I think I will give up on the Mac Mini idea and try to fix my iMac.
You mentioned that you have two computer needs:
1. You need a Macintosh computer that is capable of running ProTools 8.
2. You need a Macintosh computer that is able to run a version of iTunes that is compatible with your iPhone 5.
Here is a solution that meets both of these needs.
- Firstly...you need a Macintosh computer that is capable of running OS 10.6.8 (Snow Leopard)...so that you can run ProTools 8 (ProTools 8 is compatible with Snow Leopard)...and even if it wasn't...you do the optional install of "Rosetta" which allows you to run PPC apps within Snow Leopard.
- Second...your iPhone 5 requires at least iTunes 10.7...which it just so happens is compatible with OS 10.6!
Apple - iPhone 5 - View all the technical specifications.
iTunes 10.7
So the BEST & newest Macintosh computer you want is one that is/was capable of running OS 10.6.8. Which would be:
- Early 2011 MacBook Pro's
- Mid-2011 iMac's
- Mid-2010 Mac-Mini's
Let me repeat...these are the NEWEST model of each of these computer lines that is still capable of running Snow Leopard (OS 10.6).
I just checked the Apple refurb. Store...and currently you can still get a couple MacBook Pro's, and 1 iMac model that meets the requirements I mentioned above (no Mac-Mini's at this time). Of course you can still buy a used computer that meets the above requirements.
Now also consider this. All of the Mac models I mentioned above also can run the most recent Mac OS (10.8.3). If you got one of these computers...you could partition the hard drive into two partitions:
- one partition you could install OS 10.6.8 (for primarily running ProTools 8)...and you could still do things with your iPhone 5 as well.
- the second partition you could install OS 10.8.3...and have all of the latest & greatest Mac OS features & compatibility.
This is what I would do if I was in your shoes...and wanted a newer Macintosh computer...but at the same time didn't want to spend $700 for the latest version of ProTools.
HTH,
- Nick
p.s. Sorry for the long post...but I wanted to convey as much detail as possible.