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Secretly Switch Minis

M

moonislune

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 11, 2005
157
0
Okay, I'm feeling a bit sneaky today.

So do you remember those coffee commercials that switched the "great house coffee" for Folgers and the people never knew?

Well, I've been thinking of trying a similar "switch" with the 2 mac minis we have in our home. My wife has a 1.66 C2D Mini with 40gb hard drive and 512mg ram. She uses her mini to surf the web in Firefox, sync her ipod in itunes, check and receive emails, and edit some basic pictures in Adobe Illustrator.

The mini we have in the livingroom is a 1.25ghz g4 with 1gb ram and an 80gb hard drive. The livingroom mini is used as a mediacenter with Elgato's EyeTV software and an hd stick.

From my earlier tests this morning, the eyetv software ran better (less choppy video) on the C2D Mini (wifes mini) than on the G4 we had in the livingroom. I have yet to compare Illustrator on the G4 to the C2D. What do you guys and gals think? Should I backup her files and settings, migrate users and make the switch? Or am I asking for trouble?
 
A small point, probably insignificant compared to the daring heist you are contemplating: there is no such thing as a C2D Mini.

Why don't you just ask her, anyway? :confused:
 
skunk said:
A small point, probably insignificant compared to the daring heist you are contemplating: there is no such thing as a C2D Mini.

Why don't you just ask her, anyway? :confused:
Click to expand...

We spoke about it earlier. She just couldn't understand how an older computer (g4) might run illustrator a little faster than our new mini. BTW, if it's not C2D, is it just CD? I also have an ulterior motive here...I'm hoping for less choppy playback of hdtv during soccer and basketball games. :) Now that I think a little more about it, she'd probably appreciate less choppy playback on Grey's Anatomy and Heroes too :)
 
If you think you can get away with it .... go for it. After all it's not often we get the opportunity to get one over on our better half. LOL :cool:

FJ
 
Is Illustrator an Universal binary or is it running under Rosetta. If it is running under rosetta then it may well me faster on the G4 than on the Intel CD.
 
Lovesong said:
Chances are that Illustrator will run faster on the G4, as it's running natively on a PPC. Just try explaining that to her.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same as well. I've got a few hours before she's back from shopping...confirmed by our last cell phone call. I looked at her user folder, less than 2gb of data, so this should be a quick switch :)

sparkyms said:
She will notice when she tries to sync her iPod with iTunes...

So I'd probably ask her :)
Click to expand...

Hmm...I hadn't thought about that one. When I migrate her user settings and folders, would it still have a problem?
 
sparkyms said:
She will notice when she tries to sync her iPod with iTunes...

So I'd probably ask her :)
Click to expand...
When this happens you can cover yourself by saying something like:

"I read somewhere there is a fault with the new iTunes software"

That should do the trick :cool:

FJ
 
Father Jack said:
When this happens you can cover yourself by saying something like:

"I read somewhere there is a fault with the new iTunes software"

That should do the trick :cool:

FJ
Click to expand...

Hillarious. It could also be a good reason to go out and buy her a new nano as she has an older ipod mini green (2 or 4gb) monochrome screen. Thanks FJ! (It would be a small price to pay for quality tv :) )

So the switch begins. I'll update you on the progress today. Thanks for your feedback guys and gals. I hope you're having a nice weekend!

IMAGE_004.jpg
 
This might get interesting...personally, I'd beat you over the head once I figured it out. But maybe she won't, and be happy about the less-choppy video.:)
 
d_and_n5000 said:
This might get interesting...personally, I'd beat you over the head once I figured it out. But maybe she won't, and be happy about the less-choppy video.:)
Click to expand...

I am definitely going to tell her...I'm just waiting to hear any feedback from her. I wonder if she'll notice a difference? I would be kind of shocked, really, if she noticed a difference, but we'll see. For now, I'm keeping my lips sealed on this.
 
moonislune said:
Hillarious. It could also be a good reason to go out and buy her a new nano as she has an older ipod mini green (2 or 4gb) monochrome screen. Thanks FJ! (It would be a small price to pay for quality tv :) )
Click to expand...
Yeah ... get her a new Nano, that should definitely do the trick.

Just to be safe perhaps you should wear a motor cycle helmet for the next week or two, just in case !!! ;)

Please do keep us informed. If we don't hear from you we will know she found out. R.I.P.

FJ
 
Father Jack said:
Yeah ... get her a new Nano, that should definitely do the trick.

Just to be safe perhaps you should wear a motor cycle helmet for the next week or two, just in case !!! ;)

Please do keep us informed. If we don't hear from you we will know she found out. R.I.P.

FJ
Click to expand...

I have to say.. the Apple Migration assistant is a dream. I've used it a few times, and each time it's just painless. I originally thought that she only had a few GB of data... well, I guess she's bought a few tunes and added some programs since the last time I was on her mini. Anyway, in 45 minutes, the switch will be complete. Off to go look at the nanos. After I get one, I'll post it on here. Any recommends on a nano?
 
moonislune said:
I have to say.. the Apple Migration assistant is a dream. I've used it a few times, and each time it's just painless. I originally thought that she only had a few GB of data... well, I guess she's bought a few tunes and added some programs since the last time I was on her mini. Anyway, in 45 minutes, the switch will be complete. Off to go look at the nanos. After I get one, I'll post it on here. Any recommends on a nano?
Click to expand...
Get her a 2 Gb Nano, after all you don't want her getting suspicious :p

FJ
 
She may have some hidden files...if that's the case you are in for some trouble ;)

At least that is my prediction.

Why didn't you just ask her?
 
You would have been better off selling the G4 mini and using the money towards getting a new Mini for yourself. Better hope your wife doesn't use the remote with her Mini, or see you running Front Row in the living room...
 
ricksbrain said:
How comfortable is your couch? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I agree.


You should ask her first and then ask her a few days later to make sure she still feels that it's OK. Or you could sell your mini and use that money plus the money that you were going to spend on a nano to buy a new one.
 
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