[mash]

Hey, I'm in the process of selling my gaming PC right now and I want to buy a new computer after for media and internet. I want an overall fast machine for those two things, nothing else really. And I figured I would look into macs just in case. I was looking into getting a Mac Mini, since I dont want to spend much more than $500 and they're easy to take around etc. But is it fast enough for what I need, compared to getting a $500 hp? I dont understand how 1.25GHz can be fast at all when for less than that I can get a 3.0GHz PC. I know there must be some reason lots of people like macs, so if someone could fill a noob in I would appreciate it .

[macintologist]

Unless you already have a keyboard mouse and monitor, the Mac Mini just simply isn't worth it. If I were you I'd get a 17" iMac.

[selowitch]

With all due respect to him/her, I feel that macintologist didn't really answer your question. The Macintosh OS is considered superior because it is stable, easy-to-use, and less likely to contract viruses, spyware, etc. Since the newest Macs can also run Windows (via BootCamp), the arguments for not buying a Mac are growing weaker every day. Go for it. You'll be glad you did.

[gooser]

what type of media?

[nabilanwar]

Originally Posted by gooser

what type of media?

what do u mean?

[Chuckit]

The Mac OS also encourages more consistent and clean application interfaces. Windows-side, every app feels like a new operating system, albeit a similarly ugly one. Mac-side, apps that don't behave as expected are shunned like the lepers they are. (At least this is my experience.)

[ChasingApple]

Go to an Apple store and have a look, and get your hands on a Mac. Play with it, then you will buy it.

[memory-minus]

Originally Posted by mash

I dont understand how 1.25GHz can be fast at all when for less than that I can get a 3.0GHz PC.

Hello, and welcome to 2005.

[mash]

Media as in music and movies mostly.

And yes, I already have a keyboard, mouse, and monitor so thats not a problem.

Thanks for the help guys. And yeah memory-minus, I'm out of the loop, so if anyone could answer the speed question I would appreciate it . I think there's an apple store at one of the nearby malls, so I'll go take a look soon .

[ghporter]

A Mini would be fine for movies and music. It's a great "book shelf computer," much like the small PCs that a few compaines are putting out, but smaller, quieter (MUCH!) and in many ways technically superior.

As for the "1.25GHz being the fastest you can get," note that raw clock power is no longer THE deciding factor for performance with Intel processors (and hasn't been for Apple's older, PowerPC processors for a long time). Take a look at the "step backward" Intel took from the Pentium 4m to the Centrino line-they got the same performance out of less than half the clock speed with the Centrinos. BETTER design rather than just BIGGER design of processors is what's going on here.

I'd go with the Core Duo Mini, just because faster IS always better with computers, but otherwise, you can't go wrong with the Mac Mini for your describes application.

[mash]

Very helpful post ghporter, thanks! I'd love to get the Duo Mini, but my budget wont allow it since I would like to get an iPod soon as well, and hopefully an official keyboard/mouse set. I'm going to try to nab a Solo 1.5GHz here or on eBay. Does any usb keyboard or mouse work with macs? I wont be able to get official ones right away.

Thanks for all the help guys .

[chefpastry]

Yes, standard USB keyboards and mice work fine.

[n8236]

The title of the thread should be, "What's not so great about mac?"

[jamil5454]

Go for the Core Solo. It should serve well now, and if you need to upgrade in the future, the CPU is socketed so you can just pop a faster baby in there.

[Gamoe]

Some key advantages for the Mac, mash:

Better integration system-wide, from all the Apple apps, as well as better hardware/software integration.

No viruses of "bad-ware" to be worried about on a daily basis.

Better "ease of use" with a lot of apps (that would take a few Windoze apps to complete the same task)

A lot of useful bundled software that comes with the Mac, from a web browser and mail client to movie editing software.

Nice generally-consistent GUI (with bonus eye candy!)

[barnardeep]

Originally Posted by mash

Very helpful post ghporter, thanks! I'd love to get the Duo Mini, but my budget wont allow it since I would like to get an iPod soon as well, and hopefully an official keyboard/mouse set. I'm going to try to nab a Solo 1.5GHz here or on eBay. Does any usb keyboard or mouse work with macs? I wont be able to get official ones right away.

Thanks for all the help guys .

remember to download "usb overdrive" when you get ur mac. it assigns actions to the mouse buttons.

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by jamil5454

Go for the Core Solo. It should serve well now, and if you need to upgrade in the future, the CPU is socketed so you can just pop a faster baby in there.

I forgot about that... I've been focusing on laptops, which are NOT socketed. Excellent point, Jamil!

[selowitch]

Originally Posted by ghporter

I forgot about that... I've been focusing on laptops, which are NOT socketed. Excellent point, Jamil!

The Core Duo is also socketed. Since I just ordered one, I figure that will provide a future upgrade path.