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Necessary Specs for Home Theater Mini

A

AnthonyCM

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 17, 2007
202
7
My 2009 model is practically dead, and I'm sick of seeing beachballs anyway. Here's how I use the Mini:

  • iTunes music and movies
  • YouTube videos
  • Flash videos
  • Some browsing
  • Very light gaming

The Mini is connected to a receiver, which is connected to a 60" TV. I want the best streaming video possible (yes, I realize a lot of that depends on my connection), and I don't mind spending money, but I also don't want to waste.

I know I'm going to get the 1TB Fusion drive and 8 GB RAM. Which processor would best fill my needs? I'm going to wait just to make sure nothing is announced at WWDC, and then I would like to order from the refurb store as soon as the necessary model is available.

Thanks to all.
-anthony
 
Any of the current mini processors have more than enough power to play 1080p video without issues. You'd have to look up the reviews for the HD 5000 vs the Iris 5100 iGPU to see if you would benefit from the increased graphics power of the upper range models for "very light gaming".

You could even try throwing an SSD and 8GB RAM in the 2009 model. It usually takes care of the beachball problem.
 
I have an early 2009 base model Mini, which has mostly been on 24/7, in sleep mode when not in use. I reckon it has plenty of general use left in it.

It did get slow with frequent beach balls about three years ago, but with an additional 4GB RAM (along side the original 1 GB, so now 5 GB in all) and an upgrade to Mountain Lion it was transformed…. like getting a new computer, which still works fine.

I'll probably replace the original 120 GB HDD some time soon, probably with a 500 GB HDD. I may also replace the 1GB RAM with another 4 GB to pair the other, thus make 8 GB RAM in total.

The SSD option is interesting, but not so cost effective for my needs; capacity is more important than snappiness. Slower boot time and opening apps do not bother me; once open everything runs OK from my point of view.

I have not upgraded to Mavericks or Yosemite, and am unlikely to bother. I'll leave getting the latest OS till when I get a new Mini in a couple or three years.

The new Mac Mini is almost certainly coming:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1681773/
 
I'd just get the entry level model, maybe with a 8GB RAM upgrade possibly. For a HTPC it will do just fine.
 
AnthonyCM said:
My 2009 model is practically dead, and I'm sick of seeing beachballs anyway. Here's how I use the Mini:

  • iTunes music and movies
  • YouTube videos
  • Flash videos
  • Some browsing
  • Very light gaming

The Mini is connected to a receiver, which is connected to a 60" TV. I want the best streaming video possible (yes, I realize a lot of that depends on my connection), and I don't mind spending money, but I also don't want to waste.

I know I'm going to get the 1TB Fusion drive and 8 GB RAM. Which processor would best fill my needs? I'm going to wait just to make sure nothing is announced at WWDC, and then I would like to order from the refurb store as soon as the necessary model is available.

Thanks to all.
-anthony
Click to expand...

As a HTPC, even the base 1.4GHz mini will do you fine with an FD, but for the sake of future proofing and reserve horsepower, go for the 2.6GHz variant with 8GB RAM and 1TB FD, that's the sweet spot config.
 
No idea where the OP gets the idea that any special cpu is necessary for his use. :confused:

As others have noted, the base mini will do everything you mentioned with no problems and until it breaks.
 
Well, by the time I update the RAM and storage the 1.4 (new) is as expensive as the 2.8 refurb. Guess the choice has been made.
 
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