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caulktel
Senior Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 365
Location: Eagle Point OR USA
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 Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject: So what does everybody think of the 2011 Mini? |
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I think I will pick up a base model before the end of year. Just wondering what everybody thinks of them. I wont miss the optical drive at all and will only use for my business to invoice and surf and check email.
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Mac Mini 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM 500GB HD
Mac Mini G4 1.25GHz 1gb RAM 120gb HD
Macbook Pro 13 inch late October 2009 4GB Ram 160GB HD
iPhone 4S 16GB |
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Smithcraft
Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Nov 2008
Posts: 3011
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:12 am Post subject: |
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Over the last few years, I have come to accept the fact that Apple will release a product that I would almost buy, but has a critical failure for me.
In this case the loss of the optical drive is a critical failure for me. Other design failures include the internal power supply which limits what you can get in terms of features. An external supply(as per Phillip) would allow the top end CPU and a real GPU, instead you can only get one or the other.
SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.
[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8
[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)
Make sure it has pins! |
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Fox
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Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 2630
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 5:21 am Post subject: |
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I am very happy with mine. It is very fast, at least once you replace the paltry 2gb RAM. (I have 8gb in mine.) The lack of an optical drive is a non-issue to me.
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Mini 1: 2.3 ghz Core i5; 8 gb RAM, Corsair 240gb SSD, 500 gb Seagate XT
Mini 2: 2.26 ghz Core 2 duo, 8 gb RAM, 500 gb Seagate
Also a Cube, 13" MacBook Air, 20" 2.66 ghz iMac & 11.6" Acer 1810TZ running Ubuntu, Mint & openSuse |
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caulktel
Senior Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 365
Location: Eagle Point OR USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:48 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the opinions and info. The computer store called right after I posted this and said that my Mini is in, so I will pop in and pick it up this morning. I intend to put 8GB in it today as well, what was Apple thinking with only 2GB, ($$$$$). Ram is pretty cheap now so no big deal. I think I will be happy as I don't really need to modify it in in any way other than the ram.
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Mac Mini 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM 500GB HD
Mac Mini G4 1.25GHz 1gb RAM 120gb HD
Macbook Pro 13 inch late October 2009 4GB Ram 160GB HD
iPhone 4S 16GB |
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philiparcario
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Joined: 19 Jun 2006
Posts: 4567
Location: Howell NJ USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:58 am Post subject: |
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As a non gamer the mac mini is a beast. I like it so much i sold my mac pro.
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2010 Mm 2.4 C2D oem 320gb hdd 8gb ram
2012Mm base 2.5 with 16gb ram diy fusion drive
2012Mm quad with 8gb ram oem 1tb hdd
promise pegasus r6 3x 3tb + 3x 4tb =21tb hdds
lacie little big disk 2x 512gb ssds
synology 2tb disk station |
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:01 am Post subject: |
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| Smithcraft wrote: | | Over the last few years, I have come to accept the fact that Apple will release a product that I would almost buy, but has a critical failure for me. |
I respect your opinion, but on that note...
I try to focus on all the things the mini can do. I don't get caught up in the few things that it can not. Some times we need to compromise. Yes, previous models were more flexible for internal internal upgrades. Yes Apple could have put more inside if the power supply was external.
That being said, I think the new minis are quite nice. As Phil mentioned the minis are not suited for hardcore gamers (but neither is an entry level PC). |
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Fox
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Joined: 01 Feb 2006
Posts: 2630
Location: Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:30 am Post subject: |
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Just a warning, if you ever decide to upgrade the drive, don't use the OtherWorld Computing video that has you loosening the motherboard. It isn't necessary, and there is another video that shows this. I used the OWC video, which didn't clearly show how you disconnect the cable that gives on on-light and infrared connection. I ended up dislodging the connector from the mobo, so I have no on light or infrared. Not a big deal and at some point I'll get that connector soldered back on, but I wasn't happy when I found out it didn't have to be disconnected in the first place.
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Mini 1: 2.3 ghz Core i5; 8 gb RAM, Corsair 240gb SSD, 500 gb Seagate XT
Mini 2: 2.26 ghz Core 2 duo, 8 gb RAM, 500 gb Seagate
Also a Cube, 13" MacBook Air, 20" 2.66 ghz iMac & 11.6" Acer 1810TZ running Ubuntu, Mint & openSuse |
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Bandit Bill
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject: |
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| caulktel wrote: | | Thanks for the opinions and info. The computer store called right after I posted this and said that my Mini is in, so I will pop in and pick it up this morning. I intend to put 8GB in it today as well, what was Apple thinking with only 2GB, ($$$$$). Ram is pretty cheap now so no big deal. I think I will be happy as I don't really need to modify it in in any way other than the ram. |
I agree. I would definitely upgrade the RAM. Some times it's difficult to believe how Apple can be so cheap. This is especially true in the entry level MacBook Air... You are stuck at 2GB.
The entry level mini with a RAM upgrade is still less money than the higher end model. Based on your needs, I'm confident you are making the best choice. |
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Smithcraft
Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Nov 2008
Posts: 3011
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:00 pm Post subject: |
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| Bandit Bill wrote: | | Smithcraft wrote: | | Over the last few years, I have come to accept the fact that Apple will release a product that I would almost buy, but has a critical failure for me. |
I respect your opinion, but on that note...
I try to focus on all the things the mini can do. I don't get caught up in the few things that it can not. Some times we need to compromise. Yes, previous models were more flexible for internal internal upgrades. Yes Apple could have put more inside if the power supply was external.
That being said, I think the new minis are quite nice. As Phil mentioned the minis are not suited for hardcore gamers (but neither is an entry level PC). |
While I also respect you opinion, if the computer can't do what I need it to do out of the box, then I'm not going to give Apple my money. I can compromise over some money, and you have to sometimes, but if I'm going to drop $1100 on a computer, it better do what I want it to do out of the box.
SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.
[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8
[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)
Make sure it has pins! |
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albert2k
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Joined: 15 Sep 2011
Posts: 53
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject: |
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Mine is great but this is my first mac then I can not compare with old ones.
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Mac Mini - 2.3GHz dual-core Intel Core i5
8GB memory - 500 GB hard drive
OS X Mountain Lion
Macbook Air - 1.8GHz - Intel Core i5
4GB Memory - 250 GB Hard Disk
OS X Mountain Lion
iPad 2 - iPhone 4 |
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caulktel
Senior Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Posts: 365
Location: Eagle Point OR USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:24 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I have it and I'm using it. Don't think too much of the migration Assistant though. It didn't transfer my music or pictures from my old Mini, which is no problem as I will just manually do it. But on a more positive note I love it, it is so cool looking and quiet, and Lion I was already familiar with from my MBP so no problems there. I went to pick up the ram right after buying the Mini and my supplier had just ran out so will have to run on 2GB for a few days  , but it runs pretty good anyway.
_________________
Mac Mini 2.3 GHz Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM 500GB HD
Mac Mini G4 1.25GHz 1gb RAM 120gb HD
Macbook Pro 13 inch late October 2009 4GB Ram 160GB HD
iPhone 4S 16GB |
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Bandit Bill
Veteran Member
Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 5793
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:15 pm Post subject: |
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| caulktel wrote: | | Well, I have it and I'm using it. Don't think too much of the migration Assistant though. It didn't transfer my music or pictures from my old Mini, which is no problem as I will just manually do it. But on a more positive note I love it, it is so cool looking and quiet, and Lion I was already familiar with from my MBP so no problems there. I went to pick up the ram right after buying the Mini and my supplier had just ran out so will have to run on 2GB for a few days , but it runs pretty good anyway. |
It would be interesting to watch "Activity Monitor" over the next 2 days. Under the "System Memory" section... note the number of "page outs" vs. "page ins". Then again... after you get the RAM. Your "page outs" will probably drop to zero.
I suggest you humor us and post your results. Fun for all. You'll also get a good idea of the value (or not) that you will be getting by upgrading the RAM.
ps congrats on the new mini. |
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epic_ed
Member
Joined: 08 Mar 2005
Posts: 178
Location: Indiana
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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| The best Mac I've owned to date. I had an original Intel Mac mini and then went to the iMac for performance, but was unhappy with the glare coming off the screen. I don't feel like I'm giving up performance with this one. The lack of an optical drive doesn't either me either, since I have a couple externals with Lightscribe. It's just a great system -- fast, quiet and small. If I had the money, I'd buy another one. |
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Smallwheels
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Joined: 06 Sep 2008
Posts: 241
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| Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:47 pm Post subject: |
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Are there any other brands of computer out there that have similar features (other than Lion) that cost less money? I like the idea of a low power computer. That is why I might buy another laptop instead of another desktop.
I have a desktop computer that has a low end AMD processor and the people at Netflix commented to me that AMD computers have more difficulty streaming videos than intel computers. My AMD doesn't play video well at all in the streaming format. It does just fine with DVDs and recorded video. It does OK with Youtube. Maybe the problem is with the Silverlight program from Microsoft.
My Apple computer is doing OK but it is now three years old. It has 2 GB RAM and the 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo still works. Whatever it gets replaced with it should be better with video and image loading. Those are the only things that are really lacking in my computer.
If I do buy a Microsoft powered machine it will immediately become a dual boot with some form of Linux. As I've written before, I only keep MS around for Netflix. I'm disappointed that the Google Chromebook promise of a coming Netflix application hasn't happened. The Chromebook is powered by Linux under the hood.
So are there comparable computers out there that are equal to the Mac Mini at a lower price? |
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Smithcraft
Veteran Member
Joined: 09 Nov 2008
Posts: 3011
Location: Seattle
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| Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2011 2:47 am Post subject: |
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It depends.
Does size matter? Then no, there is no comparable system.
Does price matter? You can build(or have built) a system that can surpass the mini for the same amount.
Does power consumption matter? Then I doubt you will find anything that is as energy efficient as the mini.
SC
_________________
Grumpy old man of computing.
[Desktop] G4 mini - 1.5Ghz 1GB 80GB HDD - Newer miniStack v2 500GB - 10.5.8
[Media System] Intel i5 mini - 2.33Ghz 8GB 500GB HDD - 4 x Hitachi 2TB HDD in a qBOX-SF - 10.7.5 (Thanks Phil!)
Make sure it has pins! |
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