Mac Mini Question

Hello, So my family currently has a VERY VERY VERY slow windows. I have restored, defragmented, I've done it all. But it only has a 1.5 g RAM and a 1.4 Ghz Intel and it's just not made to be very quick. So, we are looking into a Mac Mini. But my question is, can we hook a mac mini up to a PC display? It's so much cheaper that way then buying a iMac. Or even a refurbished macbook (thats 750) and the mini is 699. Any thoughts on this?

kribensis12 said:

But my question is, can we hook a mac mini up to a PC display?

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You sure can. That was one of the main points of the Mac-mini when it was first released 6 years ago...to be able to plug in an existing monitor, keyboard, and mouse to reduce cost.

- Nick

That's a wonderful idea. Do other pc companies have something like that?

kribensis12 said:

That's a wonderful idea. Do other pc companies have something like that?

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Well...it's really not as revolutionary as it may sound. Almost all Windows desktop computers are just a "computer box, keyboard, and mouse"...so Apple just eliminated the inclusion of a keyboard & mouse.

What was revolutionary when the Mac-mini first came out was how small it was. It's basically a laptop computer in a very small "box" with no display.

So if you removed the display & keyboard from a $999 13" MacBook...you would essentially have a $699-$799 Mac-mini. Also remember that the first Mac-Mini's were $499...which was also AMAZING for an Apple computer which until that time...Apple computers were all over at least $1000.

- Nick

Most likely, you'll need an adapter. Bummer!

But wait! It comes with the Mini!! :yea:

Nice! I don't think we have the funding for it just yet, but when it's time for a new comp, its going to be a mac one way or another (wether it be a mini or a refurb macbook). When I go off to college this summer, there will be no one home who is computer literate. So, they need something fast, something that picks up wifi (our pc has a usb adapter that hangs off the comp to pick up wifi), something that will last forever, and something that will help reduce the clutter of the comp area.

toMACsh said:

Most likely, you'll need an adapter. Bummer!

But wait! It comes with the Mini!! :yea:

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Most monitors for PCs use the old VGA cables. The Mini comes with a DVI adapter. you can get the VGA adapter for $29 (Apple) or $25 (aftermarket).

I guess I got lucky. The adapter that came with my Mini worked with the monitor I bought.

toMACsh said:

I guess I got lucky. The adapter that came with my Mini worked with the monitor I bought.

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Yeah, some monitors have DVI inputs, too. Not my POS monitor, though.