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The $799 Mac Mini
- Thread starter D4F
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think i pooped myself when i saw AMD Radeon HD 6630M
Indeed
That's actually a decent chip
Nice update.
I have two issues with it.
1. No optical drive affects its usefulness as a HTPC. I have enough peripherals already without needing to get an external optical drive.
2. I want a quad-core CPU, but I don't want Lion Server. Really annoying Apple doesn't offer such an option.
I have two issues with it.
1. No optical drive affects its usefulness as a HTPC. I have enough peripherals already without needing to get an external optical drive.
2. I want a quad-core CPU, but I don't want Lion Server. Really annoying Apple doesn't offer such an option.
Did not notice you need to choose between the GPU or CPU as far as desecrete/quad core. Maybe heat was an issue to have both?
although i would miss the superdrive, the addition of the AMD Radeon HD 6630M makes it acceptable. Finally the mac mini has awesome graphics and processing power. However, i would have like for a quad core processor and AMD Radeon HD 6630M option, but im content with the options. im also happy for the new prices as i was expecting a single $700 model. The new prices can go two ways, im saving $100 on the base model, or i only have to pay $100 more for upgraded graphics.
With the exception of the amount of VRAM available, that's actually on par with a 2010 15" MacBook Pro. If it had 512MB of VRAM, it would actually be just as good for games. Granted, Magicka and Left 4 Dead 2 ran surprisingly well on a mid-2010 Mac Mini.
The high-end CPU is an i7-2620M. The dual-core turbo boost is 3.2GHz, and 3.4GHz for single core.
And good on them for ditching the optical drives for the SSD+HDD option! The Macs with one remaining are the Pro and pro-sumer (high-end iMac) models. Here's to those going away.
Mean little machine, though I'll stick to my iMac.
The high-end CPU is an i7-2620M. The dual-core turbo boost is 3.2GHz, and 3.4GHz for single core.
And good on them for ditching the optical drives for the SSD+HDD option! The Macs with one remaining are the Pro and pro-sumer (high-end iMac) models. Here's to those going away.
Mean little machine, though I'll stick to my iMac.
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I really wanted a 128GB SSD option. I don't know if I can justify adding $600 for space I don't intend on using. I want my content on an external firewire hard drive and use this as a media server. I am also disappointed about the removal of the super drive.
it seems to me if you get the 799 model and add the i7 with the 750gb hdd you are at about 1004 with the student discount. that is a pretty good machine. close to the better 21.5 inch iMac
that is a great computer. going to try to get my parents to buy one. there computer is so slow, it is 8 years old and they complain so much
If they weren't going to put blu ray in then I'm I happy they took the optical drive out, added good graphics, put a good processor in, gave an option now for a 7,200rpm hd and ssds. The only thing I wish was for 2 front usb ports and thats it. Other wise I'm very impressed what Apple did with the mini and it seems like one killer little machine. I would love to get one but I'm very happy with my 2010 MBP right now. I may get a mini for a htpc when ivey bridge comes out next year.
I really would have loved a 64 or 128 SSD option as well.. $600 is insane for for a $800 mini, especially since you lose a 500GB drive in the process.
A $200 option to add 64GB SSD for OS/apps and keep the 500GB would have been perfect
Any chance that Apple may offer more choices for SSD drives in the near future? I've never noticed that happening, but I would take a 64GB SSD option also.
It's a great machine but a little expensive.
A 27" display + mac mini is great. if you ever want a faster machine, you just replace the mini and get to keep the screen. All for about ~1800.
From an HTPC standpoint, I'm glad I didn't wait. I built a small HTPC machine (i3, 4gb ram) and it runs all my large 40gb blu-ray's flawlessly with the HD2000. It cost me roughly $270 (I could have saved more but wanted to future proof myself a little) I spent another 300 making an ubuntu box that stores all my media internally (price doesn't include HD's) and runs certain services.
I'm surely considering a mini for my desk though. They're great machines but personally it's a waste to dedicate as an HTPC. You really don't need much.
A 27" display + mac mini is great. if you ever want a faster machine, you just replace the mini and get to keep the screen. All for about ~1800.
From an HTPC standpoint, I'm glad I didn't wait. I built a small HTPC machine (i3, 4gb ram) and it runs all my large 40gb blu-ray's flawlessly with the HD2000. It cost me roughly $270 (I could have saved more but wanted to future proof myself a little) I spent another 300 making an ubuntu box that stores all my media internally (price doesn't include HD's) and runs certain services.
I'm surely considering a mini for my desk though. They're great machines but personally it's a waste to dedicate as an HTPC. You really don't need much.
I was planning on getting the 27" iMac but am put off a bit by lack of TB peripherals/adapters and had just decided to wait til the next release. This mini seems to serve all my needs (predominately Photoshop/Lightroom) and I can use my 20" IPS monitor.
Only hesitation is that the $799 model comes with a 5400rpm 500 gig drive. Ridiculous price to 'upgrade' to a 7200 rpm 750 gig drive. I would love to know if that is user upgradeable. Also really dying to know if can add aftermarket SSD or will have fan issues like with the new iMacs.
Only hesitation is that the $799 model comes with a 5400rpm 500 gig drive. Ridiculous price to 'upgrade' to a 7200 rpm 750 gig drive. I would love to know if that is user upgradeable. Also really dying to know if can add aftermarket SSD or will have fan issues like with the new iMacs.
Has Apple or anyone said you can't run two monitors using mini-DP adapters (to DVI) and HDMI, with or without the adapter (which is included)?
generally some great additions, but they've sprinkled them oddly all over the place.
I can have a quad core, but only if I have two HDDs (which I don't need) and then I lose the discrete graphics, which only come with a dual core.
Heat might be an issue, but then on the single drive version there should be enough space to have more cooling
And the SSD is too big a jump.
My perfect version would have been a quad core with 6630 and 128GB SSD.
As it is, I'm torn between the base one and update RAM later, or the 6630
edit: is the HDD user upgradeable? Might fancy putting a small 64GB ish boot SSD in there. Its only going to be a plex front end so quiet would be nice.
I can have a quad core, but only if I have two HDDs (which I don't need) and then I lose the discrete graphics, which only come with a dual core.
Heat might be an issue, but then on the single drive version there should be enough space to have more cooling
And the SSD is too big a jump.
My perfect version would have been a quad core with 6630 and 128GB SSD.
As it is, I'm torn between the base one and update RAM later, or the 6630
edit: is the HDD user upgradeable? Might fancy putting a small 64GB ish boot SSD in there. Its only going to be a plex front end so quiet would be nice.
Does this mean that OWC will modify and sell the mini, or just sell the components? It doesn't look too pleasant to dig inside the mini and install a hard drive... for me anyway!