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"Mac Mini"

Do you own a Mac Mini? What's it like? Did you buy it as your first Mac system?

I havent used a Mac before but I'm in a position where it would be good for me to use both (being an animator & artist). At the moment I only need to become familiar with it, web-wise, using it with some graphics programs, adobe, macromedia etc. Then I'll buy a Power Mac G5 for the more heavy serious software, video editing, animation etc. So the Mac Mini sounds perfect for a starter system.

I'm guessing if I'm going to be using graphics programs I'll need to buy some more RAM for it. I would also like the 30-inch Cinema HD display (that I would then use when I get a Mac G5) which I think the Mac Mini could handle. I would get the G5 now but it'll likely cost far more than the display and I can give the Mac Mini to my mum.

So can you refer me to any websites for Mac users (or sites for Mac artists, webdesigners, photographers,etc). Suggestions on good Mac magazines. Would it be a must for me to buy Apple Protection Plan (or maybe just for the G5 and not the Mac Mini?) Is the Apple online site cheapest for Apple products or do you suggest another place? I think that's all my question I'll add more if they come to mind.

This is more like it, after adding some extras - far too expensive for what you get:

1GB DDR333 SDRAM - 1 DIMM
• 80GB Ultra ATA drive
• DVD±R/CD-RW
• Internal Bluetooth Module
• Wireless Keyboard & Mouse Kits
• 56k V.92 modem
• Mac OS X
• Mac mini - 1.42GHz
Ready to ship:
3 days

Free Shipping

Price: £616.17
VAT: £107.83
Subtotal: £724.00

I'm after an actual PC soon (I use a laptop for everything), but mainly for gaming - what advantages would this have over £1000 spent on a custom PC that I can keep adding to?

The only thing that concerns me with the Intel thing is the fact that will support for PPC become defunct?

I.e. Say the next version of OSX comes out (x86 based), what are PPC users going to have?

Had my Mac Mini for about 5 months now. Love it. Been using Mac's in work for years but could never justify the cost of of a high end Mac (£4000+) for home until the Mini came about which has answered my needs.

I use mine mainly for site testing, Media storage and as a portable web server. It rocks.

Managed the impossible too. After intorducing the wife to OSX, she's now taken the plunge and replacing her WinTel laptop in a couple of weeks for an iBook.

If you want to dabble with OSX/Apple, then I'd highly recomend a Mini to anyone. Far safer bet than blowing £2000+ on setting up a G5 only to be disspointed.

FWIW, ignore the idea of waiting for the Intel Revolution, the timeframe for this is almost 3 years with the iBooks being updated first towards the begining/mid 2006. The whole Intel thing is still in early development and should really be ignored until the inital hardware next year has settled in.

phi11ip wrote:
> You are joking about buying a Mac mini aren't you?

Used one have you?

Hi there Mark.

I suggest waiting for a bit before you take the plunge - "Why?!", I hear you ask: -

[URL]http://www.apple.com/uk/pr/060605_intel.html[/URL]

New processor.

Although, you might be able to pick up a Mini pretty cheap.

You are joking about buying a Mac mini aren't you?

I have an angle poise iMac G4 ([URL]http://flickr.com/photos/timmargh/13732243/[/URL]) - it was my first Mac although I'd used and original iMac and a G3 PowerMac for about a month each in the past. I don't hate Windows but there's no way I switch back voluntarily ;^)

The Mac Mini won't be able to drive the 30" cinema display - the display requires at least the NVIDIA GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL to run. It'll run a 20" or 23" display though.

There are plenty of good sites around, but by far the best forums I've found are on MacOSX.com ([URL]http://www.macosx.com/[/URL]). When (if) you get your Mac be sure to check out MacOSXHints ([URL] http://www.macosxhints.com/[/URL]) too.

I don't subscribe to any magazines but I've heard plenty of good things about MacUser ([URL]http://macuser.pcpro.co.uk/[/URL]).

Don't know about the Apple Protection Plan although it might be a good idea if you're planning o buying a G5 PowerMac. As for prices: Apple stuff is the same price wherever you go - you might get £10 off an iPod on another site but that's about it.

Do you own a Mac Mini? What's it like? Did you buy it as your first Mac system?

I havent used a Mac before but I'm in a position where it would be good for me to use both (being an animator & artist). At the moment I only need to become familiar with it, web-wise, using it with some graphics programs, adobe, macromedia etc. Then I'll buy a Power Mac G5 for the more heavy serious software, video editing, animation etc. So the Mac Mini sounds perfect for a starter system.

I'm guessing if I'm going to be using graphics programs I'll need to buy some more RAM for it. I would also like the 30-inch Cinema HD display (that I would then use when I get a Mac G5) which I think the Mac Mini could handle. I would get the G5 now but it'll likely cost far more than the display and I can give the Mac Mini to my mum.

So can you refer me to any websites for Mac users (or sites for Mac artists, webdesigners, photographers,etc). Suggestions on good Mac magazines. Would it be a must for me to buy Apple Protection Plan (or maybe just for the G5 and not the Mac Mini?) Is the Apple online site cheapest for Apple products or do you suggest another place? I think that's all my question I'll add more if they come to mind.