Anyone has any experience, know someone who has, or any useful feedback with the computer? A friend is considering one and wants some input. He thinks I might be helpful because of my experience with Macs in general, but alas ...... Any creditale help would be appreciated.
Apple Mini Mac
- Thread starter blackrock13
- Start date
I've owned a couple, was my first mac - needed a computer in the kitchen (desktop) and thought it was an inexpensive way to try out a new OS. Eventually upgraded to a MacPro due to size of photo and media library.
A desktop is a tricky buy these days, not many reasons to have a desktop unless your basement bound or a serious gamer - laptops seem a more flexible option and have more than enough horse power....
A desktop is a tricky buy these days, not many reasons to have a desktop unless your basement bound or a serious gamer - laptops seem a more flexible option and have more than enough horse power....
The high end gaming graphics is a short coming, but not a major requirement for my friend; neither is portability. Money is a factor,as he's a retiree, and for much the same technical stats, you get about a 20% saving.
What does he want to use it for?
Just email, browsing the web, etc? I'd get a Chromebox. It'll require some work as they're only sold in USA but they're great value for a simple desktop.
Just email, browsing the web, etc? I'd get a Chromebox. It'll require some work as they're only sold in USA but they're great value for a simple desktop.
You know Mac mini isjust a box. You have to buy monitor and keyboard separately
Since he is a retiree, unless he is using it for work, a tablet is enough for browsing and email and simple rungs things as such.
Since he is a retiree, unless he is using it for work, a tablet is enough for browsing and email and simple rungs things as such.
I own one but my setup is a bit different. Check out the apple store under refurbished. You save a couple hundred dollars and the warranty is the same. Free shipping as well. I paid $5.. for mine last summer. For Monitors you will need an hdmi or lightning out. keyboard and mouse can be usb or wireless ie bluetooth. The newer version is a bit more loaded in terms of hardware usb 3 more ram etc. An i5 processor isn't bad, 2 g or more of ram should be fine for mucking about. I like mine, use it for banking and apple specific stuff. I share it with my pc because my pc uses a vga port. 2 computers one monitor.
He has a monitor and keyboards. The tablets won't work well as much of his work/hobby involves photos and small videos for genealogy charts and such.
The refurbished idea is a good way to save 10% and it all counts.
As with all the new Mac it really sucks that you need adapters for many ofthe externals, especially at $29-$49 each. He's making the switch because of all the headaches he had with windows over the years. He's had enough grief.
If his monitor has an HDMI connection and he has a USB Keyboard and Mouse (or bluetooth as noted above) he won't need any adapters.
OTB
What's the question? It's a Mac computer - has the same software and basically the same hardware. Plug in a monitor and keyboard/mouse and you have the same thing as an iMac, albeit slightly slower (slower hard drive, less memory expansion, slower video card etc.) but you won't notice the difference unless you're gaming or rendering photoshop files.
Many of the new macs also require an external super disc drive, but much of what you say is right. It would appear there's little problem.
If his monitor has an HDMI connection and he has a USB Keyboard and Mouse (or bluetooth as noted above) he won't need any adapters.
OTB
I'm under the impression that the new mini macs had thunderbolt and USB3 inputs as well and those need adapter . He may have problem with the HDMI input, but don't knew for sure.
I think they work with a standard usb optical drive for $30 for that one time a year someone might need one.
No there are no more internal CD/DVD/RW drive with the new stuff. You need to buy a Super Drive or similar and plug it in as needed.
Why would you need one? Haven't used mine in a long time - they're going the way of floppy disks (and everybody made fun of Apple when they dropped those).
This is one of the worst pieces of advice on this thread but no surprise.
A retiree with a Hackintosh? Even I won't do a Hackintosh.
