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Long time PC user first time Mac buyer

N

newchemicals

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 10, 2015
6
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I was able to pickup a new mac mini 1.4 about a week ago. So far so good.

Other than a few things being in different places, I haven't had any issues so far. The only item I have purchased was a mini display port to dvi. I am using my monitor, keyboard and mouse from my old PC.

I was looking for some advice as to what I should consider to do next to have a good experience with macs?
 
newchemicals said:
I was able to pickup a new mac mini 1.4 about a week ago. So far so good.

I was looking for some advice as to what I should consider to do next to have a good experience with macs?
Click to expand...

Don't rush it. Take it out to dinner. It likes a nice cup of coffee in the morning.

M.
 
lol. good to see a sense of humor. I think the trackpad is the first thing on my list to get.
 
newchemicals said:
I was able to pickup a new mac mini 1.4 about a week ago. So far so good.

Other than a few things being in different places, I haven't had any issues so far. The only item I have purchased was a mini display port to dvi. I am using my monitor, keyboard and mouse from my old PC.

I was looking for some advice as to what I should consider to do next to have a good experience with macs?
Click to expand...

26139 said:
Let it sleep, but don't turn it off every day.
Click to expand...

Sensible advice, in keeping with advice in the handbook that came with my 2009 Mini. It has only ever been shut down when I want to take it to use elsewhere (a couple or three times a year), when a software update requires it, or if I am going to be away more than a few days. Otherwise I just leave it in sleep mode, during which it uses just a couple of watts of power. The 2014 model uses less than a watt. Both draw about 0.2 of a watt when shutdown, but still plugged in.

Wake up from sleep takes just a moment.

Booting from shut down takes a minute or two (it would take less with Fusion Drive or a SSD).

Celerondon said:
With a Magic Trackpad you will be off to a great start.

I suggest that you should also setup a storage device for Time Machine or some other reliable backup solution.
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Some people prefer a track pad, others don't. I don't; I like the Apple Magic Mouse, but not enough to justify the expense. I like the Apple keyboard enough to have bought one; others don't. Each to their own preferences here.

Common sense suggests a back-up storage device to use with Time Machine. It may do nothing to enhance your experience day to day, but it sits there doing back-ups in the background, which is good for peace of mind. I have, on occasion, gone to Time Machine to restore deleted files; handy.
 
The best thing you should do is put an ssd hard drive in. Best Buy has a 120 on sale for $49. Anyway, the bottleneck in your computer is the hard drive if you don't have an ssd. Everything I have has an ssd in it now.
 
I do like the completely silent running of the mac mini. I can't even tell its on. Seems strange for me to leave a machine on 24/7 but I'll try that.

I tested out the track pad at the apple store, I really like it.

I'd love to put in an SSD but sadly the 2014 mac mini doesn't allow for easy modifications. It was a good deal at $400 new. I think of this as an entry level machine and if I really like it I can always get something better later.

Thanks everyone.
 
My opinion will go against the grain of others posted here.

I prefer to shut my Macs down for the night.

I've been running my Macs like this since 1987, and I prefer the "clean startup" each morning.

Again, my opinion only.
 
newchemicals said:
I do like the completely silent running of the mac mini. I can't even tell its on. Seems strange for me to leave a machine on 24/7 but I'll try that.

I tested out the track pad at the apple store, I really like it.

I'd love to put in an SSD but sadly the 2014 mac mini doesn't allow for easy modifications. It was a good deal at $400 new. I think of this as an entry level machine and if I really like it I can always get something better later.

Thanks everyone.
Click to expand...

It's really not that hard. Or just have someone do it for you. You are really loosing out a lot if you don't go to the SSD route. Their pretty cheap to boot.
 
Yeah...

lavrishevo said:
It's really not that hard. Or just have someone do it for you. You are really loosing out a lot if you don't go to the SSD route. Their pretty cheap to boot.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but damn there are a lot of things to pry off with the nylon pry tool.

That's always what freaks me out, breaking those attachments.

Simple once you've had practice, however.

But I can see how someone not familiar wouldn't want to do it, I felt the same way until I had to change a dying drive in my 2009 Mini.
 
lavrishevo said:
The best thing you should do is put an ssd hard drive in. Best Buy has a 120 on sale for $49. Anyway, the bottleneck in your computer is the hard drive if you don't have an ssd. Everything I have has an ssd in it now.
Click to expand...

No they do not:confused:

----------
26139 said:
Yeah, but damn there are a lot of things to pry off with the nylon pry tool.

That's always what freaks me out, breaking those attachments.

Simple once you've had practice, however.

But I can see how someone not familiar wouldn't want to do it, I felt the same way until I had to change a dying drive in my 2009 Mini.
Click to expand...


Where to get tools to change out harddrive?
 
Maybe when its out of warranty I'll think about an SSD. Those will get better and cheaper.

I looked over what would be needed over at ifixit. They make it look easy, but I know its not going to be trivial.
 
Yep!

newchemicals said:
Maybe when its out of warranty I'll think about an SSD. Those will get better and cheaper.

I looked over what would be needed over at ifixit. They make it look easy, but I know its not going to be trivial.
Click to expand...

I replaced a dying HD in my 2009 Mini in 2012.

While following the video made it straightforward, I definitely wouldn't call it easy.

That being said, I've now done similar three times without an issue.

Just think, when your warranty is up and you go SSD, it will be like a new, upgrade computer (kinda)!
 
Ive had my mac mini three months and shut it diwn then power off at the wall every night an i doing the right thing ?. Or should i let it sleep on the odd occasion i have done it the sound icon goes grey so i have to unplug the speakers for it to go black plug back in again .
 
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