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MacMini i5 2012 vs MBPro i7 2011

Giuanniello

Giuanniello

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 21, 2012
778
214
Capri - Italy
My main machine is an old but powerful late 2011 MPRro with 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM, the most task intense activity is photo editing with LightRoom, no big deal but some 36MP files which make fans spin...

I would like to get an used MacMini to handle the photo catalogue and thought of a 2012 or later Mini but with a budget of 300euros or so, I can then use my 1TB SSD and upgrade RAM to at least 8GB but wondering if switching from my i7 to a more recent i5 CPU would make a difference towards lower end rather than at least equal.

Grazie
 
if you can get a functional QuaDCore 2012 (all i7 Version are QuadCore) for around 300 Euro then you are very lucky i guess. Prices are still high, i am wondering who drives those prices ...

All the Best for your Photgraphy ! I am planning to buy a Entry-Level Sony Cam hopefully soon :) (and spend less on Computers... ;)

Ciao.
[doublepost=1563786969][/doublepost]This is the camera i am planning to buy

https://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_cybershot_dsc_hx350_review

Do you think it is a good entry point for around 250 to 300 Euro?
 
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I haven't found anything with an i7 CPU in the 300 euros range, those within that limit are i5 ones and as such I don't know if, computational power wise, I'd be on a loss.

The camera you mention I won't spend anything on, I'd rater get an used mirrorless to start with, a couple more hundred bucks for a Fuji X-E2 or Pro1 and the 18-55 to begin with, much higher quality and room for upgrade with other lenses.

Best
 
the 2011 server macmini i7 (also quad) sells in this area (even quite below) and is computationally speaking not much behind the ivy bridge models (the gpu are quite shallow on both models , intel hd3000 vs hd4000).

I'd like to start with a "new" camera (not used) and i feel attracted by the "bridge" design. I do understand that one is locked in with such a camera ... but is this not a + when trying to learn photography , rather an all-round camera than a professional one (with different lenses etc.).?
 
A D-SLR with interchangeable lenses would allow you to use the same body and expand capabilities by buying dedicated lenses whereas a bridge will not only keep you in a cage but would also come down a lot of compromises quality wise first and foremost distortions and max aperture but sure is a good way to start.

Mini wise I am dealing for a 2011 i7 and a 2012 i5, dunno where to lead to, I have a restricted budget and my beloved MBPro late 2011 is showing signs of bad health...
 
i bought a used 2011 (dualcore) i7 off ebay not so long ago (it was sold as defective, but turned out quite perfectionally functioning > the listing said radeon-gpu issues; i upgraded ram and 512 gb ssd, and noticed no problems, but i ran older editions of osx like mavericks and yosemite> also apple hardware test reported no errors > but maybe with newer os like elcapitan or sierra there could have problems) .. decided to sell it .. i would advise you in any way to aim for a quadcore.. the dualcore i found a bit underwhelming, and i am no pro user.

the fuji is beyond my budget atm, but will keep in mind, thank you very much for your suggestion!
 
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