I realize the CPU is still paling in comparison, but I wonder if matching the HDD speeds can make a mini as snappy as an Imac for everything save for rendering/ripping and the like. Has anyone done any comparisons to check this?
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Would a mini with a 7200 hdd be as fast (as far as opening apps etc) as an Imac?
- Thread starter Whackintosh
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Perhaps there's the chance given that you have a good amount of memory and your CPU is not too far behind from an iMac. But I'd say no, caus ethe mac mini is such a bare-bones computer. Probably not the answer you're looking for cause this is just speculation tho.
1) 24" ACD + Mac Mini 2.0GHz 1GB/120GB/9400m = 899 + 599 = 1498
2) 24" ACD + Mac Mini 2.0GHz 2GB/320GB/9400m = 899 + 799 = 1698
3) 24" iMac 2.66GHz 4GB/640GB/9400m = 1499
iMac needs to be superior to Mac Mini else people would just get a Mac Mini plus any 24" display (Dell/Samsung/HP etc) which would mean a revenue lost. You can see that Apple obviously did their pricing research very well.
2) 24" ACD + Mac Mini 2.0GHz 2GB/320GB/9400m = 899 + 799 = 1698
3) 24" iMac 2.66GHz 4GB/640GB/9400m = 1499
iMac needs to be superior to Mac Mini else people would just get a Mac Mini plus any 24" display (Dell/Samsung/HP etc) which would mean a revenue lost. You can see that Apple obviously did their pricing research very well.
You could by installing a 300GB WD Velociraptor if the Mini can accommodate 12mm disks.
In that case, would an SSD make their their speeds comparable?
Or perhaps having all apps load from a full-sized external 7200 hdd?
Or perhaps having all apps load from a full-sized external 7200 hdd?
The new ones are a 2.5" form factor but probably won't fit anyways. They were targeted towards deskops as the smaller size allowed more air to flow to keep it cooler in a 3.5" hdd slot. Although I haven't heard of them but I'm sure some have shoehorned them in laptops/minis already.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136322
1) 24" ACD + Mac Mini 2.0GHz 1GB/120GB/9400m = 899 + 599 = 1498
2) 24" ACD + Mac Mini 2.0GHz 2GB/320GB/9400m = 899 + 799 = 1698
3) 24" iMac 2.66GHz 4GB/640GB/9400m = 1499
iMac needs to be superior to Mac Mini else people would just get a Mac Mini plus any 24" display (Dell/Samsung/HP etc) which would mean a revenue lost. You can see that Apple obviously did their pricing research very well.
...why would you try and "cheap out" on a mini and then get an ACD to pair with it = kind of defeats the purpose of an inexpensive desktop rig
...why would you try and "cheap out" on a mini and then get an ACD to pair with it = kind of defeats the purpose of an inexpensive desktop rig
For me, the issue is that my desk is too high to comfortable fit a 24 inch Imac, so I'm looking at alternatives. Don't need a Mac Pro but I'm not sure a mini would be nearly fast enough. And I refuse to replace my entire workstation because Apple won't make a mini tower.