New to Mac, Considering Mini, does it work for me?

[DeekEye]

I am considering purchasing a Mac mini to replace my PC. The $599.00 price fits my budget but I am considering upgrading ram and the hard drive at a later date.

For the time being is the core 2 duo and 1gb of ram powerful enough for basic task such as web surfing, music, email and lastly image editing? I plan on using photomatix to edit hdr photos.

 

[Hellhammer]

Yes, it's OK for you. Just max out the RAM (4GB) and upgrade the HD to 7200rpm drive.

 

[kurosov]

I'm really curious as to what kind of resources people think running a web browser and music player requires.

These tasks where easily completed on tech over 5 years ago.

 

[Hellhammer]

I'm really curious as to what kind of resources people think running a web browser and music player requires.

These tasks where easily completed on tech over 5 years ago.

My Acer doesn't handle Firefox, iTunes and Messenger CPU usage always 100%

 

[DeekEye]

I ask because the fairly new PC I am using in my office locks up all the time. If I try to open a lot of explorer windows and the database we run, it says their is some type of error, closes them and then trys to send a report to microsoft. I'm so tired of it. I think mac guys take the stability of their operating system for granted. Not all windows users have trouble but I sure have, especially over the past year or so. The thing is the work I am doing is not that intensive. It involves a web browser and accessing an AS400 server.

 

[steve2112]

I'm really curious as to what kind of resources people think running a web browser and music player requires.

These tasks where easily completed on tech over 5 years ago.

Try watching Hulu or some other Flash video site on a Powerbook. My PB 1.67 is constantly giving the beach ball if I try to do anything else while watching a video in my browser. The CPU usage spikes dramatically. So yeah, web browsing and playing music can suck some resources.

Most modern C2D procs should be able to handle all this with no problem, though. My 1.83 C2D Mini can handle most video, though it does tend to choke on full screen HD stuff.

 

[Dip The Dip]

How would the Mac Mini handle Aperture 2?

I'm in the same shoes really. I only want the Mini for Media/Photography Purposes.

I've got a 1.5 Year old Dell XPS M1330 to deal with all my work!

 

[arcadeforest]

A new 2009 mini will do almost everything you expect it to except high end gaming due to limitations with onboard video. Yes, a mac pro or top the line iMac will run things faster but your talking 4-5 times the price which for me anyways is not worth the slight speed difference you gain.

 

[nuckinfutz]

Yup

The new Mini 2009 with Nvidia graphics will work like a charm.

Slap a 7200RPM drive in it for a boost or even better slap an SSD in it when they get a bit cheaper to keep it really quiet.

Don't buy your RAM through Apple get it from a reputable dealer.

You're going to get Snow Leopard for ten bucks and it'll run even better.

I like the mini better than the iMac in many ways. I get to choose the size/quality of my monitor and that is great.

Budget for a decent mouse/keyboard.

 

[Dip The Dip]

Cool! Well because I'm a student I'm getting the Mini for £557 inc VAT and 4GB RAM. Once the warranty is done with the SSD will go in.

And I'll probably buy the Wireless Mighty Mouse and Keyboard combo. Apparently these can be used with PC am I correct?

 

[ayasinsk]

The mighty mouse and keyboard can be used on a pc a long as that pc has a blue tooth. I believe there are also blue tooth USB adaptors you can buy.