Is the basic Mac Mini too slow ?

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curious

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Hi guys,

My Dad is ready for a new computer. I've suggested he take a look at Mac (he usually buys Dell, just like me). One problem is price. Thanks to Dell discounts and coupons, he can usually get a pretty decent computer for around $500/$600.

The only Mac priced even *close* to this is the Mac Mini. The basic Mac Mini is only $500, although it requires the purchase of monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

Anyway, my question is about computer speed. If I convince my Dad to buy a Mac Mini, and he finds it too slow compared to his past Dells, I'm in big trouble.

So... for those that own the basic 1.25GHz Mac Mini, have you ever found it to be too slow for anything? Any comments on the Mac Mini's speed & performance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance...
 
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I have the basic macmini, I upgraded the ram to 1GB, and now I can run itunes, surf the net, check emails, type a word document, have a spreadsheet open and it runs fine. The only thing it might be slow on is maybe video editing, or major photo editing.


By the way I am selling mine with a bunch of extras if you are interested. I bought an ibook so I want to sell the mini.
 
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hondagus87 said:
I have the basic macmini, I upgraded the ram to 1GB, and now I can run itunes, surf the net, check emails, type a word document, have a spreadsheet open and it runs fine.
Hmm... does this mean that you are *not* able to do these things with the default 512mb of RAM?
 
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I was able to do things with the 512mb, but it made it so nice just getting the 1gb, it now zooms.
 
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curious said:
Hmm... does this mean that you are *not* able to do these things with the default 512mb of RAM?

No... it runs more fluidly with 1GB versus 512MB. OSX leaves alot of RAM in cache to avoid writing to disk as much. The extra RAM allows OSX to breathe easier ;) If there's an Apple store nearby I suggest you try one hands on. A Best Buy *may* have one on display but I haven't seen one in a while.
 
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deus_ex_machina said:
No... it runs more fluidly with 1GB versus 512MB. OSX leaves alot of RAM in cache to avoid writing to disk as much. The extra RAM allows OSX to breathe easier ;) If there's an Apple store nearby I suggest you try one hands on. A Best Buy *may* have one on display but I haven't seen one in a while.

Another place to try out a Mac Mini is CompUSA. I found this to be the best place to tryout Mac's because no other shoppers were using them, and the sales people left me alone.
 
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curious said:
Hi guys,

My Dad is ready for a new computer. I've suggested he take a look at Mac (he usually buys Dell, just like me). One problem is price. Thanks to Dell discounts and coupons, he can usually get a pretty decent computer for around $500/$600.

The only Mac priced even *close* to this is the Mac Mini. The basic Mac Mini is only $500, although it requires the purchase of monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

Anyway, my question is about computer speed. If I convince my Dad to buy a Mac Mini, and he finds it too slow compared to his past Dells, I'm in big trouble.

So... for those that own the basic 1.25GHz Mac Mini, have you ever found it to be too slow for anything? Any comments on the Mac Mini's speed & performance would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance...

One thing to consider: If you are buying the package - mini, keyboard, mouse and monitor - you get very close or over the cost of an iMac.
 
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Badger said:
One thing to consider: If you are buying the package - mini, keyboard, mouse and monitor - you get very close or over the cost of an iMac.
Really? The keyboard & mouse are quite cheap... so I'm guessing you're referring to a fairly expensive monitor? Which one? How much? Also, which iMac are you referring to?

Actually, this brings up another question: can any monitor be used? or only particular ones?
 
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any monitor that accepts dvi, or vga with the adapter. I have the complete setup mini, external dvd burner, external hard drive (200GB), monitor (19"LCD), keyboard and mouse for sale right now for 750, so it actually depends where you get your stuff I guess if you say it costs what an imac costs.
 
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You can use any Monitor with the Mini, as long as you have the DVI to VGA adapter, which comes standard with the Mini.

I have the 1.25ghz version of the Mini and run a 19" Samsung Sync Master LCD, no problems what so ever. I also do A LOT of video editing and sound creation on it, and I have never had a problem with it.

Rendering the Video's does take more time then I would like, but I do it at night when its cold anyways, so it can dedicate more power to the render.

I would say to go to CompUSA and try one out.
 
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JGruber said:
You can use any Monitor with the Mini, as long as you have the DVI to VGA adapter, which comes standard with the Mini.

I have the 1.25ghz version of the Mini and run a 19" Samsung Sync Master LCD, no problems what so ever. I also do A LOT of video editing and sound creation on it, and I have never had a problem with it.

Rendering the Video's does take more time then I would like, but I do it at night when its cold anyways, so it can dedicate more power to the render.

I would say to go to CompUSA and try one out.


HAHA beat ya to it,
 
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RAM is the biggest indicator of how 'fast' your mac will be. More ram, it will be faster.
 
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i have the 1.42ghz with the 512, runs great play games fine, i know the 1.25ghz model will do fine for basic computer use. But get the 599 1.42ghz model. Its way worth it. Plus the extra hard drive space is essential. Unless you need a modem, the 1.25 ghz model is the only one that comes with one.

Keep in mind. All USB Mice and Keyboards work on it. Ive tried SEVERAL that ive had laying around and all work great.


Just my .02
 
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The mac mini will be fine for a first mac, It does everything and will only be slow for movie editing, advanced photoediting or music mastering..
 
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curious

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maz94protege said:
Unless you need a modem, the 1.25 ghz model is the only one that comes with one.
Believe it or not, my dad is still on dial-up -- so he needs the modem.
I'm trying to convince him to go DSL/Cable, but one thing at a time... :)
 
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PowerBookG4 said:
The mac mini will be fine for a first mac, It does everything and will only be slow for movie editing, advanced photoediting or music mastering..
Cool. I don't think he'll be doing any of the above.

Thanks!
 
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curious said:
Believe it or not, my dad is still on dial-up -- so he needs the modem.
I'm trying to convince him to go DSL/Cable, but one thing at a time... :)

if he can take the speed of dial up.. then the speed of the mac mini should not be in question.. ;)
 
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BEEEsH

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curious said:
Cool. I don't think he'll be doing any of the above.

Thanks!


Once you buy a keyboard, mouse and a screen (speakers as well) you may as well get a nice Imac. I'm sure you can pick up a g5 imac (latest revision before intel) for a pretty decent price.

$1499 for the top model g5 with a 20" screeen. Can't go wrong there.
or
That same model refurbished for $1299. Thats a crazy good deal.

If its definitely about price, then I'm sure you can still find an Emac someplace (campus bookstore/computerstore if your in college) And that is a much better all in one package than the mac mini.
 
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curious

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PowerBookG4 said:
if he can take the speed of dial up.. then the speed of the mac mini should not be in question.. ;)
Ha! I know what you mean, but he does a lot of stuff "offline" as well... :)
 

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