So right now I have a gaming/workstation Windows custom built PC with an i5 4670K, 8GB RAM, and a GTX 760 2GB. I have two monitors, and it would be nice if I could simultaneously run OS X and Windows at the same time. I basically have every Apple device except a desktop (MBP,iPad,iPhone), mostly because I think building is a better deal. However, I don't really have the time to tinker with the OS, and plus I would need to buy a new drive anyway, so I could pick up and older Mac Mini to use for iMessage/iPhoto storage/streaming, while my Windows can handle all the heavy duty gaming/AutoCAD, etc. I just want OSX to work. So should I go for a hackintosh or get a cheap Mac Mini off eBay? Also, what Mac Mini would be compatible with Yosemite?
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Hack Pro or Mac Mini?
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Even after you build a hackintosh and get it running, there's no guarantee it will stay that way as successive updates will likely break the install. What I've done is build a decent gaming PC with Windows 7 which I use for Steam, and I have a Mac mini for my main desktop machine. I bought a little DVI switch box which puts a button next to my keyboard and just pressing that switches my keyboard, mouse and screen between Windows and OS X. To me this is a better solution than trying to mess around getting a PC to run OS X.
Alternatively, if you buy something like Splashtop Remote for your PC and install the server on your MacBook Pro, you can actually connect to that Mac (assuming it is running) from inside Windows and Splashtop is very fast and works well even over slower connections. I have this too so I can connect to either my PC or Mac desktop from my MacBook Pro if I'm in another room. No need to switch around then as you can bring your MacBook Pro display to your Windows environment.
The Mac Mini 2009 is compatible with Yosemite, however I would suggest that look at the 2012 if looking to buy one now.
This will get you working with Continuity, Airdrop etc so get the full Yosemite experience.
Also the 2012 should last longer in terms of Apple Support before Apple drop support compared to the 2009.
For what you are looking at then no reason that couldn't get a Dual Core 2012, nothing there in your list that requires Quad, so should be cheaper as it is the Quad 2012's that have the premium with the 2014 only being Dual Core.
This will get you working with Continuity, Airdrop etc so get the full Yosemite experience.
Also the 2012 should last longer in terms of Apple Support before Apple drop support compared to the 2009.
For what you are looking at then no reason that couldn't get a Dual Core 2012, nothing there in your list that requires Quad, so should be cheaper as it is the Quad 2012's that have the premium with the 2014 only being Dual Core.
HDD is a slightly delicate procedure. If you search old threads, a few people messed that one up. It's not technically considered user serviceable on the 2012s. Ram was still considered user serviceable, so it's easily accessible. It can go as high as 16GB. The mini seems quite redundant when you already own a macbook pro. There's nothing special about its performance, and you certainly won't want to game on a 2012 mini. Anything recent/non-trivial would be unpleasant, even on low settings.
Considering how extremely limited your OS X use would be on the Mini. I would just run OS X in a virtual machine and turn off automatic updates. There are plenty of tutorials on installing Yosemite on Virtualbox and VMWare. As I understand it you can enable Quartz Extreme and Core Image in VMWare but Virtualbox is free.
Just dock the MBP
A thunderbolt dock and your rMBP becomes your desktop, take a look at hengdocks or similar..
A thunderbolt dock and your rMBP becomes your desktop, take a look at hengdocks or similar..