About my setup:-
Mid-2007 Mac Mini
Mac OS X V10.6.3 Snow Leopard
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Intel GMA 950 64 MB Built-In Graphics Card
Hitachi 160 GB 5400 RPM Internal-HDD
WD MyBook 1 TB External HDD (Firewire 400)
Seagate FreeAgent Go 250 GB Portable HDD (USB 2.0)
I want to upgrade my setup as lately it has been lacking performance in the multi-tasking department. I have seen way too much of the rainbow wheel than I'd like.
I need help with what upgrades would do me good and are also value for money - performance and cost. The Mac Mini is my primary computer.
a) What sort of processors are compatible with my Mac Mini?
b) Do I need a faster processor for my requirements?
c) How much can I look to dish out for a decent one?
d) What kind of RAM should I pick up? (I was thinking about upgrading to 4 GB - 2 x 2 GB).
e) Does brand matter when it comes to RAM?
f) I was thinking about swapping my internal HDD with my 250 GB Seagate. Is there a way to duplicate drives in such a way that I wouldn't even notice a change after its re-configured?
g) Is it possible to upgrade the Graphics Card?
h) What sort are compatible? How much do they cost roughly? (I am not a gamer as such but I want to at least have the option to play games etc if I choose to - currently I don't even have the minimum system requirements for The Sims 3!)
Lastly - I know there are plenty of you out there who are capable of doing all of the above yourself but I doubt it that I will be one of them. If I were to purchase all the hardware myself and present it to the Apple Store - would they put it all on for me? I am still under the 3 year Apple Care Protection Plan. I'm happy to pay for the service charge but not the insane prices they'll charge me for the parts!
Thanks heaps guys for any suggestions...
Mid-2007 Mac Mini
Mac OS X V10.6.3 Snow Leopard
2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Intel GMA 950 64 MB Built-In Graphics Card
Hitachi 160 GB 5400 RPM Internal-HDD
WD MyBook 1 TB External HDD (Firewire 400)
Seagate FreeAgent Go 250 GB Portable HDD (USB 2.0)
I want to upgrade my setup as lately it has been lacking performance in the multi-tasking department. I have seen way too much of the rainbow wheel than I'd like.
I need help with what upgrades would do me good and are also value for money - performance and cost. The Mac Mini is my primary computer.
a) What sort of processors are compatible with my Mac Mini?
b) Do I need a faster processor for my requirements?
c) How much can I look to dish out for a decent one?
d) What kind of RAM should I pick up? (I was thinking about upgrading to 4 GB - 2 x 2 GB).
e) Does brand matter when it comes to RAM?
f) I was thinking about swapping my internal HDD with my 250 GB Seagate. Is there a way to duplicate drives in such a way that I wouldn't even notice a change after its re-configured?
g) Is it possible to upgrade the Graphics Card?
h) What sort are compatible? How much do they cost roughly? (I am not a gamer as such but I want to at least have the option to play games etc if I choose to - currently I don't even have the minimum system requirements for The Sims 3!)
Lastly - I know there are plenty of you out there who are capable of doing all of the above yourself but I doubt it that I will be one of them. If I were to purchase all the hardware myself and present it to the Apple Store - would they put it all on for me? I am still under the 3 year Apple Care Protection Plan. I'm happy to pay for the service charge but not the insane prices they'll charge me for the parts!
Thanks heaps guys for any suggestions...