Hi everyone. I've been in the market for a new mac for the last year or so. I currently am running a suped up 2007 macbook, 2.2 Core 2 Duo with 4GBs of ram and a 320 gig hard drive. I basically use my computer as a media machine, downloading and converting videos to play on my Apple TV and iOS devices. I do some light Office work, remote desktop to a work machine, blogging, and occasional photo editing. I also don't have cable, so I do hook it up occasional to my 42" plasma to watch ESPN3. I am interested in doing some light gaming, specifically StarCraft 2 and currently cannot. With the exception of Starcraft, the macbook still gets the job done, but definitely lags, especially in graphics.
I've been debating whether to get a $799 mini with discrete graphics or simply upgrading my laptop to a 13" base pro and selling my macbook. The mini has a slight edge on the pro as far as processor speed and definitely a bump in graphics. I'm thinking I would hook the mini to my HDTV in the living room and basically run it as a media server/gaming machine. I also have a smaller HDTV in the bedroom that does double duty as a monitor.
I can't do without a laptop because I need the mobility for occasional travel and some light coffee shop work. If I got the mini I'd keep the macbook for those purposes and possibly replace eventually with a low end air or refurb 13" pro (1 - 2 years). I've ruled out a iMac because of desk space and the need to run it off a tv occasionally.
I'm trying to keep costs down as well. Both options are pretty well a wash cost wise because I could sell my current machine to make up for the difference in price. I already have a blu tooth keyboard and two 1080p HD TVs/displays. I'd add the trackpad for the mini.
My questions/concerns are:
1. Will it be a pain to manage both machines? Do I really need two computers? Especially when I also have an iPad that I use for surfing.
2. Also, how much life does my macbook have left in it? I'd hate to have to replace it this year if I've already bought the mini.
3. Is this a bad time to buy either machine with updates on the horizon? Will the updates to either be significant enough for me to wait?
4. Anybody else have a mini as a home machine/media server and also another laptop? Thoughts on that set up? Like it or is it a pain to manage?
Any input is appreciated. Thought I would air it out here to get my thoughts in line.
I've been debating whether to get a $799 mini with discrete graphics or simply upgrading my laptop to a 13" base pro and selling my macbook. The mini has a slight edge on the pro as far as processor speed and definitely a bump in graphics. I'm thinking I would hook the mini to my HDTV in the living room and basically run it as a media server/gaming machine. I also have a smaller HDTV in the bedroom that does double duty as a monitor.
I can't do without a laptop because I need the mobility for occasional travel and some light coffee shop work. If I got the mini I'd keep the macbook for those purposes and possibly replace eventually with a low end air or refurb 13" pro (1 - 2 years). I've ruled out a iMac because of desk space and the need to run it off a tv occasionally.
I'm trying to keep costs down as well. Both options are pretty well a wash cost wise because I could sell my current machine to make up for the difference in price. I already have a blu tooth keyboard and two 1080p HD TVs/displays. I'd add the trackpad for the mini.
My questions/concerns are:
1. Will it be a pain to manage both machines? Do I really need two computers? Especially when I also have an iPad that I use for surfing.
2. Also, how much life does my macbook have left in it? I'd hate to have to replace it this year if I've already bought the mini.
3. Is this a bad time to buy either machine with updates on the horizon? Will the updates to either be significant enough for me to wait?
4. Anybody else have a mini as a home machine/media server and also another laptop? Thoughts on that set up? Like it or is it a pain to manage?
Any input is appreciated. Thought I would air it out here to get my thoughts in line.