Frustrated with stupid PC. Is a Mac-Mini a good replacement?

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:40 pm

Hello.
I have almost no hair left. I've been wasting all morning trying to make one of my damned PCs work, but I can't. The mouse doesn't work, it freezes, etc... Typical PC crap

I can't stand this uncertainty any longer. I need a quick solution, so I can keep working.

I'm looking at the newest Mac-Mini as a good replacement. But there are a few things that concern me, it's poor connectivity options, among them:

1.- I don't see any eSATA connectivity on the latest model. Only FW, USB and Thunderbolt.
Since my external disk enclosures only have USB, FW and eSATA, I could only use FW800, which is not ideal.
I wouldn't mind using the FW800 connection AS LONG AS I know that whenever OWC comes out with external cases that support TB I could use it to connect 1 or 2 external HDs.
Is this reasonable?
Are we talking months or semesters for them to come out?

I understand TB will be much better than eSATA. With just one TB connection on the Mac-Mini, how many external HDs could I eventually plug in there?

2.- Is the Lion Server Mac-Mini worth the extra bucks? According to Apple, the Server version comes with two HDs, but the Apple rep on the phone told me they are not really "separate-individual" HDs (he didn't seem very knowledgeable). Is this so?

3.- According to OWC, I could add up to 16 GB of RAM, but Apple's site says I can only add 8 GB... what's up with this?

My PC only had a mere 4 GB RAM, from which I can only use 3 GB (with the 3 GB registry tweak). It has three 7200 RPM internal disks, two of which are for running samples exclusively.

The reason I'm looking at the latest Mac-Mini is because they are the cheapest, I could buy it today and keep working, and I could apparently add up to 16 GB RAM (despite Apple saying only

.

Any suggestions? Almost anything seems to be much better than this crappy PC, but I want to make sure I don't rush out and spend money unwisely. I'd like to make sure this new Mac would last me lots of years into the future.

Any recommendations or thoughts are most appreciated.

Thank you!

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 12:58 pm

Well of course you're in Mexico so I'm not sure of how well a used machine would work - nor do I really know what specific use the PC was serving or what you want to do with the new machine (that was exhausting). But would a used Mac Pro be a viable option? I really wouldn't go with a mini for anything but the most casual use. Even a used MacBook would be my choice before a mini.

You asked...

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:07 pm

Thanks for your prompt response, Mike.

I'm (was) using the PC as a slave to run my VI samples. It was the Brass section...
So I need a new machine to replace it. PCs are OBVIOUSLY out the question!!!!

I finally saved the money to buy a Mac Pro as soon as the next generation comes out (hopefully soon), but this is independent. I'll need some kind of slave in the mean time (months?), so I can keep working.

Getting a new MacBook Pro is not out of the question, though. I've always wanted to get a new one for myself and this could be a good excuse for me to do it, but it's much more expensive than a Mac-Mini...

Is there a reason you are not crazy about these little boxes?

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:41 pm

1.- I don't see any eSATA connectivity on the latest model. Only FW, USB and Thunderbolt.
Since my external disk enclosures only have USB, FW and eSATA, I could only use FW800, which is not ideal.
I wouldn't mind using the FW800 connection AS LONG AS I know that whenever OWC comes out with external cases that support TB I could use it to connect 1 or 2 external HDs.
Is this reasonable?
Are we talking months or semesters for them to come out?

The general impression is Spring 2012 when Intel finally releases the low cost TB chipset.

I understand TB will be much better than eSATA. With just one TB connection on the Mac-Mini, how many external HDs could I eventually plug in there?

Lots.

Unlike eSATA which allows one. My 2010 iMac has eSATA.

2.- Is the Lion Server Mac-Mini worth the extra bucks? According to Apple, the Server version comes with two HDs, but the Apple rep on the phone told me they are not really "separate-individual" HDs (he didn't seem very knowledgeable). Is this so?

You give up the slow internal DVD reader - big deal - externals are cheap and much faster. I have not heard that the two HDs cannot be run as two separate drives.

3.- According to OWC, I could add up to 16 GB of RAM, but Apple's site says I can only add 8 GB... what's up with this?

True of many Apple products - has been for years. No one ever complains that OWC is wrong on this. All Apple employees I know always say to buy RAM from OWC. I live 2 miles from the mother ship in Cupertino.

The reason I'm looking at the latest Mac-Mini is because they are the cheapest, I could buy it today and keep working, and I could apparently add up to 16 GB RAM (despite Apple saying only .

Any suggestions?

None that you haven't already made.

Any recommendations or thoughts are most appreciated.

OK, one:

Unless you are committed to keeping your monitors, the 27" iMacs are slightly better buys. The new iMacs cannot have two internal mechanical hard drives, however, and the 2G HD upgrade must be ordered with the computer due to new cooling protocols (there are no aftermarket HDs that meet the new Apple spec and problems if you use anything else in there).

There is a 27" 3.4GHz i7-Quad iMac with a 1T drive in the refurb store for $1,869. The same thing with the 2G upgrade would run an additional $480 (the 3.1 with the 2G drive would run an additional $180). If you are ok waiting for TB externals, this is where I would go.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD063LL/A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Other arguments for the iMac include faster Quad core processors instead of dual core, 32G RAM support. Again, if the $999 Apple TB display is factored in, a 27" i<ac actually costs less.

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 1:47 pm

FMiguelez wrote: Is there a reason you are not crazy about these little boxes?

Difficult upgrades for RAM and HD. Single internal drive. You get what you pay for...

mikehalloran · Post by **mikehalloran** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:01 pm

Actually, I do agree that a recent used Mac Pro is probably a better choice overall. Forget external drives when you can load up to four 3G drives inside.

If you like the Mac monitor - and it is very nice - the version with the MD connector is $849 from the refurb store.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/s ... c/displays" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Your old monitors should work fine and good 23" displays with DVI connectors can be had from $150 up.

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:23 pm

I agree the Mac Pro apparently would be a much better buy.

The reason I say apparently is:
- I would have to pay cash for the used machine, so I could not get a valid invoice to make it tax deductible (as opposed to a new one from a vendor).
- I wouldn't get a warranty of any kind
- The ones I've found so far are around $2000 - $2500, most are out-of-state, owned by who knows who. They all say "great condition", but I know what that usually means...

I'll ask the big studios in the city if they are selling one, though. The above would still be the same, but at least I know those guys.

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:29 pm

So far i'm "having fun" re-installing my Brass section on the iMac... from the DVDs!

I took out the Brass HD from the PC, thinking I could just pop it in one of my external enclosures and copy it to the iMac samples HD. But small detail... I just found out it was a SCSI HD - I don't have a way to read it from my external enclosures...

So I'm copying all the .dat files from the slow DVD reader.... a couple of hours to go!

Great creative way to waste an entire afternoon

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:52 pm

FM-- this might be something to consider:

Sonnet Echo ExpressCard

It connects to the computer via TB cable, but you'd also need the right adapter-- like eSATA or whatever your connection of choice might be.

It could spare you the firewire stop-gap and get you into TB sooner than later. I'm thinking about going this route soon-- moving my G5 stuff over to a Mac Mini as a slave to my Intel Mac with VE Pro.

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:07 pm

Frodo wrote:
It could spare you the firewire stop-gap and get you into TB sooner than later. I'm thinking about going this route soon-- moving my G5 stuff over to a Mac Mini as a slave to my Intel Mac with VE Pro.

Hey, Frodo!
At least I can not edit your posts from this section

That Sonnet link you gave me seems to be amazing! I'll study it in detail tonight.

Which Mac-Mini are you thinking about getting (from the 3 models)?
Would you use 8GB, or would you get 16 GB from OWC?

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:44 pm

While I'm waiting for the DVDs to copy to the iMac, I've been in all four underneath the furniture where I keep the PCs.

After hours, I traced down the problem to an apparently faulty Mouse/Keyboard connector on the motherboard. It jiggles too much, and after trying different mice and keyboards, I finally could make it respond. So I'm "in" Windoze, finally

The thing is that I can not move the mouse or keyboard too much, otherwise it will freeze the computer and stop responding again. What else could I expect from a bad PC, of course

Anyway. THIS WAS MY WAKEUP CALL! I will proceed as if the PC didn't work and get a Mac of some kind.

I already wrote to the big studios about used Mac Pros and am waiting for an answer.
So unless they have a nice (cheap) Mac Pro, I guess I'll go with the Mini.

Anyone wants to buy my PeeCees? I'd probably have to pay you to get them away from me

Frodo · Post by **Frodo** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:51 pm

FMiguelez wrote: Hey, Frodo!
At least I can not edit your posts from this section

Ha-ha!

FMiguelez wrote: That Sonnet link you gave me seems to be amazing! I'll study it in detail tonight.

Which Mac-Mini are you thinking about getting (from the 3 models)?

2.5Ghz but with a 7200 rmp drive

FMiguelez wrote: Would you use 8GB, or would you get 16 GB from OWC?

16GB. When a Mac costs $799, RAM suddenly feels much more affordable. I wouldn't necessarily run DP on the Mini, but could just run VE Pro under the 64-bit kernel and host all 64-bit VIs. Since my particular MacPro will not boot the 64-bit kernel, it will remain my DP master--- until DP goes 64-bit. That's a whole other story.

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:14 pm

Frodo wrote:
16GB. When a Mac costs $799, RAM suddenly feels much more affordable. I wouldn't necessarily run DP on the Mini, but could just run VE Pro under the 64-bit kernel and host all 64-bit VIs. Since my particular MacPro will not boot the 64-bit kernel, it will remain my DP master--- until DP goes 64-bit. That's a whole other story.

Interesting.

My current iMac, its particular model (2006), could supposedly run only 4 GB of RAM. But I bought the 6GB upgrade from OWC.
While it works fine, and it does read it has installed the 6 GB, I've noticed I can't really load 5 or even 4 GB worth of samples. It crashes when I approach the 4 GB mark. It's still useful, but not what I thought I could do.
I wonder if doing the same thing with the Mac-minis would yield similar unwanted results (not being able to use the full 16 GB)...

I don't think I can boot in that machine in 64 bit mode, so I wonder if that is the reason I can only load 4 GB out of the 6 GB available (I'm using VE Pro in stand alone mode).

Ok. Wait! I haven't tried using the 64 bit server on it! I'll try it right now and report back...

FMiguelez · Post by **FMiguelez** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 4:58 pm

FODO, FRODO, FRODO!!!!

Because of this comment:

Frodo wrote:but could just run VE Pro under the 64-bit kernel and host all 64-bit VIs...

... you reminded me I should try running the 64-bit server on my iMac.
Well, IT WORKED!

Now I can load almost 2 full more GB of samples. Now I'm really using the full 6 GB of RAM

That's almost the equivalent of what I can load on each of my PCs. So I guess I owe you one PC?!??

How could I forget that? I guess that since I run the 32 bit server on all the slaves, I forgot about my 6 GB RAM on the iMac!

I was VERY moody and self-annoyed. Now I'm back to normal and am happy again!
1000 gracias por el recordatorio, amigo!

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:04 pm

Moody? LOL!

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