Is Mac Mini anygood?

[cheez]

My family's entertainment PC will hopefully be replaced soon. It's a cheap budget PC built from scratch and been used for 4- 5 years now.

Is Mac Mini any good? That damn thing is tiny!!! amazing stuff.:twisted:

How is the quality though? What is your user experience with the mini. I'm referring to the late / latest model that's out now.

I see that it comes with HDMI-to-DVI adapter. Their plasma TV takes DVI input and VGA input only. The native resolution is 1366 x 768. Will Mac Mini with its supplied adapter will output 1366 x768???? Anyone has experience on this?

Lemme know.


Thanks a valleyball court.

 

[gus6464]

The HDMI to DVI adapter that comes with the mini is super flaky. I have a 1080p and a 1600x1050 monitor running off my mini via HDMI (1080p) and Thunderbolt->DVI adapter. Monoprice sells a better HDMI->DVI or TB->DVI/HDMI than the garbage one Apple supplies for like 4 bucks.

I have no issues running 2 different 1080p videos simultaneously on each screen with my mini. When I got mine last year I upgraded to 8gb of ram and I just added a Samsung 830 SSD alongside the stock 500gb HDD and it has become a whole different beast.

 

[cheez]

The HDMI to DVI adapter that comes with the mini is super flaky. I have a 1080p and a 1600x1050 monitor running off my mini via HDMI (1080p) and Thunderbolt->DVI adapter. Monoprice sells a better HDMI->DVI or TB->DVI/HDMI than the garbage one Apple supplies for like 4 bucks.

I have no issues running 2 different 1080p videos simultaneously on each screen with my mini. When I got mine last year I upgraded to 8gb of ram and I just added a Samsung 830 SSD alongside the stock 500gb HDD and it has become a whole different beast.

Thanks. WOw, you can go from Thunderbolt to DVI??? I never knew Thunderbolt supports video out wow. I thought it was strictly for things like file transfer or connecting to devices for other things...

And you can upgrade to SSD from hard drive in mini? Do you take out the hard drive and put in the SSD connect via serial? :$


And I need to know if anyone is able to get 1366 x 768 resolution using the HDMI-to-DVI adapter that came with the mini. anyone?

 

[gus6464]

Thanks. WOw, you can go from Thunderbolt to DVI??? I never knew Thunderbolt supports video out wow. I thought it was strictly for things like file transfer or connecting to devices for other things...

And you can upgrade to SSD from hard drive in mini? Do you take out the hard drive and put in the SSD connect via serial? :$


And I need to know if anyone is able to get 1366 x 768 resolution using the HDMI-to-DVI adapter that came with the mini. anyone?

Thunderbolt is basically Mini Displayport but it also supports peripherals.

The Mini also has room for a second hard drive. OWC sells a kit http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMM11D2/

On the res question OSX will recognize whatever the connected monitor supports and will let you pick it from the drop down or you can just put in whatever res you want.

 

[kem327]

I've got an older model (late 2009 I believe) running at 1080p on my LED TV. Never had any problems with it and would recommend it. Only downside really is the cost (certainly not your cheapest option). If you're going the Mac mini route, I'd definitely suggest checking out Plex.

 

[cheez]

Thunderbolt is basically Mini Displayport but it also supports peripherals.

I'll be damned.

The Mini also has room for a second hard drive. OWC sells a kit http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMM11D2/

On the res question OSX will recognize whatever the connected monitor supports and will let you pick it from the drop down or you can just put in whatever res you want.

That's neat... thanks!!

I've got an older model (late 2009 I believe) running at 1080p on my LED TV. Never had any problems with it and would recommend it. Only downside really is the cost (certainly not your cheapest option). If you're going the Mac mini route, I'd definitely suggest checking out Plex.

The Mac Mini is very tempting. Can't believe how small it is. I'm used to the huge tower cases. Nice thing it comes with OS X Mountain Lion.... still seems to be bargain. It would be a big change for my family as they have never owned an apple computer other than iPhone and iPad.....

I don't know if I want PLEX... I have tried it before on my MBP. I didn't like it. I like MPlayerX for video playback and love it.:$

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thunderbolt is basically Mini Displayport but it also supports peripherals.

It's Displayport + x2 or x4 PCI-E, depending on which controller is used.

On the res question OSX will recognize whatever the connected monitor supports and will let you pick it from the drop down or you can just put in whatever res you want.

Yup. If it detects an LCD, 10.8 will automatically go to the native res.

 

[cheez]

The Mac Mini basic ($599) comes with 2GB of memory. Is this enough for Mountain Lion?? I am concerned of performance for video playback. It will be used 95% of the time playing videos (MPEG2-TS using MPlayerX) and standard DVD movies (will get optical drive later) and some NetFlix movie streaming.

 

[gus6464]

OSX loves ram. The more you give it the snappier it is. Ram is cheap so upgrading it to 8gb doesn't cost much at all.

 

[quackagator]

My son bought his in 2012. He plays W.O.W with it. He Had a 27 inch Imac. Likes the mini.

 

[midwestfisherman]

I've got the late 2010 Mac Mini. The only thing I've done is upgraded to ram to 8GB and added an external hard drive for my time machine backup. It does everything I need it to do. Absolutely no problems with it.

 

[secretanchitman]

i would wait to get one and would definitely up the ram to at least 4GB, if not 8GB!

 

[cheez]

Thanks all for your feedback. Good to hear that it's fast enough to play video games.. Apple says it uses the lastest gen of Intel Dual Core (i5 sandy bridge? is it?) on the current model which is a good thing.

If we go Apple route I'm definitely going to have Apple add 2 more gig... total of 4. They don't do any gaming or anything. It'll be for movies / dramas pretty much.

 

[n0x1ous]

its extremely easy to upgrade the RAM in the mac mini (i have a mid 2011 i5 base model upgraded to 8 GB and Sammy 830 SSD) Dont pay the apple tax for their ram and just get some from crucial.

There are rumors that new minis will be announced on October 23rd so you should at least wait for that date to pass before making a decision.

 

[cheez]

its extremely easy to upgrade the RAM in the mac mini (i have a mid 2011 i5 base model upgraded to 8 GB and Sammy 830 SSD) Dont pay the apple tax for their ram and just get some from crucial.

Doesn't opening the mini case void the warranty though? My Dad is anal about this kinda stuff.

There are rumors that new minis will be announced on October 23rd so you should at least wait for that date to pass before making a decision.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[jalaram]

Doesn't opening the mini case void the warranty though? My Dad is anal about this kinda stuff.

Maybe on the older ones, but the newer ones make it very easy to change the RAM. Maybe the HD is also easy to update. If so, an SSD is a great update.

BTW, if you wait and they do announce a new Mac Mini, they usually put the current models in the Apple refurb section and cut the price.

 

[cheez]

BTW, if you wait and they do announce a new Mac Mini, they usually put the current models in the Apple refurb section and cut the price.

That would be a great plus! My dad will go YAY.......

thanks

 

[jaydee]

IMO, the Mac Mini is the one and only Apple computer where the price is actually pretty close to similarly-configured Windows based machines. I say go for it, but wait until Oct 23rd obviously to see updates are coming. Either buy the new one at today's prices, or buy the current model at discount.

 

[Gooberlx2]

I like my 2011 Mini Server quite a bit. I was going to drop in a SSD, but it performs well enough for my present needs with 8GB ram and the dual WD Blacks in RAID-0.

I expect the update will basically include USB3, IvyBridge CPU and HD4000 graphics. Probably some sort of spec bump for the dGPU in the upgraded base model as well.

Decent updates but nothing Earth shattering. A discounted/refurb 2011 model would be a good deal, imo.

 

[gus6464]

I like my 2011 Mini Server quite a bit. I was going to drop in a SSD, but it performs well enough for my present needs with 8GB ram and the dual WD Blacks in RAID-0.

I expect the update will basically include USB3, IvyBridge CPU and HD4000 graphics. Probably some sort of spec bump for the dGPU in the upgraded base model as well.

Decent updates but nothing Earth shattering. A discounted/refurb 2011 model would be a good deal, imo.

I assume it's software RAID right?

 

[cheez]

I like my 2011 Mini Server quite a bit. I was going to drop in a SSD, but it performs well enough for my present needs with 8GB ram and the dual WD Blacks in RAID-0.

Sounds like that's what I would need to replace my big'ol giant LianLi case HTPC at my home... I'm guessing those start at higher price range like a grand or so? Me want me want.

I expect the update will basically include USB3, IvyBridge CPU and HD4000 graphics. Probably some sort of spec bump for the dGPU in the upgraded base model as well.

I just read up about the IvyBridge. it is indeed 15% faster than the Sandy Bridge wow. Intel is keep rolling!


I just got through talking to my Dad over the phone. I told him all about it. He says are ya shittin me. I'll be damned. lol


Another question, how is the audio out port on the Mini? Is the sound internals as good as the Macbook Pro? I'm talking in respect to the sound quality it puts out. Anyone know? :$

 

[Gooberlx2]

I assume it's software RAID right?

Yep.

 

[n0x1ous]

Sounds like that's what I would need to replace my big'ol giant LianLi case HTPC at my home... I'm guessing those start at higher price range like a grand or so? Me want me want.


I just read up about the IvyBridge. it is indeed 15% faster than the Sandy Bridge wow. Intel is keep rolling!


I just got through talking to my Dad over the phone. I told him all about it. He says are ya shittin me. I'll be damned. lol


Another question, how is the audio out port on the Mini? Is the sound internals as good as the Macbook Pro? I'm talking in respect to the sound quality it puts out. Anyone know? :$

Audio is fine. Nothing spectacular. As far as warranty....they do allow you to change the RAM yourself without affecting warranty as its in the user manual and they prominently display the fact that it can be easily updated. the hard drive change probably would void the warranty though.

 

[Kadarin]

I have two, both the '11 models. One's got discrete graphics and is used for my HT, the other is a server model and is used for web, email, and general utility. They're both great for what I use them for.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

I have two, both the '11 models. One's got discrete graphics and is used for my HT, the other is a server model and is used for web, email, and general utility. They're both great for what I use them for.

What HT software do you use? And can you use it without a keyboard/mouse? And finally! Can you stream netflix or does that have go through the browser?

I would LOVE to replace my Apple TV gen 1 (with HDD) but the 3rd gen can't/hasnt been jailbroken yet. I absolutely loathe the idea of having to keep a computer/iTunes open to watch TV because its streaming only, so I want to hang a HDD off my router or directly to the aTV and play off of that.

I was also thinking about using a Mac Mini and Apple Remote but don't want to mess with the whole keyboard/mouse thing all the time.