Why is it... (being talked out of buying Mac Mini)

[Vic 20]

Everytime I walk into a computer store and say I'm looking to buy a Mac Mini the sales rep tries to talk me out of it.

Is anyone on here using a Mini with Sketchup and autocad Lt (through windows). I do pretty much 2d basic cad drawings, word documents, create pdf via CS2 and some small photoshop editing.
I think the new mini would be capable of carrying out these tasks pretty comfortably. I intend to put 8gb of memory in as well.

I don't fancy getting an iMac

 

[stridemat]

If you want Mini, then I would just walk into a store and purchase one. It should work ok for what you want it to do.

 

[BlindSoul]

Maybe the reason the sellers there are taking you out of the Mac Mini is because it's like the cheapest computer Apple is selling. And they probably take you into iMac or a MacBook because it's more expensive. I believe the programs you wanna run will run perfectly.

 

[kazmac]

Agreed

Go in and buy what you want, not what the sales rep wants. I'm probably going to buy a mini too as my patience with the iMacs have worn down.

Or you could buy the mini online if that would make you feel more at ease.

As far as the software, I can't answser that.

 

[BlindSoul]

CS2 Is old really, You'll run everything perfectly... Just go and buy it!!!

 

[Kebabselector]

CS2 runs via rosetta, so it's not as fast as it should be. That said it ran o.k. on my 1gb 1.66ghz MacMini a few years back. So it should be better now.

 

[UAKJ]

The mini will work just fine for what you need. I use my new mini (2.4ghz 4gb) to run autocad electrical 2009 and cs4 master collection. I am using vmware fusion and have had no trouble at all. Go ahead and purchase your mini, you won't regret it.

 

[LittleEskimo]

I have been searching if it could do functions like these as well, since about January(in my case, cs4 master collection).

Here are some really good video reviews of some performance tasks that you might find useful. It opens up adobe suite programs really quick, including such a beast as after effects.

I have done a ton of research on the performance of late 09 mac mini, and even the old 2.26 with 2gb mini in the links below does well. It's no imac of course with the faster hd's cpu's ect. But it does well, I haven't really heard anything of it being slow from reviews ect. for the type of things you are talking about doing.

Have been a pc user, will be picking one up hopefully this week as my first and new computer/mac Then I will smack that mini with cs4 master collection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U77Xm7R6EzA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCP5IIVNeKs

 

[mrsir2009]

They just want to sell you something more expensive. So just walk in there and buy one. Don't talk to them about it. Just get it

You don't need a better computer, but they still want you to buy one.

 

[BlindSoul]

This thread is just a waste of time. A Year ago i had an half slower laptop [ PC with Windows 7 ] And it ran me the softwares you listed perfectly without any issues. So i'm sure on the Mac Mini it'll run even better.

 

[LittleEskimo]

I partially agree. Nothing wrong with checking things out. But I also think a lot of people (especially video people) are ridiculous when it comes to any suggestions regarding what kind of power you will need for various tasks, even if you are not doing anything close to video. They always laugh at me when I tell them I'm planning on getting a mac mini, lol. "Oh my gosh, you can't get one of those for web or graphic design!" lol.

On the other note. Every time I talk to people from apple in store/chat/phone, they always tell you that the mac mini is not powerful enough for any remedial work. Just their innocent pretty little way of saying, WE WANT YOUR MONEY.

 

[Vic 20]

Thanks for the replies. With no access to an Apple store to check them out, it's difficult to tell what is a good or bad machine. Time to spend €1000.

 

[a2applegirl]

I agree that the salespeople are just trained to try to upsell the mini to a more expensive machine. The mini will work perfectly with what are you are planning on running on it.

I bought my mini server in the mac store near me and the sales guy tried to talk me out of it by saying that the external superdrive wasn't supported on it. I pointed him to the link on apple's own webstore and website that showed that the drive WAS supported on the mini server. I asked for a different sales person. Problem solved.

 

[LittleEskimo]

Thanks for the replies. With no access to an Apple store to check them out, it's difficult to tell what is a good or bad machine. Time to spend €1000.

Try looking at your local best buy if you have one. The one by me recently got in a new mini on display. It feels snappier and faster than the 2.53 09.

 

[trip1ex]

Cheapest Apple computer with lowest margins is one reason why they steer customers to iMacs and Macbooks.

Also an iMac is a good deal for many customers. $500 difference. YOu get monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, web cam, more hard drive, more ram, faster cpu, ......

 

[archipellago]

They just want to sell you something more expensive. So just walk in there and buy one. Don't talk to them about it. Just get it

You don't need a better computer, but they still want you to buy one.

He can buy much better for much less, I think the sales guy is trying to do you a favour...

 

[mangrove]

Thanks for the replies. With no access to an Apple store to check them out, it's difficult to tell what is a good or bad machine. Time to spend €1000.

I use an new 8GB mini with a 500GB HD and I got the 2.66. I also have an older 2009 mini and I can tell the new mini's video card is much better to me. I am running an HP ZR30w-the new 30" IPS monitor and it is beautiful.

I must say that I do not work my mini like you would. I normally have email plus 3-4 Safari applications open simultaneously and have no problems, but these perhaps are not very CPU intensive. Some had hoped for quad cores in them, but I needed it now not a year from now.