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?
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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