Mac Mini worth it?

I am getting a job this summer and would like to work towards the higher end Mac Mini for purchase at some point during the summer. I just got a brand new Dell laptop which I love and would think that a Mac Mini would compliment some of the graphics and media work nicely. I also just want to try a Mac out. So, given that I would be doing some photo editing music managing web browsing chatting etc, would this be a computer that a first time Mac owner would enjoy? Honest opinions welcome!

 

If you just want to play with OS X, a mac mini is a nice computer. Just remember that it is not a very powerful system. For basic photo editing, music managing, web browsing, and chatting you should be fine though. I would however suggest getting the 2GB RAM upgrade.

 

The Mac Mini will be a lot slower than your notebook, especially graphics wise (it'll be much, much, much slower graphics wise). I'd save up for an iMac instead, you could get decent deals on them if you buy a refurbished iMac.

 

Well, that's up to you...personally, I would go right to a MacBook, but if you see the benefits of the Mac Mini (lower price), then by all means. But you sound like you're better off with a MacBook.

 

*nods*

Macbook is the way to go... Very beautiful machine!

 

If I already have a notebook why would I want to get another one?

 

I got 3..... Just different needs I guess. My Dell XPS notebook is for gaming. My Macbook is for doing video editting, and my macbook air for traveling....

Just don't tell my wife the Macbook is partially hers... But I still use it

 

Where is the BEST place to get Mac refurbs? I have seen better prices on other sites than apple.com.

 

The good thing with the Macbook is that, if you do fall in love with OS X, you can use it to replace your Dell. Furthermore, you will not need to purchase an external display to use it. Its HD and RAM are also easier to upgrade than the Mac Mini.

The reason why people are recommending alternatives is because your computer setup will seem rather odd. Normally people tend to have a powerful home desktop PC, and a weaker portable laptop. However, a Mac Mini is a very nice machine which you can turn into a small media center, if nothing else. You can tuck it away somewhere and use FrontRow to use it like an AppleTV.

 

I'm not going to replace the 2,000 laptop that I JUST purchased. The main point of me getting a mini was to have my first mac, one that I could use to do basic things and experience Leopard with. I don't intend on turning this into my main PC, more so something that I can have running and dick around with when I want to. Hell, do you guys recommend a powerbook for this? I don't know what to get, I won't be making a ton of money. I just need something to run Leopard and have fun with OSX with.

 

If you are on a tight budget, then get a new or refurbished Mac Mini (provided you have a screen available. Otherwise, get a Macbook or iMac). Macs retain their market value very well, so in the worst case you could always sell it off at a slight loss.

Purchasing a powerbook/ibook/powermac would not be worth it, as you will be slowed down greatly by the PPC architecture. Everything is becoming optimised for 64bit Intel CPUs, so a PPC system will experience no performance increases in the future.

EDIT: If you're not in any hurry, then wait a bit. Chances are a Mac Mini update will be happening in a few weeks time.

 

Well I wouldn't be buying anything until I have money which would be mid summer or so, so I'm not in any hurry. Can I get a student discount on a refurbished Mac?

 

If you buy it from Apple's site.

 

Alright guys, after some debate and looking around I believe I have found what I will be working towards all summer for myself. Here!

 

By then, that refurbished iMac will be replaced with this generation's 2.4GHz iMac since a refreshed iMac line is definitely going to be out by then. By the way, a new 20" iMac only costs $1200 plus the newer ones are faster than that, have an updated design, and a better screen.

 

Lovely machine, hope you get it!

 

Good luck. Hope you come back when you get it

==edit==

I would reccomend this one instead. Its got the newer processor, a better video card, and is $100 less.

 

Not a bad choice, considering you already have a very powerful notebook! Good luck getting your cash!

 

Limited time only though...........

 

If anyone can find the iMac cheaper though with the price not being limited time only I would REALLY appreciate it!

 

This is more than worth the extra $100, plus it's new:
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...a/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&node=home/desktop/imac

I'm sure the iMac line will be refreshed by the time you're ready to buy so prices will change and so will the hardware (you'll probably be able to get the $1200 current gen iMac for $1k-$1.1k new in a month or two from now).

 

ooops. my bad didn't see that.

 

Well I guess I could do that and use the student discount bringing it to about 1100 at which point it's only $100 more for a new computer.

 

Well after some consulting with a friend who uses Macs we have come to the conclusion that I get the $850 refurbished Macbook which is fine with me. So that's what I will end up doing.

 

If you have the money to buy a mac mini, I think that you either get a iMac desktop or a macbook. If you buy a mac mini, then you have to buy a monitor.
Besides, mac mini is not that powerful.

 

mac mini is not worth it.

 

Why not? What exactly is it? An "argument" like that could be made against anything from Apple, or any other company.

 

About 3-4 mac minis are cool...

Get them setup in a little grid network :-D

Also, they make a great little media center pc. Just output to TV through DVI, audio to your stereo. Add in an external hard drive or NAS drive ;-D

 

Go for the macbook man. More powerful than the mac mini and is portable, and doesn't cost all that much more.

 

Ya, i'm getting the macbook for sure now. I am likely going to get one brand new because I want the 2.4 ghz processor and the extra gig of ram.

 

A mac mini is worth it if you have an lcd and usb keyboard lying around from a pc. I prefer the Apple keyboards which adds another $50 or so for the wired keyboard. The mini did for the desktop pc what the macbook air is doing for the notebook. It established a reasonable new form factor and I'm really not happy about accepting anything bigger.

 

I think the mac mini is only worth it hooked up to an hdtv for media purposes in general.

 

If you want to just get some experience with Leopard and do some basic stuff as you stated earlier, I think the Mini is a fine choice. I got a Mini for much the same reasons and mine works fine despite what others have said. For every day tasks like Office and Internet, the CPU is not the bottleneck so getting the 2.4GHz probably won't do much for you. Since you already have a good laptop, I don't know what getting another does for you.

BTW I have the Apple Keyboard and it sucks. I'd sell it if I could find anyone to buy it.

 

I was actually thinking of getting a mini this summer. My fiancee' and I both got MacBooks recently, and I am thinking of tucking the Mini behind our LCD TV in the bedroom and getting a wireless keyboard and mouse. The Mini can then function as a media server, without having to cart our MacBooks upstairs and hook them up each time we want to watch a movie.