I am looking for one, I want to buy second hand, what are the min requirements for HD 1080p video and which mac has what it takes? Does CoreAVC work well on OS X? How much RAM should I get, does OS X use a lot of RAM? I mainly use my computer for internet (I plan to install Google Chrome), word processing (OpenOffice), and 1080p movies. Thanks
I am looking for an Intel mac, no PowerPC macs please.
I'm pretty sure the 2009 Mac Mini can do this well. I watch 1080p Movie on my 2006 Mac Mini very smoothly, although I am running 10.5.6 ( Haven't gotten around to updating ) so I don't' know how snow leopard run it.
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1.33 GHz iBook G4, 10.5 ; PowerMac B&W G3 400MHz, 10.4 ;1.66 Ghz Mac Mini Intel Core Duo, 10.5
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Any 2009 Mac can play 1080p smoothly, so you're set there. I would get 4GB of RAM if possible, but do it by shopping for third-party memory; NCIX, Newegg.ca and ShopRBC are where I go. You're usually looking for SODiMM DDR3 sticks running at 1,066MHz (for new iMacs, 1,333). 2GB will do in a pinch.
The OP should be forewarned that changing out the RAM on a 2009 Mac mini is a bit difficult and carries some risk (a lot of people shear off the temp sensor for some reason). It's certainly quite doable, but not a walk in the park.
I also have the late 2009, core 2 duo Mac mini and it plays 1080p fine. if you want the best deal try finding the older late 2009 models with 2.53ghz, they come with 4gb ram. That will ensure good performance, without you having to open up the case manually and replacing the RAM.
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Macintosh: Mac Mini Intel Core 2 Duo 2.53ghz (Late 2009)
iOS Devices: iPod Touch 2nd Gen 32gb
I have 3 minis set up as AV stations.
The first is an 07 2.0ghz core 2 duo (with GMA 950 64mb) & 4gb of ram running 10.5.6(?). It runs 1080P blueray rips, but not perfectly. Occasionaly stuttering/frame jumping. Both with QT Pro & Perian as well as with VLC.
The second is and early 09 2.0ghz (GeForce 9400M 128/256) & 2gb of ram running 10.6something. It plays 1080 smooth as butter. I was astounded at how much more capable it is even with only 2gb or ram. I still pine for the ability to play MKV files through QT pro on 10.6, however. I bought it as a refurb, and it came preloaded with snow leopard and snow leopard discs, even though that model originally shipped with leopard... I think. Shame...
The third is also an 07 2.0 but with only 1gb of ram (I haven't found a free afternoon to perform the brain surgery and pop some more in). I'm running 10.5something on it as well. Surprisingly, it deals with 1080P about as well as the the 1st 2.0 with 4gb of ram. Everything else is incredibly slow - the spinning wheel is like a pretty pre-show performed before each action. But once the vid is up and running it's not much different. Both deal with most 720P files fine, but they're nautical miles behind the 09 mini.
) so I don't' know how snow leopard run it.
if you want the best deal try finding the older late 2009 models with 2.53ghz, they come with 4gb ram. That will ensure good performance, without you having to open up the case manually and replacing the RAM.
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