Budget Mac Options?

Mr E

We need to get a mac for work (basically just for web application testing). What are my options? Not looking for any frills - just a desktop or notebook that can run a variety of Web Browsers - Safari, ye olde Internet Explorer etc.

Thanks in advance...

Dman001

A Mac Mini seems to be best for you,a lthough it doesn't come with a keyboard, monitor or a mouse. You could get a second hand one for quite cheap off Ebay. Apple may release cheaper Macs sometime soon (probably in September), as they said in their financial report that they would be cutting prices on their products to drive up sales.

Drapper

+1

Ham'nd'egger

Dman001 wrote: »

A Mac Mini seems to be best for you,a lthough it doesn't come with a keyboard, monitor or a mouse. You could get a second hand one for quite cheap off Ebay. Apple may release cheaper Macs sometime soon (probably in September), as they said in their financial report that they would be cutting prices on their products to drive up sales.

An entry level iMac may be a better long term investment IMO given it's higher specs and hence longevity of the machine. It will include your keyboard and mouse; monitor is build in so in total it probably saves a couple of hundred €. Admittedly you may have the bits floating around spare so they need not be bought in which case the saving is immaterial.

Dman001

Well he only wants it for browsing the web so the Mini seems to be the best. You could pick up a cheap monitor, keyboard and mouse somewhere on the internet.

J-blk

Yep, I'd definitely recommend the Mini too - even the lower spec Intel ones will have more than enough power to do everything the OP wants. And in a work environment, there's probably a spare KVM or two around, so no real reason for an extra monitor/keyboard/mouse either. Make sure to check the Apple refurbished store too, some good deals to be found, though I haven't seen Minis come up too often.

drunkmonkey

i've got a powerbook on adverts I need to move, good wide screen and it's a 17 it's a good laptop, if you don't mind having to put in a dvd a few times before it spins it'll do the job nicley...good few browsers already on it and software, no discs......

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=60703&cat=500

Red Alert

Mac Mini or even a used iBook might be the best. Of course you'll probably like it so much you'll get one of the newer ones

Flashraziel

Don't think you will get one to run Internet Explorer though.

Dman001

IE is terrible. Safari is the best browser I've used.

Mr E

Thanks for all the help, guys.

Yes I know IE is terrible (and hasn't been updated for about 8 years), but I need to know what it can do on the Mac.

drunkmonkey

IE is on my laptop above, never use it, I like using Shiira http://shiira.jp/en.php it's a really nice to use browser, love the way the tabs work on the bottom of the page...and it looks cool sitting in the dock...

Passenger

Just check out ebay. You can find some pretty good spec Macs for good prices.

Chardee MacDennis

surely using a service like browsercam would be cheaper if it's just for web dev?