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2012-09-25 12:32 PM

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Subject: Mac mini question
  I'm at the end of my Windows based PC rope. I'm sick of crap freezing up and all the other goodies that happen with Windows. I've replaced my lappy with a MBP and love everything about it. Now I want to get a Mac for home. Are the Mac minis any good? I'm just curious if there's enough oomph to do anything more than surf the net. Or should I go with an iMac instead. They seem to be a little more loaded in the processor and graphics area than the mini, so I'm leaning iMac. However, I would save a grand if the mini would suffice. Photoshop will be the most demanding program I run on it. The Pro would be nice, but I can't see shelling out 3700 dollars for a computer. Thanks in advance.


2012-09-25 1:01 PM
in reply to: #4426767

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Subject: RE: Mac mini question

mdg2003 - 2012-09-25 1:32 PM   I'm at the end of my Windows based PC rope. I'm sick of crap freezing up and all the other goodies that happen with Windows. I've replaced my lappy with a MBP and love everything about it. Now I want to get a Mac for home. Are the Mac minis any good? I'm just curious if there's enough oomph to do anything more than surf the net. Or should I go with an iMac instead. They seem to be a little more loaded in the processor and graphics area than the mini, so I'm leaning iMac. However, I would save a grand if the mini would suffice. Photoshop will be the most demanding program I run on it. The Pro would be nice, but I can't see shelling out 3700 dollars for a computer. Thanks in advance.

The mini would be fine for medium Photoshop work.  They are pretty powerful.  Keep in mind with the mini you need to budget for a monitor, keyboard, mouse etc.. all of that comes with the iMac.

2012-09-25 2:39 PM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question
I do quite a bit of software development on my mini and really tax it, including running VirtualBox with Ubuntu running as a dev server, and it never misses a beat!
2012-09-25 2:50 PM
in reply to: #4426767

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Subject: RE: Mac mini question

comparing the two I'd probably go with the iMac.  As the Square guy mentioned when you price in keyboard, mouse and monitor the mini can get just as expensive.

My understanding of photoshops is it's primarily CPU and memory intensive and you get twice as much cpu (quad core vs. dual core) on the imac and have the ability to put a lot more RAM (up to 16GB) if needed.

2012-09-25 3:13 PM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question
tuwood - 2012-09-25 3:50 PM

comparing the two I'd probably go with the iMac.  As the Square guy mentioned when you price in keyboard, mouse and monitor the mini can get just as expensive.

Who you callin' "square",  Wood-boy?

2012-09-25 3:26 PM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question

I have a Mac Mini... not my primary machine, but purchased as a cheap way to do some iPhone development.  It's a great little machine if you already have a nice monitor.

I grabbed the 2nd one from their purchase options (with the AMD Radeon HD 6630M).  The integrated video on the other ones is pretty subpar.

Also, note that Apple overcharges in general but they WAY WAY overcharge for SSD drives.  If you're handy with tools and not afraid of messing with your machine / voiding your warranty, it's cheaper to buy one with the regular drive and then swap a 3rd party SSD into it.



2012-09-25 4:21 PM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question

mdg2003 - 2012-09-25 12:32 PM   I'm at the end of my Windows based PC rope. I'm sick of crap freezing up and all the other goodies that happen with Windows. I've replaced my lappy with a MBP and love everything about it. Now I want to get a Mac for home. Are the Mac minis any good? I'm just curious if there's enough oomph to do anything more than surf the net. Or should I go with an iMac instead. They seem to be a little more loaded in the processor and graphics area than the mini, so I'm leaning iMac. However, I would save a grand if the mini would suffice. Photoshop will be the most demanding program I run on it. The Pro would be nice, but I can't see shelling out 3700 dollars for a computer. Thanks in advance.

I feel you. I started making my move to the dark side nine months ago. I have a 17" MBPro and a 13" MBAir. I have been VERY happy so far and my year end bonus will be going to a MPro with 27" display.

I am a Landscape Architect that does a lot of 3d and video imaging using AutoCAD as well as Photoshop. My MBPro will handle most 3d images/ photoshop I throw at it under 5mins, but if I start doing any serious anime using the same cad files the rendering times become prohibitive. [3mins per frame rendering time with 20fps = 60mins to render 1 sec of video]

My advice: go with the iMac. The max of 16MB RAM, 1TB hard drive, and quad-core processor will provide you with a year or two more [before you will need/ want to upgrade] of use, better/ more expandability, and the initial cost is about the same .

27" iMac 2.7Ghz QCi5, 4GB  [max 16] 1TB hd = $1700

21.5" iMac 2.7Ghz QCi5, 4GB [max 16] 1TB hd = $1500

vs.

27" LED display + 2.5Ghz DCi5, 4GB [max 8] 500GB hd = $1800

BUT..... if you really want to do any serious, high end photoshop work I recommend a REFURBISHED Mac Pro and Display [look near the bottom left in the apple store under "Special Deals"]. You are talking $2700 for a desktop that will probably last you five or more years before you will need to upgrade.

There is a reason digital artists, graphic designers, etc. use Mac Pro's - they are very good at their job. The only reason architects and engineers use windows based PC's is due to the former limiting factor of AutoCAD being a windows only platform - since this just changed I have a feeling the other design fields will be switching in the coming years.



Edited by bullyboy 2012-09-25 4:23 PM
2012-09-25 4:41 PM
in reply to: #4426767

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Subject: RE: Mac mini question
Several of you mentioned monitors. I need to use an Apple monitor? I'd just assumed i could use the one I already have hooked up to my PC. I am understanding you correctly?
2012-09-26 6:12 AM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question
bullyboy - 2012-09-25 5:21 PM

The only reason architects and engineers use windows based PC's is due to the former limiting factor of AutoCAD being a windows only platform - since this just changed I have a feeling the other design fields will be switching in the coming years.

Well not just AutoCAD (who designs in 2D anymore?) but lots of other engineering software is Windows only.  However you are right AutoCAD and now a limited version of their 3D design software (Fusion/Inventor) has been released on OSX.  There is a reason I bought a Mac Book Pro and run Windows on it...

Still, it's going to be several years before engineers can make the switch 100%.  Exciting times...(exciting for an engineer is a relative term)

2012-09-26 10:15 AM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question

mdg2003 - 2012-09-25 5:41 PM Several of you mentioned monitors. I need to use an Apple monitor? I'd just assumed i could use the one I already have hooked up to my PC. I am understanding you correctly?

Possibly, depends on the resolution.  You'll definitely need an adapter to go from the mini's thunderbolt or HDMI port to the monitors HMI or VGA connector.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4806

http://www.trianglecables.com/516-906bk.html?productid=516-906bk&channelid=GPSUK&utm_source=CSEs&utm_medium=GoogleShopping&utm_campaign=TriangleCables&cmp=CSE_Google&gclid=CMqq-snE07ICFQSEnQodHgYA2g

2012-09-26 11:41 AM
in reply to: #4426767

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Subject: RE: Mac mini question

i use/used my mac mini for media editing and its maxes out and is horrible. I connect to my wall mounted TV for the screen and have bluetooth mouse/keyboard.

 

I'm stongly considering cracking this bad jackson open and creating a monster mini ...we'll see



2012-09-26 12:42 PM
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Subject: RE: Mac mini question
halfpint - 2012-09-26 12:41 PM

i use/used my mac mini for media editing and its maxes out and is horrible. I connect to my wall mounted TV for the screen and have bluetooth mouse/keyboard.

I'm stongly considering cracking this bad jackson open and creating a monster mini ...we'll see

What processor do you have?  Integrated video or not?  That makes a LOT of difference for video transcoding/editing.

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