[jamesuk]

Hi everyone,

Im thinking of getting a second computer as i already have an apple imac and so i would like something completely new and im thinking of getting a 2ghz 120gb dual core mini mac so that i can use the software adobe dreamweaver cs3 and photoshop cs3 and i just wondered what everyones thoughts are about using the mini mac with these softwares? Is anyone already successfully using a mini mac and dreamweaver cs3 and photoshop cs3? And how have they found it? Has it been very slow? Or do you get great performance and speed from the mini macs using these softwares?

Im also planning to buy the windows versions of dreamweaver cs3 and photoshop cs3 and then use it with parallels 3.0 on the mini mac.

All advice and suggestions would be most welcome.

Many thanks,
James.

[mduell]

Another iMac will have better performance for about the same price; don't cripple yourself with a laptop hard drive in a desktop.

Using the Windows version in Parallels is just going to make it slower; is there any real feature difference?

[jamesuk]

Hi Mduell,

Im not too worried about the hard drive as it comes with a 120gb hard drive and i can buy an external hard drive of about 500gb to supplement that one.

But i take your point about using parallels and it being even slower. Since i want a completely different computer as my second computer i may just buy a dell pc as some of them now come with quad core processors and really big ram options.

Many thanks,
James.

[@pplejaxkz]

I agree with Mduell and parallels. Especially on a machine like the mini, it will just crawl when trying to use CS3 applications. Sometimes it's easier to just get a Dell, maybe not smarter. But it all comes down to your preference. Good luck with your choice.

[jamesuk]

Hi @pplejaxkz,

I think you offer wise words with regards to me using the mac mini and parallels and so I think i will just purchase a Dell pc as this sounds like the simplest option.

Many thanks,
James.

[Cold Warrior]

Why not a Mac Pro? (Unless by different you mean also a different OS).

[mduell]

Originally Posted by jamesuk 

Im not too worried about the hard drive as it comes with a 120gb hard drive and i can buy an external hard drive of about 500gb to supplement that one.

I said nothing about disk space; the performance of the low-speed and small laptop drives in the Mac mini is really going to hurt reading/writing large files and swapping (which is likely if you run Parallels on the Mac mini's already cramped 2GB RAM).

Originally Posted by jamesuk 

But i take your point about using parallels and it being even slower. Since i want a completely different computer as my second computer i may just buy a dell pc as some of them now come with quad core processors and really big ram options.

I think that's a good idea; Dell/Intel have put together some very affordable combinations (less than the price of a mini) for people who want to run Windows with quad core performance.

Originally Posted by Cold Warrior 

Why not a Mac Pro? (Unless by different you mean also a different OS).

Cost would be a good guess. Quad core Dells start at $500ish, quad core Mac Pros start at $2000+.

[jamesuk]

Hi Coldwarrior,

I know that Mac Pros are really powerful and are excellent computers for design work but im on a budget with this computer and so i need to get something cheaper which will still do the work successfully.

Many thanks,
James.

[jamesuk]

Hi mduell,

I think it will definitely be a Dell computer now after hearing everyones advice about the mac mini. It offers me exactly what i want in terms of power, speed and storage whilst also fitting into my budget.

Thanks again for all your advice.

James.

[turtle777]

Good luck with the Dell.

You do know that these run Vista ?

-t

[@pplejaxkz]

I would run XP instead of Vista. That's just my two cents. I would try and just use your Dell for your CS3 applications, and then your iMac for your daily use. That would cut down the risk of running into a virus or any other good stuff like that. Good Luck!

[Cold Warrior]

If you wanted to, you could also use Microsoft's Mac version of Remote Desktop to log into your new Dell and work. Probably not what you want to do when you're working with CS3, but a good option to get at some stuff if you need to.

[@pplejaxkz]

^^Another option. Definitely take Cold Warrior's advice about using CS3 applications though.

[jamesuk]

Thanks mduell,@pplejaxkz and turtle777,

For all your advice and information. It has certainly given me a great insight into buying a suitable computer to run adobe cs3 softwares.

Thanks again,
James.