I got my first Mac Mini about three months ago from a friend. I love it to death but it's just so slow and always getting hung up constantly. My current specs are 1.42GHZ Power PC G4 with 1GB RAM. I am looking to get a 2010 model with Intel processor, 2GB RAM and a faster processor. So where would be a good place to find one? Any advice will be helpful to me.
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Thinking of buying a used/refurb Mac Mini any advice?
- Thread starter TigerBabe
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The Refurb section of the Apple Online Store would be the best place to look. The Apple refurbs are top quality, and you can't tell they have ever been used on many of them. The only problem is it is hit or miss. The inventory is constantly changing, so you have to check the store fairly often.
Check the refurb store here.
Check the refurb store here.
Yeah just keep an eye on the refurb website.
From owning both, if you want to save a couple bucks and can due without the better graphics, you should consider a 2009 Mac Mini as well.
It's actually quieter (mine is anyway), and will seem just as fast as a new one, except in games of course.
Many people (including me) also prefer the styling of the older one. Though by volume they take up the same space, the older one definitely looks smaller and better proportioned.
Even though sometimes I miss the 320m in the 2010 Mini, I feel overall much happier with my 2009 Mini. Also, I've known a lot more people with 2010 Mini's that have died than older generations. I feel like that in squishing the Mini down a half inch, they also hurt airflow. I've known 3 people that have gotten the 2010 to overheat, and another one also had a failed hard drive (which is what mine died from). Haven't heard any stories of the like about the 2009.
That said, get what you want, I just wanted to share my experience with you.
The 2.53 should run you 30-50 dollars less than a 2.4 2010 and the 2.26 can run you even less.
From owning both, if you want to save a couple bucks and can due without the better graphics, you should consider a 2009 Mac Mini as well.
It's actually quieter (mine is anyway), and will seem just as fast as a new one, except in games of course.
Many people (including me) also prefer the styling of the older one. Though by volume they take up the same space, the older one definitely looks smaller and better proportioned.
Even though sometimes I miss the 320m in the 2010 Mini, I feel overall much happier with my 2009 Mini. Also, I've known a lot more people with 2010 Mini's that have died than older generations. I feel like that in squishing the Mini down a half inch, they also hurt airflow. I've known 3 people that have gotten the 2010 to overheat, and another one also had a failed hard drive (which is what mine died from). Haven't heard any stories of the like about the 2009.
That said, get what you want, I just wanted to share my experience with you.
The 2.53 should run you 30-50 dollars less than a 2.4 2010 and the 2.26 can run you even less.
well, are you using it for heavy working? If you do, C2D is way too old. And considering that its old(and slow), at least maybe you should wait for it to update to a better core with higher base configurations (base 4gb ram or maybe 2gb DDR3 but 1333 mhz instead of 1066 since Apple want it affordable) or maybe and upgrade to the i3 core too.
if you're not using it for heavy work, i'd still recommend you to wait.
actually, what PowerGamerX said is true, consider the 2009 since it also has an optional 2.66 ghz C2D but maybe hard to find. Get the late 2009 so you get more graphics ram than the early 2009 (from 128mb to 256mb GeForce 9400m)
but overall, my opinion is to wait
if you're not using it for heavy work, i'd still recommend you to wait.
actually, what PowerGamerX said is true, consider the 2009 since it also has an optional 2.66 ghz C2D but maybe hard to find. Get the late 2009 so you get more graphics ram than the early 2009 (from 128mb to 256mb GeForce 9400m)
but overall, my opinion is to wait
Wow thanks so much for your info lol and I actually meant 2009 ooooops. Thanks again for your help. Also its only for personal use and I don't keep a ton of files. I just need something that is slightly faster with a little bit more storage than what I have now.
You should be able to get $150-200 for your old Mac Mini to help subsidize the new one. You could easily sell it on Craigslist or eBay (although eBay will charge you a fee). Good luck!