Bryan, I would agree that for the horsepower an iMac would be a better investment and I wouldn't upgrade the Mini. If someone really wanted a MIni, of course I would get the 2.53Ghz 4Gb ram machine since it has the 320Gb internal drive. Yes it is 5400rpm, but I haven't notice a significant difference between the 5400 or 7200 for most tasks. Of course I have a Macbook Pro, but if I ever replace this machine, I'm going to have the decision to purchase another laptop or just get another iMac. :) Well that will be a few years down the road for sure and by then, who knows what they'll roll out the Apple factory. :) On Apr 3, 2010, at 7:24 PM, Bryan Smart wrote:
> Scott, I think that I agree with you in principle. The Mini is great for > accomplishing basic tasks. It is great for someone that wants to try Mac. It > is a neat little computer for the price and size. > > All that I'm saying, though, is that I don't think that it is the best value. > If you want to get the most for your money, the entry level iMac and MacBook > do a lot more than a Mini would at the same price. > > So, switchers and people that are trying out Mac will have a good affordable > time with the entry level Mini. If someone wanted to try Mac, though, they > should get the absolute basic Mini configuration, so that they can take > advantage of the very low price. If they start upgrading the Mini's > processor, memory, and hard drive, they'll spend so much on the upgrades that > they would get more computer for their money by buying an iMac or MacBook > instead. That's what I mean when I say that, with $1,200 in hand, using that > same money will get you an iMac that is twice as powerful as the Mini that > you'd buy for the same price. > > Bryan > > -----Original Message----- > From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Scott Howell > Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 5:55 AM > To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com > Subject: Re: My Mac Mini > > Bryan, > > I'm not looking to turn this into a pissing contest because in general I find > your posts and such of value and informative. You however are really down on > the Mini and for no good reason. Your a power user, so the Mini simply is not > for you, but in no way does that mean the Mini is useless. Sure it is an > inexpensive way to get into Mac and sure if you want the extras like the > Apple keyboard and mouse, you have to purchase those separately, but you > aren't required to purchase these items either. I say again and will continue > to say that for what most folks are interested in, the Mini is a viable > machine. If all you do is surf the web, read e-mail, rip/listen to audio, and > even some light-duty photo editing, the Mini is more than capable of all > this. The Mini can even handle running Fusion and of course the more VMs you > want to run, the more horsepower, drive space, and ram you will require. I > really think you are not being objective and are very bias against the Mini > for whatever reason. I think you see it as an underpowered toy, which is > simply not the case. I have an older G4 Mini sitting here that I have > converted to a LInux box and despite the fact it's only a 1.4Ghz processor, > 512Mb ram, and 80Gb storage, it works great. > I said before it has more to do with needs and I think that is a valid > argument. The whole point here Bryan is to make potential switchers > understand that the Mini is a viable option for someone who is not a power > user such as yourself. Otherwise, some may believe that the Mini is so > inadequate, that they would not consider purchasing a Mac because the Macbook > or iMac is beyond their Financial reach. Does this make sense? > On Apr 3, 2010, at 1:23 AM, Bryan Smart wrote: > >> The only things that the Mini has going for it are that it is the least >> expensive Mac, and that it is the smallest Mac. >> >> Being inexpensive doesn't mean that it is a good bargain, though, only that >> it is the least expensive way to get some kind of Mac. >> >> Being small is important for some special situations, like if you want it to >> be a component in a living room entertainment center, or if you plan to >> stash it away on a shelf in a closet. >> >> Neither of these things make it a good desktop Mac, or even a good deal. If >> you have no idea if you'll even like a Mac, it is the cheapest commitment to >> try it out. If you're sure that you want to use a Mac, though, it doesn't >> make financial sense. >> >> The entry level iMac, the 21.5 inch model with the 3Ghz Core Duo CPU, 4GB of >> memory, 500GB hard drive, and accessories, costs right at $1200. This iMac >> comes with the full Apple desktop experience. You have a real Apple keyboard >> and a Mighty Mouse. You don't need to worry about a monitor, because it's >> built in. Its still a very small computer. The difference is that your Mini >> lays down on your desk, and the iMac stands up. In some ways, this actually >> saves you desk space over the Mini. >> >> What do you need to get a Mini like that? The Mini doesn't even have a 3Ghz >> CPU. The 2.66Ghz is the best you can get, and that Mini starts at $949. Pay >> another $100 to get a 500GB hard drive, like on the iMac. Of course, you'll >> need a keyboard and mouse like are included with the iMac, and so add an >> Apple keyboard and magic mouse. Your Mini has no monitor, though, and you'll >> have to buy one, so you'll need a video adaptor. Final check out is >> $1,196.00, the exact same thing that you would have paid for the iMac. Not >> only that, but unlike the iMac, you still don't have a monitor. You can go >> buy a 20 inch one new for $70 at an office supply store, but it will be a >> low quality LCD, not the nice wide screen LED display in the iMac. >> Everything together will cost you almost $1,300. >> >> So, when you're finished, you've spent more than you would on an iMac, you >> have a slower CPU, a slower hard drive, and a lower quality monitor. Not >> only that, but you have a separate monitor/CPU, instead of a combined unit. >> That means that your Mini with monitor and keyboard is far less portable >> than the iMac would have been. >> >> Also, for almost the same amount of money, you could have purchased a >> MacBook with 4GB memory and a 500GB hard drive for $1,249. That would have >> matched the Mini's performance, since the Mini uses laptop guts anyway, >> except the MacBook would be extremely portable. >> >> Even if you got the cheapest Mini, but still got a $70 cheap-o monitor and >> accessories, you'll spend over $800. Yes, you saved $400 over getting an >> iMac. But you have a 2.26Ghz CPU instead of 3Ghz, you have 2GB of memory >> instead of 4GB, and you have a tini tiny 160GB hard drive. To me, that's >> pretty much cutting the Mini's performance to half the level of the cheapest >> iMac, and only saving $400. Not a deal at all. >> >> Of course, if your goal is to spend as little as possible on a Mac, then >> this will do it. It most certainly, though, is not a deal. >> >> Bryan >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Dan Roy >> Sent: Friday, April 02, 2010 9:17 PM >> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >> Subject: Re: My Mac Mini >> >> Brian, the mini uses a 2.26GHZ processor and, while that isn't as much as >> the 3.06GHZ that the IMac uses,it's certainly close. Yes, the internal >> drive is a laptop drive, therefore, it runs at 5400 RPM instead of 7200RPM, >> however, for some people who just use the internet , listen to music, rip >> CD's, and occasional word processing, it's enough. >> >> Your right though, it shouldn't be such a big deal, but, with the other >> supposed limitations, we knew about them before we bought our mini's, but, >> the monitor thing, well, it would have been nice to know. >> >> On Apr 1, 2010, at 9:25 AM, Bryan Smart wrote: >> >>> I think that people are getting the concept of the Mini all wrong. >>> >>> The Mini is not a laptop. If you try to use it like some sort of portable, >>> then you're of course free to try, but Apple has not designed it to be a >>> portable computer, and so, if it doesn't work like that, they won't care >>> that you can't make it suit that purpose. Its also not intended to be a >>> headless Mac for blind people. >>> >>> The Mini is designed to fit two types of situations only. >>> >>> 1. You don't know if Mac is for you, and you want a cheap way to try it out. >>> >>> 2. You need a low-powered Mac to handle some basic tasks, such as being a >>> home or small office server. >>> >>> That's it. >>> >>> If the Mini feels underpowered, it is because its underpowered. It is >>> powered by a mobile processor, uses laptop memory, and slower laptop hard >>> drives. >>> >>> If the Mini sucks at being a portable computer, it is because it isn't a >>> portable computer. Its a cheap desktop Mac. >>> >>> If the Mini sucks as a headless Mac, then that is because it isn't designed >>> to run without a monitor. People are supposed to buy a Mini to use with >>> their existing PC hardware, as part of evaluating if they'd like to really >>> use Mac in the future. Of course, using a Mac with a PC keyboard and mouse >>> means that you miss out on a lot, also. Still, it is a way to try this >>> stuff to see if you'll like it, or if it will be a waste of money, without >>> forcing you to pay a lot for the chance to try it out. >>> >>> If you're serious at all about using the Mac, you probably won't stay with >>> a Mini for very long. The internal hard drives are slow, the capacity won't >>> go any higher than 500GB, the memory won't expand very far, the processor >>> is underpowered, so on and so on. >>> >>> Not trying to rain on your parade. I love hacking around with what's >>> possible in equipment. The thing is, if, after using a Mini, you've become >>> serious enough to get frustrated with what it can't do, then it is time to >>> sell your Mini to another newbie, and upgrade to a MacBook, an IMac, or a >>> Mac Pro that will do more. >>> >>> For example, if you're moving a computer from room to room to browse the >>> web, then you really should be using a MacBook. >>> >>> Bryan >>> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>> [mailto:macvisionar...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Chris G >>> Sent: Thursday, April 01, 2010 8:30 AM >>> To: macvisionaries@googlegroups.com >>> Subject: Re: My Mac Mini >>> >>> Hi, >>> >>> It makes it more convenient to move the mini from room to room within ones >>> house. Now you need to move a monitor just to browse the web. >>> >>> Chris >>> >>> >>> >>> On The, 1 Apr 2010 07:23:44 -0400 >>> Ricardo Walker <rwalker...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi, >>>> >>>> I was just wondering why people find this so important? Monitors are very >>>> cheap and you can even hook up Your Mac to newer TVs. >>>> On Mar 31, 2010, at 10:23 PM, Sarah Alawami wrote: >>>> >>>>> I myself have not reported but I might even though I own a macbook. >>>>> >>>>> Take care. >>>>> On Mar 31, 2010, at 5:34 PM, E.J. Zufelt wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Good evening, >>>>>> >>>>>> Has this issue been reported to accessibil...@apple.com? Perhaps >>>>>> there's nothing that they can do, but it might be worth sending a quick >>>>>> message. >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> Everett Zufelt >>>>>> http://zufelt.ca >>>>>> >>>>>> Follow me on Twitter >>>>>> http://twitter.com/ezufelt >>>>>> >>>>>> View my LinkedIn Profile >>>>>> http://www.linkedin.com/in/ezufelt >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On 2010-03-31, at 8:31 PM, Dan Roy wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Yes, that's definitely true, I wish I had known that before I purchased >>>>>>> the mini, but, live and learn. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Mar 31, 2010, at 8:35 AM, M BROWN wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Several months ago I bought a Mac Mini without a monitor. Everything >>>>>>>> went well until I tried to use Safari to browse the web. To say the >>>>>>>> least, it was painfully slow, and at times refused to open the web >>>>>>>> page at all. All I got was Safari busy. However, when I attached a >>>>>>>> monitor, all the above problems went away. Even though I do not have >>>>>>>> the monitor powered up, it still works perfectly. So, just a warning >>>>>>>> to anyone buying a Mac Mini who intends to browse the web, forget it >>>>>>>> unless you have a monitor attached. >>>>>>>> Kind regards >>>>>>>> Martin >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Chris G <cgrabowsk...@gmail.com> >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >>> >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "MacVisionaries" group. >> To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To post to this group, send email to macvisionar...@googlegroups.com. > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > macvisionaries+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries?hl=en. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MacVisionaries" group. 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