Uses for Mid-2007 Mini

[P0stalTek]

Hey guys:

It looks like I'm in heriting a Mac Mini (C2D 1.8ghz), and I was wondering what I could realistically expect out of it. I told a friend I was considering buying a 2011 model (and I still am), and he offered me his extra 2007 model. I was considering dropping 8GB of memory in it instead of the 2GB that came with it.

My plans for the 2011 were for a HTPC, is that completely out of the question with the 2007 model? I have a 42" 720p plasma for reference.

I guess I could use it as an old desktop machine or possibly a file server. Any other good ideas for reasonable expectations out of this machine?

 

[Intell]

The 2006-2007 Mini's are built really well. They can take a beating. They also make a good HTPC for older non-HD TVs because they can do S-Video out.

Also, take note that the 2007 Mini's can only use 3.3Gb of ram.

 

[dh2005]

My plans for the 2011 were for a HTPC, is that completely out of the question with the 2007 model? I have a 42" 720p plasma for reference.

If all of your files are 720p transcodes with not particularly challenging bitrates, maybe it could do a job for you. Don't expect it to run anything approaching 100% Blu-ray material, though; because it won't.

I figure, if the guy's just gonna give it to you, wait until you've got it then try it out. Bear in mind, though, that the 2007 Mini didn't have an HDMI socket (mind you, your plasma sounds pretty old skool, so maybe that doesn't either...), so you'll need some sort of video adapter to hook the two of them up.

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The 2006-2007 Mini's are built really well. They can take a beating. They also make a good HTPC for older non-HD TVs because they can do S-Video out.

Also, take note that the 2007 Mini's can only use 3.3Gb of ram.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Superior knowledge

 

[Tomorrow]

You could also just use it as a computer.

 

[Vermifuge]

Hey guys:

It looks like I'm in heriting a Mac Mini (C2D 1.8ghz), and I was wondering what I could realistically expect out of it. I told a friend I was considering buying a 2011 model (and I still am), and he offered me his extra 2007 model. I was considering dropping 8GB of memory in it instead of the 2GB that came with it.

My plans for the 2011 were for a HTPC, is that completely out of the question with the 2007 model? I have a 42" 720p plasma for reference.

I guess I could use it as an old desktop machine or possibly a file server. Any other good ideas for reasonable expectations out of this machine?

My 2006 was used as a minecraft sever for some time.

 

[P0stalTek]

You could also just use it as a computer.

I have a 2011 MBA that I use for those purposes. Which is why I'm asking for other uses for a machine. Or you could make more useless posts.. either way. :roll eyes:

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Thanks for the tip on the memory guys, I just read it myself 5 minutes ago while reading up on how to get inside one to upgrade the memory.

 

[Tomorrow]

I have a 2011 MBA that I use for those purposes. Which is why I'm asking for other uses for a machine. Or you could make more useless posts.. either way. :roll eyes:

Sorry you felt like my post was worthless. You didn't mention having a second (newer) computer, and you also alluded in your original post that you could use it as a desktop.

I was simply pointing out that you shouldn't underestimate its usefulness just because of its age. Sure, you could use it as an HTPC, but it still has enough muscle to actually function as a regular computer.

You said you were "wondering what I could realistically expect out of it." I'm sorry you didn't like my answer.

 

[P0stalTek]

Sorry you felt like my post was worthless. You didn't mention having a second (newer) computer, and you also alluded in your original post that you could use it as a desktop.

I was simply pointing out that you shouldn't underestimate its usefulness just because of its age. Sure, you could use it as an HTPC, but it still has enough muscle to actually function as a regular computer.

You said you were "wondering what I could realistically expect out of it." I'm sorry you didn't like my answer.

Well, I guess coming from the PC world I just assumed it would make a pretty decent desktop computer. I was wondering more alternative options that it had the power to handle once fully upgraded to 3GB of memory.

My bad if I misread your intentions.. but it seemed kind of snarky to me, but I guess that's the problem with print -- it doesn't convey meaning as well as we'd like.

 

[Tomorrow]

Well, I guess coming from the PC world I just assumed it would make a pretty decent desktop computer. I was wondering more alternative options that it had the power to handle once fully upgraded to 3GB of memory.

My 2006 MacBook (C2D 2.0 MHz, 1 Gb RAM) is still in use as my son's primary computer with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I'll grant you, it's no Mac Pro, but it works fine for browsing the web, email, Twitter, watching/ripping video and audio, and non-3D games. If the MB can do it, so can a 2007 Mac Mini.

 

[P0stalTek]

Awesome, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

One more quick question.. if I were to try it as a HTPC, would a newish mini display port to hdmi adapter work to connect it via HDMI to my HDTV?

Dumb question, but I'm still kinda an Apple noob.

 

[Tomorrow]

One more quick question.. if I were to try it as a HTPC, would a newish mini display port to hdmi adapter work to connect it via HDMI to my HDTV?

Dumb question, but I'm still kinda an Apple noob.

That should work for video, but I think audio might be an issue. I'm not sure the audio will get carried over to HDMI - but I could be wrong.

 

[Intell]

If I were to try it as a HTPC, would a newish mini display port to hdmi adapter work to connect it via HDMI to my HDTV?

That should work for video, but I think audio might be an issue. I'm not sure the audio will get carried over to HDMI - but I could be wrong.

If you're connecting the HDMI adapter to a 2010 or later Mac, it will output audio over the mini-Display port through the HDMI cable.

 

[tbayrgs]

Awesome, that's exactly what I wanted to know.

One more quick question.. if I were to try it as a HTPC, would a newish mini display port to hdmi adapter work to connect it via HDMI to my HDTV?

Dumb question, but I'm still kinda an Apple noob.

I don't believe that model of Mac Mini has mini displayport, only DVI. That being said, you can use DVI to HDMI and then output audio via optical adapter--exactly what I do on my 2009 C2D Mini.

Edit: Sorry, just to be clear, my Mini has mini-DVI while I believe yours has DVI--just wanted to make sure you get the right adapter.

 

[P0stalTek]

I don't believe that model of Mac Mini has mini displayport, only DVI. That being said, you can use DVI to HDMI and then output audio via optical adapter--exactly what I do on my 2009 C2D Mini.

Thanks, that is helpful, and I'll likely do exactly that.