Apple mini mac

[jockey]

Just got an e mail from apple introducing the new mini mac and it's the sexiest PC I have ever seen - its only 16cms by 6cms!!! I am thinking of buying one of these to use with my home cinema system as a media centre!! The only other apple product I have ever owned is my mini ipod and I am really really really pleased with it!!

Are there any Apple experts out there who could advise the pros and cons of this product!!!!

 

[rhysd2]

im no expert but i'll advise.

firstly it isnt a pc. its a mac. its a completely different setup hardware and software wise and wont run pc software. most software houses do produce version for the mac but they dont come out as quickly as on the pc and arent as easy to lay your hands on.

secondly what you see is what you get with the new tiny one. just the base unit. no monitor keyboard or anything. so be aware of that. though they plan to be able to make it run through your tv.

that being said macs are very good fast machines with alot of functionality. and they arguably do graphics/music work alot better than pc's.

just be aware their very different from pc's

 

[SplashMtn]

im no expert but i'll advise.

firstly it isnt a pc. its a mac. its a completely different setup hardware and software wise and wont run pc software. most software houses do produce version for the mac but they dont come out as quickly as on the pc and arent as easy to lay your hands on.

secondly what you see is what you get with the new tiny one. just the base unit. no monitor keyboard or anything. so be aware of that. though they plan to be able to make it run through your tv.

that being said macs are very good fast machines with alot of functionality. and they arguably do graphics/music work alot better than pc's.

just be aware their very different from pc's

I was going to get a mac laptop myself at Christmas but decided on a PC laptop simply because of a really good offer. After reading a LOT about macs in the run up to buying a new computer I can safely ay that the major software companies DO produce mac software at the same time as their PC counterparts- even in the case of Microsoft's Office X for macs which is by all accounts better than the Windows version!! Alongside using the new mini mac as a media centre, if you plan to use the internet/ emails on it you can 'surf' safely- with virtually NO viruses for the tank like Mac OSX operating system plus a web browser in safari which won't open malicious active x files on web pages and prevents pop up ads.

Admittedly, this machine is a case of what you see is what you get as Rhys has said because of the necessary purchase of a keyboard/ mouse etc but if you plan to use it as a media centre apple sell bluetooth mice and keyboards (though you can use other brands) which would be particularly useful for a wireless set up in the living room for example.

And yes, you cant beat the looks of Apple machines, im tempted myself to replace my ancient Windows desktop with a new mini mac despite the new laptop!!







Edited for typo.

 

[rhysd2]

I was going to get a mac laptop myself at Christmas but decided on a PC laptop simply because of a really good offer. After reading a LOT about macs in the run up to buying a new computer I can safely ay that the major software companies DO produce mac software at the same time as their PC counterparts- even in the case of Microsoft's Office X for macs which is by all accounts better than the Windows version!! Alongside using the new mini mac as a media centre, if you plan to use the internet/ emails on it you can 'surf' safely- with virtually NO viruses for the tank like Mac OSX operating system plus a web browser in safari which won't open malicious active x files on web pages and prevents pop up ads.

Admittedly, this machine is a case of what you see is what you get as Rhys has said because of the necessary purchase of a keyboard/ mouse etc but if you plan to use it as a media centre apple sell bluetooth mice and keyboards (though you can use other brands) which would be particularly useful for a wireless set up in the living room for example.

And yes, you cant beat the looks of Apple machines, im tempted myself to replace my ancient Windows desktop with a new mini mac despite the new laptop!!

i stand corrected. i know a year or two ago when i looked at getting an i book publishing houses often delayed the mac releases by a month or two after the windows versions.

secondly i highly discourage you from using the microsoft mac products as from what i've heard they arent programmed to well and can slow your mac performance down.

thirdly the no virus thing is a common misconecption about macs. there are tons of virus's around for them. they just dont get as much press or as widley recognised because macs arent as widley used and because the mac OS is more resiliant and thus tends to have less security holes. but believe me there are plenty around i've even removed some myself from macs at a clients(i work in systems/network support and troublshooting)

that being said macs are good you just have to remember what your getting when you buy one. and be sure to try and go with the "pure" mac software rather than the stuff microsoft is putting into the market

 

[SplashMtn]

thirdly the no virus thing is a common misconecption about macs. there are tons of virus's around for them. they just dont get as much press or as widley recognised because macs arent as widley used and because the mac OS is more resiliant and thus tends to have less security holes. but believe me there are plenty around i've even removed some myself from macs at a clients(i work in systems/network support and troublshooting)

I too stand corrected then if you have had experience with Mac viruses!! Though obviously there are many many times less than for Windows PC's. Outof interest which version of the Mac OS were they removed from as when researching the Mac platform I was constantly finding first hand accounts of people never having a virus on a Mac computer- this was with Mac OSX, just wondering if those viruses you've encountered were on machines running Mac OS9 and earlier?

btw, I'm not trying to bash Windows or Mac er love; after all, I've just bought an XP machine!

Also jockey, have you consiered a Windows media centre PC which may be more suitable as the Mac mini is not a purpose built media centre though the media centre PC's are much more expensive as far as I can see.




EDIT: again for typo- note to self, learn to type!

 

[rhysd2]

i believe it was version 7 though i couldnt say for sure as it was about 6-9 months ago and at the time i was more concerned with getting their systems running hehe

**EDIT**


sorry meant to say regardless there are virus's out there for the more recent versions too according to the mac officionado in work

not to mention the fact viewing a pc/mac via your tv screen will result in loss of quality and refresh rates and is supposedly not to great for your eyes in the long run

 

[jockey]

Hey guys

thanks for the info!! I just want the mini mac to attach to my plasma for web surfing and a liitle bit of video and photo editing - I think the software provided is excellent for editing!!! I know I could buy a more powerful pc for less but its the size of the box that appeals to me!!!! I do have a pc and a laptop that I can use for games and storage etc!!!!!!

I hope the buy the mini mac when I am in London in Feb so will let you know what I think!!!!!

 

[rhysd2]

macs are extremely good for image and multimedia editing let us know how it turns out

 

[SplashMtn]

Hey guys

thanks for the info!! I just want the mini mac to attach to my plasma for web surfing and a liitle bit of video and photo editing - I think the software provided is excellent for editing!!! I know I could buy a more powerful pc for less but its the size of the box that appeals to me!!!! I do have a pc and a laptop that I can use for games and storage etc!!!!!!

I hope the buy the mini mac when I am in London in Feb so will let you know what I think!!!!!

The new London Apple store looks like computer/ gadget heaven!

Let us know how it goes with the mini mac when you get it!!