I should have read the manual but Raiding (striped the drives for performance) was easy enough!

Streaming video from my iMac (2.8GHz i7, 2TB) is seamless w/ no stuttering and HDMI audio out to my receiver is epic. HD sounds great through my Marantz 6003!
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. I'm not too much into playing HD video with it. I would use it as a workstation. So I'm now asking myself what to get:

1. Mac mini with the Momentus XT drive
2. Mac mini server with SSD + 500gb drive (+external superdrive eventually)

What do you think? I would be happy if it becomes a real screamer :rolleyes:
 
mangrove said:
I've got the 2010 Mini 2.66/8GB/500GB HDD. Like you I do not want an external drive to mess with right now. Although later an NAS might work for me on my 2010. I do have a Time Capsule for backup.

So, I have an OWC SSD + an XT 500GB and bought the Optical Bay mounting bracket which is very well made and which OWC said will fit in the 2010 Mini's SD spot. Also got the Modeus.com OBHC for a 2009 Mini which is OK but not nearly the quality of the OWC. Plus OWC gives tech advice should I need it and told me in advance that this OBHC works in the 2010 Mini.

The stock HDD is giving me beach balls nowadays after about 2 months and that's why I'm putting in the SSD. I know everyone's situation is different. I keep open all day long about 6 email and safari windows plus one each of numbers and pages windows.

To me this should be light work. but hey 5200rpm is 5200rpm. I got the XT thinking just like you. But after the beach balls started coming too often for me and I was continually reading about the 2 drive option (SSD+HDD) available in any Mini, I decided to go that route.

Instead of going the small SSD route and large HDD for large data files as many do, due to the high cost of SSD's (I have 117GB of Music I play from time to time while working), I decided to go for a good sized SSD from OWC, even though I still plan to keep iTunes/iPhoto etc large Files on the XT.

Time will tell how it works out for both Minis, but after buying Imacs and an Air which I love for travel, I feel the Mini was made for my non-travel needs, especially if you have a nice monitor to use with it.

Hey, why not try the XT first and then if you want more zip, get an SSD later and maybe then the SSD prices will drop, budget allowing.

Sorry this got so long, but to me it is important to hear from as many people as feasible who are as close to your EXACT hardware & usage situation as possible. Hope this helps.;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your interesting reply. As I have to buy new now, I guess I would rather go for the mini server from the beginning to have 2 drives in 1 mini....
 
ApplePu said:
Thanks for your interesting reply. As I have to buy new now, I guess I would rather go for the mini server from the beginning to have 2 drives in 1 mini....
Click to expand...

I know what you mean. I have heard so many say they got the server due to getting 2 hard drives. But for me I do not want to currently get into the server game. Then I hear many asking how to install client SL in their server models. I can get myself into enough trouble without having that head ache too.

If I had thought my 2010 Mini purchase out better and knew the beach balls would be coming, I would have just bought the cheapest HDD in the 2010 to save a couple bucks which I could then put toward drives of MY choice.

Just remembered OWC has a great analysis of different Minis with different RAM and 5200 vs. SSD.

Go to OWC.com>tech support>benchmarks>Minis. You might like it to review items before pulling the trigger.;)
 
mangrove said:
I know what you mean. I have heard so many say they got the server due to getting 2 hard drives. But for me I do not want to currently get into the server game. Then I hear many asking how to install client SL in their server models. I can get myself into enough trouble without having that head ache too.

If I had thought my 2010 Mini purchase out better and knew the beach balls would be coming, I would have just bought the cheapest HDD in the 2010 to save a couple bucks which I could then put toward drives of MY choice.

Just remembered OWC has a great analysis of different Minis with different RAM and 5200 vs. SSD.

Go to OWC.com>tech support>benchmarks>Minis. You might like it to review items before pulling the trigger.;)
Click to expand...

oh that's cool, thanks for the link. I'll have a look at it just now :D
 
Get the Mac mini server with dual 500GB HD.

The slot-loading optical drive is useless and easy to get failed because of aging, no matter how careful you use or how less you use it.

I got an open box one on Mac mall for $822. Great deal
 
steamtoy said:
Get the Mac mini server with dual 500GB HD.

The slot-loading optical drive is useless and easy to get failed because of aging, no matter how careful you use or how less you use it.

I got an open box one on Mac mall for $822. Great deal
Click to expand...

can you use the bundled mac os x server as a workstation os or do you recommend to install a standard version of snow leopard?
 
I decided to go with the standard mac mini and give the Momentus XT a chance.

I think to buy a mac mini server and put an ssd in there + an external dvd drive is quite a bit of an investment....not sure if the speed boost over the Momentus XT is worth it...
 
My cheaper solution

I am going to get a used '07 mini for $250 with the 2 gigs of ram and then put and Intel core 2 duo processor 2.33Ghz (which it supports) and it will be like the 2010 one!
 
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