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Which Mini Do You Prefer?

Which Mini Do You Prefer or Use

  • 2009 or Older Style Mini

    Votes: 11 8.7%

  • 2009 or Older Style Server

    Votes: 2 1.6%

  • 2010 Mini Base or Higher End

    Votes: 18 14.3%

  • 2010 Server

    Votes: 2 1.6%

  • 2011 Base i5 2.3

    Votes: 23 18.3%

  • 2011 Upgraded i5 2.5

    Votes: 32 25.4%

  • 2011 Server

    Votes: 38 30.2%
  • Total voters
    126
  • Poll closed .
Wicked1

Wicked1

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 13, 2009
3,283
14
New Jersey
I am looking to see what everyone else is running for their HTPC, I have a 2009 Mini 2.0ghz 4GB ram, and 500 Hybrid HDD, runs good and reliable, just hate there is no HDMI, and has a Brick PS.

I since purchased a Refurb 2010 Mini 2.66 with 4GB and 500GB HDD, this one is my favorite.

I also have a 2011 Mini Base i5 2.3 with 4GB 1067 ram and stock 500GB HDD.

I am trying to debate which one I want to keep, as I am having issues with Lion on the 2011 locking up, and the Apps just quit, also as I am scrolling down, it suddenly goes back to the top, frustrating.
 
Last edited:
Wicked1 said:
I am looking to see what everyone else is running for their HTPC, I have a 2009 Mini 2.0ghz 4GB ram, and 500 Hybrid HDD, runs good and reliable, just hate there is no HDMI.

I since purchased a Refurb 2010 Mini 2.66 with 4GB and 500GB HDD, this one is my favorite.

I also have a 2011 Mini Base i5 2.3 with 4GB 1067 ram and stock 500GB HDD.

I am trying to debate which one I want to keep, as I am having issues with Lion on the 2011 locking up, and the Apps just quit, also as I am scrolling down, it suddenly goes back to the top, frustrating.
Click to expand...

i'd keep the 2011 if I were you, but that's just me
 
Wicked1 said:
I am looking to see what everyone else is running for their HTPC, I have a 2009 Mini 2.0ghz 4GB ram, and 500 Hybrid HDD, runs good and reliable, just hate there is no HDMI.

I since purchased a Refurb 2010 Mini 2.66 with 4GB and 500GB HDD, this one is my favorite.

I also have a 2011 Mini Base i5 2.3 with 4GB 1067 ram and stock 500GB HDD.

I am trying to debate which one I want to keep, as I am having issues with Lion on the 2011 locking up, and the Apps just quit, also as I am scrolling down, it suddenly goes back to the top, frustrating.
Click to expand...

Design wise, I like the original mini.

I have a 2009 as a HTPC, but it has fairly light use. I don't see why you don't like this machine? Buy a mono price adapter for HDMI, this is what I have as my Plasma only has HDMI, no VGA.

In terms of power as a computer, a 2011 wins hands down except for the frame rate bug for certain vide on the base and high end models.

You just need to keep what you need. I don't think a TV needs the latest, greatest Mac hooked up to it, but thats just me.

I wasn't sure how to answer you poll, so I won't for now. 09 mini had great physical design, the original and is still a solid computer. The current ones look ok and are very powerful.

They all have their strengths. I don't see how HDMI is the big issue.
 
I have owned all three 2011 models and I prefer the mid level 2.5Ghz i5 due to the graphics card.
 
2010 Server - purchased to help me through to my ACSA certification, runs small home network with Time Machine backup for the macs in house, and also houses media library. In the process of redecorating the living room and this will include a new TV (with HDMI - old one is 'sort of' HD through DVi connector), Apple TV and in ceiling speakers with 2 or 3 Airport Express boxes driving in ceiling/in wall speakers in other rooms.
 
Just came out of a 07 2.0 c2d to a left over 2010 2.66 500gb and put 8gb in it, love it and will keep it for quite some time as I don't understand how Apple has done away with the optical drive. I for one have a big dvd collection and am not about to spend days ripping them to digital format.

Although if the 2011 had an internal optical I would have picked up the i7 as that is a pretty awesome little powerhouse.
 
2.7 i7

It came down to 2 versions for me the server and the dual 2.7 i7 i went with the latter. i am using the mini for 3d modelling it's usefull because it's mobile the offices i visit have screens. I just heard too much bad about integrated graphics. It's also important to note the HD 3000 does not support open cl so it's not as future proof. The quad would be tempting for a render node i tested my 2.7 i7 against my flagship mac pro it was 5.2 times slower ! I believe the quad would have been 3 times slower. Regardless i am very happy with the purchase.

Now i'm waiting for 8 giga sticks to come down in price along with 6g ssd's for the fastest it can be.
 
For my needs, the processor, RAM max, and hard drive(s) (SSD?) always come first. Audio editing, plug-ins, etc are what matter, and that's what I look for. The quad core mini with 8GB of RAM and dual drives is a NICE machine for the money.

Graphics are a total non-entity for me. No video - ever - and no gaming. If I'm gaming, it'll be on PS3 or a PC.
 
I had the 9400M mini, which worked well, but didn't play nice with video adapters; had to go VGA. Annoying. Also, wasn't powerful enough to run EyeTV.

I've gone with the mid i5/discrete graphics. Also picked up an external DVD drive; no internal, "Not a big deal".
No regrets.

Dropped in a (small) SSD, but no need for extra RAM as a HTPC. iTunes on a FW 800 drive. Sweet as.
 
chedda said:
It came down to 2 versions for me the server and the dual 2.7 i7 i went with the latter. i am using the mini for 3d modelling it's usefull because it's mobile the offices i visit have screens. I just heard too much bad about integrated graphics. It's also important to note the HD 3000 does not support open cl so it's not as future proof. The quad would be tempting for a render node i tested my 2.7 i7 against my flagship mac pro it was 5.2 times slower ! I believe the quad would have been 3 times slower. Regardless i am very happy with the purchase.

Now i'm waiting for 8 giga sticks to come down in price along with 6g ssd's for the fastest it can be.
Click to expand...

I agree. I would have purchased the 2.7 i7 dual core but that required me to special order it from Apple. I have no patience so I could not wait. :D
 
I'm looking to replace my 2007 1.83ghz C2D mini with a base 2011 model. My only concern is compatibility with my 4 year old 40" Samsung 720P TV. Right now I'm using the VGA input because I have no spare HDMI inputs available.
 
Last edited:
mcb001982 said:
Although if the 2011 had an internal optical I would have picked up the i7 as that is a pretty awesome little powerhouse.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I use my optical drive way more than I would use 2 internal harddrives.

I know I am the minority but having a server with 18TB of storage kind of negates extra local storage.
 
powerbook911 said:
Design wise, I like the original mini.

09 mini had great physical design, the original and is still a solid computer. The current ones look ok and are very powerful.

They all have their strengths. I don't see how HDMI is the big issue.
Click to expand...

The previous mini design was definitely better. The white plastic top looks better and is more wifi-friendly. It takes up less desk space, has more USB ports and most importantly has an optical drive. The latest hardware in an '09 mini body with HDMI, TB and BR would have sold one to me. As it is my mini buying days are over but I still like my "09 2.66.
 
I prefer the power of the 2011 with the form factor of the 2010. I'm not quite ready to give up an internal optical drive on a desktop computer. That was a super lame decision not to at least have it as a build to order option.
 
I have an early 2009 model (2.26GHz) and mid 2010 server model (2.66GHz), the extra hard drive space is very nice.

However, I like the server model but if I'm in the market for another Mac mini, I'll go of the 2.5GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 model with dedicated graphics.
 
Santabean2000 said:
I had the 9400M mini, which worked well, but didn't play nice with video adapters; had to go VGA. Annoying. Also, wasn't powerful enough to run EyeTV.

I've gone with the mid i5/discrete graphics. Also picked up an external DVD drive; no internal, "Not a big deal".
No regrets.

Dropped in a (small) SSD, but no need for extra RAM as a HTPC. iTunes on a FW 800 drive. Sweet as.
Click to expand...
Also bought the 2.5 Mini with HD6630M video. Likewise, still frequently use an optical drive. FWIW, got a Samsung DVD drive which is actually less noisier than my former Intel iMac's was & less fussy when it comes to playing older DVD-Rs.

As optical drives can be particularly prone to wear & tear breakdown in most computers anyway (inc Macs), I actually prefer an external drive in non-upgradable hardware.

All in all, I'm pleased, but I've only had it a few weeks. Will be interesting to see if these latest Minis last as long as most preceding Minis appear to. Probably nothing to be concerned about but, as others have mentioned, I do notice it occasionally getting very warm when just doing something as basic as streaming live stock market data. Far more so than my PC laptop does. :rolleyes:

FWIW, with proper care, I expect at least 3 years reliable performance from my Mini, so would be very disappointed if longevity-wise it went the way of my Intel iMac (fried graphics card after 2 years 10 months).
 
I agree with previous posters, for the most part, but you didn't mention if you have a lot of content not in your library.

If you still have a lot of discs then it's easy...

2010>2011>2009
 
I have a 2006 CD Mac Mini and absolutely adore it. Apple have ruined the form factor now IMHO.

It made light work of two HDDs, but then I put a 500GB WD Blue in there and it has been happy ever since. Still flies along (it always seemed too fast for its spec, which I've never understood), just a shame I can't put Lion on it.
 
I'm using my 2011 Server Quad i7 as my main computer for Logic Pro stuff.
My best machine ever since.
Although didn't use any Intel Mac Pro so far for that job.

alq.
 
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