Resolved: 3 Mac Mini options...

[js81]

Just looking for advice. I currently have a "big hoss" PC desktop that I don't even come close to utilizing. However, I hate the fact that it is loud and so hot that it heats my small 8' x 9' office to about 10 degrees higher than the rest of the house. It is very fast (2 quad-core Xeons, 8GB of RAM, striped SSDs, Win 7 Ultimate), but I'm kind of fed up with the trade-offs. I don't need all of its speed, so I'm OK with a bit of a downgrade.

That being said, I can sell it for somewhere around $500. We have a new baby, so spending much, if any, extra is really out of the question. My wife (the one really in charge, lol) has OK'd me to do this, as long as I don't have to spend any extra money. For comparison, we are currently perfectly content and happy with my work-provided 2009 Macbook Pro - 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 6 GB of RAM, 120GB SSD, Geforce 9400M, and Snow Leopard.

Here are the options I am considering: (If you know somewhere or somehow I can get a better deal, please let me know)

Option 1: New 2012 i5 Mini. $579 on ed. discount, $614 after taxes. I'll have to convince my sweetie to let me spend ~$100. Not very likely without me getting in trouble. Advantages: USB 3.0, 4GB RAM, slightly faster. Disadvantages: Price.

Option 2: Used or refrub 2011 i5 Mini. ~$510 used on eBay. It's in the price range, but only comes with 2GB of RAM. I can't function on 2GB, lol, so I'll have to at least buy some RAM. Advantages: In my price range, i5. Disadvantages: Will have to have RAM.

Option 3: Late-2009 Mini. ~$400 on eBay. Particularly, I found one server version with 2.53GHz C2D and 2 500GB drives for $450 w/best offer. Figure the seller will come down at least $25 or so. Advantages: Price only. And dual hard drives in server (1TB total). Disadvantages: Core 2 Duo, lack of warranty.

Suggestions? Remember, I am currently perfectly content with my C2D MBP. My thoughts are maybe I could get the cheaper one for now and buy an i7 quad later? But then again, maybe not.

Thanks for your help.