drb5

iTrader: (4)

Just playing things around in my mind while I get increasingly infuriated by my Dell laptop.

The Dell is an Inspiron 1720 and although is a decent spec, it's about 3-4 years old now and beginning to show it's age a bit.

Now, we've had an original 16gb wifi iPad for about a month now and it's getting used all the time and laptop is only used for uploading/editing pictures and syncing to iTunes.

Myself and the missus both have iPhone 4's and I'm THINKING about maybe getting an older model Mac Mini that I can upgrade to decent spec and connecting to our bedroom Samsung LCD TV. Trouble is, I've never had a Mac and it's a steep learning curve by the looks of it.

So my question is what year/model is the best bet towards price/upgrading? I don't want to end up paying the same as a brand new model at the end of the upgrading....I'd then have been as well just buying new.

Maybe my idea isn't worth it, but you know you can get good deals on secondhand stuff now and again, so I'd like to know what to keep an eye out for.

Markus

What exactly do you want to do with it? From the sound of things you want to connect it to a TV so I'm guessing that it's going to be a media PC type thing, in which case, rather than a Mac Mini, you could look at an Apple TV v1. These can be jailbroken and XBMC and Boxee can be installed giving a rather nice little media PC.

Note that XBMC and Boxee don't totally replace the ATV interface, they basically run as full screen apps, so everything the ATV could do normally can still be done.

I've got that setup in my bedroom and it connects to a media drive on my machine in the basement, so I can watch / listen to whatever media I've got there.

If you do want to go the Mac mini route then you can still do the same type of thing, but you won't need to jailbreak it to get XBMC and such like onto it. If you don't like OS X then you can always get an intel based mini and dual boot it into windows.

Have a look at the Apple Store refurbished section as there could be good deals on ATV / Mac Mini's there.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I'd still use it as a computer, but yes I'd connect to a TV to be a media centre...we don't currently have a TV signal in the bedroom.

I'll use it for editing the hundreds of pics I'm taking ATM, with lightroom hopefully.

Thus it'll need to be my main control for all items. Completely new to all things Mac other than iTunes really.

Reason I asked about upgrading, as I don't mind trying a bit of DIY. Learning curve, but if you get a good unit out of it at the end of the day why not.

Thanks for the help Markus.

HHxx

What do you mean by 'upgrade'?

Apple hardware does not really have user replaceable parts. Memory/HD, sure, should be no problem. If you were thinking about CPU upgrades, then you would have to do some research first on the model year.

I don't know about mini's, for Mac Pro's, it can be done. A bit awkward as you can't just pick a chip in the same family. Mini's due to their size, I suppose Apple could have soldered the CPU to the board?

drb5

iTrader: (4)

This is it, I wasn't sure how far you could go with differing years.

I understand RAM isn't a problem for any year, but they are limited to certain sizes for each year?

If I can understand a bit more of what the potential is from say a 2008 or 2009, then I can take it from there...

Markus

OK, Here are a couple of screenshots of specs for the 2009 Mac Mini:

Early 2009:





Late 2009:




Prior to that the last refresh was 2007, so I'd probably stick with a 2009. Not sure if the processors can be upgraded, but the memory can be, as can the hard drive.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Rather build your own Media PC,will be faster and in some cases will look nicer(Lian Li cases,Silverstone cases)


Jura

HHxx

Take a look here at some teardowns.

JackClark

Theres being a PC Fanboi then there's a Fanboi with no taste, do an image search for those cases, I guess they'd fit right into the lounge if you've gone for Star Trek as a theme.

Better than a Core 2 Duo and you'll be more than happy for a good while.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Jack you are Apple fanboy,that's your problem not mine

I'm not PC fanboy,i just i rather invest to something which will be fast and its not based on Core2Duo...

Silverstone HTPC or Media PC cases(not proper Midi/Big Tower PC)







Lain Li are best cases if you are looking more for oveclocking and other stuff,not everyone taste

If Apple mac Mini will be fast enough and will be cost like PC counterpart,i would buy Mac Mini,but for these money you should have nice PC


Jura

JackClark

From top to bottom.

1990's, 1980's, USS Enterprise.

Core 2 Duo runs the latest Apple operating system just great. You might need something faster to run the latest Windows at an acceptable speed.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Very many thanks guys! Plenty useful info here.

I'm sick and tired of Windows based systems and them temperament. I'd like to be able to use app's that I've bought on my main system and don't have the space, nor do I want, a big lump of a desktop kicking about.

I ain't no Apple fanboy....I just like how they work.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Do you have screenshots for the 2010 at all for comparison too please Markus?

Markus

Here you go; Mid 2010 Mac Mini





Just in case you wanted to look at pre 2009 hardware, here are the specs for the mid 2007 mac mini:

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Many thanks Markus.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Been going through completed listings on ebay and also AV forums. Prices seem to be quite high for secondhand items, once I'd seen how much I can get a new Mini for. eBay have new in stock UK items in base spec for buy it now and have watched a few go in auctions for £420-430!

2010 models are kicking £400 on their own and going older is around £350. With the price of RAM around £30, adding larger HDD and losing out on warranty, maybe new is the sensible option considering how good Apple claim, the performance is...

JackClark

Go for a new one knowing that it won't lose much money.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Depreciation isn't a big deal, as we do intend on keeping it a good while, but it's nice to know how well they keep their value. The Dell appears to have lost around £600 in 3.5 years.

Am I right in saying I'll need a keyboard and mouse to initially boot up a new Mini, or could I somehow use the iPad?

Markus

Think it'll probably display alerts on screen that a keyboard or mouse are not attached, but it will still boot. If you have VNC software on the iPad and Screen Sharing is setup on the Mini then you could probably remote in from the iPad and "control" things.

If you want to control iTunes from the iPad then Apple's free "Remote" app will allow you to do that.

If you do put XBMC on the device then there is an iPhone / iPad app to allow control of it, it's not free, but you can get it here

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I have VNC setup already on the iPad yes. I'll look into Remote.

I'll have a shifty at XBMC, as I'm afraid I don't know what it is. :blush:

JackClark

I use this to control my Mac's from iPad and Phone, no software to install on the Mac just tick a box in Sharing.

http://www.edovia.com/touchpad

drb5

iTrader: (4)

I presume you mean instead of Remote, as you need to install It on the Mac to make it work?

Just asking as Remote looks to be getting better reviews and is free?

JackClark

Remote controls iTunes only. The app in my link let's you use your iPad/Phone as a keyboard and trackpad, as long as it's on the same network. You don't need to install any software on your Mac, just a tick in a box in the Sharing Preference Pane.

As a bonus it works as a remote control for various media playing applications, I use it for VLC a lot.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Ah I see! Nice one.

What a learning curve this is going to be! Lol

JackClark

You'll be fine, going from OSX to Windows is the real challenge.

WarrenSTI

I agree, I have only ever used macs.
But you will find the mac very straight forward to use!
My Mother has switched from PC to mac and so has my girlfriend.
They both really enjoy using their macs and that they are very straight forward to use, and I don't get any calls anymore to come and sort their PC out.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Lol cheers guys.

Will see what happens, but the other half has given it the green light.

drb5

iTrader: (4)

Well it's ordered!

Bought it for £455 delivered on Ebay VIA Topcashback and should get a VAT receipt, so may claim through the business anyway.

So i have to get Touchpad for a start, but XBMC....do i require an XBOX to make full use of that, as i only have a PS3? Any other app's i should consider?

Scooby Soon!

would be interested in how this goes, I have been thinking about an apple tv but the lack of xvid support is a killer at the moment...

drb5

iTrader: (4)

What do you need to know?

I'll be considering a Blu-Ray burner, as I have some DVD's and BR's to get on my HDD...not sure if anyone can recommend a decentish unit which isn't a silly price?