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Mac Mini or Custom PC?

D

droalex

macrumors member
Original poster
Mar 24, 2008
49
0
I'm currently looking to upgrade to the new gen mac minis. I'm not new to macs I'm currently using a 1.66 Duo 2GB Ram mac mini.

How much faster are the newer mac minis when it comes to converting video (800MB DVD Rip to H264)? Using visual hub, thats my primary complaint about my current mac mini it takes forever to convert video. I want to know if I would get major better performance.

I could get a quad core computer on windows side for about the same price but no mac OS =[
 
I'd get the cheapest quad core PC you can build or buy. The new Mac minis aren't going to shave enough time off any previous dual core model to be of any value.

Handbrake runs on Windows and it does so very well.
 
I'm going to be the first to say that you should get a Mac Mini 2.26GHz. You will only see slight speed benefits over your current Mac Mini at first (expect around 10-20% decrease in encoding time), but when Snow Leopard comes out and software such as Handbrake starts to use OpenCL, this speed increase will completely trounce any quad core PC.
 
geoffreak said:
I'm going to be the first to say that you should get a Mac Mini 2.23GHz. You will only see slight speed benefits over your current Mac Mini at first (expect around 10-20% decrease in encoding time), but when Snow Leopard comes out and software such as Handbrake starts to use OpenCL, this speed increase will completely trounce any quad core PC.
Click to expand...

Why do a handful of people say 2.23GHz, does it say 2.23GHz in About this Mac or somewhere else? Sorry, I'm just wondering.
 
Consultant said:
There are no pc of that size and price that is as quiet as a mini.
Click to expand...

Is the form factor and volume a concern though? There are much better deals to be had for converting video. You could probably build a ddr3 C2Q hackintosh for close tot he price of a mini, and still run osx on it.
 
droalex said:
I'm currently looking to upgrade to the new gen mac minis. I'm not new to macs I'm currently using a 1.66 Duo 2GB Ram mac mini.

How much faster are the newer mac minis when it comes to converting video (800MB DVD Rip to H264)? Using visual hub, thats my primary complaint about my current mac mini it takes forever to convert video. I want to know if I would get major better performance.

I could get a quad core computer on windows side for about the same price but no mac OS =[
Click to expand...

Well, what are your reasons for originally buying a Mini? In other words, was a hassle-free OS the only reason for choosing the Mini? No answer will really satisfy you unless we're aware of all the things that are important to you in considering a new computer.
 
xIGmanIx said:
based on what? Also, PC allows for upgrades and flexibility that the mini does not
Click to expand...

Do you have a candidate in mind for something quieter than the Mini? A quick Google search shows several reviews that generally tout the Mini's quiet operation. And the Mini does allow for upgrades -- see all those USB and Firewire slots in the back? Of course those count. Apple allows you to upgrade in a different manner than your generic PC box.
 
Tenebrous said:
Do you have a candidate in mind for something quieter than the Mini? A quick Google search shows several reviews that generally tout the Mini's quiet operation. And the Mini does allow for upgrades -- see all those USB and Firewire slots in the back? Of course those count. Apple allows you to upgrade in a different manner than your generic PC box.
Click to expand...

5 usb ports and one firewire is nothing to brag about. I spent less than 599 on my hac and it has 8 usb ports and 2 firewire400. AND i can upgrade the videocard. The mini is very quiet and small, but dont come in here and say its as upgradable as a tower pc, or even a micro-atx pc, just because it has usb ports. Do you think we are all retarded?
 
I would go with a PC desktopm you already have a macmini , the macmini would be a nice media hub whle the pc desktop which will cost little be a nice work donkey for you.
 
droalex said:
I'm currently looking to upgrade to the new gen mac minis. I'm not new to macs I'm currently using a 1.66 Duo 2GB Ram mac mini.

How much faster are the newer mac minis when it comes to converting video (800MB DVD Rip to H264)? Using visual hub, thats my primary complaint about my current mac mini it takes forever to convert video. I want to know if I would get major better performance.

I could get a quad core computer on windows side for about the same price but no mac OS =[
Click to expand...
Read this and check out some of the links.
 
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