Do you think a Mac Mini Will be Good for me?

[SFBloodBrother]

I am new to mac, and I guess that a Mac mini is like the gateway mac. I am looking for my own computer that I don't have to share anymore, but powerful enough to do some of the things I want to do for at least a couple of years (2-3) before I upgrade to another mac within that time. I don't need something that is crazy powerful, but powerful enough to run iMovie for video editing, maybe even Final Cut Pro. Some other software too like App inventor, because I am getting interested in App design. I am for the most part an average user, because I do spend a lot of time on the web.

I am on a budget, and I am not sure exactly if a Mac mini will be good for me, because of the total amount of money you actually have to pay. This is the Mac I am talking about. Configure - Apple Store (U.S.)

Mac Mini - $600.00 2GB Ram (Extra) ?? Apple Charges too much, have to get it somewhere else But wanting At least 4GB RAM

Magic Mouse $70.00 Wireless Keyboard $70.00.

Total $737.00

All this, plus a monitor, say $200.00 comes out to just about the same as a imac. So, would you say it is worth it?

 

[RavingMac]

Given those choices I would go for something like this

Refurbished iMac 21.5-inch 2.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 - $999
Originally released May 2011
21.5-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics with 512MB memory

Built-in FaceTime HD camera

Refurbished iMac 21.5-inch 2.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 - Apple Store (U.S.)

 

[SFBloodBrother]

Given those choices I would go for something like this

Refurbished iMac 21.5-inch 2.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 - $999
Originally released May 2011
21.5-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics with 512MB memory

Built-in FaceTime HD camera

Refurbished iMac 21.5-inch 2.5GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 - Apple Store (U.S.)

Thanks. I was also looking at this one too. It does seem better, for a bit more I can get more power. Thanks again.

 

[pigoo3]

Mac Mini - $600.00 2GB Ram (Extra) ?? Apple Charges too much, have to get it somewhere else But wanting At least 4GB RAM

Magic Mouse $70.00 Wireless Keyboard $70.00.

Total $737.00

All this, plus a monitor, say $200.00 comes out to just about the same as a imac. So, would you say it is worth it?

Since the very first Mac-Mini was released back in 2005...the original idea with the Mac-Mini is/was...a lower cost way of upgrading to a newer computer...without having to buy everything (already own keyboard, mouse, and monitor). if you already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor...then the price works out. If you have to buy a keyboard, mouse, and monitor...then the iMac is a better deal.

Of course the Mac-Mini is very small...so some folks buy them specifically for that reason too.

HTH,

- Nick

 

[BranGates]

I went with the Mac mini because I had just bought a new hd monitor for my pc. If I hadn't bought that I would have gone with another iMac. I do love the mini, and the full size hdmi port is great.

 

[chas_m]

Today's Mac mini is a very enviable little powerhouse, very close to an iMac without the monitor. Not the most powerful Mac on the block of course, but surprisingly capable and (frankly) more computer than 95% of the computer-using population actually need.

 

[Deckyon]

I will say, it really shines as a Media Center via iTunes with Home Sharing and AirPlay. I bought mine with that purpose in mind and it has done very good. It really does it's job well. And for someone who isnt wanting or needing a large amount of processing power for really high-end games or video production, it is great as an all-around computer.

I have been very happy with my purchase.

 

[Lightcraftsman]

Today's Mac mini is a very enviable little powerhouse, very close to an iMac without the monitor. Not the most powerful Mac on the block of course, but surprisingly capable and (frankly) more computer than 95% of the computer-using population actually need.

I'm a professional photographer using a Canon 60D and shooting in Raw mode. I took almost 900 photos at a music festival last weekend, and am using my wife's 2011 Mac Mini (2.7 GHz i7, 8GB RAM, 750GB 7200 RPM HD*) for editing my photos. I've been using Macs since 1988 and PhotoShop since version 1. This little Mac Mini has impressed me. I have some older photos shot on 4x5 film and scanned on a Tango drum scanner. Some of the files are 1Gb with the adjustment layers. The Mac Mini throws them around like small JPEGs.

My main computer is a 2009 13-inch MacBook Pro (2.26 GHz Core 2, 8GB RAM, 240GB SSD). While it does well on PhotoShop files the Mac Mini spanks it in every respect. The Mini even drives my 22-inch NEC monitor just fine.

So yeah, I agree the Mac Mini is more computer than 95% of people actually need.

*My MacBook Pro is at Apple getting the Superdrive replaced under Applecare, so I'm booting the Mac Mini off my SSD in an external FireWire 800 case.