Mac Mini Buying Advice

sglasgow · 05-14-2008, 10:23 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am planning on buying a mac mini to use as a server running leopard server.
To be fiscally responsible, I have given myself two options.

Option A: For $699 I could have a Mini with a 1.83 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2gb of Ram.
Option B:For $799 I could have a Mini with a 2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 1gb of Ram.

Which do you get more millage out of, Ram or Processor speed?
Is it worth the extra $100 for the 2ghz processor even if I would lose on the Ram?
I know that there are other differences between the two models. However they don't matter to me since I will be using external storage and do not have a need to burn dvds.

Thanks for the help.

Go Apple!

appleman_design · 05-15-2008, 08:36 AM

the diff. in processor speed is out weighed by the ram, you will use more of the ram for the server apps.

Photek · 05-15-2008, 08:48 AM

on a side note... there have been rumors flyig around for quite some time that the Mini is going to be changed... or revised or even updated...

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac_mini

acme.mail.order · 05-15-2008, 08:58 AM

I agree. Unless you're planning on serving up a LOT of server-intensive stuff or using it as a compile/rendering machine the extra ram will help more than the faster processor. You'd only get an extra 170MHz out of it, and only when something is pegging the processor. That's the equivalent of one 1996-vintage box. Or to put it another way, would you like 10 or 11 ancient Windows 95 machines?

sglasgow · 05-15-2008, 12:20 PM

Thank you to everyone who responded.
That is all good advice. I will plan to buy the 1.87Ghz model with 2GB of Ram.
I will also wait until after WWDC incase there are any updates.

Thanks again

Sparky9292 · 05-17-2008, 06:54 PM

Completely agree.

I bought the cheapest version of the mini, bumped the RAM to 2G. Really don't need much CPU. The slowest processer runs full screen AVI's on my 32" LCD just fine.

Now you'll need a couple of putty knives to change the RAM. It's not super difficult, just give yourself an hour, and go very slow.

The RAM is at the VERY bottom of the case, so you'll have to remove about a half dozen screws to do it.

05-14-2008, 10:23 PM	#1
sglasgow Prospect Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 24	Mac Mini Buying Advice Hi Everyone, I am planning on buying a mac mini to use as a server running leopard server. To be fiscally responsible, I have given myself two options. Option A: For $699 I could have a Mini with a 1.83 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 2gb of Ram. Option B:For $799 I could have a Mini with a 2.0 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 1gb of Ram. Which do you get more millage out of, Ram or Processor speed? Is it worth the extra $100 for the 2ghz processor even if I would lose on the Ram? I know that there are other differences between the two models. However they don't matter to me since I will be using external storage and do not have a need to burn dvds. Thanks for the help. Go Apple!

05-15-2008, 12:20 PM	#5
sglasgow Prospect Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 24	Thank you. Thank you to everyone who responded. That is all good advice. I will plan to buy the 1.87Ghz model with 2GB of Ram. I will also wait until after WWDC incase there are any updates. Thanks again

05-17-2008, 06:54 PM	#6
Sparky9292 Triple-A Player Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 195	Get the cheapest Mini and boost the ram Completely agree. I bought the cheapest version of the mini, bumped the RAM to 2G. Really don't need much CPU. The slowest processer runs full screen AVI's on my 32" LCD just fine. Now you'll need a couple of putty knives to change the RAM. It's not super difficult, just give yourself an hour, and go very slow. The RAM is at the VERY bottom of the case, so you'll have to remove about a half dozen screws to do it.

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05-15-2008, 08:36 AM	#2
appleman_design MVP Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,844	the diff. in processor speed is out weighed by the ram, you will use more of the ram for the server apps.

05-15-2008, 08:48 AM	#3
Photek Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Warwick, UK Posts: 4,685	on a side note... there have been rumors flyig around for quite some time that the Mini is going to be changed... or revised or even updated... http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac_mini

05-15-2008, 08:58 AM	#4
acme.mail.order Hall of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 4,285	I agree. Unless you're planning on serving up a LOT of server-intensive stuff or using it as a compile/rendering machine the extra ram will help more than the faster processor. You'd only get an extra 170MHz out of it, and only when something is pegging the processor. That's the equivalent of one 1996-vintage box. Or to put it another way, would you like 10 or 11 ancient Windows 95 machines?