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wish they would come out with mac pro mini or something

M

Mikebuzzsaw

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
409
4
Los Angeles, CA
I really want to use a large external monitor.... but the mac mini won't cut it when it comes to performance. iMac comes with a monitor so no. Mac Pro is overkill for what I need it for.

I wish apple would come out with something in between. Better yet a more afforadable version mac pro. My only options now is a used quad core mac pro or a new mbp.



/rant
 
But you can connect to a Mini an 24" LCD with a 1920x1200 resolution. I don't see any problems here...
 
Mac users have been looking for something between the Mini and the Pro for some time. There would seem to be a ready market for a small tower Mac. :apple:
 
opeter said:
But you can connect to a Mini an 24" LCD with a 1920x1200 resolution. I don't see any problems here...
Click to expand...

Until you try doing something more than just watching YouTube. The built-in video does kinda suck! Perhaps Apple should consider sticking a mobile gfx chip in there.

That said, the mini wasn't ever meant to be a main system, it's created for switcher to test out the mac platform...hence cheap entry price.
 
UltraNEO* said:
Until you try doing something more than just watching YouTube. The built-in video does kinda suck! Perhaps Apple should consider sticking a mobile gfx chip in there.

That said, the mini wasn't ever meant to be a main system, it's created for switcher to test out the mac platform...hence cheap entry price.
Click to expand...

the mini is actually a main system for people who don't do heavy video/photo work, gaming, etc. some people just want a basic mac.
 
Could always sell your monitor and get an iMac.

I agree - I think there would be a large market for a macpro mini - however I think it goes against Apples design principles as lots of wires need to be used!

You can tell Steve isn't a fan of the mini for this reason which I guess is why it is rarely updated.
 
I have my Mac mini connected to a 20" LCD with 1600x1200 resolution trough DVI and i am doing quite hevy stuff (illustrations) on it and graphically it doesnt slow down.

Today i just ordered 2x2 GB RAM sticks, because this is the only thing that i need more inside the Mini.
 
Mikebuzzsaw said:
I wish apple would come out with something in between. Better yet a more afforadable version mac pro. My only options now is a used quad core mac pro or a new mbp.
Click to expand...

I wish people would stop making xMac threads. They won't do it because it would cannibalize iMac and Mac Pro sales. "No, it woul-" Shut up, yes it would. People would by the xMac instead of the iMac to get their own screen and the xMac instead of the Mac Pro because of "unnecessary" cost and power.
 
Tallest Skil said:
I wish people would stop making xMac threads. They won't do it because it would cannibalize iMac and Mac Pro sales. "No, it woul-" Shut up, yes it would. People would by the xMac instead of the iMac to get their own screen and the xMac instead of the Mac Pro because of "unnecessary" cost and power.
Click to expand...

I created this thread more to find a solution to my problem. Should I just buy a used mac pro or something.
 
usb screens

Hey,

You can get a box which is connected through usb to your mac (mini). It doesn't support big screens (a max of 1440:1040 something), but you will be able to have 2 screens. That must increase your work space. You need to install displaylink for that. On their website you can find more information. But dual screen on the mac mini is definitely possible. Here is a link with compatible hardware (most run on the mac, maybe even all, but I'm not sure). http://www.displaylink.com/shop.html
 
Mikebuzzsaw said:
I created this thread more to find a solution to my problem. Should I just buy a used mac pro or something.
Click to expand...

Dude... What is it your looking for?

Do you need all the processing power of the MacPro minus the storage space and the huge memory capacity? or... don't you need all the slots? Call me curious... but you know, just because Apple provide the space and ports, it doesn't mean you have to use them all!

Anyway, what's wrong with the 24" iMac (1920 by 1200 px)?
I'm sure the screen is big enough for most applications, you even have a choice of actual video chips.. plus the processing power is fairly decent and the price is great!! OK.. RAM is limited to about 4Gb according to Apple, but since it's Santa Rosa based, i'm sure you'll get it up to 8Gb without a hitch.

Oh I get it, you're a former PC user who like to tweak every little aspect... Right? Why not go for Hacintosh and roll you own? Jesus, there's just no satisfying some people... :rolleyes:
 
Mikebuzzsaw said:
I created this thread more to find a solution to my problem. Should I just buy a used mac pro or something.
Click to expand...

That is probably best. The first generation dual-core Mac Pros (with two CPUs) are now down around $1500 or less on eBay with good RAM and HDD capacities. You might find better deals on your local Craigslist or Classifieds, especially for single CPU models.
 
Father Jack said:
Mac users have been looking for something between the Mini and the Pro for some time. There would seem to be a ready market for a small tower Mac. :apple:
Click to expand...

Heartily 2nd this.

Apple refusal to make a Mac that i want to buy has kept me in PC land.

A pumped up iMac specced machine without a screen but with a PCI E card and 4 DIMM slots would be very, very desirable.
 
Tallest Skil said:
I wish people would stop making xMac threads. They won't do it because it would cannibalize iMac and Mac Pro sales. "No, it woul-" Shut up, yes it would. People would by the xMac instead of the iMac to get their own screen and the xMac instead of the Mac Pro because of "unnecessary" cost and power.
Click to expand...

So? What if it does cannibalize imac sales? That just means sales will shift from one of Apple's computer to another. They are still selling their computers, and still making money. And since a lot of who didn't buy a mac because they didn't offer something like a Mac Pro Mini now did, Apple would sell even more Macs than they currently do.

After all, the iMac should be for people who want an all-in-one computer, not just for people who want a computer, period. Different people have different needs.
 
CubeHacker said:
So? What if it does cannibalize imac sales? That just means sales will shift from one of Apple's computer to another. They are still selling their computers, and still making money. And since a lot of who didn't buy a mac because they didn't offer something like a Mac Pro Mini now did, Apple would sell even more Macs than they currently do.

After all, the iMac should be for people who want an all-in-one computer, not just for people who want a computer, period. Different people have different needs.
Click to expand...

You're right; that's how it should be... but Steve doesn't care about people's needs. Steve NEVER wanted the end-user to be able to upgrade the computer. That's why the original Macintosh was an all-in-one.
 
UltraNEO* said:
Until you try doing something more than just watching YouTube. The built-in video does kinda suck! Perhaps Apple should consider sticking a mobile gfx chip in there.

That said, the mini wasn't ever meant to be a main system, it's created for switcher to test out the mac platform...hence cheap entry price.
Click to expand...

I watched an HD episode of "The Office" that I downloaded for free from iTunes last night on my 2GHz C2D Mini (I wanted to check the quality of the HD). The mini performed without a hiccup. I'm sure that if I tried to run Logic Pro (with Amplitube which is a processor hog) on my Mini instead of my Macbook Pro, it would give the Mini some issues, but in all honesty the Mini's been a real workhorse for editing home movies in iMovie, converting home movies in VisualHub, and ripping DVD's in Handbrake. Cut it a little slack:).
 
I wish people would stop making xMac threads. They won't do it because it would cannibalize iMac and Mac Pro sales. "No, it woul-" Shut up, yes it would. People would by the xMac instead of the iMac to get their own screen and the xMac instead of the Mac Pro because of "unnecessary" cost and power.
Click to expand...

Yep, that is the sad reality.


Guys....

The original CRT iMac G3s were marketed as entry-level machines. Those more of less got replaced by eMacs, while Apple marketed the new "iLamp" iMac G4 as their new mid-range machine. And the iMac's mid-range positioning has remained the same ever since.

As much as I would also like to see the Mac Mini die, putting the iMac back to the entry level, while a new mid-range Mac tower is offered, that is highly doubtful. Entry level PCs are well under $1,000 even with a monitor and entry-level sales would suffer tremendously if the iMac became the entry machine, especially at its current starting price.

It's truly a matter of dollars and cents, not necessarily Steve Jobs wanting to minimize "clutter" and cabling.
 
I just wish Apple would drop the price of the Mac Pro by $300 to $1999/$2499 so it would be the same price or cheaper then damn near every single and dual-CPU PowerMac G4 and PowerMac G5 ever released which would either end the debate right there.
 
UltraNEO* said:
Dude... What is it your looking for?

Do you need all the processing power of the MacPro minus the storage space and the huge memory capacity? or... don't you need all the slots? Call me curious... but you know, just because Apple provide the space and ports, it doesn't mean you have to use them all!

Anyway, what's wrong with the 24" iMac (1920 by 1200 px)?
I'm sure the screen is big enough for most applications, you even have a choice of actual video chips.. plus the processing power is fairly decent and the price is great!! OK.. RAM is limited to about 4Gb according to Apple, but since it's Santa Rosa based, i'm sure you'll get it up to 8Gb without a hitch.

Oh I get it, you're a former PC user who like to tweak every little aspect... Right? Why not go for Hacintosh and roll you own? Jesus, there's just no satisfying some people... :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I want an iMac without a monitor. I need the graphics card and I just want to use an external monitor so I can get a bigger one 24+ or two 20's. Mac Pro is too powerful and also cost way too much more than I want to spend.
 
Mikebuzzsaw said:
I want an iMac without a monitor. I need the graphics card and I just want to use an external monitor so I can get a bigger one 24+ or two 20's. Mac Pro is too powerful and also cost way too much more than I want to spend.
Click to expand...

Boils it down to the basics of the debate.

Sensible, direct and to the point post.

Still, when has Apple been sensible eh? ;)
 
Tallest Skil said:
I wish people would stop making xMac threads. They won't do it because it would cannibalize iMac and Mac Pro sales. "No, it woul-" Shut up, yes it would. People would by the xMac instead of the iMac to get their own screen and the xMac instead of the Mac Pro because of "unnecessary" cost and power.
Click to expand...

Apple's a cannibalistic company, what's wrong with an xMac? :p
 
Buy a MBP and keep it in clamshell mode.. and hey, on the road? Unplug and carry! :eek:
 
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