Would you save a lot of money if you bought a $600 ish desktop and 27 inch IPS monitor to go with it? (Windows)
But then Mac mini can't have lots of RAM. I would want at least 16GB capacity
The Mini can take 16gb of RAM.
DON'T pay to get it from Apple. Buy it on your own, and install it yourself.
If you're going to figure "$600-ish" for a PC desktop, you can afford the i7 Mini (mid-level model).
If you want a decent 27" IPS monitor, check this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/AOC+-+2...lver/6293177.p?id=1218726428129&skuId=6293177
(it goes on sale every other week for $269 -- wait and get a deal)
Reviews for above:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2412690,00.asp
and
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/aoc_i2757fm.htm
I don't care what the reviews say. A 1080P monitor at 27" means it has a dpi of ONLY 81.6! That's pathetic. I find 95-100 to be perfect. Anything below 95 means everything is going to be grainy.
The Mini will take 16GB RAM. Not sure if we'll find it takes 32GB (unsupported), but 16GB is fair.
I've posted this a number of places today, but I built a Hackintosh this weekend and that was pretty easy and cost me around $650. I did already have a sweet case, PSU and Blu-ray drive, so those would add to the cost. But, all stuff that can be done cheaply and will leave you something way more powerful than the Mini or even full spec'd iMac. (I did not through in a GPU yet - just testing things out with the integrated gfx card so far).
Could you recommend a better monitor? But I think 27 is probably too big and you have to move your head side to side to use it isn't it??
The 2012 iMacs already have a reduced glare screen (though not anti-glare). Is it still too glossy? I haven't seen them myself, but I use a 2011 iMac in a dark room and it's awesomesauce. I'd imagine the newer ones are even sweeter.I find Apple's 27" displays a little difficult on my eyes with it's DPI of 109. I might try it again when they release an updated screen that most likely won't be as glossy (maybe that will help?).
The 2012 iMacs already have a reduced glare screen (though not anti-glare). Is it still too glossy? I haven't seen them myself, but I use a 2011 iMac in a dark room and it's awesomesauce. I'd imagine the newer ones are even sweeter.
Ah, gotcha. I'm waiting on the Thunderbolt Display refresh myself. Should be pretty awesome.Yes, but I'm talking about the Thunderbolt display. Right now it still has the glossiness that the 2009-2011 had. I had a 2009 iMac so I know what it is like. While the glossiness wasn't terrible, it was still more than I wanted.
Mini Core i7 2.3 Ghz 799$
16 Gb 100$ (2x 8Gb)
Dell U2713HM 550$ (IPS same resolution as iMac non-glare)
Keyboard and mouse 50$
Total: 1500$
iMac 27 inch
Base model 1799$ (much slower than the mini!, even the 1999$ model is slower!)
16 Gb 50$ (2x 4Gb)
Total: 1850$
Mini is cheaper nowadays.
If you want SSD or Fusion, the difference is even greater, as the Mini allows do-it-yourself adding of a second drive.
The Mini will take 16GB RAM. Not sure if we'll find it takes 32GB (unsupported), but 16GB is fair.
I've posted this a number of places today, but I built a Hackintosh this weekend and that was pretty easy and cost me around $650. I did already have a sweet case, PSU and Blu-ray drive, so those would add to the cost. But, all stuff that can be done cheaply and will leave you something way more powerful than the Mini or even full spec'd iMac. (I did not through in a GPU yet - just testing things out with the integrated gfx card so far).
"Is the base Mini for $600 ok machine?"
You've probably been told this already, but I'll say it again:
If there is ANY way you can afford it, get the i7 version of the Mini. You won't regret it.
Add 16gb of RAM yourself.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND datamem.com for a RAM source. (NFI)
You can add an SSD for a boot drive later (easiest solution is to get a USB3/SATA dock and add it that way).
Is the base Mini for $600 ok machine? BTW how do you make a Hackintosh? I know there is a whole forum dedicated to it but is there a streamlined tutorial you could recommend?
Mini Core i7 2.3 Ghz 799$
16 Gb 100$ (2x 8Gb)
Dell U2713HM 550$ (IPS same resolution as iMac non-glare)
Keyboard and mouse 50$
Total: 1500$
iMac 27 inch
Base model 1799$ (much slower than the mini!, even the 1999$ model is slower!)
16 Gb 50$ (2x 4Gb)
Total: 1850$
Mini is cheaper nowadays.
If you want SSD or Fusion, the difference is even greater, as the Mini allows do-it-yourself adding of a second drive.
Why not get a PowerMac G5 Quad? Don't get a mac mini, it has no GPU RAM and is so small it probably won't get proper airflow and overheat.