[imackid75]

Hi again , I have been looking into replacing my linux box pc and I cant decide
between the minis.
My pc I will be giving to my parents , I will be keeping the lcd and keyboard.
This makes it perfect for a mini but which one. 1.6 or 1.8 cpu , 60 or 80 gig hard drive , also combo or Super drive. This Mac will be my first new mac
besides my old 500mhz g3 That will be used for watching movies homwork and etc.
Which one would you recomend.
Thanks again

[tiger]

I would not recommend the Mini, it is now an overpriced and severely outdated computer.

[roller]

Originally Posted by imackid75 

Hi again , I have been looking into replacing my linux box pc and I cant decide
between the minis.
My pc I will be giving to my parents , I will be keeping the lcd and keyboard.
This makes it perfect for a mini but which one. 1.6 or 1.8 cpu , 60 or 80 gig hard drive , also combo or Super drive. This Mac will be my first new mac
besides my old 500mhz g3 That will be used for watching movies homwork and etc.
Which one would you recomend.
Thanks again

The mini is long in the tooth at this point and I would wait for an update, if you care.

As for which model, it all depends on what you intend to do with it. More than those specs, I recommend a minimum of 1 gb of RAM on whatever model you choose. There won't be noticeable difference between the processors. More space and a superdrive simply gives you more options in the long run and I would go with 80 and the Superdrive. There is some good info on the iSwitched lens in my sig that may be of use to you.

Frankly, I would recommend an iMac over the mini (as you will see at iSwitched), if you can afford the difference in cost. It is a better value.

[dowNNshift]

If you're a Linux aficionado, then you probably like to tinker with your PC which is why the Mini would be a great machine for you. iMacs are not end-user hardware customizable, nor the portable models (with the exception of RAM and MacBook HDD).

Yes, it is true that the Mini is overdue for an update, but you can fairly easily with the right tools update the processor, memory, and hard drive yourself. If you are planning on doing any kind of upgrading and don't have the desire to write DVDs, then I would recommend the 1.66GHz model.

2 gigabytes of memory for the Mini can be pretty easily found these days and at a very reasonable price. Not to mention 100+ GB SATA 2.5" Notebook hard drives have come down in price as well.

What stood out most to me was that you'd like to continue using your existing monitor. You'd only get use your existing display with an iMac or a portable in a mirrored or extended desktop role.

I'd also recommend spending the 30 bucks and buy an Apple Keyboard -- USB, integrated USB 1.1 hub, high quality, and has Mac OS X controls built right in.

Good luck!

[MattJeff]

if you buy a key board make it the wireless one, wireless will be handy because it's built in and wont take up a port(USB)... um i have never used a mini but hear both good and bad about it, if you tinker with your computer get the mini if you don't care get the imac and sell your screen n' stuff.
what do you use it for? and how big is your screen?

[imackid75]

Hello again ,
My screen is a viewsonic 19inch and I have a wireless logitech keyboard
and mouse.
The only reason I am looking at the mini is because It is cheaper than my NEW
costom gaming pc ($1500) and A excuse to buy my first mac. How much of
a performance diffrence would i find From my 500mhz imac.

Im not worred
about updates because any computer gets updated or replaced.
The only thing Id be worred about is filling up the hard disk.
Thanks for all sugestions, If you have any more plz tell me!

[tiger]

You will see a HUGE performance increase from a 500mhz mac, but it is still by far slower than apple's other offerings. Also, what gaming pc do you have?

[darkmatter]

Originally Posted by imackid75 

The only reason I am looking at the mini is because It is cheaper than my NEW costom gaming pc ($1500) and A excuse to buy my first mac. How much of a performance diffrence would i find From my 500mhz imac.

Hi, I was in a similar situation than you and decided to buy the 1.6 Ghz model. After a deep review the only big difference regarding money is the Superdrive and the future of "Slim Slot Loading Superdrives". The conclusion is that if you do not need the Superdrive, the best value for the money is the 1.6 Ghz model.

Personally I regard the Mac mini as a great small, great silent, great energy friendly and great design machine (those are the aspects for what one pays for, price: $559 USD). It is user centric, somehow mobile, with great upgrade possibilities (CPU, HD, Optical Drive, PCI-e) and it also offers the flexibility to attach main peripherals as Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse. If it happens that the Mac mini is upgraded or renewed i doubt it will be at a low cost.

Upgraded to a Hitachi Travelstar 7200 RPM HD and 2 Gb RAM my Mac mini runs Linux (Bluetooth supported) very good and snappy with a 1600x1200 LCD Monitor. Logically, computing and graphics performance isn't comparable to octocore Mac Pros.

I wouldn't buy at this moment iMacs, MBs or MBPs, I find them really expensive for what they suppose to be.

Hope it helps...
Best Regards

[dowNNshift]

Agreed with tiger, yes there is a dramatic boost in performance and capability versus a legacy 500 MHz iMac G3. In fact they come from two entirely different generations and the Mini has modern peripheral connections, notably; DVI video, USB 2, digital audio, AirPort Extreme, and Bluetooth cababilities.

Both the 1.66GHz and 1.83GHz Mini models come with small-ish hard drives, at 60 or 80GB. But if you browse NewEgg you'll see that 160 or 250 GB internal 5400RPM 2.5" SATA notebook hard drives have really come down in price. I've run both 5400 RPM and 7200 RPM drives between several of my Minis and haven't really found a disernable difference in performance between them. The biggest boost comes from maxing out the RAM.

On the other hand, you have the easier option of attaching FireWire hard drives to your Mini for seamingly limitless expansion.

Basically it all boils down to whether or not you see yourself writing DVDs, data or iDVD home movies to justify the 1.83 GHz model. The combo drive in the 1.66 GHz model offers a good optical speed and can write CDs comfortably fast too.

If you're a student, take advantage of your education discount which is currently $30 dollars off. Otherwise shop around -- but be forewarned that with the super-discount online places you get what you pay for.

[ApeInTheShell]

Actually the release date for the Mac Mini is right on schedule. The Intel Core Duo Solo/Duo were introduced at the end of February 2006 and discontinued in September 2006. The new models dropped the Core Solo in exchange for an all Core Duo line. Now if we look at the pattern of the iMac than the next update for the Mac Mini will either be in July or August. I had to find this information on Low End Mac because neither Apple History or Every Mac show the release differences.
People said the Mac Mini G4 would be discontinued (and it was) if it didn't get a new graphics card and then the Intel Mac Mini was released and they complained some more. But people tend to omit the upgrades and call the Mac Mini ancient because it doesn't have the latest and greatest. If you cannot live without it than buy a Mac Mini or you can wait until the new Mac Mini is released with a Core 2 Duo, bigger hard drive, and more.
I bought the Mac Mini because I needed it to run some software that would not work on the iMac G3. I bet you'll stop using that iMac as soon as you get the Mac Mini (if you get it).

[MattJeff]

Question to other members- would it be better to get a refurb with better specs? if the gaming computer is 1500 then he could get a MBP for about that price(refurb). I have never heard anything bad about The refurbs only praise. what do you think about that idea?

[roller]

I recently wrote about the refurb option on my iSwitched lens. Honestly, I am of the opinion that if you can get the machine you want as a refurb (supplies/models come and go), you would be foolish to spend the extra money on the same model "new". In fact, you could make the argument that the refurb is the better option as it has already been tested out and the thing that was wrong with it (if anything) has been repaired. The new machine you buy hasn't been put through its paces and (while not likely) could have something wrong with it.

[imackid75]

I wont be geting a mini for a month but, When 10.5 comes out will it be included ?
Thats when ill get one, Right when 10.5 comes out. Do you think Prices will raise or drop ?
Thanks for all the help !!!
Ive NEVER had this good of support for a PC

[roller]

Prices will remain the same. 10.5 will not be included if you buy in the next month, I wouldn't think. It is not due out until October.

[imackid75]

60gb hard drive is too small for me.
I am looking into a external hard drive, And wondering if These items will be okay for my use. (link)

http://secure.ncix.com/cart/

320gb hard drive
Vantech fire wire Enclosure
I would use this for Pics, Music, i movie projects and (possibly) windows for gaming.
Tell me what you think. Thanks