Mini Mac

Doraku · 29 Jun 2014 at 13:28

I am looking to get a Mac Mini for my web development work at home and my focus will be in terminal in a text editor. I might occasionally pop in Photoshop.

I can afford the quad-core but I wonder if I will actually take advantage of this, and think that a RAM upgrade would be more beneficial. I would love to get the SSD but it looks to only be in the quad-core version and I couldn't afford to kit out the quad-core with an SSD.

Can anyone advise me on the best approach to this?

Thanks

Sasahara · 29 Jun 2014 at 14:34

The hard drive is the major issue with the Mac Mini, if I were you I'd look into seeing how easy it is to replace the HDD with a SSD yourself.

Though it does look like a lot of effort. :/
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+Hard+Drive+Replacement/11716

We have one at work used for CS6 work, Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign in the main. Anything that required heavy drive read/writes is really slow. (Note this Mac mini is 3 years old Intel Core 2 Duo P8600, the last with an optical drive.)

randal · 29 Jun 2014 at 14:42

I can do a drive swap on a mini in about 5 minutes, it's a doddle.

You can get away without buying the special tool and sliding the innards out if you're patient/steady handed.

Doraku · 29 Jun 2014 at 16:08

Thanks for the replies.

1. Would the warranty be void if I replace the hard disk?

2. Is it worth getting extra RAM? Should I get them on OC (if so, what memory) or buy them as part of the Apple package?

3. How is this SSD? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-027-KS

randal · 29 Jun 2014 at 17:46

Doraku said:
Thanks for the replies.

1. Would the warranty be void if I replace the hard disk?

2. Is it worth getting extra RAM? Should I get them on OC (if so, what memory) or buy them as part of the Apple package?

3. How is this SSD? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-027-KS

I think it is yes. However you could swap in the old drive in the event of a repair. I bought my second hand and the AppleCare has expired, so I'm fairly gung-ho about it.

Whatever is cheaper. RAM is RAM in this instance. Get it from OcUK.

Personally I'd only use a Samsung, Crucial or Intel drive in a Mac. I've had screwy results with other drives - particularly those with Sandforce based controllers. Running an EVO 512gb in mine, previous to that a 250gb Evo Basic - both faultless.

Doraku · 29 Jun 2014 at 20:31

1. Thanks, I just wanted to be aware. I will keep the original close.

2. For my motherboard on my PC (and the PC builds before that) have only accepted a very particular type of RAM. "PCx-xxxx" I can't get any RAM, surely?

3. Noted, thanks. This was the 250gb EVO you were talking about? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-168-SA

randal · 29 Jun 2014 at 21:34

For the Mini you'll need DDR3-1600 (PC12800) SODIMMs (laptop memory), Crucial comes recommended or Corsair Value would suit fine:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-401-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1264

SSD wise, I had the 250GB 840 Basic - not the EVO Basic as I first thought. The 840 EVO basic has superseded the original 840 Basic by the looks of things so you can't go wrong with the drive you linked. Like I said the 500gb EVO Basic I've got now has been fantastic.

Just remember you'll need to make up a USB recovery drive when you swap the disks over to do a reinstall.

Drop us a line if you need a hand.

Doraku · 30 Jun 2014 at 00:41

randal said:
For the Mini you'll need DDR3-1600 (PC12800) SODIMMs (laptop memory), Crucial comes recommended or Corsair Value would suit fine:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-401-CS&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1264

SSD wise, I had the 250GB 840 Basic - not the EVO Basic as I first thought. The 840 EVO basic has superseded the original 840 Basic by the looks of things so you can't go wrong with the drive you linked. Like I said the 500gb EVO Basic I've got now has been fantastic.

Just remember you'll need to make up a USB recovery drive when you swap the disks over to do a reinstall. Drop us a line if you need a hand.

Thanks, I will get the HD and then a little later the memory.

Is this what I use to make the USB recovery drive? http://www.macinstruct.com/node/508 And I use this to reinstall Mac OSX on the new SSD?

MagicBoy · 30 Jun 2014 at 01:03

You can reinstall the OS using internet recovery in the EFI firmware. USB drive not required.

+1 on Crucial for RAM and the SSD suggestions above.

Doraku · 13 Jul 2014 at 02:00

My Mac Mini arrived last week and honestly I am finding it a little slow. I am thinking about going for 16GB RAM, rather than just 8GB. Would getting even more RAM make much more difference over not getting a SSD sooner?

MagicBoy · 13 Jul 2014 at 05:09

No. Buy the SSD.

tribz · 13 Jul 2014 at 07:57

Definitely get the SSD

Caged · 13 Jul 2014 at 13:36

Even if you only had 4GB RAM I'd still upgrade to an SSD before adding RAM.

Doraku · 13 Jul 2014 at 15:32

Okay, thanks. I will do that.

Edit: What's the difference between the laptop SSD and the basic ones?

eatcustard · 17 Jul 2014 at 13:26

4GB of ram is not enough, do both ram and SSD drive

Doraku · 17 Jul 2014 at 22:10

eatcustard said:
4GB of ram is not enough, do both ram and SSD drive

I bought the 250GB Samsung but I can't buy the RAM until next month since the Mac Mini gave my bank account a hammering. It is definitely way too slow right now.

OzyOly · 19 Jul 2014 at 13:21

Doraku said:
I bought the 250GB Samsung but I can't buy the RAM until next month since the Mac Mini gave my bank account a hammering. It is definitely way too slow right now.

It's slow even with the SSD and Quad Core i7? :confused:

What's your RAM pressure like in Activity Monitor, is it swapping a lot?

eggbert · 27 Jul 2014 at 16:59

+1 For SSD

The SSD I installed in my Mac mini completely changed the useability of it.

Shame it seems to mostly only run plex these days.