Spec Me a Mac Setup

Freakish_05 · 17 Jan 2007 at 16:17

OK, some of the Mac/Linux gurus might be familiar with my "I hate windows blah blah" threads

It seems to be a 'time of the month' kinda thing, poor I know.

However, the time has come.....
I've got a couple of people interested in my laptop/desktop so I'm preparing to take the plunge into mac-hood.

My main questions at this point are:
1) "Is 512mb Ram enough in the el-cheepo MacBook?" It won't be used at any sort of length. MSN/Web/Email/Dreamweaver and the odd DVD.
2) "How long will the X1600 last?" I'm most definately going to want to play UT2007 on any desktop that I get. I'm not one of these people who has to play games at 100FPS+, just so long as its smooth!

Will post more questions as I think of them

AJUK · 17 Jan 2007 at 16:31

I would recommend at least 1Gb of ram, more if you can afford it.

I am not much of a gamer so can't really offer much advice on the graphics card front but as always, buy the best that you can afford at the time.

nav... · 17 Jan 2007 at 16:32

I had to install some apps on my friends 512mb macbook

seemed like a different computer to my 1gig macbook

that was just installing apps

Freakish_05 · 17 Jan 2007 at 16:43

Hmmmmm....another 50 notes. This is beginning to burn a pretty big hole in my wallet.

Another question thats bound to start some debate:
Which do you guys think is better as an alternative to windows? (i.e. Mac or Linux)
The way I see it:
- Linux is something thrown together by loads of rather spectacular people from around the globe. Its pain in the arse to get setup but once you've got everything fine-tuned and working you feel really chuffed and have a very long and geeky e-penis.
- Mac OS X is something that has been carefully crafted by master sculptors sat in some very minimalist office in sweeden. It works right out of the box with no quibbles, you get to show it off in public and instantly get the super coolness factor.

Discuss.

Will_3rd · 17 Jan 2007 at 16:43

Freakish_05 said:
My main questions at this point are:
1) "Is 512mb Ram enough in the el-cheepo MacBook?" It won't be used at any sort of length. MSN/Web/Email/Dreamweaver and the odd DVD.

Try and get as much RAM as poss, 2GB would be enough, if you go for the Pro you can even get 3GB :eek:

Freakish_05 said:
2) "How long will the X1600 last?" I'm most definately going to want to play UT2007 on any desktop that I get. I'm not one of these people who has to play games at 100FPS+, just so long as its smooth!

plays HL2 pretty good, but then again UT2007 hasn't been released yet

OllyM · 17 Jan 2007 at 16:43

512mb really is only just adequate - I've only got 2GB in this iMac and with Parallels and everything I usually use open, it's not got much left to spare. Even more so when you're running PPC apps in Rosetta.

FirebarUK · 17 Jan 2007 at 17:52

Well if you can afford it go for the MacPro with X1900XT graphics. That'll play UT2007 very nicely I bet.

tsinc80697 · 17 Jan 2007 at 17:57

2Gb ram needed in whatever mac you go for, mac pro obviously the best intel at the moment, if you have the other, otherwise macbook pro 15/17" top spec is nice

mines running smoothly so far!

Jet · 17 Jan 2007 at 18:13

There is no way you need 2gb minimum.

I typically run Dreamweaver, Photoshop CS2, Eye TV, iMail, iCal and Safari. Plus things like Launch Bar, numerous dashboard widgets and menu things like digg and teleport and I still have ram spare.

And my iMac only has 1Gb.

My iBook only has 512Mb but runs fine for using things like web browsing, word, DVD player, etc. Photoshop and Dreamweaver might suffer like.

More memory is always a good thing but sometimes I think people can exaggerate the need somewhat.

With most macs you can upgrade ram later on anyway at reasonable prices.

MagSafe · 17 Jan 2007 at 19:14

OllyM said:
512mb really is only just adequate - I've only got 2GB in this iMac and with Parallels and everything I usually use open, it's not got much left to spare. Even more so when you're running PPC apps in Rosetta.

Completey agree there.

I've got a Mac Mini (1GB, 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo) as my main (and only) computer and its fine, but when i've got Parallels open as well as a few other app's, and especially with Rosetta running it can get a bit annoying when things don't respond instantly. However when i'm not running Parallels it's perfect, it copes with most things without a hitch, and i couldn't be more happier

I think i'll have to fill that extra RAM space soon

My brother has the basic £399 version of the Mac Mini, with only 512MB and its pretty slow, i wouldn't say its a completey different computer from mine, but you can definetly notice it. I actually had to install Camino as his default browser as Safari was using to much memory, a few other people have had this problem as actually.

Anyways, I wouldn't recommend 512MB, its usable, but you'll regret not paying that little bit extra.

tsinc80697 · 17 Jan 2007 at 21:06

yeah you can upgrade the ram later on, just a pain as you have to sell the 2x256 or 2x512 sticks later on, easier just to get 2x1gb and be done with it

But if you are only using software such as dreamweaver, 1GB would be fine, just for anything else/more id suggest 2GB, nowt wrong with having extra ram in there

PardonTheWait · 17 Jan 2007 at 22:10

I've had my Mac Mini 1.83ghz since yesterday and while I'm incredibly impressed with how quick it is for such a tiny silent machine, it's screaming at me for more RAM. I think I'll up it to 1gb, I don't think I really need 2gb, especially at nearly £100 a gig

Deleted member 651465 · 17 Jan 2007 at 22:51

Wait until the new Octo MacPros and then get a 2.66ghz quad on ebay on the cheap

Una · 17 Jan 2007 at 22:53

MagSafe said:
Completey agree there.

I've got a Mac Mini (1GB, 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo) as my main (and only) computer and its fine, but when i've got Parallels open as well as a few other app's, and especially with Rosetta running it can get a bit annoying when things don't respond instantly. However when i'm not running Parallels it's perfect, it copes with most things without a hitch, and i couldn't be more happier I think i'll have to fill that extra RAM space soon

My brother has the basic £399 version of the Mac Mini, with only 512MB and its pretty slow, i wouldn't say its a completey different computer from mine, but you can definetly notice it. I actually had to install Camino as his default browser as Safari was using to much memory, a few other people have had this problem as actually.

Anyways, I wouldn't recommend 512MB, its usable, but you'll regret not paying that little bit extra.

I have just got a mini mac my self with 1GB of ram and OSX seems to be way less responsive than gentoo on 1GB. Fairly annoyed that when I have my IDE's and loads of other programs it does not seem to be making full usage of the ram. Considering I have a laptop with exactly the same spec as the powerbook running linux and its a hell of a lot more smooth/responsive.

Not looking for a flame fest here, wonder what other people who have used both OS's think?

Will_3rd · 18 Jan 2007 at 10:31

Una said:
I have just got a mini mac my self with 1GB of ram and OSX seems to be way less responsive than gentoo on 1GB. Fairly annoyed that when I have my IDE's and loads of other programs it does not seem to be making full usage of the ram. Considering I have a laptop with exactly the same spec as the powerbook running linux and its a hell of a lot more smooth/responsive.

Not looking for a flame fest here, wonder what other people who have used both OS's think?

Mac OS X tends to keep a lot RAM in reserve for when it needs it, have a look at Activity Monitor it gives you an accurate picture. My iBook has 1.5GB RAM it seems very nippy, while my Windows gaming machine with 2GB flies.

tsinc80697 said:
yeah you can upgrade the ram later on, just a pain as you have to sell the 2x256 or 2x512 sticks later on, easier just to get 2x1gb and be done with it

Yeah I can rant about that all day, such a hassle to get rid of sticks of 256mb

might as well keep them in your desk, rather then selling them

Freakish_05 · 26 Jan 2007 at 16:31

More questions!

Righty then. Been pondering this some more....and I'm thinking, how easy would the graphics card in the Mac Pro be to upgrade?
The 7300 that comes with it is all well and good and will probably keep me happy for UT2k7, but what about the next gen of games?

I don't want to be sat on my arse waiting for someone to buy my mac off me so that I can get a better one that plays ut2k9 or whatever comes out

Cheers.

Beansprout · 26 Jan 2007 at 16:37

Mohinder said:
especially at nearly £100 a gig

1Gb RAM sticks should cost you no more than £60 :s (unless you buy from Apple)

Will_3rd · 26 Jan 2007 at 16:39

Freakish_05 said:
More questions!

Righty then. Been pondering this some more....and I'm thinking, how easy would the graphics card in the Mac Pro be to upgrade?
The 7300 that comes with it is all well and good and will probably keep me happy for UT2k7, but what about the next gen of games?

I don't want to be sat on my arse waiting for someone to buy my mac off me so that I can get a better one that plays ut2k9 or whatever comes out

Cheers.

The best GPU you can get for a Mac Pro is the ATI Radeon X1900 XT, and is easily installable if you can get your hands on one

Freakish_05 · 26 Jan 2007 at 16:42

Will_3rd said:
The best GPU you can get for a Mac Pro is the ATI Radeon X1900 XT, and is easily installable if you can get your hands on one

Would that just be a case of 7300 out & X1900XT in?
Most google searches on the subject seem to think that you need special Mac cards that use EFI instead of BIOS :confused:

*well out of depth*

ic1male · 26 Jan 2007 at 16:53

Yes, that's right - you need the Mac version of the card. It needs the EFI bit.

Spec Me a Mac Setup

Deleted member 651465

Deleted member 651465