zeke 693 Posted November 10, 2011 Share Posted November 10, 2011 I've been kicking around the idea of buying a new Mac to expand my engineering horizons. I've had my eye on the Mac Mini because it's got the lowest price but still has an impressive amount of horsepower. Would anyone care to offer guidance on this? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG 1,892 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 I would just get an iMac. I had many Macs before and always went for PowerMacs, but for the past few years, even the lowest iMac offers more than I need and the best part, only one wire (especially now, when no wires are needed for syncing iOS5 devices.) gatImmusepete 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gwdeveloper 275 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 You really can't go wrong with any Mac. I've been a mac user since '97. The only issue I ran into is when I removed a bicycle handgrip with an air compressor and it shot across the room into an ibook lcd. They can't handle that at all. Other than that, my kid uses an ~2001 iMac that keeps on trucking, I have a 2004 12" Powerbook that has been dropped more time than I can count and it just won't die (I love being able to use a bluetooth GPS and wifi tether on jobsites with the 12") and my wife has stolen my 2008 15" Macbook Pro for photo-editing. That thing is the best computer I've ever purchased. I do have a PC workhorse for Autocad though. Running Autocad 2011 plus my Raincad plugins inside of VMWare started to make the MBP chug a little. We're looking at a Mac mini 2.5GHz for the wife so I can have the MBP back. Gotta sell another wedding before the end of the year to make it happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmob 26 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 Apple certified technician here. What do you want to use the Mac for? For a portable, you're limited to the Air or the Pro. For some bizarre reason, Apple dropped the MacBook. The Air is the ultimate in portability. The Pro is a proper solid work horse. Desktop wise, you have the Mini, iMac and Pro. The Pro is a VERY powerful system but is also VERY expensive. The Mini is the baby of the bunch. It's good for day to day stuff. Don't be tempted by the base model, you will start to notice just how poor the Intel graphics are very quickly. The iMacs are reasonably well specced now and will suit most needs. Just don't sit in front of a 27" one if you have no intention of buying one!!! Nothing else will do once you've used a 27". :oops: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zeke 693 Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 I'm exploring Lion in a VM right now because someone asked me if I might consider writing programs for the iPhone. Apparently, you need Xcode to do that and it only runs on OSX. So, I was considering a Mac Mini Server and work remotely. I could also share it with my photographer wife if she desired so. BTW, it sounds like a Mac Mini would be Handgrip Safe Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rockets4kids 204 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 The biggest thing you need to worry about when using/buying a Mac is going back to Windows or Linux. RobG 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG 1,892 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 The biggest thing you need to worry about when using/buying a Mac is going back to Windows or Linux. Ha, ha, I know the pain. I was PC free until switching jobs few years ago. Unfortunately, company policy prohibits me from using anything other than company issued crapware. Everything I use for work is available on the Mac except for Toad, but there are alternatives (SQLDeveloper.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PentiumPC 119 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 for VMs on the Mac, you can consider VirtualBox (free), or if you prefer to run windows natively you can use boot camp. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zeke 693 Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 The biggest thing you need to worry about when using/buying a Mac is going back to Windows or Linux. Nah, I won't face that. I've got two windows PC's on my desk and a Linux server running on the shelf behind me. I use NX to work remotely on the Linux box and I use RDP to work on the other PC. I'd just use some sort of RDP or X/Windows to bring the Mac to my desktop. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PentiumPC 119 Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 The biggest thing you need to worry about when using/buying a Mac is going back to Windows or Linux. Nah, I won't face that. I've got two windows PC's on my desk and a Linux server running on the shelf behind me. I use NX to work remotely on the Linux box and I use RDP to work on the other PC. I'd just use some sort of RDP or X/Windows to bring the Mac to my desktop. you can use VNC on OSX, it is built in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zeke 693 Posted November 13, 2011 Author Share Posted November 13, 2011 I stumbled across the refurbished machine program. Is this a smart thing to consider or reckless? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PentiumPC 119 Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I stumbled across the refurbished machine program. Is this a smart thing to consider or reckless? Simply put, nothing smart or reckless about it, as long as you are comfortable with it. As far as I know, the refurbished machine looks and feel new and comes with warranty. Regards, Terence Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xmob 26 Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 I stumbled across the refurbished machine program. Is this a smart thing to consider or reckless? There's nothing remotely reckless about Apple refurbs. They come in new packaging, have been thoroughly tested (more than factory new) and are cosmetically perfect (housings are replaced for minor imperfections). When you consider that you get standard Apple warranty also, it could be argued that it's reckless to buy new. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HylianSavior 37 Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 Sorry to be the naysayer here, but I would much rather go for building my own PC than buying a Mac. The price premium is just too large for not that much in return. If you're set on buying Mac, I would say MBP. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobG 1,892 Posted November 13, 2011 Share Posted November 13, 2011 It's the TCO that counts, plus the user experience, plus the service, etc. For example, compare system upgrades. Besides, I don't think hardware price difference is that big these days, if any. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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