Typophile - Mac Mini for design work - Comments

James Gareth — Mon, 24 Jan 2005 14:56:04 -0800

Thanks for the help Joe. I just wanted you all to know that I pulled the trigger on this and will let you know how it works out. Sadly, I'll only get it around the middle of February. Damn Apple's new-product supply problems Thanks for all the help.

Joe Pemberton — Wed, 19 Jan 2005 07:42:40 -0800

Your link is broken James:
http://www.smashsworld.com/2005/01/taking-apart-mac-mini-how-to.php

Here's a good read, also at Smashworld.com - Mac Mini vs. Airport Express:
http://www.smashsworld.com/2005/01/mac-mini-vs-airport-extremeexpress.php

James Gareth — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 16:35:34 -0800

It's already happenning. There's already a video showing how to open the Mini! Huzzah!

Click here

beejay — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 13:47:11 -0800

ahhh, nice.

and three cheers for him from this UA alum!

Joe Pemberton — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 12:02:12 -0800

My bro is a training and support consultant (IT, server admin,
software training, etc.). His company is in Phoenix:
http://www.L3training.com/

So, he's my own personal insider, but it's funny how he gets his
insider news from the rumor sites just like the rest of us.

matt_desmond — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 11:21:20 -0800

"I'd also like to know! Are they lossless files, or just a whole bunch of MP3s and AACs?"

Speaking for myself, My collection is all either mp3 or AAC at 192kbps (some older 128kpbs files too). While I'm not up to 80 gigs yet, a Mac Mini with OS and software on it will take up quite a bit of space and won't fit my collection.

beejay — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:55:42 -0800

Joe ... I think you might have mentioned it in an older thread,
but what does your brother do at Apple again?
(besides leak you all the insider info) ;)

Joe Pemberton — Tue, 18 Jan 2005 10:50:13 -0800

Re the Mac Mini:

This product is really aimed at - Windows users who already have a PC at home and want to replace it with a Mac. Until now, switching to a home Mac meant getting an iMac or an eMac, where you're essentially having to buy a keyboard, mouse and screen instead of just upgrading the CPU.

This is a smart move since it gets Apple on the sub-$1000 home market. But it's aimed at people who already have a monitor and other peripherals and just want to get a swanky new OS.

Not saying you won't be able to use this as a capable, home workstation... it's just that it wasn't designed for that.

(My brother works at Apple, so I'll pretend to be an expert with his semi-insider info. =)

James Gareth — Mon, 17 Jan 2005 17:54:59 -0800

Wait a second... wait a second... you people have more that 80Gbs of music???

I'd also like to know! Are they lossless files, or just a whole bunch of MP3s and AACs?

quark2pdf — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 23:05:30 -0800

A 1.4 Ghz G4 processor with 512 will certainly do professional graphics. I have several G4 1Ghz at work that are running Adobe Creative Suite, Adobe Indesign CS and Quark Xpress 6 doing heavy duty pdf workflow with PDF-X-Robot. Now, they are not as fast as the new G5 boxes that I have but they are very solid machines. PDF-X-Robot will run automated all day long on them every day of the week. I agree with another poster that it won't be good for video editing but for page layout and production it will do the job for sure.

as8 — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 07:00:52 -0800

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4170591.stm

andi emery — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 06:18:36 -0800

You know, the more I look at the mini, the more I think it would be perfect for home use. Unless you're doing video editing, it's great

benkiel — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 04:20:32 -0800

Ah, the cat is out of the bag, memory is installable by the user, and doesn't void the warranty, see here. Now, adding in bluetooth and airport does bump the price up a lot ($129), something not many people are talking about. Also, it seems that upgrading the internal drive isn't possible, but external drives are fairly cheap. I would say that if this is a backup or work-at-home machine, it would be fine. If it was a daily use machine, i'd be hesitant. It sounds like you just want a work-at-home machine, so I would go for it and install more ram yourself. I second Joe's suggestion of 1 gig of ram: that seems to be the point where OSX is happiest.

emp — Fri, 14 Jan 2005 20:54:34 -0800

You'll probably regret buying a Mac mini. Get an older dual G4 or save up for a dual G5.

Joe Pemberton — Fri, 14 Jan 2005 14:03:27 -0800

I use a PowerBook, 1.6Ghz / 1GB RAM for all my work and have
found it to be very capable. But you're going to want at least 1GB
of RAM. Also, Apple is picky about what RAM they will say is
compatible so I'd just have Apple install it.

On the other hand, if you're used to a G5 I could see how going
home to a slower machine would disappoint.

Mac Mini for design work

James Gareth — Wed, 12 Jan 2005 13:32:13 -0800

Hello All,

Since yesterday's announcement of the Mac Mini, I've been considering picking up one of these for the home. My only concern is upgradability (you can't upgrade the memory or hard disc yourself) and with power. How will the 1.4GHz G4 hold up to Design apps like the Creative Suite provided I get one with at least 512MB of RAM. My only experience with CS is on a G5 and on PCs. Any suggestions appreciated.