Which Mac Mini to get for my use?

[jayeskreezy]

I am in the market to get a mac mini. I really am not looking to pay more than $600 and I need it basically for light video work. I have a Macbook Air that I'm working from primarily, but having owned a mini before I'd like it to be more of my computer I use for projects.

I'm not a professional videographer-nor do I have that type of budget, but I am looking to do basic work with FCP and possible AE down the road for my YouTube vids and short videos for my job.

Would yall recommend the 2014 Refurb Mini or should I wait on a 2012 Mini to hit the refurb store again? I don't really do upgrades much, but having the option is nice. However, I also want the best overall performance out of the box for my $ too.

 

[Celerondon]

I am in the market to get a mac mini. I really am not looking to pay more than $600 and I need it basically for light video work. I have a Macbook Air that I'm working from primarily, but having owned a mini before I'd like it to be more of my computer I use for projects.

I'm not a professional videographer-nor do I have that type of budget, but I am looking to do basic work with FCP and possible AE down the road for my YouTube vids and short videos for my job.

Would yall recommend the 2014 Refurb Mini or should I wait on a 2012 Mini to hit the refurb store again? I don't really do upgrades much, but having the option is nice. However, I also want the best overall performance out of the box for my $ too.

With a $600 dollar limit you are just barely in the video machine market. Are you an “i7 or Bust” type video person? That “basic work with FCP” goal makes it seem as if you are. What is AE anyway? (Adobe Premier Elements?) Refurbs are less expensive but they are not magic. If you don’t plan on running FCP on from a 1TB spinner on a stripped i7 with 4 GB of RAM, you might have to grow your budget.

I am tempted to send you to the current “PSA Mac Mini $100 off at Microcenter” thread for that i5 2.6GHz mid-level 2014 mini. It is only $599 and comes with 8GB of RAM, Intel Iris video, and a pair of Thunderbolt 2 ports.

But hey, maybe that would be wrong. Perhaps you can find a good “out of the box” i7 experience for $600. An i7 with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB HDD would do the job well.

Good Luck!

 

[xylitol]

AE=After Effects

2012 or 2014, it depends on the deal you get, but 8GB and an SSD or Fusion Drive (internal or external) are no-brainers.

 

[yjchua95]

I am in the market to get a mac mini. I really am not looking to pay more than $600 and I need it basically for light video work. I have a Macbook Air that I'm working from primarily, but having owned a mini before I'd like it to be more of my computer I use for projects.

I'm not a professional videographer-nor do I have that type of budget, but I am looking to do basic work with FCP and possible AE down the road for my YouTube vids and short videos for my job.

Would yall recommend the 2014 Refurb Mini or should I wait on a 2012 Mini to hit the refurb store again? I don't really do upgrades much, but having the option is nice. However, I also want the best overall performance out of the box for my $ too.

$600 won't get you anywhere in the Mac market.

 

[jayeskreezy]

With a $600 dollar limit you are just barely in the video machine market. Are you an “i7 or Bust” type video person? That “basic work with FCP” goal makes it seem as if you are. What is AE anyway? (Adobe Premier Elements?) Refurbs are less expensive but they are not magic. If you don’t plan on running FCP on from a 1TB spinner on a stripped i7 with 4 GB of RAM, you might have to grow your budget.

I am tempted to send you to the current “PSA Mac Mini $100 off at Microcenter” thread for that i5 2.6GHz mid-level 2014 mini. It is only $599 and comes with 8GB of RAM, Intel Iris video, and a pair of Thunderbolt 2 ports.

But hey, maybe that would be wrong. Perhaps you can find a good “out of the box” i7 experience for $600. An i7 with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB HDD would do the job well.

Good Luck!

I wasn't aware of that Microcenter deal. Do you think that would do the trick? I am not an i7 or bust person. Lol I've ran FCP off of a G4 mac mini years ago, a 2010 MBP, and now doing it from a 2012 13" MBA with 256ssd 1.4gb i5 so most anything would be an upgrade for me in 2015.

If I get a new mini I do prefer 8gb of ram since apparently the ram isn't upgradeable in them.

FWIW I haven't had any problems running FCP X 10.1 on my MBA, but I prefer the mac mini for the power and the ability to use an external larger display.

$600 won't get you anywhere in the Mac market.

I'm not sure if you're serious or not, but see my above reply. $600 will get you a decent distance if you're patient in the mac world.

 

[Celerondon]

Eight Is Enough

...
2012 or 2014, it depends on the deal you get, but 8GB and an SSD or Fusion Drive (internal or external) are no-brainers.

I wasn't aware of that Microcenter deal. Do you think that would do the trick? I am not an i7 or bust person. Lol
...
If I get a new mini I do prefer 8gb of ram since apparently the ram isn't upgradeable in them.
...
I'm not sure if you're serious or not, but see my above reply. $600 will get you a decent distance if you're patient in the mac world.

You might make it then jayeskreezy! When you used that magic word the glimmer of hope turned into a beacon. A patient user could take advantage of that Microcenter deal and end up with the least expensive brand new editing station available. Since you have experience with running FCP on lesser hardware, you know what to expect from the 2014 mid-level mini.

I wish I could see a path to a $799 Fusion Drive version of that 2.6GHz machine. If that option were available (is it?), I would cite xylitol's valid comment about the SSD option to urge you towards a really sweet machine. Unfortunately, it seems as if Microcenter might only be offering this serious discount on base (not upgraded) models of each new Mac mini. Either way, I suggest that you should look hard and fast at that Microcenter mid-level mini.

Otherwise they do offer a discounted top-of-the-line mini for $899. But that price is $300 past your established limit. And I don't want to be that fanatical forum user who pushes the OP towards the abyss while ignoring the clear limit that was defined in the original post.

Unless of course, you are expecting a tax refund. Or perhaps you have a forgotten birthday check in your sock drawer.

 

[jayeskreezy]

You might make it then jayeskreezy! When you used that magic word the glimmer of hope turned into a beacon. A patient user could take advantage of that Microcenter deal and end up with the least expensive brand new editing station available. Since you have experience with running FCP on lesser hardware, you know what to expect from the 2014 mid-level mini.

I wish I could see a path to a $799 Fusion Drive version of that 2.6GHz machine. If that option were available (is it?), I would cite xylitol's valid comment about the SSD option to urge you towards a really sweet machine. Unfortunately, it seems as if Microcenter might only be offering this serious discount on base (not upgraded) models of each new Mac mini. Either way, I suggest that you should look hard and fast at that Microcenter mid-level mini.

Otherwise they do offer a discounted top-of-the-line mini for $899. But that price is $300 past your established limit. And I don't want to be that fanatical forum user who pushes the OP towards the abyss while ignoring the clear limit that was defined in the original post.

Unless of course, you are expecting a tax refund. Or perhaps you have a forgotten birthday check in your sock drawer.

Haha. The birthday checks have all came in, but the tax refund is imminent. However, I think I will pass on the Microcenter deal and wait for the Apple Refurb store restock. Even if I get the 2014 Mini it's $589 vs $599 at MC. It's only a $10 difference, but it tricks me into believing I can be a little more patient and see if anymore hit the refurb store. Thx for the help...I'll either get the 2012 OR the mid level 2014.

 

[Celerondon]

Patience Provides Options

Haha. The birthday checks have all came in, but the tax refund is imminent. However, I think I will pass on the Microcenter deal and wait for the Apple Refurb store restock. Even if I get the 2014 Mini it's $589 vs $599 at MC. It's only a $10 difference, but it tricks me into believing I can be a little more patient and see if anymore hit the refurb store. Thx for the help...I'll either get the 2012 OR the mid level 2014.

With any luck, you might find your ideal 2012 mini. A rock stock 2012 i7 with 4GB RAM and a 1TB HDD could be your dream machine. If it exists, such a mini would allow you to get to work "out of the box" while providing great upgrade potential.

 

[Meister]

With any luck, you might find your ideal 2012 mini. A rock stock 2012 i7 with 4GB RAM and a 1TB HDD could be your dream machine. If it exists, such a mini would allow you to get to work "out of the box" while providing great upgrade potential.

I was about to post the same thing.
Cpu is the most important spec for video editing and the 2012 i7 is gold.

 

[Cloudsurfer]

600$ budget? Don't get a new one. You'll be stuck with a 5400rpm drive for that money.

Look for a 2012 i7, it may be overkill for your needs but it will last you a very long time.

 

[jayeskreezy]

I was about to post the same thing.
Cpu is the most important spec for video editing and the 2012 i7 is gold.

With any luck, you might find your ideal 2012 mini. A rock stock 2012 i7 with 4GB RAM and a 1TB HDD could be your dream machine. If it exists, such a mini would allow you to get to work "out of the box" while providing great upgrade potential.

600$ budget? Don't get a new one. You'll be stuck with a 5400rpm drive for that money.

Look for a 2012 i7, it may be overkill for your needs but it will last you a very long time.

Thanks everyone for the help. It looks like it's unanimous. I'll try to wait for those to come back in stock and hope I get lucky. I appreciate the help.

 

[Wahlstrm]

2012 i7 quad will be twice as fast for rendering your movie projects.
2014 might be snappier in safari.

Your choice

 

[jayeskreezy]

2012 i7 quad will be twice as fast for rendering your movie projects.
2014 might be snappier in safari.

Your choice

Thx for the advice everyone. I lucked out and found someone selling that elusive 2012 i7 mini for $600 about 3hrs after he posted it. It still has initial AppleCare until the end of this year. Even if it resurfaced on the Apple Store I'd be paying $625 after taxes. Good deal IMO. In fact so many people were interested that he got 3 diff calls while he was meeting to sell it to me.

 

[Celerondon]

Congratulations J!

Now you know how Bilbo felt when he found that ring.