Hi folks,
I recently posted asking about replacing my desktop multimedia PC (Win7) with a Mac Mini. Well, I revived my PC with a new power supply (it failed), more RAM, new case fan, and added some USB ports (found that I had unused USB ports on my HP-ASUS motherboard, yay!)...
Well, I'm looking to move this multimedia machine, equipped with Blu-ray, 3 TV tuners (2 cable, 1 ATSC) to my living room to function as my cable box/DVR/media box on Comcast... Windows Media Center is pretty awesome for those who haven't used it and it has absolutely zero fees or costs other than the hardware cost ($110 tuner box, one time cost).
"Questions" highlighted in bold below:
If I do that (and it seems likely I will), I am considering a Mac Mini as my new "desktop" workhorse machine.... This machine would need to essentially serve as a very basic file server (SMB files, or potentially install Bonjour on client Win7/Vista machines?), printer server (Again, SMB or would Bonjour be needed?), and serve as a basic desktop PC with Microsoft Office, photo editing software (free preferred, but may try to locate a cheap used copy of Photoshop CS3 or CS4), and this may be my first step into a mostly-Mac household... I have to start somewhere. Our laptops are still viable (probably another 1yr on wife's and 1.5yrs on mine, both HP laptops), but I would seriously consider a Macbook Pro as replacements, especially if they end up doing a Retina display on them.
I also want to know if the Intel video version will easily (smoothly/fluidly) handle my LG 23" monitor at 1080p resolution? Currently my machine runs an old, but still reasonably powerful, GeForce 8500GT 512MB, which even though 5 years old, greatly outpowers the Intel chip... Nonetheless, I do not plan to do any 3D work at all, so....
Input welcomed.
I recently posted asking about replacing my desktop multimedia PC (Win7) with a Mac Mini. Well, I revived my PC with a new power supply (it failed), more RAM, new case fan, and added some USB ports (found that I had unused USB ports on my HP-ASUS motherboard, yay!)...
Well, I'm looking to move this multimedia machine, equipped with Blu-ray, 3 TV tuners (2 cable, 1 ATSC) to my living room to function as my cable box/DVR/media box on Comcast... Windows Media Center is pretty awesome for those who haven't used it and it has absolutely zero fees or costs other than the hardware cost ($110 tuner box, one time cost).
"Questions" highlighted in bold below:
If I do that (and it seems likely I will), I am considering a Mac Mini as my new "desktop" workhorse machine.... This machine would need to essentially serve as a very basic file server (SMB files, or potentially install Bonjour on client Win7/Vista machines?), printer server (Again, SMB or would Bonjour be needed?), and serve as a basic desktop PC with Microsoft Office, photo editing software (free preferred, but may try to locate a cheap used copy of Photoshop CS3 or CS4), and this may be my first step into a mostly-Mac household... I have to start somewhere. Our laptops are still viable (probably another 1yr on wife's and 1.5yrs on mine, both HP laptops), but I would seriously consider a Macbook Pro as replacements, especially if they end up doing a Retina display on them.
I also want to know if the Intel video version will easily (smoothly/fluidly) handle my LG 23" monitor at 1080p resolution? Currently my machine runs an old, but still reasonably powerful, GeForce 8500GT 512MB, which even though 5 years old, greatly outpowers the Intel chip... Nonetheless, I do not plan to do any 3D work at all, so....
Input welcomed.