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Looking at a couple of Mac mini upgrade options and needing opinions

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warvanov

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
504
12
I'm thinking about buying a newer Mac mini to replace my ancient first generation Mac mini G4. I use the machine primarily as a file server, storing lots of media files and movies that I watch on my Xbox as well as hosting a Time Machine backup for my primary computer, a 2011 MBP. As you can imagine, the G4 is showing it's age, and I've reached the limit of what I can do to upgrade it. I'd like to get something that can run a more current OS and newer software. (For instance, I'd like to be able to instal and run a Plex server that I can access with my MBP and iPhone when I'm away from home but I can't with the G4.)

I'm currently considering two options, and I'd like some opinions about them.

Option 1: My buddy has a somewhat newer Mid-2007 revision Mac mini Intel that I could buy from him for about $200. Basic specs:
1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB RAM (~$60 to upgrade to 4GB)
80GB HD (I would probably swap in the 350GB HD from my MBP)

Option 2: The Apple store had a July 2011 revision unibody Mac mini refurbished on sale the other day for $469. (It's gone now, but I imagine it will be back.) Basic specs:
2.3 GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
2GB RAM
500GB HD

The benefits to the newer machine are obvious, but for twice the price it's more machine than I need for my current purposes. The main benefit is that I'll have a significantly newer machine that will hopefully last quite a lot longer, plus the benefit of buying something "new" under warranty.

The benefit of the older machine is that it's cheaper and could do everything I want it to do right now. (Upgrade to Lion, run Plex, do everything my current machine does now.) However, it's limited to Lion and it's still a four or five year old computer with no warranty and probably a more limited lifespan.

What would you do, or is there anything else I should consider?
 
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Omnius

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2012
562
30
If we were talking more like $100 for that 2,1 mac mini, you might have a decent deal. As it is, this sounds like a case of newer is better.
 
FreakinEurekan

FreakinEurekan

macrumors 603
Sep 8, 2011
5,561
2,611
I agree with @Omnius, the 2007 model is too expensive at $200. I sold that same model just a couple months ago, already upgraded to 4GB, for $100.
 
Fishrrman

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
28,346
12,461
Newer is better.

Hold out for an Apple refurb, when one you like comes up for sale...
 
LucasLand

LucasLand

macrumors 6502a
Mar 6, 2002
756
92
New England
GeoffWillis said:
Just picked up an "Open box" 2012 mini from best buy (2.3 GHZ I7 with 1TB drive and 4GB RAM) for $400. Good deals can be found!
Click to expand...

is that the price they offered you or did you have to haggle with them? when you buy an open box item there do they let you examine before you buy, such as open bottom to verify ram is still there?
 
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COrocket

macrumors 6502
Dec 9, 2012
485
12
I'd go with the refurb. You would be maxing out the old one to suit your needs, whereas the 2011 model could be upgraded down the road to extend the life further (up to 16GB RAM, multiple internal drives). I'd also agree $200 is pretty steep for an 07 model. You can check out the recycling programs that buy back old computers to check a reasonable price for used ones.
 
phoenixsan

phoenixsan

macrumors 65816
Oct 19, 2012
1,342
2
I will.....

go with option 2. Lots of storage, that can be upgraded to more bigger HDD, worth because you are mentioning you use the computer as file server/backup. Obviusly: In warranty, newer software and OS available and so on. Only thing to check is full compatibility with your other hardware (game console and so on). When I say compatibility, I say things must work as you wish with the newer machine

:):apple:
 
W

warvanov

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
504
12
The $200 price is what I came up with based on what it looked like similar models were selling for on ebay. My friend wasn't set on a price and would defer to my judgement, so I may be able to get it for around $100.
 
philipma1957

philipma1957

macrumors 603
Apr 13, 2010
6,367
251
Howell, New Jersey
warvanov said:
The $200 price is what I came up with based on what it looked like similar models were selling for on ebay. My friend wasn't set on a price and would defer to my judgement, so I may be able to get it for around $100.
Click to expand...

i get short funds i was there when I was in the navy.

the machine is too old.


you also want to run lion which is not the machines strength.


snow is much better for that machine.

try and find a 2009 with a 2.0 or a 2.26 in it.
 
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Omnius

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2012
562
30
philipma1957 said:
i get short funds i was there when I was in the navy.

the machine is too old.


you also want to run lion which is not the machines strength.


snow is much better for that machine.

try and find a 2009 with a 2.0 or a 2.26 in it.
Click to expand...

He could also look for a late 2009 with a 2.53. That model seems to have sold a lot and various people have reported them as showing up on craigslist for reasonable prices. He definitely has some options but it's just inadvisable to spend more than 100 on the 2007 unless it has been pretty heavily upgraded.
 
W

warvanov

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
504
12
Omnius said:
He could also look for a late 2009 with a 2.53. That model seems to have sold a lot and various people have reported them as showing up on craigslist for reasonable prices. He definitely has some options but it's just inadvisable to spend more than 100 on the 2007 unless it has been pretty heavily upgraded.
Click to expand...

It hasn't been upgraded at all. At this point I'm thinking of offering $100 as more of a hobby machine.
 
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chiefsilverback

macrumors 6502
Jul 25, 2011
458
438
FreakinEurekan said:
I agree with @Omnius, the 2007 model is too expensive at $200. I sold that same model just a couple months ago, already upgraded to 4GB, for $100.
Click to expand...
I just sold (Friday) that model with 2GB RAM for $200 on ebay. It was listed for about 30 mins before someone took the 'buy it now price'...
 
O

Omnius

macrumors 6502a
Jul 23, 2012
562
30
warvanov said:
It hasn't been upgraded at all. At this point I'm thinking of offering $100 as more of a hobby machine.
Click to expand...

They're very fun to work with. However, there is really only so much you can do before case modding is necessary.

Max ram at 4gb(3.1 addressable)
Put in a big SSD
upgrade CPU to 2.3ghz

After that it's time to mod the case.
 
J

jchase2057

macrumors regular
Dec 6, 2010
234
2
Detroit
Omnius said:
They're very fun to work with. However, there is really only so much you can do before case modding is necessary.

Max ram at 4gb(3.1 addressable)
Put in a big SSD
upgrade CPU to 2.3ghz

After that it's time to mod the case.
Click to expand...

I have to agree.
 
FreakinEurekan

FreakinEurekan

macrumors 603
Sep 8, 2011
5,561
2,611
philipma1957 said:
it is a good machine for itunes you can load a lot of cd's into it.
Click to expand...

Agreed, it's a good machine. Mine lasted me 5 years and it's nowhere near worn out. However if you're going to spend $200 on it you can get a much higher horsepower model, easier to upgrade RAM, no need to pay extra for Lion/ML, for not a lot more.

People do pay a ton for used Mac stuff though, I'd like a first-gen iPad for a project - but used ones are crazy expensive, upwards of $200. I can get a refurb iPad 2 for not a lot more.
 
G

GeoffWillis

macrumors newbie
Mar 11, 2012
28
1
San Antonio, TX
No haggle necessary

foofan said:
is that the price they offered you or did you have to haggle with them? when you buy an open box item there do they let you examine before you buy, such as open bottom to verify ram is still there?
Click to expand...

That was the price. They typically offer 10% off on open items, but Sat had additional 40% off to clear out inventory. Wasn't in the market for a new computer, but hey, who could pass that up! And yes, opened bottom, but the 2x2GB RAM is not going to make it. Ordered 16GB last night. That with 2 Dell U2412M's completes the system. According to Best Buy, still good for 1 year warrenty from date I register it with Apple. Only down side I can see is it didn't come in a cool box... got the computer and a power cable.
 
J

jchase2057

macrumors regular
Dec 6, 2010
234
2
Detroit
FreakinEurekan said:
People do pay a ton for used Mac stuff though, I'd like a first-gen iPad for a project - but used ones are crazy expensive, upwards of $200. I can get a refurb iPad 2 for not a lot more.
Click to expand...

You can't find a gen 1 iPad for less than 200 here in the Detroit area. From what I read here on the forums, our used apple products are crazy over priced compared to everywhere else. I'd like to get a newer mini to replace the 07 I have in my sawtooth case but I cant find anything newer than an 07 for less than 350-400.

----------
GeoffWillis said:
That was the price. They typically offer 10% off on open items, but Sat had additional 40% off to clear out inventory. Wasn't in the market for a new computer, but hey, who could pass that up! And yes, opened bottom, but the 2x2GB RAM is not going to make it. Ordered 16GB last night. That with 2 Dell U2412M's completes the system. According to Best Buy, still good for 1 year warrenty from date I register it with Apple. Only down side I can see is it didn't come in a cool box... got the computer and a power cable.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the find.
 
Hookemfins

Hookemfins

macrumors 6502
Jan 13, 2013
325
27
Florida
My advice would be to check out a couple of your local Best Buy stores and make a deal on an open box item. I got an unbeatable deal that I couldn't refuse.

But I agree with an earlier post, newer is better.
 
W

warvanov

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
504
12
Hookemfins said:
My advice would be to check out a couple of your local Best Buy stores and make a deal on an open box item. I got an unbeatable deal that I couldn't refuse.

But I agree with an earlier post, newer is better.
Click to expand...

Do open box items come with a full Apple warranty like the refurbs do?
 
FreakinEurekan

FreakinEurekan

macrumors 603
Sep 8, 2011
5,561
2,611
warvanov said:
Do open box items come with a full Apple warranty like the refurbs do?
Click to expand...

Apple warranty will start from the day of the ORIGINAL sale. So likelihood is you have 11 months or so left, and 60 days (of the original 90) of free telephone support. You can still buy AppleCare and it will cover for 3 years from the original purchase date (not the day you bought it).
 
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