some advice on my next two apple purchases

Elevator

I have been using imac 24" since last sept in my home studio and I am now about to purchase 2 mini macs (one for the missus and one for me to bring to gigs, playing live etc)

I wanna make sure I get one of the latest mini macs and not the last models beefed up to same spec. is this likey if purchasing from mac retailer in Galway or am I best off buying online.

I see there's a newer batch of I macs expected in a bit so am I to presume the same is to come with the mini?

me_right_one

Eh, I'd just go for a few granny smiths!!!

Greentree_uk

not sure what you are getting at. but apple retailers sell the exact same specs of machines as apple do. They don't upgrade old stock to the newer spec. besides with the mini margin that goes with a mini mac its not worth their while!

Sad Professor

Elevator wrote: »

I see there's a newer batch of I macs expected in a bit so am I to presume the same is to come with the mini?

Not necessarily. While Mini updates have generally accompanied the iMac (including the last two times), there have also been huge gaps. Apple once went over 18 months without updating the Mini.

I'd estimate mid to late summer for the next iMac and there's nothing to say the Mini will get updated at the same time. If you're not willing to wait until then, I'd recommend buying now.

Elevator

thanks for the feedback, just wanted to know I wouldn't get last years mini mac passed off as the latest spec 2.56 ghz or whatever it is, that's the minimum required by ableton now, don't know off top of my but presume it's the same with logic 8 and reason 4,

this is my 2nd final purchase for my studio so want it to go smooth as

last purchase next month of a similar spec screen to accompany the imac 24 and that's me locked in for the rest of the year making dance tunes

btw how simple is it to get my mini working with my imac? as in together and not slave/master or is the latter my only option? would like if they could be linked and basicly give me a quad core setup for studio only applications like I mentioned above

don't know about snow leopard either, some mates say yey some say not yet til ya really need it (64 bit logic studio etc), what ye reckon?

conor.hogan.2

I would buy online - they get to you within a few days and free delivery above a certain price and two minis is well over that so it wont cost you any extra plus the ones on the site are the newest and best.

Plus if you are a student you can get the discount and it is the cheapest place otherwise to get apple products as the middleman is cut out.

Talisman

Keep an eye on the refurbished store. There are bargains to be had there but it is a case of the early bird catches the worm - the standard configuration Mac mini units usually get snapped up before 7am, customised units (usually with higher speed processor) can hang around for days. I picked up a new mini server from the refurbished store last month for the price of the regular 2.53GHz mini. You can install 8GB RAM in the latest models even though it's not officially supported but it makes a huge difference in performance.

Greentree_uk

conor.hogan.2 wrote: »

I would buy online - they get to you within a few days and free delivery above a certain price and two minis is well over that so it wont cost you any extra plus the ones on the site are the newest and best.

Plus if you are a student you can get the discount and it is the cheapest place otherwise to get apple products as the middleman is cut out.

This is utter nonsense. Why do you think Apple is the cheapest? You can get education discount at the main apple dealers. The price at the retailers is exactly the same as you buy online. it is certainly no more expensive and with the right size order and some gentle persuasion it will even be cheaper!

Elevator

have decided to try get a cable to join the mini with me iMac, cable for my lac sceer I bought for it and possible the small keyboard thrown in, possibly about €50 cost price of gear to them so if I got that I'd probably buy local,

is there any way of checking out the build number of the two units when I bring them home?

Greentree_uk

If you can get €50 worth of free stuff from a mac dealer by buying two mac mini's I will be amazed.

nialler

sorry guys, didn't understand one thread of that conversation, what are you talking about, but the general gist of it, you buy a "mac" mini, keyboard, mouse, screen etc you're up to the price of a macbook, wouldn't that be more sensible to bring to gigs etc, rather than a box, power block, screen, power block for screen, keyboard, mouse and the rest of the accoutriments.

Tired and emotional, or just confused.

N

Elevator

edit. just checked out the MacBook again, €929 and ya only get 2 USB and 1 video out,

mac mini contains same ram, same video specs, 5 USB and 2 tv out for external screens all for €740, oh ya and even with the 19" widescreen lg screen it works out at 850,

lookin at the setup now I am happier than having the MacBook, if I had the money I'd but a MacBook pro top spec bu for now I think I made the right choice