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

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

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

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 The 840 EVO basic has superseded the original 840 Basic by the looks of things so you can't go wrong with the drive you linked.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?

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?

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?

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.