New Mac Stuff! Whoohoo!

[Muddy Mudskipper]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: Muddy Mudskipper
Mac Mini spec is still underwhelming.

You have to look at the reality of the situation...there simply nothing else better out there, hardware-wise. Sure they could probably stick in a mobile quad-core, but those run over $900 a pop right now, thus killing the "cheap Mac" appeal. The 9400m plays 1080p, which is fantastic for such a small computer.

What else do you want in the Mini?

It's great for what it is, but the base model isn't worth £500 ($700 at current exchange rates) to me. In every single area I can buy a better components for less money.

If you start upgrading the Mini you then get close to the iMac prices.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: mugs
Would have preferred a faster processor and more memory on the Mini, but I can upgrade the memory now and the processor later I guess. Looks like I'll finally be getting a new computer. Need to figure out what adapters I need to use this thing with two DVI displays.

Yeah I'm anxious to see if the other 25w CPUs are drop-in replacements for the Mini, and especially if the 35w and/or 45w models work. A Quad-core Mini would be insane

 

[TangoJuliet]

Are all the 24" imacs now LED backlit? Maybe I am reading the 1st post wrong.

Also, how much of an advantage is the ATI card over the stock nvidia? ($50 upgrade)

 

[umrigar]

the new mini is cool, but IMHO it's overpriced. but that's Apple for you.

 

[tefleming]

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Are all the 24" imacs now LED backlit? Maybe I am reading the 1st post wrong.

Also, how much of an advantage is the ATI card over the stock nvidia? ($50 upgrade)

I get the impression it's not much advantage. IIRC, the software for ATI cards is borderline on crap.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Are all the 24" imacs now LED backlit? Maybe I am reading the 1st post wrong.

Also, how much of an advantage is the ATI card over the stock nvidia? ($50 upgrade)

No, that was incorrect information. I checked the Apple Tech Specs page and both are TFT. Updated the OP.

The advantage depends on what you're doing. Gaming? CAD? 3D? Video?

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Also, how much of an advantage is the ATI card over the stock nvidia? ($50 upgrade)

Stupidly huge. Look for a GeForce 9600GT review that includes a 4850 for comparison.

 

[tefleming]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Also, how much of an advantage is the ATI card over the stock nvidia? ($50 upgrade)

Stupidly huge. Look for a GeForce 9600GT review that includes a 4850 for comparison.

You're talking about in Windows, right?

I'd heard that ATI drivers and such in OS X weren't getting the TLC that they need.

 

[jalaram]

And with the arrival of the new mac minis, some older ones show up in the refurb section:

Text

A $499 and $549 one.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: tefleming

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: TangoJuliet
Also, how much of an advantage is the ATI card over the stock nvidia? ($50 upgrade)

Stupidly huge. Look for a GeForce 9600GT review that includes a 4850 for comparison.

You're talking about in Windows, right?

I'd heard that ATI drivers and such in OS X weren't getting the TLC that they need.

That's correct, they aren't. They are not entirely terrible, but let's just say that it's a good thing that there are fewer ATI products in the new line-up.

 

[Jack Flash]

9400M creeps into two iMacs now? Downgrade!

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: Jack Flash
9400M creeps into two iMacs now? Downgrade!

Sadly. The 2400XT wasn't exactly fast, but I haven't seen any data on the 9400M being as fast. And it's no contest compared to the 2600Pro that was in the $1500 model. The $2200 model is also slower, they dropped an 8800GS for a GT 130 (nee 9600GT) which while not significantly slower, still isn't as fast.

 

[rikadik]

I'm over the moon that the iMacs have been updated. But I'm still trying to digest the updates.

Does anyone think that the price gap between the 24" base- and mid- models is a bit extreme? All you're getting is a dedicated GPU and a few more MHz and

I'm also concerned that the 24" base-model has integrated graphics. Does that seem a bit crappy to anyone else? Or is it just not an issue really (do little gaming but want as much RAM available for Logic Studio as possible).

At my price point (about £1000) I can do a direct comparison of what I used to get (old model) and what I get now, both with Higher Education pricing.

Before
2.8GHZ Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2 RAM (based on buying aftermarket RAM), 500GB HDD, ATI 2600 PRO 256MB... £1045.

Now
2.66GHZ Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 RAM, 620GB HDD, NVIDIA 9400M... £1055.

So for my extra ten quid, I've gained DDR3, 120GB HDD and the comfort of knowing I can go to 8GB RAM; but I've lost 140MHz CPU speed and a dedicated GPU.

What do people think, have I gone backwards or forwards? Is 9400M better or worse than the 2600 PRO 256MB? Your thoughts greatly appreciated!

 

[TangoJuliet]

Well here's the deal. I bought the 3.06ghz, 8800gs 512 iMac in September. First I had an issue with the video card and they replaced it (within first 30 days). The replacement I have had since then - the backlight just went on it. I am going to call apple and see if they will replace the entire machine since I've had two major problems within the 1st year.

If they do let me get a new one should I upgrade it to the ATI card? I bought it to play some games in windows but I hardly ever game let alone boot into windows. I plan to do a lot of video editing once I get my HD camcorder.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: rikadik
I'm over the moon that the iMacs have been updated. But I'm still trying to digest the updates.

Does anyone think that the price gap between the 24" base- and mid- models is a bit extreme? All you're getting is a dedicated GPU and a few more MHz and

I'm also concerned that the 24" base-model has integrated graphics. Does that seem a bit crappy to anyone else? Or is it just not an issue really (do little gaming but want as much RAM available for Logic Studio as possible).

I think it's great. One of the top things I hear from non-techie consumers is "I want a bigger monitor". $1499 is affordable to people looking for a full computer setup. The 9400m can handle 1080p and you get a large, beautiful 24" monitor, plus easy setup and low wire mess. I'm glad they're offering this as an option

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: Kaido
I think it's great. One of the top things I hear from non-techie consumers is "I want a bigger monitor". $1499 is affordable to people looking for a full computer setup. The 9400m can handle 1080p and you get a large, beautiful 24" monitor, plus easy setup and low wire mess. I'm glad they're offering this as an option

So for someone who plays very few games would you say that the GPU 'downgrade' is a non-issue?

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: rikadik

Originally posted by: Kaido
I think it's great. One of the top things I hear from non-techie consumers is "I want a bigger monitor". $1499 is affordable to people looking for a full computer setup. The 9400m can handle 1080p and you get a large, beautiful 24" monitor, plus easy setup and low wire mess. I'm glad they're offering this as an option

So for someone who plays very few games would you say that the GPU 'downgrade' is a non-issue?

It really boils down to what you use your computer for. The video card is for graphical applications, such as 3D Modeling, Apple Motion, and Video Games. If you don't do those things, then it's not a big deal. The 9400m is a great integrated chip and can handle 1080p just fine, as well as drive 30" monitors. So it all depends on what your needs are, both now and in the future.

 

[rikadik]

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: rikadik

Originally posted by: Kaido
I think it's great. One of the top things I hear from non-techie consumers is "I want a bigger monitor". $1499 is affordable to people looking for a full computer setup. The 9400m can handle 1080p and you get a large, beautiful 24" monitor, plus easy setup and low wire mess. I'm glad they're offering this as an option

So for someone who plays very few games would you say that the GPU 'downgrade' is a non-issue?

It really boils down to what you use your computer for. The video card is for graphical applications, such as 3D Modeling, Apple Motion, and Video Games. If you don't do those things, then it's not a big deal. The 9400m is a great integrated chip and can handle 1080p just fine, as well as drive 30" monitors. So it all depends on what your needs are, both now and in the future.

Makes sense. I think it's possible that I'd get into video production at a later date, but I understand that is CPU dependent rather than doing anything with the GPU. Games, rarely. 3D work, most likely never!

 

[Jack Flash]

Originally posted by: rikadik

Originally posted by: Kaido

Originally posted by: rikadik

Originally posted by: Kaido
I think it's great. One of the top things I hear from non-techie consumers is "I want a bigger monitor". $1499 is affordable to people looking for a full computer setup. The 9400m can handle 1080p and you get a large, beautiful 24" monitor, plus easy setup and low wire mess. I'm glad they're offering this as an option

So for someone who plays very few games would you say that the GPU 'downgrade' is a non-issue?

It really boils down to what you use your computer for. The video card is for graphical applications, such as 3D Modeling, Apple Motion, and Video Games. If you don't do those things, then it's not a big deal. The 9400m is a great integrated chip and can handle 1080p just fine, as well as drive 30" monitors. So it all depends on what your needs are, both now and in the future.

Makes sense. I think it's possible that I'd get into video production at a later date, but I understand that is CPU dependent rather than doing anything with the GPU. Games, rarely. 3D work, most likely never!

With Snow Leopard and OpenCL you'll be better off in all respects with a more powerful GPU.

 

[secretanchitman]

the high end mbp got updated to 2.66Ghz from 2.53Ghz too...although thats pretty insignificant for 99.9% of people.

the new imacs are disappointing i feel. the stupid new geforce names just hide the downgraded gpus of yesteryear. wasnt the 8800GS faster than the 9600GT? im glad they put in the radeon 4850 though as an option.

mac mini updates are great though. finally, they got rid of the combo drive - every single mac now ships with a superdrive. however, i would just stick with the standard config of a mac mini ($599 one) and upgrade the hdd and memory myself...providing its still somewhat easy to open the mini up now.

 

[Jack Flash]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
the high end mbp got updated to 2.66Ghz from 2.53Ghz too...although thats pretty insignificant for 99.9% of people.

the new imacs are disappointing i feel. the stupid new geforce names just hide the downgraded gpus of yesteryear. wasnt the 8800GS faster than the 9600GT? im glad they put in the radeon 4850 though as an option.

mac mini updates are great though. finally, they got rid of the combo drive - every single mac now ships with a superdrive. however, i would just stick with the standard config of a mac mini ($599 one) and upgrade the hdd and memory myself...providing its still somewhat easy to open the mini up now.

Yeah but at $2,250 you have to wonder who these are still relevant for.

 

[rikadik]

Well I've ordered a 2.66GHz 24" iMac, the only upgrade to the default spec being AppleCare. It's a shame about the 9400M graphics, especially with OpenCL on the horizon as Jack Flash pointed out, but at the end of the day I'm not going to spend an extra £180 (it'd be an extra £300 without my education pricing) just to get a GT120 and a minor CPU speed bump. I can't wait any longer though and can't wait to get it!

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: rikadik
Well I've ordered a 2.66GHz 24" iMac, the only upgrade to the default spec being AppleCare. It's a shame about the 9400M graphics, especially with OpenCL on the horizon as Jack Flash pointed out, but at the end of the day I'm not going to spend an extra £180 (it'd be an extra £300 without my education pricing) just to get a GT120 and a minor CPU speed bump. I can't wait any longer though and can't wait to get it!

You'll enjoy it :thumbsup:

Also good job on getting the AppleCare - iMacs are just as difficult to fix as Macbooks are, so you're buying insurance against future headaches!

 

[manly]

Gotta give Apple credit for jacking up the price on the Mac Pro during a great recession! (I believe it's Intel's fault though.)

 

[Panzer Tiger]

I need a mac pro but the graphics card choice is pitiful as is the price. Maybe once they realize how poorly these will be moving they'll offer some discounts.