Buy a Mac Mini?

[smilemon]

I am interested in the performance of a mac mini. Is it powerful enough to do video rendering and gaming. I run Final Cut Express Hd and Play World of Warcraft. Just wondering if less power is worth not paying as much.

 

[CanadaRAM]

The Mini is on the very bottom edge for FCE HD, esp. in the video card area. And it is not a gamer machine. Honestly I would go for the iMac G5 as the entry level machine for these.

 

[ravenvii]

It can definitely do video. Not blazingly fast, but it does it just fine for me.

Gaming though, you'll be happier elsewhere. World of Warcraft runs, but you have to tone everything down to the minimum, and you'll have a hell of a time in crowded areas and battlegrounds. So I don't recommend it for this kind of thing.

I second the iMac G5 recommendation.

 

[DaftUnion]

I third the iMac G5 for what you want the computer to be able to do...lot better deal for what your getting to...easily the best value in the mac lineup for computers.

 

[dmw007]

The Mini is on the very bottom edge for FCE HD, esp. in the video card area. And it is not a gamer machine. Honestly I would go for the iMac G5 as the entry level machine for these.

I agree with CanadaRAM, go for the iMac G5 (if you can afford it) over the Mac Mini.

While the Mac Mini can do your stated tasks- it will do them s-l-o-w-l-y.

 

[spaceballl]

If Apple puts out the Intel mac mini w/ a 5400/7200 rpm in Jan, that would be a lot better. Why not wait and see what comes

 

[smilemon]

Thanks

My dad works for apple and he can get a mac mini real cheap so I think I'm going to go with one. Thanks for the help. Its still about twice as fast as the comp I have now.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

I have a Mac Mini, and I love it, seriously it's one of the best purchases I have made along with my iPod Video,.

I use both Final Cut Pro and World of Warcraft, the Mac Mini runs both fairly well to my surprise but be warned it still can't keep up with the G5 iMac.

World of Warcraft does run a treat, the graphics are pretty smooth and I find it's less laggy compared to my other Windows machine (yes I do know XP IS COMPLETE TRASH).

Overall if you're going for a good cheap multimedia computer that can do music, video and some games go for the Mac Min it wont dissapoint but if you are into serious games you can't go past the G5 iMac.

 

[adk]

My dad works for apple and he can get a mac mini real cheap so I think I'm going to go with one. Thanks for the help. Its still about twice as fast as the comp I have now.

If it's really that cheap, go for it. Worst case you can hook it up to your TV and use it for media.