From PC to Mac Mini?

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fyulaba

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Hello! My screen name is fyulaba and I'm a Windows user ...

Start it off like this is a support group! :)

Anyway! I am (and have been since day one) a Windows user. A few months back I purchased a video iPod and that must be the gateway drug as I am now seriously considering switching to Mac.

In all actual fact, I should not say "considering" as I have made up my mind that I want to buy a Mac, I'm just wondering how I'm going to afford it!

Right now, the G5 is way out of my price range and it would take me 2 years to save up for it. I don't want to wait that long so I was thinking about dropping the money on a Mac Mini but I'm concerned that it will be a problematic computer for what I need.

While working (I'm a web developer), a typical load of what I would have running all at the same time would be something like this:

- Photoshop
- Dreamweaver
- Email app (Outlook right now)
- Firefox with a few tabs
- iTunes (plugged into the iPod)

Now I know Photoshop and Dreamweaver are resource hogs and that I may have to close a few apps for those to run smooth but like I said, currently on my pc, I can get away with all that open right now with no problems. I also use Flash a lot.

I heard some rumours about iMacs overheating, would that be a problem with the Mac Mini as well? I had some problems with my eMachines laptop (total peice of junk) overheating and I never want to experience that again ...

Anyway! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. As I mentioned, a G5 would really be what I would love to get right but that is just not going to happen so should I go Mac Mini or just forget it?
 
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fyulaba said:
...but like I said, currently on my pc, I can get away with all that open right now with no problems....
Well....if it ain't broke....don't fix it.
By your own admission, your current setup is working just fine. Why muddle things now and throw a new platform into the mix? I can see no need for you to change to Mac now, from what you have already said.

The Mini would be a good computer to get used to the Mac environment. It would not get you anywhere near the results you are likely used to with those apps now....but it would be a good way to get the proverbial feet wet.
If you do get a Mini (and if you do DO NOT get rid of your Windows machine) and find that you like the Mac OS better, then you can save your money and eventually get a G5. That would handle your apps much more effectively, and allow you to multi-task more.
 
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fyulaba

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D3v1L80Y said:
Well....if it ain't broke....don't fix it.

I should have mentioned that the Windows system I have at work is the one I can run all that stuff on no problem. Home is another story! :)

I've got an old desktop that I've bought all new parts for (aside from the mother board) that is not running so well anymore. I will be needing to buy a new computer (for home) soon anyway so I was thinking Mac.

I just realized that I'm getting a gift certificate for Best Buy ($450.00) for my Christmas bonus hence I can use that toward a Mac Mini if that is the route I choose.

D3v1L80Y said:
... but it would be a good way to get the proverbial feet wet.

I'm almost 100% decided now that the Mac Mini is the way for me to go right now. With the Christmas bonus, I can get it for half price basically (half out of my pocket and the rest the bonus) so that would be a nice start for me.
 
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Wait until the end of January. The G4 chip is showing it's age and the Mini is underpowered for what you want to do. The current rumors are that the new intel iBooks and Minis will be released at the Macworld Expo in January. Also, there is talk of some significant enhancements to the new Mini, including Front Row and DVR capabilities, and possibly a built in iPod Dock. Also, it's thought that the intel macs will be able to dual boot OSX and Windows should you need to run Windows programs.

Anyways, if you put off your purchase a month you should get a more powerful computer with better features, if you are set on getting a Mini. Also, with the Mini, don't low-ball it and plan to upgrade the hardware latter if you aren't tech savvy. I upgraded mine by putting in more memory (only 1 slot) and adding the wireless package that I picked up from a company in Canada. It is not very easy to get the unit open and it's very easy to cause damage to the case while doing so. The wireless upgrade required an almost complete disassembly of the computer and probably voided the warranty. iMacs and Power Macs are (I hear) much easier to upgrade later. But maybe the new Minis will be easier to mess with, who knows.

Link to Mini rumors:

http://www.thinksecret.com/news/0511macmini2.html
 
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supremeoverlord

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hey I have an emac at home and I run those very programs myself, the only difference would be the hard drive speed but my emac runs those just fine, you'll need a gig of RAm though
 
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If I was on a budget of around $500-$600 and it was my only computer. I would go with a PC instead. If you could swing like $900 for a refurb or leftover iMac G5, then I would consider doing that. If you go from a decent PC to a mac mini, you might feel like the mini is a bit slow.
 
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I agree with the others here. I have bought a brand new Imac G5 isight and to be honest the only reason i bought it was there was an interest free option and i had sold my pc on ebay for a surprising amount. I toyed with the mac mini but in simple terms it is only as fast as a mainstream pc and offers little expandability. Plus on a more important note; if Mr Jobs pulls from his top hat in the new year a sexy G5 based mac mini media centre you will sick as a parrot if you opt for one of the current crop. Patience Young Jedi and all that!!!!!
 
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Russ-ST24

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I brought my mac mini about 6 weeks ago (my first MAC) I have been using it for basic photoshop, DVD production using iMovie and iDVD.
I have 512MB of ram in it at present and have 1gb stick sitting on my table waiting to go in, but to be honest so far I have not noticed the need.
I have kept my PC which is pretty high spec for games but I really got the mac to experience something different (Without the hassles of linux).
I use my mac for email, surfing, making DVDs of home movies and itunes, nice to keep it all in one place. The only thing I did was add an external USB HD which I mount when doing video work as I dont want to eat my 80gb HD in the Mini.
I do agree that it may be worth waiting for the intel based ones to come out (if they do it in Jan).
I am though very happy with my mini and the G4 processor, so much so I convinced my boss I need an iBook for work which I know have.
Again could have waited but to be honest the G4 and Tiger run fast! compared to Windows anyway.

Just my 2 cents

Russ

p.s Reading that back I say I a lot! :)
 
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do u have Photoshop, dreamweaver and Flash on the PC?
dont forget to factor that into the price, all that would most likely cost as much as the Mac mini?
 
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macanal said:
all that would most likely cost as much as the Mac mini

Photoshop = $600
Dreamweaver = $400

If I could swing $1000 for software, I would think you would be able to invest more than $500 on the hardware to run it.
 
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mynameis said:
Photoshop = $600
Dreamweaver = $400

If I could swing $1000 for software, I would think you would be able to invest more than $500 on the hardware to run it.

Another reason to wait for the Intel Macs. If he has the Windows versions and a copy of XP he could just dual boot and run them on XP W/O incurring that cost right now.
 
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dan828 said:
Another reason to wait for the Intel Macs. If he has the Windows versions and a copy of XP he could just dual boot and run them on XP W/O incurring that cost right now.


Assuming that happens. After all, speculation is speculation.


Pierre
 
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HazelGirl

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I am a "transitioner" --not a full switcher yet. I JUST bought a Mac Mini...the BASE configurationw ith no upgrades for $479 including student discount. I plan to eventually get a powerbook, but like you I did not want to wait and I am goign to use this little fella to get me used to the Mac OS. I absolutely LOVE IT. I also bought a Mighty Mouse, which some love and others hate...but I've found it to be excellent. I am using it with a kensington keyboard designed fo rboth Mac and PC and also a 17 inch NEC flat panel display and Harman/Kardon speakers. I am using a kvm switch to enable me to use all that stuff with both my Mac and my Dell desktop and I switch between systems with the press of a button.

Anyway, I was going to wait for the intel Mac minis that are supposed to come out but I would rather wait to see how things go with the intel move. It will likely be faster, but thats okay as I am not doing anything heavy on my mac mini.

Networking is a cinch on the Mac side but Windows kinda gave me a headach...I was able to get both my PC desktop and my PC laptop networked to my little mini though and it is quite cool.

I don't regret my purchase for an instant and I HIGHLY reccomend it. And also I woudl reccomend getting a KVM switch (one that includes audio so you can hook up your speakers) so that you can easily switch between the systems while you are getting used to the new Mac interface.

You'll LOVE it....I've been ranting and raving about my new little mini since I got it. Even setup was easy....no annoying 20 letter/number codes to type in at setup and no hassles getting connected to the internet. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this thing.
 
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litespeed59

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I am currently using a Mac Mini for web development, and regularly have Safari, Firefox, iTunes, Transmit, TextMate, and Photoshop CS2 open at the same time. With 1GB of RAM, I think you will find that a Mac does a better job at managing multiple apps than on a Windows PC. I have not had any issues with overheating.

With full size digital photos, Photoshop is a bit slower than my 3GHz Windows PC, but for web graphics the speed is fine. I have not tried Dreamweaver or Flash on the Mac, so I cannot comment on those.

With regard to waiting on the Intel transition . . . I decided that being an early adopter on that one is not for me. I bought a Mini this past summer so that I could jump into OS X, and I'll wait for Leopard to decide on whether or not to buy an Intel Mac. I'm really happy now that I've switched, and I'm finding that the tools for web development on the Mac are great, especially if you are into designing with web standards.
 

BoA


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The Mac Mini should be fine for you, may want to up the ram some for WoW if you play it.

Since (I'm assuming) you will use Photoshop/Dreamweaver/MX at work you won't need to buy the mac versions.
 
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djmitch

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The only problem I've encountered with my 1MB RAM Mini and Photoshop (actually, PS Elements 3!) is Photoshop not opening if I've set its RAM usage too high in Preferences - I've found that 30% RAM usage or lower eliminates this problem. Otherwise, I have at least a half-dozen apps open ALWAYS on my Mini (inc. Safari, iTunes, Word, and Excel) with absolutely no problems.
 
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fyulaba

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Too late! I went out and bought the mini! So far I've been really happy with it. As it's the Christmas weekend, I've not been hard at work hence I've not had a chance to really stress test it yet.

I know there are bigger, better things on the horizon but if a person held off for the bigger, better stuff all the time, you'd never buy anything! :)

One thing I can tell you for sure is that my iPod is sure nicer to use with Mac. It just seems cleaner and faster. I had to back up all my tunes and vids and format but the way it's running now, it was worth it.

OS X is really nice. I'm finding myself fumbling about learning it but its fun! I've also managed to find some nice freeware tools for IM (MSN for Mac licks), FTP and a few other nice little tools. I also really like Safari! I downloaded and installed Firefox but I don't know ... Safari is pretty cool. I really dig the private browsing feature.

What else do I like??? There's quite a bit already! Burn folders, disk image (dmg) files ... and the list goes on!

I'm glad I decided to try Mac out.
 

BoA


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Glad you like your new Mac Mini!

It might be small, but it's powerfull :D.
 
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Can I say something here? While, yes, it is ALWAYS smart to wait until January in this situation, I don't really think Apple will make the Mac Mini the jack-of-all-trades. The Intel switch won't start until June (at the earliest), so it'll be to under-powered for any of that.
HOWEVER, if you just need something for home use. A sort of "e-mail the pictures to grandma", or a "my kid needs to do her school report and the teacher wanted her to type it if possible" computer, **** yes go with it.
 

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