Apple Mac Mini, anyone got or getting one?

P00t · Mar 7, 2005

I've been looking too get into the scene of macs for some time.
Wanted to up my knowledge of as many platforms etc as I can so your ready for anything.

Sexy Pics:

Then the Apple Mac Mini comes out and im like scratching my nuts in anticipation to use the buy button and order one.
My antipation is held back with will I like it or will it just sit collecting dust.
Theres alos limitations to upgrades like:
Upto 1gig Ram
DVD Writer (expensive fuckin Optical drives)
I have no Mac Flat panel so to finish off I would want a 23" Studio (in time to come)

Thats just the few bits of allot thats bugging me.

Fair enough Apples trying to get everyone from average PC users too old timers with old macs to update to this low budget system.

I really can't decide, its a brainwash at the moment.

There are a few advantages to me which are:
I can sell my guitar amp and use this.
I can learn some Mac shit.
Better Job perspectives (more experience, less training for the company)
And of course its proberly 60% more reliable than Microsofts Nancy pants.

I really don't know.....what would you do?

Anyone got one or ordered one?

roker · Mar 7, 2005

I was thinking of buying just to be able to use Apple OS X

no other reason, because it's scant if compared to PC setups at the same price

but you know what?

I'm tired of fucking with win XP and other bullshit

I don't do any PC gaming either

not sonic · Mar 7, 2005

imo, its the best value ive seen for a mac, but you can build a pc thats leaps and bounds better for the same cost.

P00t · Mar 7, 2005

roker said:
I was thinking of buying just to be able to use Apple OS X

no other reason, because it's scant if compared to PC setups at the same price

but you know what?

I'm tired of fucking with win XP and other bullshit

I don't do any PC gaming either

Yeah theres the price of a PC setup with one Peripheral on a MAC lols.

I see where your coming from, I myself have learnt lots of things on PC's, but ive just about got bored of the same shit.

I was talking to a flash guy with a BMW the other day and I said "What you do for a living" he replied with "I have my own printing company" I said "Oh yeah, nice one, you have any jobs at the moment (posh voice)" he said "Yeah we are looking for a couple designers at the moment" I said "Oh right (posh voice) I'd be interested if your willing to set up an interview" he said "Yeah I can do that, but first I know you have PC experience (Being that I was at work in a computer supply shop) but can you use macs and Photoshop" I said "Tiny Photo shop skills and no Mac Experience".......from then on it was end of discussion, so I sorta thought shit everyone use's macs and PC's are mainly a Home Computer now days.

So gathering that stupid conversation I had above with 'Mr Flash BMW own printing company guy with fat wallet' I need some Mac experience to open my options wider.

roker · Mar 7, 2005

I'm going to wait for the second generation to come out

I'm sure they'll beef up the processor and allow more ram

asshat · Mar 7, 2005

not sonic said:
imo, its the best value ive seen for a mac, but you can build a pc thats leaps and bounds better for the same cost.

Yeah, you could also buy a Chevrolet (Daewoo) Aveo instead of a Mini-Cooper.

I have owned an i-Mac for 2 years now and it's rock solid. I won't allow any x86 crap in my household unless it runs Mandrake.

PS: The 1 gig limitation is not such a big deal. I had 512mb for about 6 months before upgrading to 1 gig and didn't notice any noticable performance increases. I also wouldn't worry about 'limitations.' The Apple Cube (the grandfather to the Mini) was pretty limited when it came out but now they are still releasing new hardware for it. Expect a kit soon for dual 1.6ghz G4's for Cubes coming soon.

PPS: Ask anybody. Apple knows it's going to take time getting G5's in their powerbooks (as well as fresh new G5's) so the last few software updates have incorporated new optimized drivers for various chips that actually improve the performance of the computer.

P00t · Mar 7, 2005

asshat said:
Yeah, you could also buy a Chevrolet (Daewoo) Aveo instead of a Mini-Cooper.

I have owned an i-Mac for 2 years now and it's rock solid. I won't allow any x86 crap in my household unless it runs Mandrake.

PS: The 1 gig limitation is not such a big deal. I had 512mb for about 6 months before upgrading to 1 gig and didn't notice any noticable performance increases. I also wouldn't worry about 'limitations.' The Apple Cube (the grandfather to the Mini) was pretty limited when it came out but now they are still releasing new hardware for it. Expect a kit soon for dual 1.6ghz G4's for Cubes coming soon.

PPS: Ask anybody. Apple knows it's going to take time getting G5's in their powerbooks (as well as fresh new G5's) so the last few software updates have incorporated new optimized drivers for various chips that actually improve the performance of the computer.

Is that a Promised Upgrade Pack for the Apple Cube?
I pretty much fancied one of those to be honest, I was still abit figity about that.

I was reading on some Mac forums that The Mini has a few issues with Photoshop etc with Ram usage causing lock ups and many say 1gig should be the standard pack.
You see I really don't know, should I guy a Cube then?

asshat · Mar 7, 2005

Snake-Eyes said:
Is that a Promised Upgrade Pack for the Apple Cube?
I pretty much fancied one of those to be honest, I was still abit figity about that.

I was reading on some Mac forums that The Mini has a few issues with Photoshop etc with Ram usage causing lock ups and many say 1gig should be the standard pack.
You see I really don't know, should I guy a Cube then?

It's not an official Apple product. Check out: http://www.cubeowner.com/index.php

The Cube will cost more in the long run but will be a hell of a lot more unique. Apparently the Cube still has a cult following. Someone in Japan is making a new improved case for it that looks just like a baby G5 case for better ventilation.

If I were buying a new Mac today I'd go Cube. But that's only because I'm a geek.

Poison Sama · Mar 7, 2005

I'll be buying one in a day or 2.
Gonna buy a 512mb RAM chip elsewhere on the same day.
512mb should be more than enough for what the mini can really handle.

It comes with a VGA adapter so you can use any monitor with it.

I wanted to wait for the next gen, but as it is, its already ~10 times faster than what I've got now. I wanted a cube, but I'm too lazy to do all the upgrades on it. It would probably cost around the same when fully upgraded anyway.

Oh, and it is technically possible to over-clock the mini's cpu...

asshat said:
Someone in Japan is making a new improved case for it that looks just like a baby G5 case for better ventilation.

I thought that has already been done?
I remember seeing something like that a few months ago.

RabbitTroop · Mar 7, 2005

I'll do this again here, since no one goes to that other place.

VLC skips like a mofo during video playback, haven't figured out why yet... best guess is slow hard drives. It's not quiet, that was disappointing. and, not pictured: external power supply that is bigger than the mini itself. Not to mention you don't even get a keyboard or mouse with it, so tack on another $50 or so there... Memory is weak, airport/bluetooth access should be included in the base price, at least airport... and... I'd never touch a first rev Mac. However, the one at work is going strong, even if we are very disappointed in it's video playback performance (many people were eying them as media machines.)

I think for the cash it's a rip... the iMac is a way better machine for a similar price.. and if you start adding on a LCD and etc, I think a bit cheaper. They are pretty cool, but.. I'm not impressed with cube2.

roker · Mar 7, 2005

nruva said:
I'll do this again here, since no one goes to that other place.

other place?

P00t · Mar 7, 2005

roker said:
other place?

Hell I think

RabbitTroop · Mar 7, 2005

Snake-Eyes said:
Hell I think

The new hell, with pink sheets.

roker · Mar 7, 2005

nruva said:
The new hell, with pink sheets.

anyway, an iMac is like 1299 starting

if I have a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse, 500 hundred really isn't that bad mate (I don't know what I threw in some British slang, but I'm rolling with it for now, cheers)

RabbitTroop · Mar 7, 2005

roker said:
anyway, an iMac is like 1299 starting

if I have a monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse, 500 hundred really isn't that bad mate (I don't know what I threw in some British slang, but I'm rolling with it for now, cheers)

The computer will be fine for many I guess, just wasn't what I was expecting... bit let down is all.

roker · Mar 7, 2005

nruva said:
The computer will be fine for many I guess, just wasn't what I was expecting... bit let down is all.

I'm waiting for 2nd genny, I don't need one right now (low on the pents mate), but if I'm going to pursue a masters, then I'll fancy me a new comp (hopefully the 2nd genny will be out by then), just to give the Apple OS x a whirl

cheers

P00t · Mar 7, 2005

nruva said:
The computer will be fine for many I guess, just wasn't what I was expecting... bit let down is all.

they have said its not a gaming machine.

That said World of warcraft is supposed to work fine (Shawn proof)

Luckily im not much of a gamer (pc wise) so thats not one of my listed disadvantages.

I would expect the dvd movies etc to run well and nobodys really complained about that.
Its really hard to make a descision at this moment. I just saw a load of cuube parts on ebay and I was thinking of building my own, but there I still dont know what to do for the best and I know Jack shit about Mac hardware.....yet.

@ Roker, you do a really bad impression of english slang...quit while you still can :angry:

roker · Mar 7, 2005

Snake-Eyes said:
@ Roker, you do a really bad impression of english slang...quit while you still can

oh well, I only picked up a little

my friends used to say "bloody" "mate" "cheers" and "wanker" a lot

other than that, I guess I didn't pick up much

I wasn't trying to take the piss on you or something

:angry:

Poison Sama · Mar 7, 2005

nruva said:
VLC skips like a mofo during video playback, haven't figured out why yet... best guess is slow hard drives.

Did you try messing with the altivec option?

RabbitTroop · Mar 7, 2005

Snake-Eyes said:
they have said its not a gaming machine.

That said World of warcraft is supposed to work fine (Shawn proof)

Luckily im not much of a gamer (pc wise) so thats not one of my listed disadvantages.

I would expect the dvd movies etc to run well and nobodys really complained about that.
Its really hard to make a descision at this moment. I just saw a load of cuube parts on ebay and I was thinking of building my own, but there I still dont know what to do for the best and I know Jack shit about Mac hardware.....yet.

@ Roker, you do a really bad impression of english slang...quit while you still can

Heh, I've owned Macs my entire computer life... Never played games... honestly this machine was a let down to me, a big Mac dork.

RabbitTroop · Mar 7, 2005

Hentai Sama said:
Did you try messing with the altivec option?

All settings for quality and playback were tweaked with. It sits in our testing lab (we've got others on order) so people were having a go with it. We could get it to play smoothly for a while, but every 10 mins or so it would hiccup.

P00t · Mar 7, 2005

roker said:
oh well, I only picked up a little

my friends used to say "bloody" "mate" "cheers" and "wanker" a lot

other than that, I guess I didn't pick up much

I wasn't trying to take the piss on you or something

neh no worrys I was only joking man. :emb:

Rassilon · Mar 8, 2005

I really like it. I would buy one, except that i just bought a new powerbook last year, and cant justify it. Plus my powerbook is faster anyways, but i never really use it on the go..

Im surprised to hear that VLC wont play smoothly for you... I use VLC frequently on my powerbook with no hiccups at all, even when running a lot of stuff in the background. The mini shouldnt be much slower than my powerbook (1.5GHz vs. 1.42), and both use a 2.5" HDD. Ive also run videos from a 2.5" external firewire drive, which would be even slower.
Unless VLC uses the video card, which i dont think it does..

Try more RAM? (i have 1GB)

neo_X7 · Mar 8, 2005

Can anybody tell me about these Ebay deals? Where you can get a older imac running OSX for under $300.00.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=80039&item=5756362826&rd=1

kernow · Mar 8, 2005

what experience do you wish to gain from macos exactly?

I don't see many macos technical jobs out there.

or much to learn.

Apple Mac Mini, anyone got or getting one?

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