Finally, Apple has updated its desktop line of computers, which means that my long wait for an updated Mac Mini has actually paid off.
Early this year, I was contemplating on either getting a netbook or a desktop as an alternative machine to my MBP. After much contemplation and discussions with the gf on what to get, it was decided that getting a desktop would be the most optimal for both of us. But, I was still in a bit of a dilemma on getting either a Mac Mini or an iMac.
The Mac Mini then didn’t quite fit our requirements since it was still using Intel integrated graphics and it can only officially support 2GB of RAM (3GB unofficially). The gf would want to use the machine for ocassional SketchUp and photo editing. I would want to run virtual machines on it and use it as a server. The iMac would seem like an overkill also because I already have a 22″ LCD monitor, an Apple keyboard and I use a trackball or tablet as my pointing device, which would leave me with stuff I won’t use. Also, the biggest drawback for me was that I was never a fan of glossy screens.
The updated Mac Mini however, just fits the bill perfectly. It now has the new NVIDIA graphics card that can run 3D and graphics-intensive applications decently for ocassional use. The memory can be bumped up to 4GB. And I would still be able to make use of all my existing peripherals (non-glossy monitor, keyboard, pointing device). The hard disk may seem small at 120GB but it can easily be augmented with external desktop drives. Plus, it can do dual screen now since there’s both mini DisplayPort and mini-DVI, just in case I suddenly decide that Expose is not enough when shuffling around windows and applications.
And since the IT Show is just around the corner, I hope Epicentre (which had several promos over the weekend, probably to clear stock for the new models) would offer them with some kind of package.
0 Responses to “I want a Mac Mini”