Help me decide which Mac Mini configuration please!

[amberashby]

Hi,

I'm ready to place my order but I keep flip flopping over which model. I already own a dual 2.0 Power Mac and this computer would be for the bedroom. Mostly internet, email, and iLife. Here are the choices I'm considering (I get EDU pricing by the way and I have a $30 off coupon):

1) 1.42GHZ with bluetooth,airport, and 512MB = $732
2) 1.25GHZ with bluetooth,airport, and 3rd party 1GB RAM = $728

As you can see they would be very similar in price. Basically a trade between more memory and faster processor, bigger HD. Would the extra RAM in the 1.25GHZ more than make up for the slower clock speed?

Thanks.

 

[Blue Velvet]

I say 1) because the 512mb of RAM will probably be sufficient for your stated needs and the faster processor isn't something you can upgrade easily at a later stage.

 

[svejar]

I would go for the extra 512MB of RAM. Even though it would make me feel like an idiot to order that directly from Apple. I know... Warranty and everything, but they want $425 extra to ship it with a 1GB DDR stick. Man...

 

[amberashby]

I would go for the extra 512MB of RAM. Even though it would make me feel like an idiot to order that directly from Apple. I know... Warranty and everything, but they want $425 extra to ship it with a 1GB DDR stick. Man...

I'll definately go with at least 512MB. #2 is with 1GB of 3rd party ram. I'm really wondering which system configuration would be the snappiest.

 

[auxplage]

I would definitely go with #2. My eMac (specs below) always manages to fill up the 768 mb RAM I have. I do the same stuff you do on my eMac all the time, and at all times it is snappy. 1.42 ghz is only a little less than 15% faster than 1.25 ghz with the same 167 mhz fsb. The more RAM the better. #2 🙂

 

[wnameth]

i would go with the faster proc, its better for the long run, and 512mb of ram is dine for what you want to do.

Thats my 0.2$

 

[amberashby]

I'm leaning toward the 1.25Ghz with 1GB. I have a G4 800Mhz iBook with 640K RAM and even web browsing is not quite as snappy as I would like. Scrolling screens can be choppy. iPhoto runs choppy also. Maybe I'm just too used to the Dual 2.0, but I'm hoping the Mac Mini will be a decent improvement from the iBook.

 

[Blue Velvet]

I'm leaning toward the 1.25Ghz with 1GB. I have a G4 800Mhz iBook with 640K RAM and even web browsing is not quite as snappy as I would like. Scrolling screens can be choppy. iPhoto runs choppy also. Maybe I'm just too used to the Dual 2.0, but I'm hoping the Mac Mini will be a decent improvement from the iBook.

That's why the 1.42 would be better.
RAM is not going to improve the choppiness...

 

[gwuMACaddict]

#1

i have to echo blue velvets thoughts on the issue. snappier processor, upgrade the ram later if you really want to.

 

[atari1356]

#1

i have to echo blue velvets thoughts on the issue. snappier processor, upgrade the ram later if you really want to.

Ditto. Definitely go for number 1. 512Mb ram is plenty for your stated use... plus you'll have a faster processor and hard drive that's twice as big.

 

[Veldek]

A little OT, but don’t put too many electronic devices in your bedroom as it disturbs your sleep and makes you ill.

Anyway, I’d go with the first one because you could update the RAM later.

 

[Sabbath]

I would go for the first too, the RAM is always going to get significantly cheaper over time and so you can update that for less later on. The faster processor will make a bit of difference, although I doubt it will be that noticeable but I personally could not live with the 40Gb of HD space and I think that would be more expensive to upgrade in the long run (although you could go for an external).

So all in I would definitely say the first is the better option.

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

I am going to say #1 also.

The larger HDD is what does it for me.

 

[amberashby]

Thanks for the replies everyone, but I'm going to "Think Different" and go against the majority here.

Less than 15% increase in processor speed and the OS is such a memory hog. Plus I may swap out the HD with a 2.5inch 60GB 7200RPM version for only $160 (as soon as I read about someone else doing it first because I'm not sure if it would produce too much extra heat).

I'm ordering today. The wait begins..................

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

You may want to rethink the HDD again. It has been confirmed that the Seagate drive being used in the 1.42 is a 5400rpm HDD. And a Barefeats test showed little gain by going with the 7200rpm drives.

 

[Blue Velvet]

Thanks for the replies everyone, but I'm going to "Think Different" and go against the majority here.

See? You knew what you wanted all along.
You were just fooling with us... 😀

I'm sure which ever one you get will be fine.

Do let us know when it arrives and how you're getting on with it.
I like to read about other people's Mini experiences at the moment 'cos I'm thinking of recommending one to a friend...

 

[brap]

If you want to upgrade the HD (which will invalidate your warranty), why are you still wanting to have Apple installed RAM?

Personally, I'd get th 1.42 and as little else as possible... save upgrades for NewEgg or whatever stores youse Americans have.