First time Mac User: Is mac mini a good option?

[SkyBell]

Well, I'm not a gamer. Just use Photoshop quite extensively.

Your probably better off getting an opinion from someone who uses Photoshop more then I do (Which is maybe once or twice a month.) But I don't think the difference would be noticeable.

 

[QCassidy352]

Quite a bit, actually, but in my experience this makes a minimal difference in anything except for gaming.

I could be wrong though.

I think it would also impact the use of video editing programs, and aperture. But for someone who doesn't do any of those things, the integrated graphics are fine.

 

[eyemac74119]

get a 29 or 24 inch imac

get a 20 inch or a 24cher. then google iluggar i think thats how its spelled a bai ol bag for the IMAC

 

[Hatchet]

Can you use an external monitor with a Macbook or Macbook Pro?

What would I need to get to do this?

This, in a sense, would be the best of both worlds.

 

[Cave Man]

Well, I'm not a gamer. Just use Photoshop quite extensively.

Photoshop does not use the GPU much at all. It uses the CPU. For your purposes, a Mini will do the job even if you use Aperture, which does use the GPU extensively. But even then, my Mini renders raw files in 2 to 3 seconds, compared to my MBP, which renders them in 1.5-2 seconds.

 

[Cave Man]

Can you use an external monitor with a Macbook or Macbook Pro?

Yes. You can even use them in clamshell mode (external display, keyboard and mouse).

What would I need to get to do this?

Display adapter. USB or bluetooth keyboards and mice.

This, in a sense, would be the best of both worlds.

It is nice. A bit inconvenient, but nice.

 

[Hatchet]

Photoshop does not use the GPU much at all. It uses the CPU. For your purposes, a Mini will do the job even if you use Aperture, which does use the GPU extensively. But even then, my Mini renders raw files in 2 to 3 seconds, compared to my MBP, which renders them in 1.5-2 seconds.

So the Video card doesn't effect the color output or anything in that fashion that would make the Photoshop experience less than average?

Sorry, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to computer parts. I just want to make sure.

 

[solvs]

A new MB would be nice, but if price is an issue and you want the fastest for the money, get a refurb iMac and upgrade the RAM yourself 3rd party. You can also get an adapter to use with another monitor. If moving the Mac is going to be an issue, go ahead with a decked out MB or refurb MBP. Spend what you have left over to get an OEM copy of Windows so you can run BootCamp if you need to.

The mini is ok, but for a bit more you can get the MB with better specs and portability.

 

[je1ani]

Get an SR MB... for $999 with student discount you get so much more than the top of the line Mini. At only a $250 premium you get the

MacBook-
Functionality of a laptop (Screen with iSight camera)
Faster Processor/Frontside Bus speed
Expandable to 4GB of RAM
Easily expandable HD
802.11n Capabilities
Better GPU

Mini-
Cheaper
Superdrive

OR wait for the "Ultra Portable" MB

 

[ADent]

MacBook Pro will run a 30" monitor. MacBook and mini will drive a 24" monitor. Not sure about the iMacs.

 

[Aranince]

So the Video card doesn't effect the color output or anything in that fashion that would make the Photoshop experience less than average?

Sorry, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to computer parts. I just want to make sure.

No, Photoshop doesn't use the video card at all AFAIK.

 

[Hatchet]

MacBook Pro will run a 30" monitor. MacBook and mini will drive a 24" monitor. Not sure about the iMacs.

Macbook Pro is not an option for me. Way too pricey.

It's either a mac mini + 24" monitor, a 24" iMac, or a macbook + 24" monitor....

 

[GoKyu]

Hatchet: I'm somewhat in your position (first time Mac owner, who hasn't purchased yet and I use Photoshop and Lightroom extensively), but for me the only way to go is Mac Pro - I want the convenience of a desktop tower with expandability for the hard disks (up to 4), and lots of memory (I plan on getting at least 5-6 gigs total to start.)

If I wasn't so keen on having a lot of hard disk space (I'm currently using close to 600 gigs on 3 separate hard drives in my PC), I would probably just stick with an iMac - they look great and perform wonderfully (and can go up to a respectable 4 gigs of RAM now.) I just don't want to have 2 or 3 external hard drives sitting all over the place 🙂

I'm stuck waiting until January 15th (MacWorld), where they'll hopefully announce the new Mac Pros available - much more power at approximately the same cost as the current lineup (hopefully maybe even slightly cheaper.)

Expensive? You'd better believe it, but I'm intending to keep this machine for a good 5-7 years, and if I really need something sooner (with quad, or probably octo-core Xeons, I seriously doubt it), Macs have a great resale value, so I could always sell and buy a newer model... 🙂

Good luck with your purchase though, I can't wait to finally get away from Windows (thankfully I never went to Vista, I'm still running my XP Pro 🙂)

-Bryan

 

[dXTC]

How inferior is the video card for the mac mini compared to the 24" iMac?

The Mac mini's video chipset is integrated onto the motherboard, and shares its memory with the CPU (reducing the amount of available system memory). This results in somewhat slower graphics performance than the iMac, which has a Radeon card by ATI and dedicated graphics memory. This doesn't necessarily affect Photoshop, though, which depends more heavily upon CPU performance. The slower performance seems to be noticeable mainly in games, which you've already stated is not a factor in your purchasing decision.

 

[Cave Man]

So the Video card doesn't effect the color output or anything in that fashion that would make the Photoshop experience less than average?

So long as you use a colorimeter (e.g., Spyder2Express, etc.) to calibrate your display, then everything will be fine. The principal advantages of a dedicated GPU card is that it has its own vRAM and generally they do 3D much better. If you're not doing any 3D work (gaming, vector-based design, etc.) the mini's GPU will do just fine. Just make sure you get at least 2 gigs of RAM.

Sorry, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to computer parts. I just want to make sure.

You're not dumb, just uninformed. But by being here you're rectifying that.