Imac/mini/mbp purchasing help...

[acrahm]

so my setup right now is this:

MBP-2.16 C2D, 1gb mem

Mini-1.83, 2gb mem and 22 inch display.

i am really debating a imac because i use the laptop for portable stuff and the mini is just too slow to run final cut/imovie/photoshop/dreamweaver etc

are there upgrade options that would enhance the performance of my mini?

if i go with a imac, i am looking and spending no more then $1100.

what should i do?

 

[Greg90]

so my setup right now is this:

MBP-2.16 C2D, 1gb mem

Mini-1.83, 2gb mem and 22 inch display.

i am really debating a imac because i use the laptop for portable stuff and the mini is just too slow to run final cut/imovie/photoshop/dreamweaver etc

are there upgrade options that would enhance the performance of my mini?

if i go with a imac, i am looking and spending no more then $1100.

what should i do?

Upgrade the RAM on the MBP and hook it up to the 22 inch display. That should serve your needs much better than anything you could do with the Mini and probably about as well as any $1100 iMac.

 

[acrahm]

Upgrade the RAM on the MBP and hook it up to the 22 inch display. That should serve your needs much better than anything you could do with the Mini and probably about as well as any $1100 iMac.

i was doing this for the first 6-8months of the MBP's life, but i was worried i would overuse it

also is my mini less powerful then the mbp?

i would use the mini, mbp or imac for:

movie editing/creating. dvd riping, photo editing, and the normal computer stuff...

 

[asphyxiafeeling]

i was doing this for the first 6-8months of the MBP's life, but i was worried i would overuse it

also is my mini less powerful then the mbp?

i would use the mini, mbp or imac for:

movie editing/creating. dvd riping, photo editing, and the normal computer stuff...

the mini is horrible compared to the mbp.

i'd say use the display, it's cheapest. if not, you can go for an iMac i suppose. definitely wait a month or so for Montevia (sp?) though.

 

[velocityg4]

Unless you need two computers and since you stated a need for a portable computer I would use the Macbook Pro for everything.

From your last post I would glean that you already own a Mac Mini and a Macbook Pro and are willing to spend $1100. I would sell both the Macbook and Mini and all other equipment then get a new MB Pro.

For power on the go.
Latest MB Pro
Maxed RAM
add a 7200 RPM internal HD

For a better at home workstation, in addition to the above
A good 1900x1200 24inch screen
some external Firewire 800 HD's
high speed external DVD burner
keyboard and mouse

If I am in error and you do not have a Mini and screen to sell just the $1100 then...
Max out your MB's RAM
add an internal 7200 RPM HD
external DVD burner
keyboard and mouse
a decent external screen
as much external HD storage you can afford after the other purchases

 

[scienide09]

I also think that using the MBP with a good external is the best option. With a RAM upgrade, you should be good to go for a while

 

[acrahm]

from the looks of it, looks like the mini was a mistake to buy.
i am thinking this route:
sell the mini
use my (2) 1tb externals
pick up a dvd burner (can blu-ray burners work on a MBP?)
upgrade RAM on the MBP (whats the limit i can do to this, 4gb? and how difficult is it to do? i really dont wana pay someone to do it)
possibly upgrade the HD in the MBP (7200 rpm, whats the max gb i can go?)
use the 22 in LCD screen

does this sound good/ any help with the questions

thanks for all your help i really appreciate it!

 

[peapody]

from the looks of it, looks like the mini was a mistake to buy.
i am thinking this route:
sell the mini
use my (2) 1tb externals
pick up a dvd burner (can blu-ray burners work on a MBP?)
upgrade RAM on the MBP (whats the limit i can do to this, 4gb? and how difficult is it to do? i really dont wana pay someone to do it)
possibly upgrade the HD in the MBP (7200 rpm, whats the max gb i can go?)
use the 22 in LCD screen

does this sound good/ any help with the questions

thanks for all your help i really appreciate it!

The 2.16 has a 3.3gb limit if you put 4gb in there. It will only recognize 3.3gb. It is pretty easy to do I believe...just remove the panel on the bottom.

I am not sure about the max gb on the hdd though..I would be interested to learn this as well - even though I have apple care and won't be risking any thing.

If you are going to sell the mini...let me know! haha, i am interested!

 

[acrahm]

The 2.16 has a 3.3gb limit if you put 4gb in there. It will only recognize 3.3gb. It is pretty easy to do I believe...just remove the panel on the bottom.

I am not sure about the max gb on the hdd though..I would be interested to learn this as well - even though I have apple care and won't be risking any thing.

If you are going to sell the mini...let me know! haha, i am interested!

crap thats right i purchased apple care about 2 months ago, so what will i be able to upgrade now?

PM me if you are interested in the mini....

 

[Pixellated]

Bear in mid that changing the MBP HDD voids your warranty and/or APP.

 

[velocityg4]

from the looks of it, looks like the mini was a mistake to buy.
i am thinking this route:
sell the mini
use my (2) 1tb externals
pick up a dvd burner (can blu-ray burners work on a MBP?)
upgrade RAM on the MBP (whats the limit i can do to this, 4gb? and how difficult is it to do? i really dont wana pay someone to do it)
possibly upgrade the HD in the MBP (7200 rpm, whats the max gb i can go?)
use the 22 in LCD screen

does this sound good/ any help with the questions

thanks for all your help i really appreciate it!

iFixit.com guide for replacing just about any part in your Macbook

Max GB has not been reached with Hard Drives yet. Get the biggest 7200RPM you can afford, SATA connector. Whether 1.5 or 3GB's does not matter. If you are worried about Applecare have an Apple Authorized Service Provider install it (keep the receipt). Though install OS X yourself or they will charge a lot more for that.

You can burn blu-ray discs using Toast 9 with the HD/BD plug-in. However there is no Blu-Ray playback in OS X. You can do so if you add a Windows partition.

I still stand by my previous recommendations except you already have the external hard drives. A larger higher resolution screen makes timelines easier to work with. The faster CPU, GPU (for Motion) and higher RAM limit will speed things up when working with video.