Macworld Benchmarks New Mac Minis

[admin]

Macworld Benchmarks New Mac Minis
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Posted by: Glenn

Macworld has posted a series of benchmark results for the new Mac minis released this week. The testing pretty much confirms earlier results, which showed a giant leap in processor performance over the previous generation. And based on Macworld's testing, that led to better iTunes encoding, HandBrake encoding, and Cinebench CPU scores. Their graphics testing, which included Cinebench GPU and Call of Duty 4 tests, showed more mixed results. They have the new 2.3GHz Core i5 Mac mini with integrated Intel HD Graphics 3000 lagging behind the older 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini with integrated GeForce 320M graphics. But the new 2.5GHz Core i5 Mac mini with discrete AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics, pretty much blows it out of the water. It was able to display nearly twice as many frames per second in Cinebench's OpenGL test, and 53 percent more frames per second in Call of Duty 4. So if you're into gaming, it should be pretty clear which Mac mini to go with. I would suggest that you head on over to Macworld and check out the entire article though. It's an interesting one to say the least.



http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/1675.html

[mdgm]

Unfortunately they didn't include the 2011 Mini Server in their review.
_________________
Laptop - 2007 Macbook 2.16Ghz, 2GB RAM 500GB 7200RPM HDD
HTPC - 2.0Ghz Mac Mini (Early 09), 120GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
Another Mini - 2.53Ghz Mac Mini (Late 09), 320GB 5400 RPM HDD and 4GB RAM
NAS - 2 x ReadyNas NV+ and 1 x ReadyNAS Ultra 6.

[OGN]

I bet the server does about the same in graphic testing, but I would still like to see it included more in these reviews. I just think the server model the way to go if you're in the market for a Mac mini. Beyond the better processor, you have two working 7200rpm hard drives from the get-go. Who really knows if that cable will ever come for another hard drive in the standard models?
_________________
2.4GHz MacBook Pro/4GB/320GB HD
2.26GHz Mac mini/4GB/500GB HD
16GB iPhone 3G
2 x 20" Apple Cinemas
http://www.hawaiimacnuts.org

[ivan77]

yeah I'd like to know where u get the second cable from?

[renzopanta]

Hi guys, would it be a good idea to sell my late 2009 mac mini (4GB, 2.53GHz, HD 320GB) to get the new mac mini (cheapest version)?

From what I understand, it would not, as in terms of performance it would not be an improvement.

Please let me know your thoughts.

Paid 640 for the mini in april 2010. I could sell it for 450, and invest 150 to have the updated model.

Thanks for your advice

[tom d]

Renzopanta, In reply to your question I think you would have to judge that on what you do. I have just ordered the base model this morning with an Apple cd writer from Macconnection, $579, no tax, no ship charges. I just use it for internet, email, letters, youtube and a few movies and itunes.

The scores for the new minis as far as speed and faster capabilities are about 35 to 40 % faster than the 2010 mini.

I would suggest that you follow the posts and links by Phill Carrio (I know I just murdered his last name, I,m sorry} he has just modded a mini and has great links to his work with pictures.

tom d

Phill I apologize I have CRS this morning

[renzopanta]

Thanks tom d.

It is just that it's hard to find comparisons between the top of the line late 2009 (4GB ram) and the base model mid 2011 (2GB ram)...
As these comparisons usually tend to focus on similar configurations.

I will try to gather this info on the web.
Thanks.
R.

[tom d]

If you follow the recent posts of PhilAcarrio yoy will see his scores he has a 2009 2.53 a 2.66 a 2010 model and a base new one. He has it all covered, he posts here as well as Macrumors.

tom d

[renzopanta]

Thanks will do.
have a nice day

Renzo

[ESUNintel]

[renzopanta]

I mostly use it for very basic things. Checking my email, web browsing, managing my pictures...

I have recently noticed that it's getting slower and slower.
The new version of iPhoto, for instance, is so slow!
10 seconds to open, not as smooth as it used to be when browsing through the pics, and 1-2 secs rendering time when moving from a pic to the next one...

Still usable, but it might be the right time to upgrade, spending about 150 euros and getting a latest model with 1 yr warranty

[tom d]

If you are having a slow down, go into the disk utility and run Preferences, then empty your browser cashe, if that doesn't help clone your hard drive with Super Duper or Carbon Copy Cloner to another hard drive and then back again. I don't do much more than you, and mine has been okay, I use a 2010 mini.
tom d

[macmanmacman]

no the main reason!!!

You need to understand something...

Amd/Ati try to build good graphic cards but always fall short on performance it sucks they didn't need to use the shared graphic memory option ATI makes a windows based gpu that is hd that is on compaq computers that requires no heatsink and no shared memory but they didn't use it which sucks shared memory will always bring the performance down.