Mac Mini Purchase advice

rrp · rrp #1 (**permalink**)

04-12-2012, 03:22 PM

Hi all

Currently looking at switching to a Mac from PC after many years of using PC's and laptops.

I am considering the Mac Mini as opposed to the iMac as I already have keyboards and a very new monitor.

On the Apple Store I would go for the 2.5 GHz with 4Gb Ram. However, looking at all the other options I am looking for some advice as to whether or not to go for the following.

Hard Drive.
Comes with a 500Gb 5400rpm - should I upgrade to 750Gb at 7200? Size is not a major issue I don't think so this upgrade would be based on speed. Any advice?

Processor
Comes with i5 - should I upgrade to i7??

All help welcome as I look to join Mac world!!!

Robert

Deckyon · Deckyon #2 (**permalink**)

04-12-2012, 04:26 PM

What is it you want to do? The intended use of the machine matters.

bboggess · bboggess #3 (**permalink**)

04-12-2012, 04:32 PM

I went with the lower end Mini and upgraded the RAM myself. It's an easy upgrade and definitely cheaper than having Apple do it for you. The 7200 RPM drive will respond quicker than the 5400 RPM drive. The i7 processor will probably give you a little more longevity. Basically, buy the most that you can for your money. I love my Mini and it has become my everyday machine.

Bill

Deckyon · Deckyon #4 (**permalink**)

04-12-2012, 04:39 PM

And to be honest, once you start throwing upgrades into the Mini, it comes out to nearly the price of an iMac. If you dont already have a monitor for the Mini, it makes more sense to get the iMac. My Mini was bought with a specific purpose in mind, thus I spent a little more on it than I would have if I just needed a computer. I have my Mini hooked up to a 65" HDTV and main home theater equipment. It is a media server via iTunes. It is a little workhorse pushing my media to a MBP, iPad, 2 iPhones, iPod Touch and 2 Apple TVs. And nary a skip in audio or video even when syncing my iPad and iPhone.

rrp · rrp #5 (**permalink**)

04-12-2012, 05:10 PM

Thanks for the responses.

It is mainly for everyday use to replace desktop PC. I have a Vaio as well and a good samsung monitor so want to keep the monitor for that, hence I wouldn't go for iMac.

chas_m · chas_m #6 (**permalink**)

04-15-2012, 03:16 AM

"it is mainly for everyday use" doesn't really say much of anything.

Can you be more specific, please? My idea of what other people mean by "everyday use" is:

1. Email
2. Web surfing
3. Facebook
4. More Facebook
5. Way too much Facebook
6. A little bit of Office maybe
7. YouTube
8. Back to Facebook

If that's you, then any Mac is more than up for the job.

rrp · rrp #7 (**permalink**)

04-15-2012, 04:05 AM

General surfing, low to medium facebook and youtube.

Daughter would probably play sims 3 which would be the most advanced gaming on machine.

Deckyon #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 06, 2011 Location: Louisville, KY - USA Posts: 1,254 Mac Specs: MBP 17" 2011, 2.3GHz Intel Quad-Core i7, 8GB RAM, MacMini 2011, 2.7GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 8GB RAM	04-12-2012, 04:26 PM What is it you want to do? The intended use of the machine matters. MBP 17" 2011, 2.3GHz Intel Quad-Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB RAM MacMini 2011, 2.7GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256MB RAM iPhone 4S 64GB, iPad Gen3 32GB WiFi, iPod Nano Gen6 8GB, Apple TV 3 & 2
	QUOTE Thanks

Deckyon #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 06, 2011 Location: Louisville, KY - USA Posts: 1,254 Mac Specs: MBP 17" 2011, 2.3GHz Intel Quad-Core i7, 8GB RAM, MacMini 2011, 2.7GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 8GB RAM	04-12-2012, 04:39 PM And to be honest, once you start throwing upgrades into the Mini, it comes out to nearly the price of an iMac. If you dont already have a monitor for the Mini, it makes more sense to get the iMac. My Mini was bought with a specific purpose in mind, thus I spent a little more on it than I would have if I just needed a computer. I have my Mini hooked up to a 65" HDTV and main home theater equipment. It is a media server via iTunes. It is a little workhorse pushing my media to a MBP, iPad, 2 iPhones, iPod Touch and 2 Apple TVs. And nary a skip in audio or video even when syncing my iPad and iPhone. MBP 17" 2011, 2.3GHz Intel Quad-Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6750M 1GB RAM MacMini 2011, 2.7GHz Intel Dual-Core i7, 8GB RAM, AMD Radeon HD 6630M 256MB RAM iPhone 4S 64GB, iPad Gen3 32GB WiFi, iPod Nano Gen6 8GB, Apple TV 3 & 2
	QUOTE Thanks

chas_m #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,818 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	04-15-2012, 03:16 AM "it is mainly for everyday use" doesn't really say much of anything. Can you be more specific, please? My idea of what other people mean by "everyday use" is: 1. Email 2. Web surfing 3. Facebook 4. More Facebook 5. Way too much Facebook 6. A little bit of Office maybe 7. YouTube 8. Back to Facebook If that's you, then any Mac is more than up for the job. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mac Mini with Lion Server for Small Office?	hutchie	OS X - Operating System	0	10-18-2011 11:50 AM
Adobe CS5 and a Mac Mini	iAlexOnline	Apple Desktops	2	05-14-2010 02:03 PM
Mac Mini won't work on Back to my Mac	markwco	OS X - Operating System	0	03-15-2009 04:00 AM

Mac Mini Purchase advice

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

rrp #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 12, 2012 Posts: 3	04-12-2012, 03:22 PM Hi all Currently looking at switching to a Mac from PC after many years of using PC's and laptops. I am considering the Mac Mini as opposed to the iMac as I already have keyboards and a very new monitor. On the Apple Store I would go for the 2.5 GHz with 4Gb Ram. However, looking at all the other options I am looking for some advice as to whether or not to go for the following. Hard Drive. Comes with a 500Gb 5400rpm - should I upgrade to 750Gb at 7200? Size is not a major issue I don't think so this upgrade would be based on speed. Any advice? Processor Comes with i5 - should I upgrade to i7?? All help welcome as I look to join Mac world!!! Robert
	QUOTE Thanks

rrp #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 12, 2012 Posts: 3	04-12-2012, 05:10 PM Thanks for the responses. It is mainly for everyday use to replace desktop PC. I have a Vaio as well and a good samsung monitor so want to keep the monitor for that, hence I wouldn't go for iMac.
	QUOTE Thanks

rrp #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 12, 2012 Posts: 3	04-15-2012, 04:05 AM General surfing, low to medium facebook and youtube. Daughter would probably play sims 3 which would be the most advanced gaming on machine.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)