If you weren't planning to use Fusion I'd say the 2GB new machine is the best bet.
Unfortunately running Fusion means you need share the 2GB between both OS X and Windows and with only 2GB you'll run out of memory very quickly. At this point the system starts using the hard drive as virtual memory but this is massively slower. But I'd also be reticent about the older Mini as the step-up in processor architecture between the 2009 and current models is very significant. If you could budget a memory upgrade in say the next year I'd say go for the new model with 2GB and accept things may be a little sluggish at times until the upgrade. Or use Bootcamp. Garry On 9/5/11, Braille <tptk...@gmail.com> wrote: > If you run Lion, I would strongly suggest that you would get 4GB or higher. > Apple quietly moved its default Kernel to 64 bit on Lion and this makes the > same Kernel on Lion to use more memory when compared to SL. On SL, you had > to manually make it to boot 64. Other wise, it was 32 bit by default. > > On my machine running Lion, right after boot up, about 2.5 GB of ram is > being utilized. With Safari, Mail, and Ical, it goes to 3.5Gb. Then, page > ins and outs are frequently occurring when I had only 4GB of ram. With > Fusion running, I usually tops out my 8GB and then the system uses virtual > memory, which significantly slows down the system. > > On Sep 5, 2011, at 11:52 AM, Scott Howell wrote: > >> Honestly it will all come down to performance. SOmetimes a slower machine >> with more ram will out perform a faster machine but it is also relative. >> If the slower machine is a 2.3Ghz processor and the faster machine is >> 3.5Ghz, you may not notice so much. Really it comes down to what you are >> doing. If you are doing a lot of processor intensive tasks, more speed >> might be preferred, but then you have to take into consideration a number >> of factors. You can always upgrade a machine with more ram and at a >> reasonable price. Purchase what you can afford and look to upgrade as soon >> as you are able. >> >> On Sep 5, 2011, at 11:51 AM, Ioana Gandrabur wrote: >> >>> Thanks, So would you say that older 4 gig is better than new 2 gig? I >>> know it would be hard to say unless actually trying it out but thought >>> I'd ask anyway. >>> >>> Best, >>> >>> Ioana >>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Scott Howell" <scottn3...@gmail.com> >>> To: <macvisionaries@googlegroups.com> >>> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 5:55 AM >>> Subject: Re: 2 or 4 gigs, what should I choose? >>> >>> >>> You could manage with 2Gb; however, I think you will find the experience >>> les than desirable. I highly recommend you get 4Gb of ram as a minimum. >>> Some will recommend 8Gb, but you will do fine with 4. >>> >>> On Sep 5, 2011, at 12:37 AM, Ioana Gandrabur wrote: >>> >>>> Hi, >>>> Being somewhat restricted in my budget I am wondering about system >>>> requirements. >>>> I am thinking to install windows xp on a mac mini. Preferably fusion >>>> than bootcamp so I don't have to reboot. Will 2 gig be enough if I get >>>> the new mini with a faster processor? Should I opt for a 2nd hand late >>>> 2009 with 4 gigs? If 2 gig will do I prefer getting a new one but >>>> otherwise I wil probably go 2nd hand. >>>> >>>> Thanks for any advice. >>>> >>>> Forgot to add that I might want to try garage band but not much havy >>>> work. >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> >>>> Ioana >>>> >>>> (Sent from my phone) >>>> >>>> Please check out my new CD at www.ioanagandrabur.com or on itunes. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To post to this group, send email to macvisionaries@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 macvisionaries@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 macvisionaries@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 macvisionaries@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 macvisionaries@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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