I'd say yes, it's worth it if you have a large display or expect to get one. Also yes, if you burn DVDs frequently, either for video or for backups. Some say the 64MB GPU will make a difference for games as well.Yaja123 said:
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Gradual Mac Mini Updates?
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MacSA said:
Which is a fair point and a subject that has been discussed to great length [I'm not having a go!]
Granted the mini clearly has faults with its low voltage VGA output, but [and it's a fairly big but] the standard output of said mini is DVI so there is an argument here that the 'preferred' intended hook-up is a DVI enabled TFT not CRT. I'm not making excuses for Apple here, as there is enough evidence to warrant an acknowledgement from Apple of there being a common fault with the mini.
It's a shame the fault is there as the mini was to target switchers who probably already have a Windows rig and likely to be of a mixed user base of CRT & TFT [analgue & digital] set-ups.
For many, and this includes me personally, the VGA fault is of no real concern as a DVI enabled TFT will be used along side it... when the official word of the 1.5 is made of course!!! 🙄
That's me done... for now!! 😉
Bakey said:
The Mini also has horrendous problems when hooked up to 50% (roughly) of TFTs. May I refer you to this site:
http://www.freewebs.com/themagius/macintoshmini.htm
This has been reported with both Rev. A and Rev. B versions. Hopefully, Apple has decided to address the problem (it's also on their discussion boards) in Rev. C.
So your comment above simply reflects the fact that you got lucky, not that the output from the Mini is flawless for DVI.
dangermouse said:
I was completely unaware of issues regarding the DVI output of the mini -- as yet I don't personally own one [a mini that is], I'm hanging around here waiting for the official word from Apple with regards to the 1.5 64meg dual-layer variant, then I'll be ordering one in the blink of an eye... 😀
Bakey said:
Same here...I've got a Rev.B Mini connected to an HP L2335 23" TFT. The Rev.B goes back to the shop (only a week and a half old) as soon as the new models appear. Hopefully, the DVI issue has been addressed but, if not, back to VGA I go 🙄
ack_mac
macrumors regular
dangermouse said:
Hmm.. According to this site the mini does not even work with the majority of Apple displays? Also, there are tons of conflicts where some people say the monitor works fine, and others say it does not.. I start to question cabling, closeness to power sources, etc.. This just does not seem right, and there are not that many people complaining on the forums that I have visited when researching the mini...
Sorry, but I struggle with this one...
ack_mac said:
I have 2 L2335 monitors and the problem is exhibited on both.
The cable is fine as I have a PC and it works fine with that. The power supply is also fine as it works on the PC. The Mini works fine if I use the VGA adapter. The Mini doesn't work fine if I use DVI.
A thread on the Apple Discussion Boards is also referencing this problem:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?14@651.Yn4LataaWxj.1@.68a8dc69
To me, there seems to be way too many people with exactly the same problem here. The common denominator with all is the Mini using DVI.
You haven't said exactly what the problem is but the 32MB in the mini isn't quite enough to fully support a 23" LCD. I have minor problems with my Apple Cinema 23" as a result. I'm expecting 64MB of VRAM will solve the problem.dangermouse said:
iDave said:
The problem is best represented with these screenshots:
http://www.freewebs.com/themagius/minidvipics.htm
That is the problem that myself and a lot of others are experiencing.
ack_mac
macrumors regular
iDave said:
iDave, the problems are displays having a working, but faulty, image (defects in native resolution).
I think it kinda sucks if the mini cannot 100% support Apple's own monitors (even if they are 23").
Still, you'd think this issue would be all over the net, the news, etc..
Mmm, that's pretty bad! The problem with my 23" Cinema is similar but not nearly as bad, only in the darkest area of the display, and not all of the time. It's very minimal compared to what's shown there. Nevertheless, I'm planning to get a new mini with the 64MB VRAM which I'm reasonably certain will fix the problem.dangermouse said:
iDave said:
My symptoms are typically not as severe as those depicted but when I fire up the Flurry screensaver all hell breaks loose 😱
powerbook911
macrumors 601
When I had a mac mini connected to a CRT I have, it looked bad. There were moving lines on the screen.
This might be impractical but perhaps you could take your monitor to an Apple store to test it, or find a friend who has a mini you could connect it to. Then you'd know if it's safe to buy one.Aaon said:
MacSA said:
It's a little drastic to simply write the mini off for the sake of something that may never actually affect you!
Surely if the machine doesn't perform 'as expected' and isn't fit for purpose you [or anyone else for that matter] could return the unit and expect a refund - minus a restocking fee of course [how companies can get away with that never ceases to amaze].
And if you're looking at the top end mini, ie., the 1.5 that is rumoured to be fully loaded, you won't need to be placing a BTO machine so no fuss there either.
Just my thoughts, I'm still going ahead and ordering [on announcement] -- a good friend of mine has as 1.42 mini hooked up to a 20" ACD with no faults evident. It's a risk but one worth taking in my view...
phairphan
macrumors 6502a
I'm sorry. Call me paranoid, but I don't feel comfortable giving out the serial number. If you're wanting to know the build date, two systems (including mine) are analyzed in the other Mini thread (located further down the page): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/151676/theheadguy said: