Posted by Ayush
My cousin wants to buy a Apple Mac Mini. What are you guys opinion on it? Any review? How is it? Is it worth? Have any of u used it?
Thanks
Posted by Jools
They're very good and a good price too for a Mac!
They are aimed at Windows switchers who more than likely already have a USB keyboard and mouse plus a monitor they can plug it in to. So if you don't have these items remember to add them to the cost.
I would also receommend upgrading the supplied RAM at purchase to 512MB or 1GB if possible. It is rumored that the next revision to the Mac mini will come with 512MB of RAM so it may be worth waiting. How long, I don't know!
Here's links to some reviews:
http://www.macintouch.com/macmini/review.html
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1753962,00.asp
http://www.macworld.com/2005/01/reviews/macminireview/index.php
http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=1102
It's not as high-spec as some other Macs, but it does pretty much everything you could want... Email, web, digital photos, iTunes, music etc. and costs a lot less.
Have a read of the specs on the Apple site: http://www.apple.com/macmini/
You'll also benefit from the Mac OS X operating system, which is immune to all the current PC viruses, trojans and spyware...
Posted by shyam335
im not quite impressed by the performance of mac mini , id advice it only if u need a mac , coz there are much better performing pc's for the same price . my opinion
Posted by Jools
That's true... you can get better performing PCs for around the same price.
But it depends on how you compare performance...
The fastest PC in the world wouldn't allow me to type faster, or surf the web quicker than the internet connection allows...
Also, Macs are generally regarded as being easier to use, therefore you actually spend less time doing things on a Mac as you do on a PC... even if the PCs processor is faster... there isn't the 'tinker-time' to get things working on a Mac - it just works...
These days speed isn't the only factor to consider when buying a computer... lets face it, for the majority of tasks, even a modest PC or Mac will be quick enough. It's only when you get to high-games, graphics and video processing that a quicker processor really becomes beneficial..
Posted by Vertical Mind
If you are getting one, wich I hope you are, Mac rules, Get ar least 512Mb of memory and do buy the faster of them. Get a harddrive in the sice you need, and Buetooth for your phoneconnection. Salling Clicker will rock our iTunes world! =) As for screen, the Apple stuff looks good but cost an arm and a leg! However, the wireless Keyboard/mouse option is too good looking to ignore matched to the Mini.
Posted by nickorooster
Yeah, I'd agree there, get a PC, spend 1-2 hours configuring it, and hey presto, you have a better computer, tailored to your needs (macs are so stubborn when it comes to customisation) and it can run almost ALL of the software developed today.
Even better, get a PC, install linux (slightly more advanced users only) and spend 2-3 hours customising it, then you have a stable, secure, supported, free OS computer.
Nick
Posted by Ayush
Thanks for the opinions guys! Keep em coming. Any body personally used the mini here?
Posted by Jools
Alternatively, get a Mac, spend 5 minutes configuring it and get whatever you want done before your PC owning friends have even finished plugging in, installing Windows, configuring it, attempting to get it connected to the internet, and installing a multitude of virus, trojan and spyware checkers.
And who wants or needs to "run almost ALL of the software developed today" anyway? I doubt if anyone has a hard drive big enough to install it all, let alone the time to use it !!!
Posted by Jools
I have personally used a Mac mini... its exactly the same as using any other Mac running Mac OS X... it works perfectly.
In fact the 1.25GHz Mac mini is exactly the same speed as my own 1.25Ghz eMac. The 1.42GHz Mac mini didn't seem any faster, although I didn't do anything processor intensive on it.
Posted by nickorooster
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And who wants or needs to "run almost ALL of the software developed today" anyway? I doubt if anyone has a hard drive big enough to install it all, let alone the time to use it !!! |
Obviously you aren't going to use ALL software, but why limit yourself? I mean, I would prefer to have the option of running a peice of software, even if I didn't need it right now.
Also, PC service packs and updates are free. What more do you get when installing the latests 0.1 update? Support and a few minor additions/fixes. Service pack 2 was the same, but free. And with linux, even the OS is free, so all updates are too...
I agree with the setting up thing, they are easier to use, but what I meant in the way of 1-2 hours is complete customisation, as well as installing all the stuff you'd usually use, like Office, open-office or whatever.
I would also like to mention, that I am sympathetic towards the mac mini cause, because I am quite interested in getting a small, low power, cheap PC for a car. But then, I could just get a shuttle PC really...
Nick
Posted by shyam335
yes,pc is more powerful and efficient , whereas mac is user friendly (and imo its for starters and non-power users)
Posted by haynesycop
this discussion could go on forever
personally i dont think you can compare a mac to a pc
there totally different
i will know more next week when my powerbook arrives
happy days
Posted by nickorooster
Well, I can almost assure you you'll get more work done on a mac, 'cause there are less distractions.
But is that necessarily a good thing?
Nick
Posted by haynesycop
i dont really care about specs too much
the powerbook i am getting has 512 ram, 80gb hard drive and is a superdrive
which i all i want
plus it is sexy
i might ave up some cash and buy mac mini too
Posted by vvrrmandiga
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Dude.... Mac IS for power users..... not just for power users, almost 99% of the creative people out there who create music, movies and graphics use Macs. I never owned a mac in my life, but I will, I'm just waiting for Powerbook G5 to come out.....
One really have to use Mac to understand how powerful it is and how it works....
Go checkout this review from a PC user's perspective
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2232
Posted by nickorooster
I use mac every day. G3s, G4s and G5S too.
No, macs are not for Power-users, they ARE for specialty groups though. Macs are generally more efficient with resources, which is good for graphics especially, the reason behind many of the graphics pros using macs.
However, for the price tag, macs are not worth it. If you were to get a 1.25Ghz mac, sure it'll perform better than many 1.8 or even 2Ghz PCs, but I can tell you this, It'll cost more. Macs are resource efficient, NOT finance efficient. You get more bang for your buck in PCs.
Oh but yes, they are generally sexier.
Nick
Posted by Jools
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You get more bang for your buck in PCs. |
Yes, but to some/many people, buying a computer isn't just about how much "bang" you can get for your money... it's also about quality, workmanship, design, ease-of-use, the OS, the way it works etc.
PC geeks may want to have their PC constantly open installing all manner of gizmos, constantly tweaking things to make their processor run 0.1 degree cooler. Overclocking processors etc. But thats not the vast majority of computer users.
As long as the computer works and doesn't require much effort to get anything done, that's all many people want... and they don't want the operating system getting in the way of the job their doing.
As well as Macs I have to use PCs in my job, and they wind me up something rotten. Always asking me stupid questions everytime I click something. Or coming up with cryptic error messages like "TIdn6823JK.dll has caused a error - number 0FF00BC" - what the **** does that mean? Or requiring me to spend 10 times longer than the job itself takes, just trying to get the thing working.
Not everybody wants to customise thier computer! Change the desktop picture, change a few icons, add a few interface enhancements - that's most peoples idea of customisation...
Ok, everybody has their opinion on design, but since the original iMac in 1988, not a single PC manufacturer has made any kind of computer designs that have made people sit up and take notice.
Why does Apple get such a massively disproportionate amount of media coverage compared to its market share? It's partly because people who know about design and quality look up to Apple.
How many times in the past has Apple designed a new computer, gadget, piece of software, then 101 copycat PC designs have come out after? Apple innovates, and others follow.
There are lots of people who are willing to pay more for quality and design. That's why there are Rolls Royce and Robin Reliant cars, Bang & Olufson and Goodmans stereos. They both do the same job, but there's a huge difference in quality, workmanship, R&D and hence cost.
You can't compare Macs and PCs on cost alone, or power alone.
And to say Macs aren't for power users is simply naive. Macs are for everyone! But the majority of Macs are used in the video, film and publishing industries which require computers slightly more powerful than my Auntie Ethels word processing and e-mailing requires...
Posted by numnums
PCs are for geeks.
MACs are for artsy fartsy people.
Posted by nickorooster
Surprisingly, i agree with almost everything joolsG4 said. I still dont agree that while apple innovates, others follow. Sure, you invented the mouse, but PCs have been on the fore-front since.
Nick
Posted by numnums
actually the US military (well, some researchers who worked there) created the mouse and "windows" interface.
Posted by blackspot
Actually the original concept of the Apple's GUI and mouse technology is from Xerox. Apple bought it from them and developed into Lisa and then to Macintosh.
In my experience using Macs are generally more productive than using a Windows based PC, it's not the speed, but the overall ease of use, stability and flawless integration of software and hardware. Mac is a real Plug-And-Play, while PCs are most of the time Plug-And-Pray.
The mini is a very good buy, it gives you a true Mac performance at a very affordable price. It looks classy too IMO.
Posted by Gigs
Yup twas Xerox indeed with WIMP (Windows, Icons, Mouse, Pointer - iirc)
Eh modern pcs are fine for installing hardware, plug and pray might have been a little more realistic when things came with jumpers but its not really the case now. Sure you have to install a fair few drivers seperately at times but really how is that hard?
Eh being a gamer my choice isn't a mac, but hey, my mac classic makes a great footrest.
Posted by numnums
sorry this is getting off topic.. the mouse/windows interface was implemented in a computer (not for the public) from xerox in 1974 called the "Alto". steve jobs saw it and bought it for the Apple "lisa".
but the mouse idea was developed ten years earlier (by Doug Engelbart). and in this period between '64-'74 i would swear i read that researchers funded by the US dept. of defense made a similar system (mouse/windows GUI). i could be wrong! i read it ages ago...
but there's no argument that Apple made computers "loveable"
Posted by Ayush
Hey my cousin bought it already. Thanks guys :-)
Posted by vvrrmandiga
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*phew* all arguments beared fruit finally
Posted by nickorooster
Haha, alright, alright, but my G3 laptop and the G4 desktops I've used have crashed more than my XP systems put together (maybe I just take good care of my windows babies?)...
Aw well, I probably just got unlucky in my mac selection then.
Nick
Posted by Jools
Ever thought the source of your Mac problems may be down to the user?!!
If you try to do things on a Mac in the same as way you would on a PC you're bound to have problems!!
Most PC to Mac switchers expect things to be harder than they are on a Mac, just because that's what they're used to on a PC. They look for the hard ways of doing things, just because they can't believe something could be so simple!!
Posted by Ayush
Well my cousin says he loves it :-)
Posted by amnesia
i love mine too!
Posted by shyam335
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Dude.... Mac IS for power users..... not just for power users, almost 99% of the creative people out there who create music, movies and graphics use Macs. I never owned a mac in my life, but I will, I'm just waiting for Powerbook G5 to come out..... |
may be people using mac are creative and stuff . but i think mac is not as powerful and flexible (not in terms of ui) as linux (and windows to some extend) . now u might have understood what (and who) i meant by power users
_________________
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[ This Message was edited by: shyam335 on 2005-04-09 04:55 ]
Posted by numnums
what are the odds? i may be getting a mini mac soon because my coworker needed to borrow my G4 (and i realize now that i'm not going to see it again). i use XP primarily and a Mac for some things so hopefully the mini will do the job. and it will probably fit on top of my PC!
one thing that bugged me about the G4 was that it is noisy. can anyone tell me if the mini's are quiet or noisy or average? thanks.
EDIT: oops, the reviews from the 2nd post mention that it's quiet.
[ This Message was edited by: numnums on 2005-04-08 23:00 ]
Posted by Im_The_Scatman
http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/flash/apple.php
THE TRUTH!
Posted by Jools
You're the Scatman eh?
Posted by numnums
that was a pretty good attempt at humor, Im_The_Scatman.
there is an underlying point to the cartoon, if you can look past the puerility of it, that owning a MAC is like being in a cult. i never could understand the MAC lifestyle (the ipod craze included). though i guess i'm part of the SonyEricsson lifestyle at the moment!
Posted by FutureDesign
Think of it this way: their like cars pc are are for geeks (tuners, racerz) and mac are for the rich bAstards (porsche, bmw rr owners) so it depends on what you want
Posted by nickorooster
Perfect analogy!
Oh and Scat is a type of singing where you make noises that aren't really words, and yet they sound good. Search altavista mp3 for "scatman" and you'll see what I mean.
Nick
Posted by Jools
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If only!!! My current Mac cost £640 - I wish that also meant I could afford a Porsche or BMW!!!
Posted by nickorooster
Well, im sure you could have gotten a higher spec PC fro less
.
Hence the analogy.
Nick
Posted by mince-inside
Well my baby just arrived today (1.4ghz, 1/2Gb Ram, 80Gb HDD, BT, DVD writer, Airdoofery, BT keyboard and mouse) I'm VERY impressed with how idiot proof the the thing has been, taking out box and connecting to my ADSL WAP and all my mail from Demon in less than 10 mins. Now to try some of the links JoolsG4 PM'd me back in Feb when I ordered the thing!
Mr M
Posted by Jools
Congrats on your purchase! Happy days are ahead!!
Posted by haynesycop
congrats on your purchase
i got a powerbook on friday and i am delighted with it, having never used a mac the different layout takes some getting used to?
but i am getting used to it thanks to the help of joolsG4
there is no way i will ever go back to windows now
Posted by blackspot
I envy you guys. congratulations!