Need a new desktop, should I get a mac mini?

solchitlins · Nov 12, 2009

just bought this monitor :
http://www.staples.com/AOC-2236Vw-2...product_795826?cmArea=SC3:CG4:DP2000:CL142219

for $115

and before it arrived my PC totally broke.

I wanted my next computer to be a mac but can't afford anything expensive right now.

I'm a broke college student.
I see ads like this on craigs list near me.
"
New in box, It's a 1.83GHz Intel core 2 duo and includes everything when new. 1Gb ram, 80Gb HD, combo drive and GMA 950 video.
Cash with no trades. MB138LL/A
$450"

is that a good deal/computer or is it outdated and I can do better?

Should I return the monitor and buy something else instead?

I thought I could squeeze another year out of my pc but it's broken. I hate to invest any more cash into a pc but like I said I'm on a budget.
help please
thanks

Undo Redo · Nov 12, 2009

$450 seems a little high for that, even if still new in the box. It's two generations old now, released in 2007.

53x12 · Nov 12, 2009

$450 is a lot for a Mini that old. Try to come up with $550 and get a new Mini with your education discount:

- 2.26 C2D
- 2 GB memory
- 160 GB HD
- 9400M graphics
- SL

That right there is worth the extra $100 difference. These Mini are reasonable new with the education discount. Don't buy a used one for $450.

solchitlins · Nov 12, 2009

53x12 said:
$450 is a lot for a Mini that old. Try to come up with $550 and get a new Mini with your education discount:

- 2.26 C2D
- 2 GB memory
- 160 GB HD
- 9400M graphics
- SL

That right there is worth the extra $100 difference. These Mini are reasonable new with the education discount. Don't buy a used one for $450.

sorry I'm a little clueless
where do I buy the above? From the main apple store? Is there better deals from elsewhere?

and is the monitor I bought a alright match for that system? If so do I need an expensive apple adapter for it?
http://us.aoc.com/lcd_monitors/2236vw
thanks

dextermorgan · Nov 12, 2009

Go to store.apple.com and look at the bottom (small print), click on Education Store, put in the location and name of your university and you can get the student discount. The new mini with ed discount would be much better than the used one you posted.

Undo Redo · Nov 12, 2009

Or get this one, last generation for $429. Link

hndn · Nov 12, 2009

Undo Redo said:
Or get this one, last generation for $429. Link

Thanks...this's all I need: basic web surfing.

Edit: I don't know which to buy: with student discount, I'll get the new generation $549 with free printer (but I already have one)

All gone by the time I made my decision hahaha Next time then.

53x12 · Nov 12, 2009

Undo Redo said:
Or get this one, last generation for $429. Link

Or a refurb is a great idea like undo redo mentioned.

kate-willbury · Nov 12, 2009

hndn said:
Thanks...this's all I need: basic web surfing.

are you serious? thats like worst computer ever. 1 gb of ram? 120gb hd space? 9400m video card? even my 4 year old pc is better then that and i bought it for $400.

SydneyDev · Nov 12, 2009

You won't be able to play any 3d games with the GMA950 video. Otherwise it will be fine for iLife apps.

hndn · Nov 12, 2009

SydneyDev said:
You won't be able to play any 3d games with the GMA950 video. Otherwise it will be fine for iLife apps.

This is the previous gen, which is Nvidia.

Sambo110 · Nov 13, 2009

You won't need any "expensive Apple adapter". Just plug in your screen and your good to go.

mtnDewFTW · Nov 13, 2009

Yeah, I don't recommend ever investing into another PC.
I switched from PCs a year ago, been pretty much more than happy with my computer. Every single PC I ever owned ended up eventually having some problems, so I said screw it, and went with a Mac. Recommend you do the same

Okay, so now about the budget issue.
a Mac mini actually isn't a bad computer, however, $450 is a little too much for buying something like that, especially from craigslist.

People usually use Mac Minis for movies and music, so you shouldn't except too much from it, but you can probably find a good deal on one.

But if I were you.. I would take back the monitor and get my money back and use that money to get a low end iMac or maybe a MacBook.

solchitlins · Nov 13, 2009

mtnDewFTW said:
Yeah, I don't recommend ever investing into another PC.
I switched from PCs a year ago, been pretty much more than happy with my computer. Every single PC I ever owned ended up eventually having some problems, so I said screw it, and went with a Mac. Recommend you do the same

Okay, so now about the budget issue.
a Mac mini actually isn't a bad computer, however, $450 is a little too much for buying something like that, especially from craigslist.

People usually use Mac Minis for movies and music, so you shouldn't except too much from it, but you can probably find a good deal on one.

But if I were you.. I would take back the monitor and get my money back and use that money to get a low end iMac or maybe a MacBook.

what imac would you guys suggest over the basic mac mini?
If I got a smaller one a couple years old would it be as good?

any known deals out there?

Undo Redo · Nov 13, 2009

solchitlins said:
what imac would you guys suggest over the basic mac mini?
If I got a smaller one a couple years old would it be as good?

No. That's a nice high resolution display you got there. An old iMac wouldn't be any better than a new mini and your new monitor.

5630745 · Nov 13, 2009

Undo Redo said:
No. That's a nice high resolution display you got there. An old iMac wouldn't be any better than a new mini and your new monitor.

But a new iMac would...

Undo Redo · Nov 13, 2009

bmstrong said:
But a new iMac would...

A new iMac might be a bit faster but it's going to cost a lot more than options being discussed here. The OP is a broke college student.

I prefer systems with separate components, so I think a Mac mini and a nice monitor are always going to be preferable to an iMac, even if the performance isn't quite equal.

ViViDboarder · Nov 13, 2009

If you're savvy about building computers you could probably build the equivalent of a MacMini and follow some recommendations on parts on InsanelyMac and build a Hackntosh. You can buy a retail Snow Leopard disk even and install it natively so it'd run just like a real Mac.

I'm going to build my own "Mac Pro" soon using this method.

If you really want the Mac, definitely go with the student discount and either buy a last gen or a new Mac Mini.

If you can scrounge up the money I'd say the new iMacs are a very nice choice. I just bought the second tier 21.5" iMac with the dedicated video card myself! It looks and runs awesome (with the exception of flash videos... Come on Apple, let's have a patch!).

mrsir2009 · Nov 13, 2009

That mini last gen will be fine for basic web browsing, iLife, writing documents etc...

i try to get the most I can out of my Macs, I'm on an iMac G3 at the moment. Its fine for the web, so why throw it out =) though I do need a new computer, so I'm getting a MBP at the end of the year...

solchitlins · Nov 15, 2009

anyone know if Mac mall does the education discount for college students like the apple store does?

I'm also confused about the $100 off printer offer at the Mac store. I add a $99 printer to my shopping cart and I don't see it coming off my bill. Are those after discount prices or something?

I'm looking at getting the latest basic mac mini new or refurb and trying to get as many freebies/discounts as possible with out going above the original price.

at2wells · Nov 15, 2009

solchitlins said:
anyone know if Mac mall does the education discount for college students like the apple store does?

I'm also confused about the $100 off printer offer at the Mac store. I add a $99 printer to my shopping cart and I don't see it coming off my bill. Are those after discount prices or something?

I'm looking at getting the latest basic mac mini new or refurb and trying to get as many freebies/discounts as possible with out going above the original price.

The free 99 dollar printer isnt an instant rebate. But as soon as you complete your transaction, you can go to apple.com/rebate and enter in your receipt # (its the 11 letter/number combo below the bar code) and the total amount of the purchase on the receipt, and apple will send you a check for the price of the printer. Im not sure why they do it like this, it would seem a lot less of a hassle to give an instant rebate and for them to deal with HP instead of them dealing with us and HP. BUT, then again, like this there is a chance some people wont claim the rebate and thats a free 100 dollars apple gets to collect. So thats probably why.

Need a new desktop, should I get a mac mini?

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