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Mac Mini for web design?

D

Danny Futuro

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 1, 2006
71
0
I need to get a computer for school (interactive media design courses) and the classes rely heavily on apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash, etc. Is the graphics memory a huge factor in the performance of these kinds of apps, or are these apps more dependent on physical ram? I'm aware of the UB/Rosetta issue and its not a factor in my decision. I already have a macbook, but I also do music production in my spare time, so I need a dedicated desktop machine so that I dont have to constantly connect/disconnect all of my audio peripherals. I have a 23" ACD which I could sell to help fund a 20" imac, but I'd rather hang onto it if the Mac Mini's graphics are upto handling the task. Mac Pro is out of the question as its just too expensive for me. I'm not buying anything until the next round of updates, so I'm in no tremendous hurry to buy.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
I would recommend you get an iMac, the macmini is great but if your doing things that demand RAM power then haveing a lowend iMac is better then haveing a high end Macmini. If your connecting a lot of items to your mac then not having to worry about the power for the monitor or wires running between the mini and the screen is a huge plus.
 
isn't the minis graphics card identical to the one in your macbook? so following this logic, if the macbook suffices for your needs, the mac mini should also have no problems. just throw some ram at it and i believe it should handle things great, esp. when UBs get released.

(my $0.02 :D )
 
Clydefrog said:
he doesn't want a macbook either a mac mini or iMac
Click to expand...

did you even read his post????

i'm guessing no, so go back, read it, then you can apologize...
 
To my knowledge, The Adobe suite is mathematical based, so they rely more on processor than GPU requirements. All your vectors, masks, filters, and so-on rely on the processor to compile them as visual effects.

I used to own a 1.5ghz G4 Mini, then upgraded to a 1.66 Duo Core Intel Mini, and finally settled on a Macbook Pro.

I have used the following machines with Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, and other design applications extensively on all 3 machines.

To my personal observations when comparing the mini's to my Macbook Pro- the GPU doesn't do much for those following programs. I have had similar performance on all the platforms and of course a faster speedbumb due to a faster processor.
 
One more thing.

If you buy the Mini, I recommend upgrading the ram to 2GB. It will provide optimum performance and less beach-balling due to excessive hard drive caching from a lack of ram.
 
Bocheememon said:
To my knowledge, The Adobe suite is mathematical based, so they rely more on processor than GPU requirements. All your vectors, masks, filters, and so-on rely on the processor to compile them as visual effects.

I used to own a 1.5ghz G4 Mini, then upgraded to a 1.66 Duo Core Intel Mini, and finally settled on a Macbook Pro.

I have used the following machines with Photoshop, Flash, Dreamweaver, and other design applications extensively on all 3 machines.

To my personal observations when comparing the mini's to my Macbook Pro- the GPU doesn't do much for those following programs. I have had similar performance on all the platforms and of course a faster speedbumb due to a faster processor.
Click to expand...
this is just what I needed to hear. lol. thanks for the insight.
 
Another reason to go for the mini...

The mini, unlike the iMac, has optical audio IN which you would need for your audio recording needs.
 
I'm using a little G4 Mac Mini for Dreamweaver and Photoshop CS2. Of course it would be better if it were faster, but it does okay. I rely on these two programs A LOT, so this isn't a matter of me dabbling with them now and then. If my G4 Mini gets me through, I'm sure an Intel Mini will also.
 
LBmacman said:
The mini, unlike the iMac, has optical audio IN which you would need for your audio recording needs.
Click to expand...

Thats a good point, i forgot about it.

They are both great mac but after using both i can tell you they are great but remmber as a student not having to worry about an extra screen, having a small footprint and not running wires around your dorm/aparment is a plus.

When it comes down to it get what you like more, do you want a very small(i really mean very small) mac with bit of wires? then go with the mini, do you want a little larger one but not worry about wires/screen go for the imac.
 
Mac Mini is fine. The lowest end is probably twice as fast as half of the machines of designers I know.
 
clevin said:
go get a $299 cheap desktop pc with 1GB RAM, meet all your need.
Click to expand...

How exactly does that answer the OP's question? To refresh your memory, it was whether or not the Mac mini was suitable for web design.
 
Mac Mini for Web Designer

Hi,

I'm a web designer.

I'm using Mac Mini (Jan 09').

It's ok for: Flash, Html, Css, PShop, ILL.

PROBLEM : The Pshop filters crash the program cause the GCard.
but the new one Mac Mini has a new Gcard it'd be OK, NOW !!!

Few money and a good Monitor LG 24"!!

Bye
 
Danny Futuro said:
I need to get a computer for school (interactive media design courses) and the classes rely heavily on apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Flash, etc. Is the graphics memory a huge factor in the performance of these kinds of apps, or are these apps more dependent on physical ram? I'm aware of the UB/Rosetta issue and its not a factor in my decision. I already have a macbook, but I also do music production in my spare time, so I need a dedicated desktop machine so that I dont have to constantly connect/disconnect all of my audio peripherals. I have a 23" ACD which I could sell to help fund a 20" imac, but I'd rather hang onto it if the Mac Mini's graphics are upto handling the task. Mac Pro is out of the question as its just too expensive for me. I'm not buying anything until the next round of updates, so I'm in no tremendous hurry to buy.

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

I'd go with the low end iMac. More power and expandability. Go for the iMac.

Habitus :apple:
 
Habitus said:
I'd go with the low end iMac. More power and expandability. Go for the iMac.

Habitus :apple:
Click to expand...

I assume you believe the OP must clearly be in the market to replace his now 3+ year old mac mini he may or may not have purchased after asking this question.
 
Got mine, the lowest end one the offer. I upgraded the ram and
hard drive and it is very nice for Photoshop and Illustrator.
 

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eatbacon said:
I assume you believe the OP must clearly be in the market to replace his now 3+ year old mac mini he may or may not have purchased after asking this question.
Click to expand...

yeah, dunno what you people are all amped up on.

This post was from September of 2006.

I *guess* I can forgive webtintin since it might be his first post ever (I didnt look) -- but the rest of you?
 
webtintin said:
Hi,

I'm a web designer.

I'm using Mac Mini (Jan 09').

It's ok for: Flash, Html, Css, PShop, ILL.

PROBLEM : The Pshop filters crash the program cause the GCard.
but the new one Mac Mini has a new Gcard it'd be OK, NOW !!!

Few money and a good Monitor LG 24"!!

Bye
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I understand you, but the Mac Mini the OP was looking at had a dedicated graphics card, so that shouldn't be a problem for him/her either.
 
You can upgrade your ram if you using designing software unless you might be in some sort of trouble.
 
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