second computer help needed

[rower]

I have a MBA B, which I am quite pleased with. However, I need to take it in to apple as the screen hinge is developing play.

I hate to lose use of my computer for 2 weeks or so, and I need another one perhaps anyway...

So - given I am going to graduate school, I was going to get a 24" monitor to use with the MBA.

Therefore, I wonder whether I should get a mini or a backup MBP. I don't do video editing, etc. (except for limited iMovie). I don't watch movies on the computer either - unless I had the mini for playing back stuff.

I was thinking of getting a mini to use as a htpc, along with my appletv, provided I could use the mini as an easy pvr.
I just hope that the mini would provide an easy enough tuner experience to replace cable and save money using off the air HD.

the mini would allow me to have a computer while the mba is off getting fixed.

Or, I could get a mpb for a second computer, perhaps leaving it plugged in to the 24" monitor at the house, and have a spare in case something goes wrong with the mba. Disadvantage is I doubt I want to carry the mbp around much - I had the prior generation 15" and it is a big machine.

I also worry about keeping two machines synced all the time so I dont have the wrong version of files.

Synching calendars and emails is no problem as I am on an exchange server.

I would get the 13" I guess, though I could get the 15". I am NOT a fan of the glassy screen.

I love the MBA and at school we have power outlets at every seat so no problem there with short battery life.


I know this is scattered, but I only want to get one additional computer. If the MBA didn't need to go back to Apple I wouldn't buy either right now but I guess this is an opportunity. I love the MBA and wait for the next release to cure its few faults and up the SSD and go to 4gb memory too.

Any thoughts?

 

[rower]

no one?

 

[lixuelai]

I would go with the Mini.

 

[jmoore5196]

I have the same challenge: I have an MBA Rev B, which I absolutely love, married to a 24" ACD. Bliss!

I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade to the 2.13 SSD MBA, or buy a high-end 13" MBP to use as a "main" desk-bound machine. I like the Mini, but to my eye, it's underpowered.

The only other solution is a Mac Pro, and I don't want to spend $2500 just now. I considered buying a 24" iMac and eBaying the ACD, but I love the utility - beautiful display and docking station all in one.

If anyone wants to set me straight about the Mini, I'm all ears.

 

[lixuelai]

The Mini is still faster than the MBA.

 

[jmoore5196]

Well, I guess my point is that if I'm going to be stuck with a relatively slow computer, I'd rather have one that will win a beauty contest.

I've seen Macworld's Speedmark results (202 vs 175) but I just can't see the Mini being sufficiently fast enough to make a difference.

The real decision is to stick with just one computer - the MBA - or buy something else for desk work. I just find it hard to get excited about the Mini, especially when I either have to fork over $200 for extra RAM and HD or crack the case myself.