07-17-2005, 01:15 PM

Im trying to decide between a mac mini and a mini pc that i can build
here are the specs

Mac Mini

1.25 Ghz G4
1 GB DDR 333
80 GB Ultra ATA 5,400 RPM
4xSuperDrive
Internal Bluetooth+Airport Extreme Card
Apple Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Combo
Mac OS X Tiger + iLife '05
Black 17" LCD Monitor+TV Box+Speaker
+ Tax
Total: 1,463.37

PC Mini

Black/Silver MicroATX Case 420watt PS
AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Jetway Motherboard
1024GB (2x512) DDR 400
2 x NEC Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM
Seagate 200GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA150
SAPPHIRE Radeon X800PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 VIVO PCI Express x16
Logitech Cordless Desktop Wireless Standard
ZonetIEEE 802.11g 32bit PCI2.2 802.11g Wireless LAN Adapter up to 54Mbps
D-Link DBT-120 USB1.1 Wireless USB Bluetooth Adapter
Black 17" LCD Monitor+TV Box+Speaker
Dual Boot - Windows XP Professional + Ubuntu Linux 5.04 "Horay Hedgehog"
+ Tax
Total: $1,466.49

Now these specs are kinda overkill for what i need, but you get the point
Now do you really think that Mac OS X is worth this type of differnce
Is there anybody who is going to defend mac in this one
I love Mac OS X
I wish that i could install it on my computer
But the hardware is ridilcusly overpriced
And you dont get what you pay for

07-17-2005, 01:26 PM

I just built a iMac model with an education discount
here it goes

17" Imac
2Ghz PPC G5
ATI Radeon 9600 with 128MB DDR Video
AirPort Extreme + Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
SuperDrive
250GB Serial ATA drive
1GB DDR400 SDRAM - 2 DIMMs
Apple Wireless Keyboard And mouse
NO TV BOX!!!!
+ TAX
Total: $1,773.85

Still the pc is cheaper

07-17-2005, 04:29 PM

on the mini mac and the imac do not buy the extra ram upgrade.. they are a rip off.. just get the ram off of newegg.com or such...

07-17-2005, 04:50 PM

imac would be the most powerbull, and like aznboi said buy the ram off newegg its cheaper.... but then again its all a call on operating system.. pick your operating system based in which one is the most stable... I am not going to say best because windows can be a nice operating system if you know what you are doing. but the unix based system of mac osx is the more stable choice... and you will go with mac osx.

07-17-2005, 04:57 PM

So what are you asking?

The PC will be faster, probably cheaper, and can run a wider variety of applications. For gaming it'll kick the crap out of any Mac, period.

The Mini would not be particularly fast. It will run OS X, which requires a lot less "upkeep" than Windows, and less fiddling than Linux. For creative/media applications, it'll be more fun.

An iMac would be quite a bit faster, but probably not quite as fast as that A64 3500. It's an all-in-one: about as different from a homebuilt PC as you could get. (You could also get an external TV tuner.)

If you can go as high as $2000, I'd get the PC, and then get a base-model Mini+512MB memory as well.

07-17-2005, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by mh10190

Is there anybody who is going to defend mac in this one

No. There is no reason to defend Mac. There is no reason to defend Windows for that matter. Bottom line is that you should use the OS/system that best suits your own personal computing needs. What do you plan on using the computer for?

07-17-2005, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by mh10190

Is there anybody who is going to defend mac in this one

Mac can defend its self. That said if you want gaming go for the windows box but if you want a stable os and apple quality with no viruses then get the mac. its all depending on what you want to do with it.

07-17-2005, 05:15 PM

Alot of office
Macromedia apps
Adobe CS2 + Video Collection (Extremly lightly)
some developing
and to store and access my many media files (audio,video)
and a little bit of server app exploring
basic gaming
and then the basics, email internet, etc
i like both oses
i cant decide wich i like better
mac doesnt seem to be for me
i love unix and all
but i know how to use a computer
i dont get viruses/spyware/adware/trojans/popups. etc
i only run microsoft antispyware for security
and im pretty good
now if someone could convince me that mac is better for me in my situation
i would like that

07-17-2005, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by mh10190

Alot of office
Macromedia apps
Adobe CS2 + Video Collection (Extremly lightly)
some developing
and to store and access my many media files (audio,video)
and a little bit of server app exploring
basic gaming
and then the basics, email internet, etc
i like both oses
i cant decide wich i like better
mac doesnt seem to be for me
i love unix and all
but i know how to use a computer
i dont get viruses/spyware/adware/trojans/popups. etc
i only run microsoft antispyware for security
and im pretty good
now if someone could convince me that mac is better for me in my situation
i would like that

That points to.... MAC if thats what you plan to do definitely get the mini

07-17-2005, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by mh10190

...mac doesnt seem to be for me
.....now if someone could convince me that mac is better for me in my situation
i would like that

Well, I think you already know which one you want. :black:

Nobody should ever convince anyone about what computer/OS to use. I don't think you are going to find anyone here who will "push" the Mac option. As was said by myself and others before, it all comes down to your personal preference and needs. From what you have stated, either system would be fine for your needs.
If you are truly "on the fence" about it, my only suggestion would be to try out both systems and get a feel for each OS. If after you have had a chance to use it and you think the Mac OS would be a better option, then go for it.
If Windows is working for you and have no reason to change it, then don't.

07-17-2005, 08:18 PM

Get the PC, I have never heard of Ubuntu Linux, Do you use it currently?

07-17-2005, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by mynameis

Get the PC, I have never heard of Ubuntu Linux, Do you use it currently?

Ive used it its way too complicated for me

07-17-2005, 10:51 PM

Ubuntu is one of the simpilist linux distros i have tried, keep in mind i went after the crazy stuff (debian,gentoo)
Ubuntu seems to be a perfect balance
i think im going to go for the pc
mac is nice, but until i can build my own mac, im gonna wait to get one
thanx for all your help and interest

12-05-2005, 02:12 PM

Just get the Mac!!!

12-05-2005, 03:13 PM

link.