Mac Mini for College

TrustedApple

Hi guys i going to study multimedia app dev

I have a i7 laptop with 6GB of ram and 1GB GR card in it

As i paid 950 euro last year for the laptop i not looking at paying 1100 for a mac book pro this year

I was looking at getting the basic mac mini and upgradeing the ram my self

The mac mini is 540 euro for the basic with a 2.3 i5 on it and a 256 intel GR card

Is it a good buy or will i add a extra 500 euro and buy a 2nd laptop i dont need

banquo

Great little machines, but it's BYOMKM (bring your own monitor, keyboard, mouse)

Great little things though.

TrustedApple

I have my own monitor Its a TV/Monitor

Was looking at ebay for the monitor keyboard eg copy's

Thats great to know anyway know that thy have lion running on it out of the box saves myself 24 euro anyway

DubDJ

I had the previous model of this and it's a great computer. Upgraded the RAM myself was simple as.

It really comes down to do you need portability or not. That'll decide it for you.

TrustedApple

I am going a head and getting one in the next few weaks

Picked up my keyboard and mouse for it all ready

I am going to useing it via HDMI on my TV

How does it work via it or will i go the dvi route ?

Ricky91t

Hey samapple789,

Just a word of advice/warning. Make sure your TV is capable of atleast 1000px height output( full HD would be fine! ). If you need to develop on the iPad the interface builder will display a full screen view of the iPad screen. I've done this on my macbook (1280x800 ) and it's not ideal but is possible nonetheless.

TrustedApple

Ricky91t wrote: »

Hey samapple789,

Just a word of advice/warning. Make sure your TV is capable of atleast 1000px height output( full HD would be fine! ). If you need to develop on the iPad the interface builder will display a full screen view of the iPad screen. I've done this on my macbook (1280x800 ) and it's not ideal but is possible nonetheless.

Its a full HD 19 inch alba TV i picked up in argos for 99.99 euro so i say it will do the job

So will i be best useing DVI with aux cable to the tv or HDMI

What software will i be looking at getting for it as this will be my 1st mac and all

DubDJ

samapple789 wrote: »

Its a full HD 19 inch alba TV i picked up in argos for 99.99 euro so i say it will do the job

So will i be best useing DVI with aux cable to the tv or HDMI

What software will i be looking at getting for it as this will be my 1st mac and all

I think HDMI would be the better option for you. As long as your monitor has a connection then go for it. I'd assume it's better quality than the DVI connection.

Can't help you with the software though.

squonk

If it's a telly you're using, the text may not appear all that clear. Telly's don't have the same quality as dedicated displays. I use a Mac Mini for an htpc and it's great for that. Now, the display issue may just be down to my telly also. it's about 3 years old at this stage.

Can I ask though why are you getting a mac mini when you've got a laptop that's almost the same spec? You could easilly plug the laptop into your 19" monitor and have the advantage also of being able to pick it up and go with it whereever. I guess maybe you want the ability to develop IOS apps though? Unless you've the money burning a hole in your pocket, would you consider starting development in Android for a year then moving to IOS when you won't take such a hit on your finances?

btw a regular keyboard and mouse (usb type) will do you fine with the mac mini.

TrustedApple

I went for a macbook pro in the end i kind of needed a mac as i am going to be studying multimedia and you kind of need a mac

I have no idea what to do with my own laptop now Paid 950 euro for it last year and i dont think i will get back 700 euro for it

Its a Toshiba Satellite A660-16N with intal i7, 2.1 sound, 4GB Ram, 500GB HD, 512 MB GR card and its like new what do you think its worth ?

squonk

I don't know. You could have a look on ebay at what similar models are going for. Would a mate buy it off you? Even if you got 650/700 for it it wouldn't be the worst. The good news is that MacBooks tend to depreciate very well. I was looking at similar models to my late 2006 MBP on eBay the other day and they're still worth at least 500 which is pretty good!

TrustedApple

squonk wrote: »

I don't know. You could have a look on ebay at what similar models are going for. Would a mate buy it off you? Even if you got 650/700 for it it wouldn't be the worst. The good news is that MacBooks tend to depreciate very well. I was looking at similar models to my late 2006 MBP on eBay the other day and they're still worth at least 500 which is pretty good!

Thats for sure macs really keep there depreciate very well

if i got 700 for it i be delighted. I was looking on ebay there is none for sale on it so hard to find out how much its worth its a powerfull kit at the end of the day