Books: Pimping Your Mac Mini

[admin]

Books: Pimping Your Mac Mini
Wednesday December 28, 2005

Thomson Course Technology has released "Pimping Your Mac Mini: Performing Amazing Tricks with the World's Smallest Mac," a 280-page book by Brad Miser. The book seeks to "help intermediate to advanced Mac users take their Mac mini's capabilities a step further." Topics covered in the book include: upgrading the Mac Mini's hard drive; customizing the Mac Mini's case; installing the Mac Mini in a car dashboard; and more. The book features a colorful and visually appealing layout with many illustrations as well as concise instructions on how to do each project. The suggested retail price for "Pimping Your Mac Mini" is US $21.99.



http://www.123macmini.com/news/story/413.html

[Texark]

It sounds like an interesting book, but what's up with the cover?

[devo]

This may be the first computer book ever with word "Pimp" in the title.

[RJT]

Managed to find a copy of this book. Thought some might be interested in the chapter contents.


Chapter TITLE Page

1 Setting up a wireless network for a mini 1

2 Broadcasting a Mini's iTunes, iPhoto, etc. 43

3 Expanding a Mini's reach with a .Mac account 91

4 Synchronizing your Mini with cell phones & PDAs 121

5 Hooking up a Mini with awesome sound 149

Understanding sound options

Listening with analog speakers

with USB speakers

with headphones

connecting to home theater audio receiver

6 Listening to Internet Radio 175

7 Watching and Recording Video and TV 199

8 Connecting a Mini to a TV 227

Appendix A Pimping a Mini 241

Assessing Fitness

Adding Wireless Networking

Making a Mini Blue (bluetooth)

Ramping a Mini's RAM

Expanding a Mini's disk space


This book is great for an INTERMEDIATE user. For many on this board the contents are not that advanced/interesting. At least I think so. For example, only a single page is devoted to taking a Mini apart.

A few months ago I put together my own book because I could not find the necessary "good" information in any commercial publication. Much of my book is not part of "Pimping Your Mac Mini" sad to report.

Sorry.

[Bandit Bill]

"Pimping" is a poor choose for the title based on the chapter descriptions. The cover sucks.

Pimping is a good buzz word to get people to pick up the book and take a look at it.

Same with words like hijacking etc.

[blazer]

Those chapter descriptions don't sound that interesting. A true modding book would have some chapters on overclocking, case modifications, and lighting.
_________________
1.42GHz Mac mini
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini
2.0GHz Core 2 Duo Mac mini (2009)
2.5GHz Core i5 Mac mini (2011)
24" Dell LCD & 42" Sharp TV
EyeTV 250 Plus
1G, 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G iPod nanos
16GB 3G iPhone

[Bandit Bill]

[GrendelPrime]

Forgive me if this sounds a bit harsh, and I don't mean it as an insult in any way, but the 'current trends' in Mac modding seem to equate to what PC guys were doing 5 years ago.

I graciously admit that due to their very design, PCs are in more dire need of modification than Macs, both for aesthetics and functionality, but repainting a Powerbook and sticking an led under the logo doesn't strike me as 'extreme'.

G-Gnome is well known for some of his extreme modifications in the PC modding world, and has since evolved into more of a fabricator now, browse through some of his project logs.
I can't hope to reach his level of skill, but I do find his work inspiring insofar as what is technically possible.
While the industrial look is very cool, I'm more traditional and prefer a minimalist approach.
The more understated the better, which I feel the Mac is well suited for.

[g5g5]

[Bandit Bill]

[RJT]

Re Bandit Bill's comments - - -

This is especially true when you consider the latest (silent G3) specs.

Still cannot understand Apple's motive, but do like what we can get for $799 (and free overnight shipping, no less).