Mac Mini Advice

maximusbibicus · Mar 19th, 2008, 12:38 AM

I am looking at getting a Mac Mini to use with my HDTV. I will be using it with front row to watch downloaded content and to blast iTunes as well. I have been doing it with my Macbook (mini-dvi > dvi > HDMI) with great success. I just want a dedicated machine for it at this point.

Currently the 1.83 C2D is $649 but Apple.ca has refurbed 1.66 CoreDuo machines for $469.

The RAM and HDD specs are not a issue as i have 2GB of RAM and a 120GB HDD from my last Macbook just sitting around.

So here is the all important question. In your opinion, is it worth spending the extra $180 to get a new machine and a quicker processor? Or do I save the coin and hope that CoreDuo machine can chug along for a couple of years.

Just to add, I won't be doing any day to day computing on it. Just Safari, Transmission and Front Row. So a powerhouse isn't really needed.

Lars · Mar 19th, 2008, 12:46 AM

For those 3 items, the 1.66 w. 2GB RAM will be fine.

zlinger · Mar 19th, 2008, 12:58 AM

That is a good price.. you will be fine. You can always hack it in a few years and upgrade the processor if you need too. I did this with a Mac Mini Core Solo 1.5... to a Core 2 Duo 2.0. It is two yrs old... and hope to use it for many more (desktop right now.. and later on as an entertainment hub like you).

maximusbibicus · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:01 AM

How difficult was the processor upgrade?

maximusbibicus · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:07 AM

What the hell, the Apple refurb site is wonky. Just went to order the $469 1.66 machine and it is now gone. Then it comes back. Now it is joined by a 1.83 with SD for $529. I am gonna buy that one right now before the site changes again. Weird.

***edit, site changed again. This is hilarious. I'll wait until morning and see if anything is added****

Lars · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:11 AM

The Apple refurb site doesn't exactly update itself at the same pace as such units are sold, to say the least.

maximusbibicus · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:15 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by Lars
	The Apple refurb site doesn't exactly update itself at the same pace as such units are sold, to say the least.

Sure, but just a second ago that 1.83 machine was there, i added it to my cart and attempted to check out all within seconds and it declined the order saying my order exceeded their inventory level. A few refreshes of the refurb screen brings up some pretty entertaining results.

BlueMax · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:17 AM

$469???!?!!! Even if it IS an older "Duo" it's still peppy!

Man...... maaaaannnnn.... I'm fighting off the urge to buy that sucker NOW!!

maximusbibicus · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:21 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by BlueMax
	$469???!?!!! Even if it IS an older "Duo" it's still peppy! Man...... maaaaannnnn.... I'm fighting off the urge to buy that sucker NOW!!

Go try. I dare ya.

BlueMax · Mar 19th, 2008, 01:17 PM

GRAAAHHHH!!!!! I should have just ordered it! It's now gone.

Mar 19th, 2008, 12:38 AM	#1
maximusbibicus Full Citizen Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 992	Mac Mini Advice I am looking at getting a Mac Mini to use with my HDTV. I will be using it with front row to watch downloaded content and to blast iTunes as well. I have been doing it with my Macbook (mini-dvi > dvi > HDMI) with great success. I just want a dedicated machine for it at this point. Currently the 1.83 C2D is $649 but Apple.ca has refurbed 1.66 CoreDuo machines for $469. The RAM and HDD specs are not a issue as i have 2GB of RAM and a 120GB HDD from my last Macbook just sitting around. So here is the all important question. In your opinion, is it worth spending the extra $180 to get a new machine and a quicker processor? Or do I save the coin and hope that CoreDuo machine can chug along for a couple of years. Just to add, I won't be doing any day to day computing on it. Just Safari, Transmission and Front Row. So a powerhouse isn't really needed. __________________ Mac Pro Dual 2.8ghz\|10GB\|4TB\|SD Macbook 2ghz\|2GB\|160GB\|SD iMac 500mhz\|768MB\|30GB\|DVD iPhone 4 16GB & 32GB Black iPhone 3G 8GB Black iPod 4G 20GB iPod Shuffle 1GB

Mar 19th, 2008, 12:46 AM	#2
Lars Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: GTA Posts: 11,857	For those 3 items, the 1.66 w. 2GB RAM will be fine. __________________ Apple Certified Technician ACMT\|ACHDS 10.3-thru-10.5\|10.6+ Mac mini (Early 2009) 2.0GHz\|4GB\|500GB\|NVIDIA Geforce 9400M\|AP\|BT\|Mac OS X 10.6.4 Sound System Audio Engine A2 2.0. iPhone: 3GS 16GB

Mar 19th, 2008, 01:01 AM	#4
maximusbibicus Full Citizen Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 992	How difficult was the processor upgrade? __________________ Mac Pro Dual 2.8ghz\|10GB\|4TB\|SD Macbook 2ghz\|2GB\|160GB\|SD iMac 500mhz\|768MB\|30GB\|DVD iPhone 4 16GB & 32GB Black iPhone 3G 8GB Black iPod 4G 20GB iPod Shuffle 1GB

Mar 19th, 2008, 01:07 AM	#5
maximusbibicus Full Citizen Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Toronto Posts: 992	What the hell, the Apple refurb site is wonky. Just went to order the $469 1.66 machine and it is now gone. Then it comes back. Now it is joined by a 1.83 with SD for $529. I am gonna buy that one right now before the site changes again. Weird. *edit, site changed again. This is hilarious. I'll wait until morning and see if anything is added __________________ Mac Pro Dual 2.8ghz\|10GB\|4TB\|SD Macbook 2ghz\|2GB\|160GB\|SD iMac 500mhz\|768MB\|30GB\|DVD iPhone 4 16GB & 32GB Black iPhone 3G 8GB Black iPod 4G 20GB iPod Shuffle** 1GB

Mar 19th, 2008, 01:11 AM	#6
Lars Honourable Citizen Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: GTA Posts: 11,857	The Apple refurb site doesn't exactly update itself at the same pace as such units are sold, to say the least. __________________ Apple Certified Technician ACMT\|ACHDS 10.3-thru-10.5\|10.6+ Mac mini (Early 2009) 2.0GHz\|4GB\|500GB\|NVIDIA Geforce 9400M\|AP\|BT\|Mac OS X 10.6.4 Sound System Audio Engine A2 2.0. iPhone: 3GS 16GB

Mar 19th, 2008, 12:58 AM	#3
zlinger Full Citizen Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 909	That is a good price.. you will be fine. You can always hack it in a few years and upgrade the processor if you need too. I did this with a Mac Mini Core Solo 1.5... to a Core 2 Duo 2.0. It is two yrs old... and hope to use it for many more (desktop right now.. and later on as an entertainment hub like you).

Mar 19th, 2008, 01:17 AM	#8
BlueMax Full Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 453	$469???!?!!! Even if it IS an older "Duo" it's still peppy! Man...... maaaaannnnn.... I'm fighting off the urge to buy that sucker NOW!!

Mar 19th, 2008, 01:17 PM	#10
BlueMax Full Citizen Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 453	GRAAAHHHH!!!!! I should have just ordered it! It's now gone.

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