Anyone have a mac mini?

[JHZR2]

Hi,

My EXCELLENT Dell Precision Workstation (PIII Xeon era) has been acting up really bad. No signs of a virus, its a motherboard issue, and the thing crawls really bad. Dell doesnt seem able to really help me for whatever reason, and even suggested talking to the "Geek Squad" at bestbuy. Those guys dont know anything, especially when it comes to the SCSI, RAMBUS, etc. that is found on this machine.

Ive been running off of a PIIIm compaq laptop for some time now, but for being 1GHz (as was my dell precision), and having 500 MB RAM, it gets slowed down easily when doing things like running, opening and sorting outlook, openign multiple files or programs, etc. Maybe its because it has an early XP version, I dont know. It does well enough for home use, but sooner or later Id liek to upgrade to a new system.

I dont have near the needs that I used to, so something simple and cheap would be best, and then Ill just tack on external components as needed - a far stretch from how Ive built my previous systems.

Ive been happy when buying PC type components and putting them together in a custom system - they tend to run faster and better than OEM type systems from dell, etc. But Ive historically been a MAC user, except in college/grad school (that is why I have all this PC stuff), and think Id liek to go back.

The mac mini seems to be at an excellent price, and ought to enable me to use some of my stoof that I already have, like a standard aspect ratio 19" LCD, etc. But I am curious about performance - does anyone have a mac mini and can they comment on performance in operating day to day and in more intense operations? Id likely run the MS office suite, so I could keep my outlook pst file.

My brother was going to college this fall, and so we set him up with a 12" powerbook G4, a 20" macintosh LCD flatscreen, and bluetooth mouse and keyboards. Its a nice system, he is really happy with it, but I have a laptop from work, and arent sure that I want to have the extra expense of buying a powerbook... but Im just rambling now.

Any input on the mini?

Thanks,

JMH

 

[Korean_redneck]

My brother bought a MAC Mini for college. Both of us are PC Users for years. My brother told me that he should of bought a Mac a long time ago. He also bought a Huge Samsung Monitor.

 

[JHZR2]

Yeah, I love macs... using my brother's new one has really made me want a new one...

I have to wonder about multitasking performance... I know the whole schpiel about mac processors being more efficient and whatnot, but in the end all, it is only at 1.25 GHz, and RAM can only do so much, particularly if it just has a laptop type HD in it...

JMH

 

[simple_gifts]

quote:

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Originally posted by JHZR2:
if it just has a laptop type HD in it...

JMH

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Yeah this was a big hit against recommending a mini for my neighbor. Additionally the G4's are already on borrowed time considering Apple is moving to Intel processors. In the end I recommended a G5 IMac with SATA drives and G5. WORLD of difference.

 

[kenw]

the mini-mac is Apple's attempt to maintain some of the market for 2nd and 3rd computers in families that have traditionally been Apple fans, but decided that the extra cost wasn't necessary (was it ever?) on a secondary unit. Since many families now network home computers, and both Mac and WinTel boxes can peaceably coexist in lan-land, Apple was losing some serious market share in the low end.

Enter the mini-mac. It isn't really designed to be your main unit (altho it certainly can be). It's purpose in life is to maintain customers who would otherwise buy the low end Dells and HP. It's not meant to be expanded, it's meant to be tossed.

btw, laptop HDs are more rugged, consume a lot less power and are fine for unit like this. They just aren't as big GB-wise and cost more per GB.

 

[JHZR2]

simple:

Thing is, I have a NICE 19" LCD. Id rather not buy another monitor with my machine... And as much as I like power computing, i just dont need a dual processor G5 real mac. I'm not worried about intel processors, as usually when its time to really need new hardware or an OS, one or the other needs a MAJOR upgrade anyway, and all you end up with is a reusable case... not even the power supply these days.

kenw:

Interesting input regarding laptop HDs. Cost isnt really an issue in the big schee of things, if the total box costs only $499. Id prefer external firewire DVD burners, mass storage, etc. anyway. I dont see what else would really be necessary as a home "main unit". I had the precision workstation for the computing power for doing complex mathematical modeling and whatnot... now that i dont need that, storage for MP3s, pictures, emails and web browsing is about all I need.

Out of curiosity, what would you consider a "main unit"?

Thanks,

JMH

 

[kenw]

the main unit would be the one that the family uses the most typically. Normally it would have the most power and possibly act as the home "lan-server", but certainly that's not universal.

For me it's a notebook, actually. Having been a notebook junkie forever (my 1st was a 286, yes a real 286 notebook), my present home unit is almost as powerful (and in someways moreso) as my workstation at work.

For me portability is an absolute. I want to have it all AND to be able to take it with me. At 17" WXGA, and full 3GHz p4 it's not a lightweight unit but it is our "main" unit. (and our 2nd is an older docked notebook with a dead display and external monitor, and ext kybd and mouse!)

I believe that the mini makes tremendous use of external expandability, which is a great feature that makes it more valuable. And hence it's finding it's way into being more of a main unit that Apple originally thought it could be. But it still seems to be limited to existing Mac homes and not expanding their world much.

If you are ok with external expandability (it makes a LOT of sense!), how about looking into a newer notebook as a 2nd unit? USB2, firewire, PC Card make expansion a breeze even on less than maxed-out units. You can keep and use your large monitor, kybd and mouse and all the other externals you already have.

But disconnect it all and you KNOW it works a LOT better than a mini on the road and at 30k feet....

 

[JHZR2]

This is true... perhaps a 12" powerbook like my brother has is the best next step...

I have a nice IBM laptop for work - a T42, which Ive been real happy with... I also have an ultraportable sony vaio running XP and a tablet PC running XP.

That said, I have a lot of $ invested in portable computing, none of which make an optimal home machine. This is kind of the reason why Ive been shying away from another notebook - $499 vs $1299+ is a big step... and I dont want to buy cheapo stuff, because though my Dell lasted 4 years of hard service before going south, Ive seen so many cheapo machines go bad much earlier than that... And I don't think that I could build a desktop mac from parts...

Ugh, I dont know what I want anymore... but I do want a mac!

Thanks,

JMH

 

[labman]

Anybody know of a good site to get help with a Mini Mac? There is a Lady struggling on another site I frequent, and the Windows geeks there aren't being much help. She is a wreck, and her no good teenage son was just diagnosed with diabetes. What I know of Mac OS 7.6.1 and Linux won't help her much. Mainly what she needs is help transfering her old files, email, etc. from an old windows box.

 

[Calvin]

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
Anybody know of a good site to get help with a Mini Mac? There is a Lady struggling on another site I frequent, and the Windows geeks there aren't being much help. She is a wreck, and her no good teenage son was just diagnosed with diabetes. What I know of Mac OS 7.6.1 and Linux won't help her much. Mainly what she needs is help transfering her old files, email, etc. from an old windows box.

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You might have her try these places.

http://macobserver.com/forums/

http://forums.macrumors.com/

http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]@macmini

 

[JHZR2]

dont they run free tutorials at the apple stores in various malls to teach folks stuff like that?

JMH

 

[labman]

Thanks for the prompt reply Calvin. I passed them on to her last night.

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

Also remember that Mac OS is the real windows. Its interface was created with visual intelligence, it allows you to thinker visually and concentrate on the subject. Windows -on the other hand- was created by the Bill's intelligence based on Apple's, you are concentrated on the versions, newest softwares, while your actual job is waiting. Its interface is too linear to be efficient with windows. After win3.xx, windows became useless fancy snapshots. This linearity excells in the XP, it is just like a evolved automated DOS with colorful frames.

So overall I actually work much more time-efficiently on a Mac of ages ago with tiniest of a memory than a brand new XP with 21 hot-fixes. Mac OS is by far the best general purpose operating system. It is also better than Linux and Unix's interface. On the nucleus codes or for the hardware I can't see a real advantage of the Apple. They used to be just a tad more reliable but you know; "used to be"... Still they appears to be finer, under the cover there is always this extra magnetic shield.

↓This site may give a rough idea about the performance (and the interface )of the new Macs. While there is no real upgrades there are some possibilities. Ram bus is PC 2700 so seemingly no need to pay $ 250 Apple exclusive for that 1GB unit. I'm currently thinking of buying a base mini with only DVD writing capabilities plus the Apple keyboard and mouse. Those PC mallets just don't do it for me.

http://www.macintouch.com/macmini/review.html

 

[kenw]

do we really need to go there? Isn't arguing minutia of filter media enough punishment? These ""tests" never convince anyone. Ford-Chevy. Honda-Toyota. give me a break.

IT IS AN APPLE SITE! what do you think the results will show???

yeah, the Edsel was an advanced car, Beta beat VHS and they're both where now?

Technical superiority (real or imagined) is rarely the cause for a product's success.

 

[ikeepmychevytoo]

kenw,

Definitely technical superiority is rarely the cause of the marketing success for many things. I didn't post it for PC vs mac. evaluation. I just think it is a nice write-up on the newer alien-mac and whoever considering may see the internals too.

It is not the site but may be it was me! Sorry for my PC rant, I just needed to vent. Btw, I still can't copy/paste.

 

[kenw]

sorry for my rant. i pressed add way too soon. my apologies for going off on a tangent. totally uncalled for.

(Bad day catching up with me)

but as a 25 year manufacturing and mechanical engineer in the computer business, I've always drooled over the mechanicals and build quality of their machines.......just can't afford them and I can see why!

 

[labman]

quote:

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Originally posted by kenw:
snip....

Technical superiority (real or imagined) is rarely the cause for a product's success.

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The worst part is that marketing manages to create an imagined technical superiority more often than real ones triumph.