Several Questions

[Pecans]

So I am thinking of buying a base Mac Mini sometime this month or next month. ( Waiting to see if new model comes out.) But, I have some questions about the current base Mac Mini.

1. I'm thinking of buying refurbished. Is this a good idea? I like the idea of 1 year of AppleCare and the fact that it's $70 cheaper. (I have about a $600 dollar budget.)
2. Is the Intel Hd3000 really that bad? Would I be able to play games like L4D2 or BorderLands on low settings with 8 gb of ram? (I would test out the games on my current pc but my processor is too slow...)
3. If I add 8 or 16 GB of ram can it run Aperture smoothly?
4. I plan to switch out the HDD for a SSD eventually. Should I get A USB 2.0 (or 3.0 if new one comes out) or a firewire 800 hard drive enclosure?
5. If I buy a refurb and the new version comes out within the month of me buying it can I return it and get the new one?

Any good apps you guys can think of for photo editing and whatever else?

Finally, How much faster will this be than my current computer. I know the processors are much better but here are my current system specs...

Core 2 Duo @ 2.00 Ghz
3Gb of ram
Intel HD 3000 (358 Mb of ram allocated)
AND The real killer... Windows Vista...

Thanks for taking the time to read and possibly answer this long post.

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

So I am thinking of buying a base Mac Mini sometime this month or next month. ( Waiting to see if new model comes out.). Finally, How much faster will this be than my current computer. I know the processors are much better but here are my current system specs...

Core 2 Duo @ 2.00 Ghz
3Gb of ram
Intel HD 3000 (358 Mb of ram allocated)
AND The real killer... Windows Vista...

The speed depends on the software, which you use. HandBrake and audio tools are faster on the newer processors. I would wait for Ivy Bridge, because the processor generates less heat and is around 10-15 percent faster than Sandy Bridge. The IGP is also much better.

Your 2 GHz Core 2 Duo vs. the current 2.3 GHz Core i5 (Sandy Bridge)
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/compare/1006902/1004276
(64-Bit)

 

[Omnius]

So I am thinking of buying a base Mac Mini sometime this month or next month. ( Waiting to see if new model comes out.) But, I have some questions about the current base Mac Mini.

First, congrats on thinking Mac. It's a step that most people follow through with.

1. I'm thinking of buying refurbished. Is this a good idea? I like the idea of 1 year of AppleCare and the fact that it's $70 cheaper. (I have about a $600 dollar budget.)

I bought a refurb mini. I was very happy.

2. Is the Intel Hd3000 really that bad? Would I be able to play games like L4D2 or BorderLands on low settings with 8 gb of ram? (I would test out the games on my current pc but my processor is too slow...)

A discrete gpu is much better than the integrated graphics option. I'm unfamiliar with those games but I find Starcraft 2 plays like a dream on a mid level mac mini (the i5 model with a discrete gpu). Its generally considered a good idea to opt for a computer with a discrete gpu if you are considering any kind of games.

3. If I add 8 or 16 GB of ram can it run Aperture smoothly?

I'm not qualified to answer this one. I never page out with 8gb of ram. I feel like you'd max out the cpu long before you had a need for 16gb if ram.

4. I plan to switch out the HDD for a SSD eventually.

Google this topic with the 2011 Mac Mini. There is actually another internal SATA III bus for you to put in a second internal HD. It's becoming very common for mac users to purchase an aftermarket SSD, a connector and I believe the correct sized screws and installing the second HD themselves.

Should I get A USB 2.0 (or 3.0 if new one comes out) or a firewire 800 hard drive enclosure?

This depends on what you intend to use it for.

5. If I buy a refurb and the new version comes out within the month of me buying it can I return it and get the new one?

I don't know this for certain but if I were a betting man, I'd bet a lot of money on no.

Any good apps you guys can think of for photo editing and whatever else?

I find the standard adobe suite to be quite nice.

Finally, How much faster will this be than my current computer. I know the processors are much better but here are my current system specs...

Check out the geekbench scores. I think that's the best way to estimate. However, my own personal upgrade from a 2006 mac mini to a 2011 mac mini was similar. I found the jump from 2 ghz to 2.5ghz is night and day. My older mini has a SSD and maxed out ram. It's fast compared to other 2006 minis. It's nothing compared to the new model. As for the OS, pretty much anything is better than Vista, except XP (only because XP is becoming unsupported). I run win 7 in bootcamp and lion. They're both good OSes, though I prefer Lion for its intuitiveness and ease of use.

Core 2 Duo @ 2.00 Ghz
3Gb of ram
Intel HD 3000 (358 Mb of ram allocated)
AND The real killer... Windows Vista...

Thanks for taking the time to read and possibly answer this long post.[/QUOTE]