questions before buying a mac mini

waynegalway

Hi,

Just a few queries for those who already have one (I'm thinking of getting one soon):

1. Does it ship with a DVI to VGA adaptor as standard? I've looked at the apple store onlne, and the only info I can get about this from the US store, where it seems the adaptor comes as standard in the box. Is this also the case in Ireland?

2. I have a 19" Proview P900 lcd monitor (max resolution 1280X1024)...anyone used a similar size monitor with success/problems?

3. I have a Fujitsu Siemens USB keyboard (about 4 years old) that I was using with the PC. Anyone have any problems using a PC keyboard with their mac mini?

4. Do plug and play mouses (mice?) work ok with the mac OS? Again, I have a decent logitech wireless one that I used with the PC which I hope will work.

Many thanks, and if you have any other advice about getting a mac mini, I'd appreciate it.

I have an iPhone and it's so slick that after seeing a mac in operation I realised that the PC is a load of sh1te, so I hope I'm making the right move!

john__long

1. Ships with a MiniDisplay port -> VGA adapter as standard.
2. Can't say! Don't have that monitor. Should work OK though.
3. Any USB keyboard should do the job.
4. Same as 3

I got a MacMini last week. I control it using Rowmote Pro, AirMouse and Air Video. Perfect media centre.

waynegalway

Thanks John.

Which model did you go for? My budget is kinda confining me to the entry level one, but I'm tempted by the bigger ram of the next one up. Wonder how much a ram upgrade to the base model costs?

john__long

I went for the base model. Don't need the higher spec for anything yet. Can always upgrade it myself later on.

Using Plex + H.264 acceleration doesn't drive the memory too wild. I'm monitoring it using iStat Menus.

It should be fine!

waynegalway

Just had a look at online store. It's €90 extra for the 4GB ram. Might see how I get on with the 2G version, as you said it can always be upgraded later. The online store seems to be selling the mini-dvi to VGA converter as an extra for €29, and the mini-dvi to dvi seems to be the standard one supplied in the box? Is your experience different?

john__long

My apologies. Just rooted thru the box again. It is a miniDVI -> DVI like you expected. I assumed it was a VGA.

Sorry for the confusion... :-\

Talisman

The base model is more than adequate as a media centre. I'm using the previous generation 2.0GHz model and it's fine. If you check the refurbished store you'll pick up a mini for about 15% less than the retail price. You have to be quick though as they don't hang around long.

waynegalway

Can get the educational price, so it works out about 515euro. Prob still a bit more than a refurb, but I have the peace of mind of being able to walk into the apple shop in galway and just picking a brand new one off the shelf .

sashasdad

When you get your mini I'd really recommend buying the RemoteHd app for your iphone and installing remotehelper on your mini. You can view and control content from your mini with your iphone

Talisman

The 2.26GHz model is €469 in the refurbished store. Depending on the inventory levels Apple could be dumping old model stock at discounted prices for the next few weeks.

waynegalway

Just bought one at the educational discount from the store in Galway. They reckon that because the new mac mini is a higher price, then the "old" one won't be discounted. The said it might have been discounted if the new one was starting at a similar price (around 550 to 600euro)