02-21-2007, 01:00 AM
It's about time to upgrade--I'm looking to get into an Intel Mac at the best value point for my needs. My absolute maximum budget tops out at about $1,300--and I'd like to spend less, if I can meet my needs. I think I've talked myself into a Mini, and I'd like your comments, in case I've overlooked something
Currently, I'm running a G4 867 with 1.25GB RAM, 120GB internal HD, and a 300GB FW external for iTunes.
I mostly do word processing, web surfing, a bit of web design, and probably will do a little bit of iMovie editing and a little bit of Photoshop in the future--nothing professional, just amateur stuff for parties, etc. I'd really like to get my iTunes collection onto the same disk as my system disk. And I need an Intel mac to access some specific software for work--I've been using VPC, and it's slow enough to be uncomfortable. I have a 700Mhz iBook for travel, and it's fine for what I need then.
What I'm thinking of doing is buying a Mini, and then hooking up an external 500GB SATA drive to it., using one of the hardware hacks that are out there. I like the two monitor option that an iMac gives me, but what I really want for two monitors is two 20" monitors--but a 20" iMac with a 20" monitor is over my budget. And putting a larger hard drive into an Intel iMac looks like a serious PITA. And in 6 months or so, when I want a speed boost, I can drop a C2D CPU into it for maybe $200, and have a significantly faster machine.
The bottom end MacBook is appealing, but then I still have to run the system disk via a Firewire 400 connection--not optimal. And I already have a laptop....
In my price range, the choices for an Intel Mac are one of the Minis, a 17" iMac, or a 20" iMac. Looking at recent refurb prices:
1.66 Ghz C2D mini: $519
17" 1.83 Ghz C2d iMac, GMA950: $850
17" 1.83 C2D iMac, GMA950:
17" 2.0 Ghz C2D Imac, ATI X1600: $1,050
20" 2.0 Ghz C2D Imac, ATI X1600: $1,300
13" 1.83Ghz Macbook $949
Whaddaya think?
Thanks.
Currently, I'm running a G4 867 with 1.25GB RAM, 120GB internal HD, and a 300GB FW external for iTunes.
I mostly do word processing, web surfing, a bit of web design, and probably will do a little bit of iMovie editing and a little bit of Photoshop in the future--nothing professional, just amateur stuff for parties, etc. I'd really like to get my iTunes collection onto the same disk as my system disk. And I need an Intel mac to access some specific software for work--I've been using VPC, and it's slow enough to be uncomfortable. I have a 700Mhz iBook for travel, and it's fine for what I need then.
What I'm thinking of doing is buying a Mini, and then hooking up an external 500GB SATA drive to it., using one of the hardware hacks that are out there. I like the two monitor option that an iMac gives me, but what I really want for two monitors is two 20" monitors--but a 20" iMac with a 20" monitor is over my budget. And putting a larger hard drive into an Intel iMac looks like a serious PITA. And in 6 months or so, when I want a speed boost, I can drop a C2D CPU into it for maybe $200, and have a significantly faster machine.
The bottom end MacBook is appealing, but then I still have to run the system disk via a Firewire 400 connection--not optimal. And I already have a laptop....
In my price range, the choices for an Intel Mac are one of the Minis, a 17" iMac, or a 20" iMac. Looking at recent refurb prices:
1.66 Ghz C2D mini: $519
17" 1.83 Ghz C2d iMac, GMA950: $850
17" 1.83 C2D iMac, GMA950:
17" 2.0 Ghz C2D Imac, ATI X1600: $1,050
20" 2.0 Ghz C2D Imac, ATI X1600: $1,300
13" 1.83Ghz Macbook $949
Whaddaya think?
Thanks.