Which is the better mac set-up?

[jeremy6044]

(these are set-ups while at home at a desk)

Set-up Number 1:

macbook attached to external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and time machine external hdd. (all of these things i have except for the hdd)


Set-up Number 2:

instead of buying a hard drive for a backup, buy a used mac mini for the home set-up, and then just sync the two computers with .mac.


i suppose the mac mini would be more expensive than buying a hdd, but it seems like set-up number 2 is a valid option for a backup solution. and wouldn't require plugging and unplugging all the time.

what do you think?

 

[tkidBOSTON]

Setup 2 if you can afford it.
Setup 1 otherwise.

 

[odinsride]

setup 1. why over complicate things?

 

[ab2650]

If your concern is backups, don't complicate yourself with another computer.

If you have a reason for, or even just want, another computer, then a mini makes a nice simple "just works" system for not a lot.

If lack of backups is keeping you up at night, I say just get the hard drive. You'll end up buying two in the future anyway; One for the MB and one for the mini.

 

[jeremy6044]

what for? wouldn't one just serve as a backup for the other? anyway, the thought occurred to me because i already have the screen, keyboard and mouse...and a mini isn't that much bigger than an external drive. so in a way, one isn't more minimalist than the other.

 

[Squonk]

Well, #2 would allow you to put the mini on your TV and use it as your DVR.... I'm just sayin'

 

[QCassidy352]

so in a way, one isn't more minimalist than the other.

I think he was saying that you have to worry about keeping two computers in sync... well, that or have to worry about having the right files on each one.

I use a macbook with an external set up just like you describe, and it works well. That said, I'd love to have a second computer instead because the macbook is constantly getting hot as heck and having the fans come on full blast when hooked up to all that. Plus you get more usb ports on a mini (and I personally am out of usb ports on my set up). And finally, like you say, the constant plugging and unplugging is annoying.

But if money's an issue, setup #1 works just fine.

 

[Bobfl]

Buy an HDD

I got a 320 Gb external drive for $79 hooked it up, set up time machine and forgot about it. Works great for low $$$

 

[seany916]

Good luck finding one, but there are other eHD manufacturers as well. Instead of a Mac Mini which will be next to useless in a year...

http://www.g-technology.com/Products/G-SAFE.cfm

something like this if you're THAT concerned about backing your stuff up.

I regularly archive onto DVD important documents and such. When BR or HD-DVD is established, it'll make larger projects easier to archive.

I don't like #2. Just MHO.

How often do your HDs fail you and why is backup so important? Regular backups to high quality external drives has worked fine for us.

 

[ivan1234]

I'd go with #1, its signifianctly cheaper and I don't like having more than 1 computer.

 

[Consultant]

Good luck finding one, but there are other eHD manufacturers as well. Instead of a Mac Mini which will be next to useless in a year...

Mini won't be useless.

It can output HD video at 1080
It has front row, similar to Apple TV
It has gigabit ethernet
It has remote
It can play console games (such as NES, N64)
And more...

But as a backup solution, hardrive might be better. If you want an entertainment computer anyway, get a Mini. Choices...

 

[jeremy6044]

can't decide.

external hdd is about $120 it seems

mini on ebay about $400

plus, if i do option one i'm going to want to get a wireless mouse and keyboard to get rid of the cords...and anyway, i don't have that many usb ports on my macbook....so that'll take the cost up to what $250?

btw, does anybody use an ipod for backup (in addition to music)? seems like it would be a cheap substitute to buying an external hard drive.