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Mac Mini ok for me?

M

MichielM

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 13, 2005
15
0
Hi! I really badly want a Mac and have been looking for the Mini. I am considering buying the 1.42Ghz with 1Gb (from Crucial.com). My question is would this be ok for what I will do with it.

I am planning to do browsing, mailing, normal office stuff, garageband (up to how many tracks can I use simultaniously with this kind of mini?) and potentially some home video editting and creating DVDs + image editting (not too heavy stuff).

Would the mini be ok or should I go for the iMac/Powermac?

Many thanks for any replies!!!
 
I think you are the exact kind of user that Apple had in mind with the Mac mini. It should do just fine for the things you want to do. I don't have a Mac mini, but I do have a machine with similar specifications (12" 1.33 GHz Powerbook), and it does fine with all the things you've mentioned. I haven't used Garageband extensively, so I can't give an answer on the number of tracks the Mac mini will handle, hopefully someone else can tell you that. For Office, web browsing, email, iMovie and iDVD it should be just great.
 
I have that setup and it works great for all of those things. Not sure on the GarageBand question though. That is the one iApp I have not played with much. I do however run iMove, iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes, Final Cut Pro HD, Photoshop, Mail, Safari, iChat, and iCal on a regular basis. Many of them at the same time.
 
It will probably do everything you want. just dont expect to play new graphics heavy games on it (like world of warcraft)

btw: I have never used the mini myself, but looking at the graphics card it wont play 3-d games well.
 
Considering that most high end graphics cards are just as much in price as the Mac Mini, its clear that's its not a gaming machine. Sounds like you are going to have what you need!

I noticed a guy leaving the Apple store the other day with a Mac Mini. It was so strange seeing someone leaving a store with a computer that fits in a little small box with a handle. The wife is definately getting one as soon as I can unload the last POS PC in the house... :D
 
Cool! Thanks for the replies. If somebody still knows about how many tracks I can run simultaniously in Garageband with the mini and 1Gb then that would be helpfull.
 
GarageBand tracks are dependent on what plugins/effects/instruments, you're using...
 
MichielM said:
Hi! I really badly want a Mac and have been looking for the Mini. I am considering buying the 1.42Ghz with 1Gb (from Crucial.com). My question is would this be ok for what I will do with it.

I am planning to do browsing, mailing, normal office stuff, garageband (up to how many tracks can I use simultaniously with this kind of mini?) and potentially some home video editting and creating DVDs + image editting (not too heavy stuff).

Would the mini be ok or should I go for the iMac/Powermac?

Many thanks for any replies!!!
Click to expand...
With the exception of GarageBand, I bought the mini for the same reason. I've had it for a few weeks and love it.
 
MichielM said:
Cool! Thanks for the replies. If somebody still knows about how many tracks I can run simultaniously in Garageband with the mini and 1Gb then that would be helpfull.
Click to expand...

I've played around casually on my home Mac (17" iMac, 800MHz, 768MB RAM), and Garageband copes fine for me, but I'm only using around 8 simultaneous tracks with relatively few effects. Given the higher spec of the Mini (sounds funny saying that!), I'd imagine it'll cope fine unless you're a serious musician.
 
I think the Mac mini is perfect for you. The Mac mini was my first mac also and I've been using Safari (now Firefox), iTunes, Mail, iChat, iPhoto all at once with 512MB!!
 
I don't think you'll have any trouble with GarageBand. I've used it on an 800 MHZ G3 iBook (much worse processor and worse graphics card than the mini) and it is still fine to use. and if you find the mini does not have enough speed, you can replace the older RAM module and return it (so long as the rest of the machine is stock).
 
kgarner said:
I do however run iMove, iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes, Final Cut Pro HD, Photoshop, Mail, Safari, iChat, and iCal on a regular basis. Many of them at the same time.
Click to expand...

Wow, i never knew it was that fast, My pb runs FCE slow. I was at the apple store to play (not to buy but very tempting) and i was playing with a mini, while it is a cute and sexy computer i thought it was slow. It took a while to load idvd themes but so did an Imac G5. so go figure... I think i want my parents to get a mini and trash my gateway ( i had it when 98 came out and it still works :eek: )
 
Is the Mac mini´s HD fast enough for Garageband? On my old PB 17" 1,33 Garageband denied to run, stating: "Harddisk is too slow" or something like that. The PB was equipped with the 80 GB HD running on 4200 rpm
 
kgarner said:
I have that setup and it works great for all of those things. Not sure on the GarageBand question though. That is the one iApp I have not played with much. I do however run iMove, iDVD, iPhoto, iTunes, Final Cut Pro HD, Photoshop, Mail, Safari, iChat, and iCal on a regular basis. Many of them at the same time.
Click to expand...

I think you're my evil (or good?) twin.

I use the same programs. The Mac mini owns them all.

09872738 said:
Is the Mac mini´s HD fast enough for Garageband? On my old PB 17" 1,33 Garageband denied to run, stating: "Harddisk is too slow" or something like that. The PB was equipped with the 80 GB HD running on 4200 rpm
Click to expand...

That's strange, my Mac mini has the same kind of HD as yours - 80 GB/4200 RPM, and GarageBand runs fine.
 
puckhead193 said:
Wow, i never knew it was that fast, My pb runs FCE slow. I was at the apple store to play (not to buy but very tempting) and i was playing with a mini, while it is a cute and sexy computer i thought it was slow. It took a while to load idvd themes but so did an Imac G5. so go figure... I think i want my parents to get a mini and trash my gateway ( i had it when 98 came out and it still works :eek: )
Click to expand...
While I would never call my Mini a Speed Demon, it is a very capable machine. iDVD is kind of slow to launch, but I think that is pretty much an iDVD thing.

Final Cut Pro has run well for me so far. I don't do a whole lot with it, but it does seem to run fine. I am working a project right now that may put the Mini to the test, but the comps at school are just 800 MHz Dualies with a Gig of RAM and they run fine.

I think if you are a speed freak the Mini will never be what you're looking for, but for those of us that just what a responsive workspace, the Mini is great (after the RAM is upgraded).
 
Something I think may have been neglected so far is whether you have a screen or not.. If you already do, go ahead and buy the mini, but if not, you should consider how much it is actually gonna save you getting the mini over an iMac G5, and then trade that off against the G5..
 
Right, XIII made a good point, I have been looking at a nice dell 19inch widescreen monitor or then the apple cinema 20inch but then the total price goes quite close to the iMac (defenitly need the 20inch, the 17inch seems to small). Of course the advantage with a seperate monitor would be that I can change the Mac without changing the Mac+monitor (iMac).

Good to hear that garaband is working, getting closer to my decision:)
 
sparks9 said:
It will probably do everything you want. just dont expect to play new graphics heavy games on it (like world of warcraft)

btw: I have never used the mini myself, but looking at the graphics card it wont play 3-d games well.
Click to expand...

you should be able to play world of warcraft on that, just with minimal details. heck it's even playable on my G3 ibook! :D
 
MichielM said:
Right, XIII made a good point, I have been looking at a nice dell 19inch widescreen monitor or then the apple cinema 20inch but then the total price goes quite close to the iMac (defenitly need the 20inch, the 17inch seems to small). Of course the advantage with a seperate monitor would be that I can change the Mac without changing the Mac+monitor (iMac).

Good to hear that garaband is working, getting closer to my decision:)
Click to expand...

Since you are looking at buying a monitor, I would suggest getting the iMac G5. It will handle your programs better and the machine should last longer into the future. A monitor, 64MB graphics card, 7200RPM hard drive, superdrive, extra USB and Firewire ports, plus a very nice package make it worth the extra money. You have the student discount which drops the price. I would recommend Airport and the Bluetooth keyboard as upgrades. Rumor has it there will be an upgrade in April, so I would wait for that and Tiger.

I think the Mac Mini makes more sense if you already have a monitor, keyboard, and mouse you will use.

lasuther
 
I agree with the iMac advice. Just accept that if you go the iMac route, in X years whenever you want/need a new computer you'll be tossing a 17" (or 20") screen and will have to incur the price of a screen again.

Personally, I'm thrilled with my Mini + Dell 2405W monitor :)

TM
 
May I join this thread?

May I join this thread? :p
I have been debating the iMac/Mini a bit too. If I get the iMac, I need the 20" for the screen. I'm just not sure if I need the 1.8 ghz.

20" iMac 1.8ghz
160 GB HD
512 MB + 1GB from Crucial
AirPort
Bluetooth + wireless keyboard/mouse
Microsoft Office (Student Edition)
Price w/ tax: $2284.75 + $182 for extra RAM= $2466.75

Mac Mini 1.42 ghz
80 GB HD
1 GB from Crucial
Superdrive
AE + Bluetooth
Wireless keyboard/mouse
Microsoft Office
20" Cinema Display
Price w/ tax: $1897.30 + $172 for RAM = $2069.30

That's a huge savings....but will it be worth it? I know the iMac will be powerful enough, I'm just wondering about the Mini. Will the 400mhz make a big difference? I love a zippy computer (need it really). My uses: Internet, typing papers, image editing, light video editing, iTunes, watching DVD's, multi-tasking :p, PowerPoint, web design

I was thinking, I could start out on the Mini and then whenever they release the new PB (I don't mind waiting) I can sell the mini, buy a PB so I'll have the portability and just hook it up to the screen. Will the Mini sell well?

THANKS!!!
 
mariahlullaby said:
That's a huge savings....but will it be worth it? I know the iMac will be powerful enough, I'm just wondering about the Mini. Will the 400mhz make a big difference? I love a zippy computer (need it really). My uses: Internet, typing papers, image editing, light video editing, iTunes, watching DVD's, multi-tasking :p, PowerPoint, web design

I was thinking, I could start out on the Mini and then whenever they release the new PB (I don't mind waiting) I can sell the mini, buy a PB so I'll have the portability and just hook it up to the screen. Will the Mini sell well?

THANKS!!!
Click to expand...
Since you are thinking of upgrading int he not too distant future and you plan to use the screen with your new computer I would say that the Mini may be what are looking for. It is definitely fast enough for the stuff you listed. This way you save a little money now and later since you won't have to buy a monitor when you get your PowerBook.
 
Personally, i think the Mac mini is false advertising in a nut shell. The advertised little box being the whole computer is not entirely accurate. Theres actually another "little box" that tags along. Its called the power brick. The Mac minis power supply. I would have bought one had it not been for the "tag along box". If the entire computer was in that one little box(as advertised) then indeed Apple would have a rave worthy product on their hands. ;)
 
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