[Dan Frakes]

mr.steevo said:

Any chance you can test a 64GB SSD in your mini? I'm thinking it would be a great drive for the OS and applications while having an external drive for storage.

Unfortunately, we don't have any SSDs sitting around. Although I think it's worth noting that a lot of the SSD benchmarks I've seen don't (yet) show huge overall speed improvements, especially compared to a 7200rpm drive. Not to mention that we're talking about a $600 desktop computer here -- is it really worth spending $200+ for a tiny drive? ;) For most people (not all), I'd say the answer is no.

[macmutt]

I agree. I have resisted buying a new Mac to replace my aging PowerMac G4 simply because there isn't a powerful enough alternative to the costly Mac Pro. Plus I REALLY don't like the iMacs....I don't know why, but they creep me out a bit....and I can't just go out and get a new monitor if it goes ka-blooey, if you know what I mean. Hmmm...I think I'll write Apple about it. Who's got Steve Job's email address?

[pln]

macmutt said:

I REALLY don't like the iMacs....I don't know why, but they creep me out a bit....and I can't just go out and get a new monitor if it goes ka-blooey, if you know what I mean.

Well, you can actually. All the iMacs come with a display port for adding an extra monitor.

The thing about iMac monitors has always been that you couldn't reuse it on another computer if the iMac itself goes ka-blooey, not that you can't use it with another monitor.

[thewolfgang]

Real world situation:

1. Original Mac Mini 1.42 overheating, combi drive not working, time to get a replacement
2. What's more power for the buck: new Mini souped up one way or another or White MB

Thanks for all your great work on our behalf!

[joy999]

that's for this information

[palane]

@softwyere: No. They don't. The iMac is a great all-in-one computer, but not what the OP requested. Instead of typing on the Dell I'm using right now, I'd be using such an MMMM.

BB

[trip1ex]

I upgraded my iMac last week. I put a 1TB hard drive inside. It's working perfect.
Pretty easy to do.

[macmutt]

I would ask if you were happy with the performance of your Mini? If so, due to the fact you can keep your peripherals, i.e., your monitor, mouse, and keyboard, I would be inclined to go with a new Mini. I would also like to know if you'd be willing to part with the old one. I am a bit handy at repairing computers and my poor old G4 could use some help. Is it an Intel unit? Let me know.

[softweyr]

thewolfgang, the main difference between the white MB and the new mini is the memory bus - the mini bus is somewhat faster 1066 vs 866 Mhz. The other difference is the firewire ports, the mini has only FW800 while the white MacBook has FW400 and FW800 (I think, check the website.) The MacBook is very easy to upgrade and being able to take it with you is always handy. I've replaced the disk in my wife's white MacBook with a 7200 rpm 320g drive and upgraded the RAM to 4gb, both were trivial.

[softweyr]

No, the iMac is what the original poster requested, OP just didn't understand the iMac is "upgradable." That depends on what you mean by upgradeable of course. It doesn't have a bunch of PCI slots, but when's the last time the AVERAGE USER added a PCI card to their PC, at home or work? Neat idea for geeks, not really used in the real world. Memory and hard drive upgrades, or HD replacements? Sure. Can do both on the iMac. More storage? FW, or put it on the network. Another display? Check.

[macmutt]

I have found it easier to install PCI cards...simply remove the dust cover from the rear enclosure (one screw) and insert the card into the appropriate slot, than taking out HD's that may, or may not be, connected to other racks or devices, temperature sensors, etc., and always secured by at least four screws, with the exception of hot swappable drives, which we all know, neither the iMac, Macbook, or Mini employ. Further, as I said in a previous post, who wants a monitor that IS part of the computer, itself? Now there's a tragedy just waiting to happen.

[hmurchison]

I think the iMac has grown on me enough that I no longer care about having an integrated monitor

Now I just want Apple to get a quad core CPU safely installed.

[macmutt]

Call me skeptical, or paranoid schizophrenic, or mad scientist...any will do, but i just don't trust an integrated monitor. Having said that, I am embarking on a mission to build a better Mac, suitable to my needs, out of nothing BUT original Apple parts. I have discovered the G4 cube recently and will soon begin to build a Monster Mini out of one.( I shall call it...the Mini Cuper) I will integrate the Mini's CPU, Airport / Bluetooth hardware with two Blu Ray DVD optical drives, a pair of 7200 RPM 1TB HD's, and the best video card I can get to work in that little monkey as well as maxing out it's RAM. If I can talk a friend of mine into making a port interface for it, it will also boast a vast array of firewire and USB ports, front and back. And, since I'm into music, it will also have to have an awesome sound card added to the mix. I've already started buying the parts off eBay and Newegg. Here's hoping I can bring this monster to life! If it works, I can retire my PowerMac G4 to be my new DVD player.

[macmutt]

Call me skeptical, or paranoid schizophrenic, or mad scientist...any will do, but i just don't trust an integrated monitor. Having said that, I am embarking on a mission to build a better Mac, suitable to my needs, out of nothing BUT original Apple parts. I have discovered the G4 cube recently and will soon begin to build a Monster Mini out of one.( I shall call it...the Mini Cuper) I will integrate the Mini's CPU, Airport / Bluetooth hardware with two Blu Ray DVD optical drives, a pair of 7200 RPM 1TB HD's, and the best video card I can get to work in that little monkey as well as maxing out it's RAM. If I can talk a friend of mine into making a port interface for it, it will also boast a vast array of firewire and USB ports, front and back. And, since I'm into music, it will also have to have an awesome sound card added to the mix. I've already started buying the parts off eBay and Newegg. Here's hoping I can bring this monster to life! If it works, I can retire my PowerMac G4 to be my new DVD player.