Mac Mini server as a stepping stone to a Mac Pro???

[KEVORKIAN]

BTW, for some perspective on how the new Mac Minis (Client & Server edition) fare vs. other Macs, for the sorts of tasks audio and video professionals are likely to be doing, this seems to be the latest rundown on the stats (Speedmark 6):

http://www.marketingtactics.com/Speedmark/

Regarding the Mac mini, the most interesting scores are down the page: "Custom-configuration Mac mini benchmarks," where you can see that the 7200 rpm drive mod makes a great deal of difference in the mini's performance.

[BKK-OZ]

I looked at the speedmark site, and geekbench results too, but one thing I haven't been able to find is any kind of roadmap or history of macs - when looking @ used macs, it is really hard to figure out which configuration is which. Me old brain gets confused and I can't determine which machines are the most capable.

Surely there is a simple table somewhere that lists all the models?

[KEVORKIAN]

I looked at the speedmark site, and geekbench results too, but one thing I haven't been able to find is any kind of roadmap or history of macs - when looking @ used macs, it is really hard to figure out which configuration is which. Me old brain gets confused and I can't determine which machines are the most capable.

Surely there is a simple table somewhere that lists all the models?

One of the best sites ever:
http://www.everymac.com/

[BKK-OZ]

One of the best sites ever:
http://www.everymac.com/

Methinks I owe you a beer, should we ever meet in person.

This page in particular is quite useful.

Until we meet:

[KEVORKIAN]

Thanks BKK-OZ!!! That beer is making me thirsty now.

[BKK-OZ]

mmmmm... beer...

According to Geekbench results, the new mac mini's are topping out @ around 3850(ish). Also according to Geekbench, the iMac i7 (2.8Ghz) sits somewhere around 8250(ish). I found one of the latter as an Apple refurb, for around $2,400(AUD), which is approx $2,000. All of the Mac Pros I have tracked on evil bay end up $2,500+.

Maybe I should just give up...

[newrigel]

If I didn't use UAD I'd go with an iMac i7!!!! They are so damn hard to beat. If you put an SSD or 10k, and a large 10k HD (like a 600GB Velociraptor) and partitioned it, it would work very, very well. I just saw one (refurb here in the US) for $1,849!!! I can't live without a 1073... it's just become a part of my sound.

[mhschmieder]

I felt the same way about UAD a few years ago, since my bandmate was using it as his end on our recordings, but I'm so happy with where native plugs have gone in that time that I no longer feel compelled to be able to support a UAD card on a new computer.

On the other hand, UAD keeps releasing NEW plugs that are every bit as enticing as their old ones...

Let's keep our fingers crossed that the iMac will be updated either tomorrow or next Tuesday. The MacPro will probably be later than that, and they rarely update those two at the same time anyway.

I work in the dark, so glare probably won't be a problem on the glossy screen. I was more concerned about the impact on photo editing.

I would prefer to get an SSD with the Mini or iMac rather than do it later, as otherwise I have to go through the trouble of installing everything and re-downloading a gazillion license keys twice... unless Target Disc Mode takes care of that, and the computer hardware identifies the license holder to the vendor vs. the specific hard disc.

[BKK-OZ]

Let's keep our fingers crossed that the iMac will be updated either tomorrow or next Tuesday.

Are they really due that soon?