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- Jan 26, 2009
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Hi Folks,
I was thinking of venturing into actually getting a "legit" Mac and wondered if it would be best to start with a mac mini. I am familiar with Leopard as I am running it on my MSI Wind, so my reason for purchase isn't to get acquainted with the OS-and yes, I do have a full retail copy of OSX for my wind.
Anyway, I am looking for a desktop replacement for my consulting business. I provide medical consulting (health/wellness coaching, case management, home health, etc) and find that my current desktop needs aren't too demanding. I just need an office suite, quickbooks, browser of course, and email.
My current PC is a dell inspiron (~1.5yrs old) Quad Core Q6600, 4gb RAM, 250gb HD, ATI Sapphire 2600XT 512mb graphics card, dual monitors, Dual boot XP Pro and Win 7.
Basically alot of machine, but "fragile." The motherboard has been replaced twice and I've had random peripherals/USB ports just not working. Some days I don't know if it's going to turn on. I just can't have this in my type of business. I back up everything on an external drive (macally enclosure with 1TB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM) and cloud back ups as well. The medical data is "precious" so that's why the extra back up.
Now, I know Macs aren't falt free, but I would just feel better if I needed service that I could schedule an appt. and take in the mini to have it diagnosed and hopefully repaired or replaced. Calling overseas for tech support has wasted multiple hours of my day and waiting for a tech to come out drives me a little bonkers, especially with my schedule.
So, I'll wrap this up with some questions:
1) Anyone running a business with a mini? (not photo, video, graphics, etc) I know this isn't really what you would consider a workstation.
2) I have two LCD's VGA (I do have the DVI adapters that came with the ATI card), so can I run these monitors together?
3) I have a canon HG10 (AVCHD), I don't do a lot of editing/rendering (family stuff), but I use Corel videostudio 11 and my current PC is definitely running full on during the render. So, how is iMovie? I'm not looking to do any crazy editing, just get the footage up on a site so that the family can view it.
I'm fairly up on tech and feel comfortable upgrading the HD and RAM. Sure I could build a nice PC with great parts, but I'm looking to "streamline" things and become as green as I can. I feel like I am using too much power for what I really need. My netbook is great for mobility and does what I need it to do on the road.
Any input is greatly appreciated.
I was thinking of venturing into actually getting a "legit" Mac and wondered if it would be best to start with a mac mini. I am familiar with Leopard as I am running it on my MSI Wind, so my reason for purchase isn't to get acquainted with the OS-and yes, I do have a full retail copy of OSX for my wind.
Anyway, I am looking for a desktop replacement for my consulting business. I provide medical consulting (health/wellness coaching, case management, home health, etc) and find that my current desktop needs aren't too demanding. I just need an office suite, quickbooks, browser of course, and email.
My current PC is a dell inspiron (~1.5yrs old) Quad Core Q6600, 4gb RAM, 250gb HD, ATI Sapphire 2600XT 512mb graphics card, dual monitors, Dual boot XP Pro and Win 7.
Basically alot of machine, but "fragile." The motherboard has been replaced twice and I've had random peripherals/USB ports just not working. Some days I don't know if it's going to turn on. I just can't have this in my type of business. I back up everything on an external drive (macally enclosure with 1TB WD Caviar Black 7200 RPM) and cloud back ups as well. The medical data is "precious" so that's why the extra back up.
Now, I know Macs aren't falt free, but I would just feel better if I needed service that I could schedule an appt. and take in the mini to have it diagnosed and hopefully repaired or replaced. Calling overseas for tech support has wasted multiple hours of my day and waiting for a tech to come out drives me a little bonkers, especially with my schedule.
So, I'll wrap this up with some questions:
1) Anyone running a business with a mini? (not photo, video, graphics, etc) I know this isn't really what you would consider a workstation.
2) I have two LCD's VGA (I do have the DVI adapters that came with the ATI card), so can I run these monitors together?
3) I have a canon HG10 (AVCHD), I don't do a lot of editing/rendering (family stuff), but I use Corel videostudio 11 and my current PC is definitely running full on during the render. So, how is iMovie? I'm not looking to do any crazy editing, just get the footage up on a site so that the family can view it.
I'm fairly up on tech and feel comfortable upgrading the HD and RAM. Sure I could build a nice PC with great parts, but I'm looking to "streamline" things and become as green as I can. I feel like I am using too much power for what I really need. My netbook is great for mobility and does what I need it to do on the road.
Any input is greatly appreciated.