Should I buy a Mac mini?

numatic.nathan

numatic.nathan

numatic.nathan

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Thinking of getting a Mac mini for Xmas but the price for the spec is a bit steep. I'm looking at getting the brand new base model with Magic Mouse and keyboard for £476, should I do it? Just always fancied a Mac and all input is welcome :)
 
Jay794 said:
I say go for it, unless you can dual boot your gaming rig with OSX
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To much hassle for what it's worth. I think I will get a Mac as I do t have to pay VAT and last years model sells for around £400 used so if I didn't like it or wanted to get a better Mac I don't think I'd make a loss :)
 
I'm currently dual booting my netbook with Windows 7 and OSX, it's easy if you do a bit of reading.

I would always say the Macbook Pro is the best thing toget because it gives you some portability.

I was tempted to replace my netbook with a MBP but I opted for an iPad 2 instead
 
We just bought a few Minis for the web developers at work, very impressed.

For the type of usage you are talking about they are ideal. I agree with Jay that a MBP would be better but at 3x the cost doesn't sound like that is an option.
 
I've got one for IoS development. Sweet little machine so long as you dont want to use a DVD Drive lots, do anything too graphically or CPU intensive on it, What I would suggest is dont bother with Apple memory upgrades. 8gb can be had for about 50 quid if you go the OEM route.
 
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nsmalley said:
I've got one for IoS development. Sweet little machine so long as you dont want to use a DVD Drive lots, do anything too graphically or CPU intensive on it, What I would suggest is dont bother with Apple memory upgrades. 8gb can be had for about 50 quid if you go the OEM route.
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Any chance you've played Minecraft on it? I'd like to know how well it'd play it :)
 
I have a 2010 Mini as my general use device. It's fantastic. Super quiet, small, does everything I ask of it well. Have it hooked up at a 24" IPS monitor.... but I still wanna sell it eventually and get a 27" iMac. Upgraditis sucks.
 
I would say consider the trackpad though over the mouse, or as an accompaniment. The magic mouse is a bit restrictive in the gesture department compared to the trackpad. Lion really does come alive when you get used to multi touch gestures.

Go for it though, sweet little machines they are.
 
Turbo-G said:
I would say consider the trackpad though over the mouse, or as an accompaniment. The magic mouse is a bit restrictive in the gesture department compared to the trackpad. Lion really does come alive when you get used to multi touch gestures.

Go for it though, sweet little machines they are.
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Just the thought of using a trackpad with a desktop, feels so wrong....
 
numatic.nathan said:
Any chance you've played Minecraft on it? I'd like to know how well it'd play it :)
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No, sorry. I have my PC for that. I did get the base mac mini as I didn't need any sort of graphics above and beyond the ones on the processor. I don't think mine craft is that gfx intensive. I'll install it tomorrow and let you know. I do code on a dell 30 inch monitor so I'll test on a few resolutions. What will you be using 1920x1040?

I have a trackpad and an old Razer mouse. For programming and stuff the mouse is much better, for lazy surfing and using the mac the trackpad is great, esp as I have limited desk space with all the other stuff from my PC on it.
 
nsmalley said:
No, sorry. I have my PC for that. I did get the base mac mini as I didn't need any sort of graphics above and beyond the ones on the processor. I don't think mine craft is that gfx intensive. I'll install it tomorrow and let you know. I do code on a dell 30 inch monitor so I'll test on a few resolutions. What will you be using 1920x1040?

I have a trackpad and an old Razer mouse. For programming and stuff the mouse is much better, for lazy surfing and using the mac the trackpad is great, esp as I have limited desk space with all the other stuff from my PC on it.
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That'd be great :)

And yeah I'm thinking 1080 is what I'll use although I am looking at the dell 30" myself :)
 
I use both (desktop) as I find they have different strengths and just have them set up so both are close by my hand. I REALLY dislike the angle of the trackpad though as it's just not very ergonomic (the mouse isn't either but a wrist rests sorts that). I stuck a wedge under the trackpad to make it flat and turned on tap to click, much better.
 
I have my 2 -3 year old Mac Mini attached to my 50" plasma, mainly use mine for watching movies. It's never missed a beat and works flawlessly when Im watching HD movies. Use it as a media centre so dont play games on it, so cant comment on that side. I sold my first Mac mini, and about a month later I bought this one as I realised Icouldnt do without it. So if something happened to my current one, I'd certainly be getting another :)
 
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