03-23-2006, 05:16 PM

Being new to macs, i dont have a clue about them, so im looking to buy a mac mini off that auction website, are the intel mini much more superior to the old styl? Would i be wasting my money? I really cant afford the new type!

03-23-2006, 05:50 PM

what are you going to be doing with it?

03-23-2006, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by nonameo

what are you going to be doing with it?

Just listening to music, watching dvd's storing images, general word documents for uni, nothing strenuous i.e. no video editing etc,

thanks

03-23-2006, 06:39 PM

Then the new Mini will be ideal for you; in fact there is little reason to choose the older G4 Mini now for what you will be doing.

Vicky

03-23-2006, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by lil

in fact there is little reason to choose the older G4 Mini now for what you will be doing.

I don't see anything wrong with getting an older mini for what he wants it for. You could save $100-$200 by going with a G4 model.

03-23-2006, 07:01 PM

Apart from the fact that the Intel machine has the potential to do so much more than the little G4 Mini can, more memory potential, it is faster when running native apps, somewhat more future proofed, FrontRow for media access and playing DVDs via remote, iLife '06 on all models, Airport Extreme and Bluetooth on all models unlike the older G4s...

Of course this is only my 2¢ but; I really do think the new Minis represent great value for money and fit more into the package that you will probably want anyway.

Oh and a lot of the older ones I see on eBay have had 256MB and Panther; which is a shame as 256MB is so limiting and it is PITA to upgrade the RAM on the Minis.

Vicky

03-23-2006, 07:35 PM

I still see the minis are being fast enough to do the things he wants to do. You can find plenty of them with Tiger and adding ram isn't really very hard at all. Yes, the new ones are better but they do cost more, if you really like the new features enough to justify the increased price then go for it. Personally I would never use FrontRow and never go above 1GB ram so I don't really care that the new minis have those features, but I could understand where some people might.

03-23-2006, 07:42 PM

If you want a computer that will last you for years of your purposes, and you'll be sure you're keeping it, get an intel. Apple's stickin' with them for a while..



I keep getting this visions of Leopard being only compatible with Intel Processors...shiver

-Pierre

03-24-2006, 05:39 AM

Hi All

First post, cos i got me a new Mac, well new to me anyway! I too had this Dilema, i wanted a Mac Mini so i could learn all about them, with a view to upgrade to a iMac or something in 6 months if i like it.

I searched around for ages and couldnt decide on a Intel or G4, i eventually plumped for the G4. The Intels are really new, and i wanted to learn. With most apps not in the Universal Binary yet, i thought at first it would stop me learning it all.

I too got mine from that auction site, i got a good deal i think. 1.5 G4 (model just before the Intels came out, so a bit rare) 512meg ram, SuperDrive and 80gb HDD. Still had loads of warranty on it as well.

Just my 2pence worth, to let you know what made me choose the G4 over a new intel one.

03-24-2006, 07:25 AM

Didn't the older Minis (G4) also have a more powerful graphics card than the new Intels?
The older ones had radeons, but the new ones have integrated Intel ones which suck apparently

03-24-2006, 07:42 AM

The Older mini does not have a Graphics card. It's a ATI 9200 Chip on the motherboard. It's 'not more powerfull. The Core Duo mini will do 1080p HD smooth. The older Mini no matter what will not.

For the OP, if you want to go with the Intel, I like Lil think it might be a better deal as the G4's are being phased out. You can get the Core Solo Intel Mini for $599. It should be fine for what you stated that you want to do. For sure though the Core Duo mini will do 1080p HD Video and the Core Solo will not. So if that is important in any way to you, I thought I would let you know. The G4 Mini's have trouble with 720p HD Video but will play it ok.

03-24-2006, 11:12 AM

I really cant afford the new type!

That statement says it all. If you can't afford the new intel based model, try the G4.

Just listening to music, watching dvd's storing images, general word documents for uni, nothing strenuous i.e. no video editing etc,

If you look at previous threads, and reviews the G4 mac mini was great for the things you mentioned above. Just because a newer model is out, doesn't make the G4 totally incapable performing these task.

vj

03-25-2006, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by lil

Oh and a lot of the older ones I see on eBay have had 256MB and Panther; which is a shame as 256MB is so limiting and it is PITA to upgrade the RAM on the Minis.

It is not a pain to upgrade ram in minis. I did it to mine just the other day. This whole process has been blown way out of proportion.

As for ppc minis versus intel minis, consider an Apple refurbished mini. With that you get Tiger, os9.2 for classic, iLife 06, and the full Apple warranty. My refurbed mini was $380 off the Apple site, an excellent deal.

03-25-2006, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by dtravis7

The Core Duo mini will do 1080p HD smooth.

Who cares? There is hardly any 1080p content out there and that is about the only thing the GMA950 is good for.

03-27-2006, 10:26 PM

Originally Posted by tortoise

As for ppc minis versus intel minis, consider an Apple refurbished mini. With that you get Tiger, os9.2 for classic, iLife 06, and the full Apple warranty. My refurbed mini was $380 off the Apple site, an excellent deal.

Actually, I got iLife 05, a trial of iWork, and did /not/ get a stealth-upgraded one either. Ordered Mar 13, delivered a week after that. I've received a post-summer 05, pre-fall model...