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Mac mini? Need advice.

M

macandipodfan

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 30, 2008
90
0
I recently sold my 2.1ghz Macbook because it wasn't fast enough for video editing.
Now I have about $900 saved for a computer. I've been thinking that I don't really need a laptop.
I'm considering purchasing a refurb 2.26ghz Mac Mini for $499, and buying a $400 1080p 37" LCD HDTV to use as a monitor.
Does this sound like a good idea? How does the mini compare performance-wise to the 2.26ghz Macbook pro? I realize the graphics performance isn't great, but I figure the 9400m on the mini is better than the X3100 on my old Macbook.
 
The resolution on the monitor won't be high enough. Everything will look blurry if you sit typical monitor distance away from it. Instead, I would recommend getting dual 23" or 24" HD monitors. You can pick them up for around $200 each so 2 of those would be MUCH better than 1 big monitor. And the mini supports dual monitors, so I don't see any reason why would wouldn't do that!
 
macandipodfan said:
I recently sold my 2.1ghz Macbook because it wasn't fast enough for video editing.
Now I have about $900 saved for a computer. I've been thinking that I don't really need a laptop.
I'm considering purchasing a refurb 2.26ghz Mac Mini for $499, and buying a $400 1080p 37" LCD HDTV to use as a monitor.
Does this sound like a good idea? How does the mini compare performance-wise to the 2.26ghz Macbook pro? I realize the graphics performance isn't great, but I figure the 9400m on the mini is better than the X3100 on my old Macbook.
Click to expand...

The 2.26GHz Mac Mini and the 2.26GHz Macbook Pro have the exact same specs. They have the same 9400M. Yes the 9400M is a HUGE improvement over the intel graphics. I say get the Mac Mini.
 
simplymuzik3 said:
The resolution on the monitor won't be high enough. Everything will look blurry if you sit typical monitor distance away from it. Instead, I would recommend getting dual 23" or 24" HD monitors. You can pick them up for around $200 each so 2 of those would be MUCH better than 1 big monitor. And the mini supports dual monitors, so I don't see any reason why would wouldn't do that!
Click to expand...

That would sound like a good idea, but I also want to use the TV for movies as well, so I'm not sure how well 2 monitors would work for that.
 
macandipodfan said:
That would sound like a good idea, but I also want to use the TV for movies as well, so I'm not sure how well 2 monitors would work for that.
Click to expand...

Are you going to the use the TV with cable? If not, then I recommend getting a nice 24in monitor from Dell, HP, or Apple. Samsung has nice TV/Monitor combos but at a smaller screen size, so if you want that, it would work as a nice monitor and a nice TV.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001335
 
MacMini2009 said:
Are you going to the use the TV with cable? If not, then I recommend getting a nice 24in monitor from Dell, HP, or Apple. Samsung has nice TV/Monitor combos but at a smaller screen size, so if you want that, it would work as a nice monitor and a nice TV.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001335
Click to expand...
I won't be using cable, but I want a TV big enough to be able to watch from 6-7 ft away.
Would getting a 32 or 37" 1080p TV and using it as a monitor about 3-4 feet away look okay? I realize that using it up close would look bad pixel-wise.
 
macandipodfan said:
I won't be using cable, but I want a TV big enough to be able to watch from 6-7 ft away.
Would getting a 32 or 37" 1080p TV and using it as a monitor about 3-4 feet away look okay? I realize that using it up close would look bad pixel-wise.
Click to expand...

I would say from 6ft-7ft away, the quality would look fine.
 
This is a good thread, Im also thinking of the same deal a nice 32" HDTV hooked up to a mini and then running hdtv from dishTV to the tv via hdmi and running netflix through the mini for on demand titles and then having my mac also. Only problem for me is that 9400 which is ok for a lot of stuff but not triple A gaming. Seems there is allway a compromise in Apples world. I also wonder what is the best way to hook up a mini to the TV for best looking picture while surfing the net.
 
Dont Hurt Me said:
This is a good thread, Im also thinking of the same deal a nice 32" HDTV hooked up to a mini and then running hdtv from dishTV to the tv via hdmi and running netflix through the mini for on demand titles and then having my mac also. Only problem for me is that 9400 which is ok for a lot of stuff but not triple A gaming. Seems there is allway a compromise in Apples world. I also wonder what is the best way to hook up a mini to the TV for best looking picture while surfing the net.
Click to expand...

The best way is this cable:

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10246&cs_id=1024603&p_id=5995&seq=1&format=2
 
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