Refurb mini purchase?

Hey, I was wondering if there's any reason not to get a 1.83 cd mini (not c2d!) if I can get it for under $400? It would only have 512 mb ram - so it would need an upgrade. That would add another $100 to the price (if I have an Apple certified tech do the upgrade). But is there going to be a significant difference in speed/performance between the 1.83 cd and the newer c2d models?

Also, can the memory be upgraded by an Apple tech without voiding the warranty? One Apple rep told me one thing, and another one told me the opposite . . . .

For $200 more (if I've done my math right) - or actually only $100 more after adding in the cost of the upgrade! - I could instead get the 1.83 c2d with the same memory upgrade built in. So, the newer processor, but combo drive instead of super drive. Is it worth spending the extra $100? I'm using it primarily for text editing & internet research - so nothing graphic intensive . . . but the G4 mini I'm using now is dragging its a$$!!!

Also, I could do this cheaper if I did the memory upgrade myself, or had someone other than an apple certified tech do it (yes, I do know what a pain it is to open these!) - is it such a big deal if I do that and lose my warranty?

Thanks in advance!!!

VoodooDaddy said:

1) you can upgrade the memory yourself and not void the warranty, provided you dont break anything in the process.

Click to expand...

What I need is a dead mini to practice on. Problem is, the darn things never die . . . . But if anyone out there has a carcass I could borrow to experiment on, let me know. I just can't bring myself to stick a putty knife into one that's still breathing . . . .

I've decided to go with the c2d - which has the greatest potential for memory expansion. If I'm going to do this, I might as well do it right.

Thanks for your input, voodoodaddy!!!