mac mini users - are you happy?

[cmcenearney]

Hi,

I'm considering getting one of the Core Duo Mac Mini's and I was wondering if anyone could offer any feedback. I'm specifically curious about:

1) track/plug-in counts, with and/or without using a 7200rpm external drive.

2) is it really quiet all the time? I'm on a G4 DP1.25 right now, the "windtunnel", and although it is a good ol' workhorse it is so loud. So very loud. My understanding is that the Mini is fanless and so the only noise is drive noise. That alone makes me want to run out and get one...

Most of my projects these days tend be in the 8-24 tracks range with not too many plugins and not more than a couple soft-synths. From what I've heard the Mini would be fine with this. However, I like to freak out as much as the next guy, and occasionally indulge in an 80-track rock-stravaganza. As such, I'm curious to know if anyone has taken their Mini to the "breaking point".

[jrdmcdnld]

May be irrellavent, but...

I use a G4 mini w/DP4.6 for remote work. I've recorded 20 tracks simult. No problem. I've even mixed those sessions with multiple reverbs/delays and channelstrip on each track.

The intel should be that much better.

[cmcenearney]

Thanks for your reply. That's good to know.

[emulatorloo]

From what I've heard the Mini would be fine with this. However, I like to freak out as much as the next guy.

Bumping because I am interested too. I know there are some intel mini users around. I am looking at one too. . .

Basically a mini is a macbook without the screen and battery -- so theoretically it should be a good performer.

There was an older thread here:

http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... light=mini

As you see a couple or three intel mac mini folks reported postitively. I am betting there are more now and hope they will check in.

--

[Bjoillsing]

Hi! I have used a Mac Mini 1,66 core duo with 1 gb Ram with Dp 5.11 It worked just fine with the stuff I was doing then but I didn't have a lot of tracks and effects though.
Just about 10 tracks with about 2 of Dp's plugins on each...

I upgraded to a Macbook about 3 months ago and am only using my mini to run software synts and other stuff to free the load on my Macbook.

I haven't used a G4 so I can't compare them but the mini does have a fan as far as I know it makes a little sound not very mush though I am able to have it on my desk while recording.

Oh I used it with a 7200 rpm external firewire 400 disc

I can recomend it but only as far as it is not for very big and heavy projects

/Bjollsing

[jgest]

Hi! I have used a Mac Mini 1,66 core duo with 1 gb Ram with Dp 5.11 It worked just fine with the stuff I was doing then but I didn't have a lot of tracks and effects though.
Just about 10 tracks with about 2 of Dp's plugins on each...

I upgraded to a Macbook about 3 months ago and am only using my mini to run software synts and other stuff to free the load on my Macbook.

I haven't used a G4 so I can't compare them but the mini does have a fan as far as I know it makes a little sound not very mush though I am able to have it on my desk while recording.

Oh I used it with a 7200 rpm external firewire 400 disc

I can recomend it but only as far as it is not for very big and heavy projects

/Bjollsing

So how is the macbook working for you, compared?

[dcoscina]

So how is the macbook working for you, compared?

I just bought Digital Performer 5 and loaded it onto my Macbook last night. Everything worked quite nicely. I didn't see any difference between that and my Core Duo 2 iMac 17". Both are running on a 1.83 ghz processor and work quite nicely. I even had a chance to work up a little piece and render it to audio. Sounded great! I do wish the buttons and DP were alittle bigger or adjustable but that would compromise the single window environment so it's not a big deal (I come from Logic Express so I'm used to large displays).

But I really like DP5 and I'm glad I switched over. It's a dream to work with all of my plug-ins.

[Bjoillsing]

So how is the macbook working for you, compared?

It's performance is better than the mini and runs really great, considering I can still not use too much plug ins that I tend to do a lot of times now.
I was expecting a big difference because of the increase in bouth cpu and ram I have a Macbook with 2,0 Ghz intel core duo and 2 gb ram.

I'm not complaing about the performance but I wouldn't mind to have a better workhorse for my really big projects.

I'm still getting som crashes for overloading the cpu but I think that is natural with the pressure I put it through some times...

/Bjollsing

[jgest]

thanks for the feedback guys!