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Refurbed mini - First impressions

R

RNB

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 3, 2007
6
0
Bought a refurbed 2011 Mac min, 2.3 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB HD from Apple online. This is the low-end model, and was very cheap. I haven't had a mini before, but was replacing my original white MacBook that I'd been using as a desktop replacement.

I immediately ordered the 8 GB RAM upgrade from Crucial. I restored the new mini from my TimeMachine backup. The only issue I had was that it was running EXTREMELY slow. Finally figured out it was a network problem. Rebooted the router and that took care of it. Must have been some kind of address conflict on my network--maybe since I restored from the backup.

I paired the mini with an older Acer X191W 19" monitor (1440 X 900). It isn't nearly as good as Apple screens, but I like the non-glare screen. I used the adapter included with the mini to connect to the DVI on the Acer. Also tried the HDMI out to a 32" Samsung 720p TV, but wasn't impressed with the result. I do miss the 2nd screen I had with the old setup of using the MacBook, but it's okay.

Already had an Apple wired keyboard w/number pad. I also got an Apple TrackPad and that is slick for swipe gestures. Have a Logitec mouse, too, and I use both the TrackPad and mouse.

I also have an 11" MacBook Air for my work (writer), for Skype calls (since no camera with the mini), and other portable tasks. I use the mini for my main photo storage and financial software.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the mini. It's super quiet, small, runs cool, and zips along. I also like that it's new technology (the MacBook was heading on 5 years).
 
Cool beans. I like the new mini. I am using a 2010 as a main machine right now. After having a 24" imac and then a 27" imac, it's kinda hard to enjoy the mini with my ancient LCD at 1280x1024. Waiting for new imac's to come out to pull the trigger on a refurb.
 
RNB said:
Bought a refurbed 2011 Mac min, 2.3 GHz, 2 GB RAM, 500 GB HD from Apple online. This is the low-end model, and was very cheap. I haven't had a mini before, but was replacing my original white MacBook that I'd been using as a desktop replacement.

I immediately ordered the 8 GB RAM upgrade from Crucial. I restored the new mini from my TimeMachine backup. The only issue I had was that it was running EXTREMELY slow. Finally figured out it was a network problem. Rebooted the router and that took care of it. Must have been some kind of address conflict on my network--maybe since I restored from the backup.

I paired the mini with an older Acer X191W 19" monitor (1440 X 900). It isn't nearly as good as Apple screens, but I like the non-glare screen. I used the adapter included with the mini to connect to the DVI on the Acer. Also tried the HDMI out to a 32" Samsung 720p TV, but wasn't impressed with the result. I do miss the 2nd screen I had with the old setup of using the MacBook, but it's okay.

Already had an Apple wired keyboard w/number pad. I also got an Apple TrackPad and that is slick for swipe gestures. Have a Logitec mouse, too, and I use both the TrackPad and mouse.

I also have an 11" MacBook Air for my work (writer), for Skype calls (since no camera with the mini), and other portable tasks. I use the mini for my main photo storage and financial software.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the mini. It's super quiet, small, runs cool, and zips along. I also like that it's new technology (the MacBook was heading on 5 years).
Click to expand...

Glad you like it, enjoy!
 
I did same EXACT thing...grabbed a refurb I5 for 500 bux, tossed 8 gig of ram and have it paired to a 24" samsung and couldnt be happier!! It has replaced my 17" MBP Duocore that was getting the beachball nonstop. I use the thing for recording guitar through a Apogee Duet...the mini is just killin it!!

I still enjoy surfing and such on my windows machine or Ipad though...
 
paying 500 for a refurbished doesnt sound like that great of a deal to me. plus since its through apple you pay taxes and you have to pay shipping. if you buy through amazon you can get brand new for 568 new and no tax and free shipping. so your getting new for pretty much the same price.
 
Acorn said:
paying 500 for a refurbished doesnt sound like that great of a deal to me. plus since its through apple you pay taxes and you have to pay shipping. if you buy through amazon you can get brand new for 568 new and no tax and free shipping. so your getting new for pretty much the same price.
Click to expand...

depends on your sales tax and your credit cards, apple refurb in NJ is 519 plus 36.33 sales tax or 555.33 if you use a discovercard 5% cashback on the 519 is 25.95 so net is 529.38.

amazon is no tax so 568 and if you buy with a chase card 5% off is 28.40 net is 539.60. so for me the amazon is just about the same.

in delaware the refurb is tax free so it is a better deal to buy the refurb.
 
I got the 2.3ghz mac mini for home use, added the 8gb ram and I am very happy with it so quite and looks good on the apple 23" Cinema HD I've borrowed from my work.

Purchased off the apple refurb section main uk apple website for £449, about 2 weeks ago now. Was abit gutted as there was a 2.5ghz mac mini on there this week for £599.

B
 
philipma1957 said:
depends on your sales tax and your credit cards, apple refurb in NJ is 519 plus 36.33 sales tax or 555.33 if you use a discovercard 5% cashback on the 519 is 25.95 so net is 529.38.

amazon is no tax so 568 and if you buy with a chase card 5% off is 28.40 net is 539.60. so for me the amazon is just about the same.

in delaware the refurb is tax free so it is a better deal to buy the refurb.
Click to expand...

you did not calculate shipping costs for the apple store. there is no shipping cost from amazon. and your post proves my point. the new is pretty much the same cost as refurbished. unless for some strange reason you rather have a refurbished machine instead of brand new.
 
Acorn said:
you did not calculate shipping costs for the apple store. there is no shipping cost from amazon. and your post proves my point. the new is pretty much the same cost as refurbished. unless for some strange reason you rather have a refurbished machine instead of brand new.
Click to expand...

Most things, especially computers, are free shipping from Apple in the US.
 
Acorn said:
you did not calculate shipping costs for the apple store. there is no shipping cost from amazon. and your post proves my point. the new is pretty much the same cost as refurbished. unless for some strange reason you rather have a refurbished machine instead of brand new.
Click to expand...

like i said for me in nj amazon is better. shipping is free for me in both cases. in a no sales tax state apple refurbs are better.
 
I have the same refurb base Mini as the OP, it arrived flawless and works great. Plenty fast for everything I've tried and normally runs silent and cool.

Added 8GB ram 3 months ago and no issues with that. Usually only 4 to 5 GB is used. Recently I noticed with 3 Safari windows and several tabs each, almost all the 8GB is used but there are no performance problems.

The only weird thing I've seen so far is in late 2012 Safari would always go crazy with max CPU when I tried to go to iCloud.com, but that issue has gone away, possibly it was a bug in either Safari or iCloud.com.

Also running an older LCD display, I've got my eye on a Dell UltraSharp 22 - 24" IPS LED, often they're a good price on sale, but hoping maybe Apple might have something good coming in a new monitor, their 27" is too big and expensive for me.
 
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