[MDWeezer]

So i've always followed Apple, but things just always costed too much. Finally the Mini came out and I broke down and ordered one.

I'm a college student and while discussing finances with my parents (my tax return and such) my mom lets me know I have some bonds that were given to me in the 80's when I was born from a old relative. Sweet! So the bonds are now worth around $580. Well since I had a nice chunk of change to work with I decided to deck out the Mini. So here is what I ordered:

Mac Mini 1.25GHz
56K v.92 Modem
Internal Bluetooth + AirPort Extreme Card (802.11b/g)
80GB Ultra ATA drive
4x SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
512MB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM

Cost: $770 after student rebate
Estimated ship: On or before 3/1/05

So this will be my first Mac, i'm use them before in labs and stuff but never have owned one.

My uses: I own a iPod so of course I will stop syncing with my laptop and move all my media to the Mini which will be great. I have 2 computers authorized right now with iTunes, I will deauthorize one of them.

Plus my parents own a MiniDV camera so i'll be dumping video onto the Mini and playing with that and with the DVD burner hopefully put out some cool DVD's for my family, they'll get a kick out of that.

It will also just serve its purpose as a computer, web browsing, email, etc etc.

Question 1: Whats the best way to move my library to the Mini? I was thinking of having iTunes organize my music using the option to merge all the music. I would then FTP that folder over to the Mini and import into iTunes and would be fine. Will there be any way to keep my purchased music labeled as purchased or should I recreate the playlist?

Question 2: I plan on getting Apples bluetooth keyboard. Its $53 after student discount, is this a good idea or can I find a cheaper bluetooth keyboard out there? I would like the Apple specific buttons (eject, volume, command, etc) so thats nice. Also will I be able to boot up my Mini for the first time and use the bluetooth keyboard right off the bat? Will it open up the wizard to set it up before I go through the OS X setup process?

Question 3: What else can I look forward? I'm a linux guy so i'll be getting Apache running right off the bat w/PHP & mySQL and some other services. Not to mention Java development. I can't wait to toy with it all.

I think i've read every switch guide out there and every review, i'm VERY excited. I just wish it would show up sooner!!! I think i'll be headed over to my local Apple store on Thursday to pick up the bluetooth keyboard.

Thanks all!

ps. I might cross post this between multiple forums...

[typoon]

Originally posted by MDWeezer:

My uses: I own a iPod so of course I will stop syncing with my laptop and move all my media to the Mini which will be great. I have 2 computers authorized right now with iTunes, I will deauthorize one of them.

Plus my parents own a MiniDV camera so i'll be dumping video onto the Mini and playing with that and with the DVD burner hopefully put out some cool DVD's for my family, they'll get a kick out of that.

It will also just serve its purpose as a computer, web browsing, email, etc etc.

Question 1: Whats the best way to move my library to the Mini? I was thinking of having iTunes organize my music using the option to merge all the music. I would then FTP that folder over to the Mini and import into iTunes and would be fine. Will there be any way to keep my purchased music labeled as purchased or should I recreate the playlist?

Question 2: I plan on getting Apples bluetooth keyboard. Its $53 after student discount, is this a good idea or can I find a cheaper bluetooth keyboard out there? I would like the Apple specific buttons (eject, volume, command, etc) so thats nice. Also will I be able to boot up my Mini for the first time and use the bluetooth keyboard right off the bat? Will it open up the wizard to set it up before I go through the OS X setup process?

Question 3: What else can I look forward? I'm a linux guy so i'll be getting Apache running right off the bat w/PHP & mySQL and some other services. Not to mention Java development. I can't wait to toy with it all.

I think i've read every switch guide out there and every review, i'm VERY excited. I just wish it would show up sooner!!! I think i'll be headed over to my local Apple store on Thursday to pick up the bluetooth keyboard.

Thanks all!

ps. I might cross post this between multiple forums...

Welcome!

1. I would think burning your music folder to CD/DVD would be the Best way. Then again I could be wrong. I would think that FTPing it to the Mini would take a little bit of time. You could "backup" your music to CD/DVD then just move those files to your music folder.

2. I believe that the Apple BT keyboard is resonably priced.

3. Hmmm. I would say using iLife and just the Macintosh Experience.

I don't think it would be a good thing to cross post. the Moderators don't really like it.

[MORT A POTTY]

yeah, teh apple bluetooth keyboard will sync with it just fine on first startup. it will do the pairing before the setup process beins. I know this firsthand because I just set up my mothers iMac G5 w/ bluetooth mouse and keyboard. I can't stand the mouse... (I love my Logitech MX 1000 though )

[jnrjr79]

If all your music is on your iPod, there are free 3rd party apps that would let you transfer everything off of the iPod onto your Mini.

Also, the bluetooth keyboard and mouse normally should work right out of the box. However, when setting up my new iMac, mine didn't pair properly at first. So, it pays to have a USB mouse for setup purposes just in case.

[mintcake]

Question 1: Whats the best way to move my library to the Mini? I was thinking of having iTunes organize my music using the option to merge all the music. I would then FTP that folder over to the Mini and import into iTunes and would be fine. Will there be any way to keep my purchased music labeled as purchased or should I recreate the playlist?

It's your first Mac so your music is currently on a PC laptop right? Is it all in one folder (or set of nested folders)? If I were you I'd just hook your laptop up to your Mini with an ethernet cable, network them, and import the contents of your music folder(s) directly into iTunes (Apple-O). It'll take a while but there's the added fun of learning about networking to your PC at the same time.

As for your purchased music, I guess iTunes will recognise the stuff you've bought and slot it straight into your 'purchased music' playlist when it imports it - but I really have no idea. Let us know what happens.

Question 3: What else can I look forward? I'm a linux guy so i'll be getting Apache running right off the bat w/PHP & mySQL and some other services. Not to mention Java development. I can't wait to toy with it all.

I guess there's the world of Unix software out there waiting for you. Not to mention the great community writing stuff for OSX - go explore www.versiontracker.com while you wait!

Congratulations & enjoy!

[turtle777]

Welcome to the world of Macs and MacNN.
Drop by the Lounge if you have some spare time

-t

[lookmark]

I recommend PodWorks in particular for transferring music from an iPod to a computer. It's $8, is nicely designed, and does everything you'd want it to.

Welcome!

[jamil5454]

Coming from a Linux background myself (with a sweet-tooth for eye candy), I find the best part of buying an Apple is OS X and the awesome software that comes with it.

[greenmeanie]

i also wonder why you dont network them?

[Gee4orce]

You could always use this

I"m not sure if the built in Mac setup assistant will work from Windows to Mac, but it does let you transfer your data from an old Mac.