Mac Mini HTPC

[cisco697]

I am ready to make the switch. I have cut the $100 saltelite bill and I am ready to buy a dedicated mac mini. I was planning on buying the 2.0 C2D base model add ram and hdd but now they offer the 2.26 as the base.

So my dilema is: After doing the math, if i get the base model 2.26 ad ram at $80 for an extra $120 i get larger hdd 4 gigs ram already installed and a faster 2.53 C2D.

THe question I have for a plex, eyetv, htpc is it worth it? I am going to go today to get it and I need advice.

thanks

[Cave Man]

It'll do any of those by themselves, but might struggle if you try to do two at a time (e.g., playback of HD content while trying to record EyeTV). My 2 gHz C2D Mini could not multitask. That's why I build a quad-core hackintosh.

[powerbook911]

you sorta have to find the right balance for you.

I got the base model in the Spring. The higher end model is a bit better offer now that you get a faster processor too.

However, the low end is still a solid machine. I won't comment on how many things you can do with the mini as my TV tasks are are not so intensive.

[VenomousSVT]

if it were me I would do the upgraded model to start off, go ahead and take the extra hit in $$ for a better starting machine. I agree with the responses in this thread also, the mini is a solid machine but its not gonna be a powerhouse so multitasking as an HTPC isnt gonna be magical on it. I think it will run plex on it just fine but on large HD movies you may have some lag issues if youre running something else in the background.

[VirtualRain]

I am ready to make the switch. I have cut the $100 saltelite bill and I am ready to buy a dedicated mac mini. I was planning on buying the 2.0 C2D base model add ram and hdd but now they offer the 2.26 as the base.

So my dilema is: After doing the math, if i get the base model 2.26 ad ram at $80 for an extra $120 i get larger hdd 4 gigs ram already installed and a faster 2.53 C2D.

THe question I have for a plex, eyetv, htpc is it worth it? I am going to go today to get it and I need advice.

thanks

You can't duplicate the value of the 2.53/4GB model on your own... just get that model. It will handle 1080p with ease and allow other background tasks to run without compromising your viewing experience.

[ljonesj]

i plan to use mine when i get it to do the htpc thing but i also plan while i am away for it to rencode my anime into stuff that my ipod touch can use and to lower the size of the files so will that work

[Makosuke]

I made this call when buying my dad a mini recently; given the cost of adding 4GB of RAM yourself and how much a 320GB or 500GB hard drive will cost, the mid-range stock model is almost a wash cost-wise, and you get an extra 10% of processor speed plus don't have to get the thing open to work inside it (which, particularly for a HD swap, is a mild-to-moderate pain).

I went with the midrange--seems to be a good buy, and if you've got a borderline high-def video that extra bit of processor speed might even make the difference between stuttering and smooth playback. The extra RAM never hurts, either.

[cisco697]

thanks for all the advice. I just ended up getting the $800 model and I love it. Now i Just have a few display settings that are bugging me.

[VenomousSVT]

thanks for all the advice. I just ended up getting the $800 model and I love it. Now i Just have a few display settings that are bugging me.

glad you got her up and running and are happy! congrats!!