Hello everyone, sorry for not a proper introduction but this is my first post in the forums. I browsed around Mac Forums a bit and I think this place should give me enough help to get me started.
I'm a web designer/developer and for a while I've been thinking of getting away from Windows (been using it for the past 7-8 years) and moving onto MAC. I've been looking to a get a iMAC 24"/27" but due to some financial issues my idea has been changed and I have my target on the Mac Minis. Of course the new 2009 edition, the new updated versions from Apple. However I have some questions about the Mac Mini before taking another step.
So, there's 2 versions of the Mac Mini that can be bought from BestBuy/FutureShop etc. One is the 2.26GHz with 2GB ram and the other one is 2.53GHz with 4GB. They seem to have the same graphic card and fair capacity of Hard Drive space but that's not a problem because I keep most of my files in EXT HDs. My thought is, which version should I get. The 2.26 has a fair low cost of $650 + tax ish and the other one goes over 800$ + tax. As I mentioned earlier on how I'm going through some financial issues at the moment so I can't come up with much money fast.
I was thinking if I should go with the 2.26Ghz / 2GB ram version, would I be able to run things smoothly? For example, Photoshop, BootCamp (Windows), Browsing, Chatting, QuickTime, VLC, etc. Of course not at the same time but would it be compatible? Is there a huge difference between the two versions of MAC. I don't know much about hardware so I'm not too sure on the GHz situation here. Or, should I really save up and go for the 2.53GHz Mini with the 4GB ram. What much of difference does it have?
Sorry for my long post but I hope someone can point me the right-way. Thanks in advance.
I have a Mac Mini 1.83 Ghz (2007 model year) that came with 1GB of memory. I initially found it to be a little lagging, so I upgraded it to 3GB of memory and the machine is wonderful now...
I use it as a development machine using XCode, and browse with Firefox/Safari, watch movies with VLC/Quicktime and it all works great.
I think if you do get the 2.26Ghz with 2GB and upgrade it to the maximum (8GB) of memory, I think it can handle Photoshop without any problems..
I think you won't notice a HUGE difference between the 2.26 Ghz and 2.53 Ghz since that equates to just a few seconds of difference..
I also don't think you'll notice a big difference in web development in terms of the processor. What I would do is get the 2.26 with 2GB of RAM, then upgrade the RAM with some Crucial memory if you feel the need to. It will be much cheaper this way than going through Apple.
I'm looking at the Mini in BestBuy/Futureshop and it says that it's expandable to 4GB memory. You think I can ask them to upgrade on purchase or do I have to do that myself?
Mac Specs: 13 inch alMacBook 2GHz 2GB, 1.25GHz G4 eMac
Photoshop works just fine on my MacBook with a 2GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, and that's with other apps open. The Mac OS side will be 100% fine with 2GB of RAM. Windows, I'm not so sure about. But, either way 4GB of RAM will do you fine, whichever route you choose to attain that goal.
Photoshop works just fine on my MacBook with a 2GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, and that's with other apps open. The Mac OS side will be 100% fine with 2GB of RAM. Windows, I'm not so sure about. But, either way 4GB of RAM will do you fine, whichever route you choose to attain that goal.
Sounds good. Glad to hear something positive about Photoshop even on a 2GHz processor. Thanks!
__________________ " Some of the greater things in life are unseen thats why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream. "
Since upgrading the Mini involves carefully prying it open to access the memory it's most likely only going to be done at Apple stores. OWC has memory for very cheap and you can do the install yourself very easily..
Since upgrading the Mini involves carefully prying it open to access the memory it's most likely only going to be done at Apple stores. OWC has memory for very cheap and you can do the install yourself very easily..
Regards
Ah, I see. I guess if/when I need to upgrade the memory I'll make it stop by the Apple store, we'll see what happens when the time comes around. Now, Is there anything else you think I should know before I buy a MAC? If not it's just a matter of time for me to get the money and drop by BestBuy.
__________________ " Some of the greater things in life are unseen thats why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream. "
Sorry to bump this topic but I just wanted to say that I got the Mini today and I love it! I'm glad to move on to MAC from Windows. Thank you all for the help. Will definitely come back in here if I have an questions to ask. Thanks again.
Regards,
IK0N
__________________ " Some of the greater things in life are unseen thats why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream. "
I ordered the 2.26Ghz model from the Apple store last week.
Getting it going was quite painless until it came to finding a printer OSX would recognize. I have a HP Deskjet 940c which seems to be recognized by every OS on earth but the ink has dried out and the replacement ink costs more than buying a new printer. Anyways, surrounded by 5 printers I discovered open source OSX drivers for my Konica Minolta 2400W laser color printer which has been sitting unused with almost full cartridges for over a year.
I used an LG W2243T LCD at 1920 x 1080, a old Compaq usb keyboard and a MS usb mouse.
BTW I also found it odd there is no where to post intros on this forum ...
Hey, I don't know but didn't have any problems with printers or anything in my case. Besides, the printer in the house is connected to the PC that's in the house. I'm sure people around here will help you out with your problem, you should create a new topic/thread regarding the problem.
About the intro topic, I guess you should stick it under /General Discussions/Anything Goes/
__________________ " Some of the greater things in life are unseen thats why you close your eyes when you kiss, cry, or dream. "
@ik0n, congrats on the purchase..which model did you end up buying?
As far as printers go, my installation was a breeze..I have a Brother HL2070N that's on the Network, the Mac searched the network, found the IP address and type of printer and got it up and running in no time..
