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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 2, 2012 7:31:59 GMT
With all of these new Macs I'm tempted to finally upgrade my "Switcher" (core duo) mac mini - I originally bought this as a refurb from Apple. It's my only Mac.
For the past year it has been quite a restriction - no Lion, so I can't upgrade Xcode, not enough disk space so struggling with iOS backups and I've had to offload various bits to network drives such as the iTunes library and photos.
I was thinking of just upgrading to a new mini, but those retina mac book pros are a draw. But wait - what about a thin iMac?!!
Help me choose, someone, please!
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Post by Forum Cat on Dec 3, 2012 14:20:48 GMT
Hmm, Just how many body parts are you willing to sell? Considering their condition what is their market value? This wil give us a budget to work on.
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 3, 2012 20:48:45 GMT
I'm ignoring budget to a certain extent. These things are frighteningly expensive when you cost them up. But there's also 10 months of interest free credit available; which helps ease (or hide) the pain. The options as I would consider are ... What | Why | How much?!!?! | Macmini. processor and memory upgrades and fusion drive | cheapest option. I have a monitor etc already. | £1039 | Macbook pro. 15" retina. no upgrades. | dual purpose: on the move | £2299 | iMac. big one. i7 processor upgrade, fusion. | thin. maybe could also be a monitor for a future mbp? | £2219 |
... or macbook air?! Damn you Apple. I suppose with the macmini we don't need to buy memory from apple now. Need to understand the separate upgrade cost. 2x4GB upgrade from Apple is £80. 2x8GB £240.
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 3, 2012 20:53:49 GMT
btw, my body parts will have very low market value. Especially the liver.
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Post by Forum Cat on Dec 4, 2012 9:26:35 GMT
The mini is the obvious choice a) If you are happy with your screen and keyboard b) If you don't need to transport your computer. Decent memory for the Mac Mini can be found at Crucial You can often find vouchers online for Crucial that will give you up to 5% discount on these prices.
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Post by Forum Cat on Dec 4, 2012 9:36:36 GMT
If you then need to go on the move or want a second screen a MB Air is without doubt the best computer I have ever owned. Even a basic one would be able to boot from the cloned backup of your Mac mini if ever you had a problem and needed to send your mini in for repair. So for me, if money is not a problem. Main computer Mac Mini (spec as high as I could including fusion drive) Portable (base spec) Macbook Air This gives •Bloody great desktop •Bloody great portable •Safety net in the case of either device failing. (the mini is almost a portable in a "comes to shove" sittuation) •Second screen (I have not checked if this works but I think it does)
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swatty
Senior Member
Grumpy old Man
Posts: 256
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Post by swatty on Dec 4, 2012 9:59:37 GMT
The options as I would consider are ... What | Why | How much?!!?! | Macmini. processor and memory upgrades and fusion drive | cheapest option. I have a monitor etc already. | £1039 | Macbook pro. 15" retina. no upgrades. | dual purpose: on the move | £2299 | iMac. big one. i7 processor upgrade, fusion. | thin. maybe could also be a monitor for a future mbp? | £2219 |
Be honest with yourself Mike, you REALLY want all three
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 4, 2012 21:29:45 GMT
Nooooo.
Forum cat knows what's best. Spend thriftily.
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 4, 2012 21:31:54 GMT
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Post by Forum Cat on Dec 5, 2012 17:04:16 GMT
Is that your decision then?
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 5, 2012 23:36:13 GMT
I'm a bit of scrooge, so I think the mac mini is edging it at the moment.
I also realised that I leave the current one on most of the time (just in case, air video - very good if you haven't come across it.) I also have an old PC running as a media server 24/7 that I suspect is a large component of my lecky bill. Thinking that maybe it's time to consolidate. So maybe a 3TB fusion is the order of the day.
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 5, 2012 23:42:31 GMT
Cat, thanks for the pointer on the Crucial memory - that's a £180 saving. Or in my case opens up the 16GB option, I'd have only gone for 8GB previously. I'm edging towards a decision.
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 27, 2012 16:05:49 GMT
Ok, I did it. Went with the "cheap" option. Thanks for the tips.
So Mac mini with various upgrades, and discount through work (employee programme) works out at a manageable tad over £90/month. Only a 1tb fusion is available on the mini so ignore my 3tb comment previously.
The finance element was a bit of a palaver - had to answer various questions about length I had had my current account and other things. So much so that my first attempt failed as my guesses weren't accurate enough for experian!
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Post by millstonebarn on Dec 27, 2012 16:45:12 GMT
... and some Crucial memory - all being well with 7% quidco cash back too.
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Post by Forum Cat on Dec 29, 2012 2:40:29 GMT
This might be of interest to you. Minimax < Clicky
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