Intel mac mini: solo vs duo core.. thoughts ?

Hey everyone,
I'm currently in the process of selling my PC desktop along with various other hardware & games. After I get enough to cover the cost I plan on replacing it with a mini. I'm just debating between a Solo upgraded to a super drive which'll come to $759 CDN, OR the duo for 949.00 CDN. I'm trying to figure if the dual core will really give a performance boost over the solo to justify the extra $ long term. I run an I.T business so other then some odd Photoshop work I won't be doing anything too CPU intensive. But then again I'm not sure about the future, I may get into some slideshow work. I made a show for my brothers wedding in iphoto with my PB & it was a huge hit. Since it's easier to spend other people's money I figured I'd get feedback here .
12 1.33 Ghz Powerbook G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

At the cost of the original mini I think it would have been easier to recommend the cheaper model as a good short and mid-term proposition since at that sort of cost and the relatively stable resale value, it would have been readily replaceable for most people after a year or two and with relatively little real cost.
But the new minis are more expensive, and in my mind it tends to put these systems beyond the cost where it's possible to reasonably consider the short-term or even mid-term implications of purchase. Thus, with the lower-priced unit not really providing a competitive and technological edge, I can't see it being a viable proposition. To me, though more expensive, the dual-core model makes far better sense into the long-term, particularly when considering the potential development of interests and needs the system may be expected to meet into the future and of which you may be unaware at present.

Similar Messages

Do new Intel Mac minis support all Tiger Core technologies?

Do they support: core audio, core video, core image, etc
Thank you!

so, when the iLife '06 webpages say all this cool stuff you can do if your system supports core image/audio/video (for example, audio and video effects in iMovie), the Mac mini Intel can do these things?

Intel Mac Mini Core Solo - Kernel Panic on Boot

I was wondering if anyone who has purchased the Intel Mac Mini is having issues with Kernel Panics during the booting sequence?
I got a Core Solo from the local Apple store (couldn't wait to play, I'm waiting on the Core Duo I ordered online to come still ). The first thing I did was fire it up check it out for a few minutes, then I put the install disc in and reinstalled a clean OS, with less options because I'm planning on hooking it up to my TV so I don't need space hogs like Garageband etc on my TV computer. I got the updates that popped up, then shutdown the computer. I took it out to the living room and hooked it up to the tv and I got a black message about needing to restart (a kernel panic) right when the blue progress loading bar comes up on boot. I spent a while with it trying to figure out what was wrong, ran the Apple Hardware Test, booted it fine in Safe Boot. Finally I got tired of it and reinstalled the OS again.
It was fine for a day, working fine out on the tv. I brought it back in my room to play with a few things like Darwine, etc. Shut it down, came back an hour or so later booted it up and got the kernel panic on boot. Safe boot still worked fine. I spent some time trying to look for panic logs but didn't see any. I ran the disk utility and did a Full erase and it worked fine. I reinstalled the OS again. Ran MemTestOSX and it worked fine. I left it running the Apple Hardware Test for about 6 hours or more, and it performed perfectly.
This morning it still seemed ok, except sometimes on a cold boot when the blue progress bar screen should come on... my monitor just shows black and the light on the monitor goes inactive. So, I press the button on the back to sleep it, then bring it out of sleep with the keyboard and the OS is sitting there booted.
It seems like a weird combination of software and hardware problems, but maybe it's all hardware problems. I can't get past Safe Boot working when the OS stops loading. Right now the computer is working fine.
I'm waiting for my Core Duo to come in the mail and verify that it works flawlessly, then I'll take the Solo to the store and ask them to look at it.
Anyone have any similar experiences so far?

It seems like the mini is doing alright so far. I think maybe the full erase solved whatever issue it was having. I also got my Core Duo Mini yesterday in the mail and it's performing like a champ. Definitely a nice machine.
I'll close my question for now, since the Core Solo Mini seems alright. But, as a warning don't get on Front Row's bad side. I tried force quitting it because it was taking too long to load the videos folder and then tried shutting down from a terminal and ended up having to turn the machine off.

Intel Mac Mini Core Duo Midi USB Issues

Is anyone else having issues getting Midi devices to work with the Intel Mac Mini's? I have several Midi devices that are't working correctly event though I have installed the newest drivers.
Currently I am having issues with a M-Audio Midisport 2x2 USB adapter. I loaded the newest drivers (ver 3.2.2) which are supposed to be universal binary to support the Intel Macs. When I connect the Midisport 2x2 to the Mac Mini I can not get it to receive Midi Output from the Mac.
When I look in the Midi control pannel I can see that the Midisport has been installed, but all options to select it are greyed out. Also when I try to select it as the input or output there is NO option to select the Midisport from the pull down menu. It only shows the "Built-in Midi" as and option.
The Midisport works fine on other non-Intel Macs. Please advise.
Thanks!
Mac Mini Intel Duo Core 1.66Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.7)

It seems like the mini is doing alright so far. I think maybe the full erase solved whatever issue it was having. I also got my Core Duo Mini yesterday in the mail and it's performing like a champ. Definitely a nice machine.
I'll close my question for now, since the Core Solo Mini seems alright. But, as a warning don't get on Front Row's bad side. I tried force quitting it because it was taking too long to load the videos folder and then tried shutting down from a terminal and ended up having to turn the machine off.

Dual PowerMac G4 or Core Duo Intel Mac Mini?

Right now I have a Intel Core Duo Mac mini. I have the following setup and specs on my desk. The mini contains the Duo 1.66GHz processor, 2GB DDR SDRam, 80GB hard drive, OS X & Windows XP, AirPort +Bluetooth, and so on. My problem is that I have always been a tower lover and that is why I purchased the Mac mini because I purchased a 20.1 widescreen HD Dell LCD with DVI-D, VGA, Component, and so on imputs. I wanted this for my Xbox 360 also.
Here is where it starts to get complicated. I also have four, yes four, external hard drives sitting on my desk, and I still need more hard disc space. I have a 250GB, 120GB, 250GB, and 60GB. Plus remember I have a 80GB in the mini. I am also looking into another 250GB or 500GB external hard drive.
Now before I had the mini, I had the original iMac G5 which had a 1.6GHz PowerPC G5 processor in it, 160GB hard drive, and 1.5GB of ram. It was showing age and I needed more speed and a bigger display so I ditched it for the Intel Mac mini.
In addition I am pulling 12 USB ports out the back of my Mac mini. I have a few hubs fulling almost all the ports. I need these for the external hard drives. If I go internal, I can probably live with 6-8 USB 2.0 ports. I will need at least 1 firewire or an iSight camera or my Sony HD handycam, but USB is more needed. In addition I see some PowerMac G4's came with Firewire 800? Is this something I would need, I currently however have no use for it.
But now I really see the need of a PowerMac G4 Quicksilver tower. I was looking into the Dual 1.42GHz PowerPC G4 models, and really don't know which is faster. I would obviously love the expandability of the PCI cards, and independed graphics memory, but am I willing to transition back to PowerPC after moving over the Intel?
I don't know so I am posting it all here in the PowerMac G4 section of the Apple forums. I really hope I can get some good advice here. By the way, I am very Apple and technology frantic, so I know the ins and outs of a tower and stuff like that. So a non Apple warrenty would probably not be a problem.
But one problem is, how much could I get for my Mini which cost me $1099 and how much would a decent G4 tower cost me? I have an extra Nvideo GeForce 4 MX 5400 Ultra with 64MB of ram and DVD-D/ VGA outputs, so that isn't a problem. Plus to replace the AirPort Extreme built into the mini, I have a AirLink 101 Super G (108MBPS) Wireless PCI card. Bluetooth can be added with a simple USB dongle.
UPDATE: Forgot the mention I already have a DVD Burner compatible with OS X and 3.5inch bays. I would like a Dual Layer, but if its a tower, I can upgrade that anytime.
UPDATE x2: I would also like to mention that I use Gigabit Ethernet so any PowerMac model I choose would have to acomidate that such as the Intel Mac mini does.
THANKS EVERYONE!!!!
Mac Mini 1.67GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB ram, 1.5TB storage, OS X v.10.4.6, 30GB iPo Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I would like one day to have a tower with 4-8 HD drives
(120-250GB each) and HD DVD and Blue-Ray burners.
Good luck Even the Dell towers we have at work have space for 3 HDs, and thats only of you give up one of the CD bays.
Honestly, I unless a blueray player ships in the CPU, I would get a PS3. 1/2 the cost of a standalone blu-ray player, and a game system too
Expected street prices from Sony and Toshiba web sites:
standalone Sony blueray player: 995.
Toshiba HD-DVD: 599
Sony PS3 w/ bluray: 499/599
Is the reason the PowerPC G4 can't handle HD DVD is
processor speed or what? Cause there is always
processor upgrade cards up to 1.8GHz and 2.0GHz Dual.
Thanks.
One of the Apple support pages says you must have a G5...
does not give the background behind it.
On a G4, the OS will not allow HDDVD playback (as HD is defined by FinalCutHD) via the DVD player, BUT it will play back HD video clips (like QT trailers)
On my 867, 720i clips played back w/o a problem, but 1080 would freeze for 20 seconds at a time, (while audio continued normally)
on my Dual 1.42, I have no problems with 1080.
I hesitate to consider or recommend processor upgrade cards b/c for some, the price approaches the cost of a new machine w/o the benefits of faster busses, etc, and, right on the side of the OS X box, it says processor upgrade cards not supported. I would hate to upgrade the OS to find it refused to support my machine.

Intel Mac Mini Duo on WiFi network

Just got my Intel Mac Mini Duo and had upgraded to 10.4.6, firmware, boot camp, Windows XP Pro all running alright.
I had an Airport Extreme and Airport Express based wireless network at home configured with closed network. My PB G4 and another Sony Viao sitting in the same room running nicely over the network to the Internet. Everytime I started the Mini it can locate the closed network and connected but no connection status, and no matter how long I had waited the same thing happened. The only work around is turn off the airport and turn it on again. But still though sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Any one got any clue what's happening or having similar experience?

very long running thread on Mini Core Duo WiFi and Bluetooth problems. see
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=387407&tstart=0
person who originally started that thread, which now has 320 posts, just posted that his mini now works after two rather complete repairs.

Mac mini 2010 upgrade to core 2 duo T9900

I have a plan to upgrade my MAC mini mid 2010 to core 2 duo T9900 or core 2 quad, but I don't is it compatible with my MINI model or not. Anyone who know please give me some advice about that, thank you

Cannot be done. It has a custom designed motherboard with processor
soldered to it.

Someone tell me why is it so difficult to print from my Intel Mac Mini

I'm so frusrated at this Intel Mac Mini of mine. I wish honest to God that I never bought this evil little machine.
I have the following printers:
HP Photosmart 7550
HP Laserjet 1012
Canon MP830
I can't get anything to print! It so **** frustrating. I switched my wife from her WinXP to a Intel Mac Mini (10.4.6). She hates the Mac Mini because she can't print anything.
Why is it so difficult? Please someone enlighten me.
After months (not kidding) of searching on the web I was able to get the Photosmart 7550 to print using one of the gimp drivers, but I couldn't get it to change the paper type or quality. So that tells me I can't print any photos from my Mac. Need to use the WinXP box.
Then I was able to get the 1012 printing by selecting "open using rosetta" for the Printer Setup Utility, and selecting the "HP LaserJet 4 series - Gimp-Print v5.0.0-beta2". So now I could at least print BW docs. Great the Mac Mini is not a total waste. Then I updated software, which include the Mac mini SMC Firmware Update. I don't know what did it, but now I can't print to the 1012 anymore. ARGHH!
I tried deleting the Library/Printer/HP directory, Reseting the Printing System, Restarting the CUPs, Installing PDDs, Installing the gimp drivers. What the ****! Why do I need to do any of this? I thought the Mac was suppose to be so easy. With all those **** commercials talking about how the Mac can do anything a PC can do, you would think one of those things is being able to print.
Those people making those commericals should try using the "Printer Setup Utility" program. That will change their tune. First you have to search for your printer, then pick the Printer Model, and then pick the specific model. And God forbid you click to fast, oops you've now picked a generic printer, needs to start all over again. There's no back button. You've already committed to the generic printer type. Now you have to open the Printer Setup Utility again and delete the generic printer and go search for your printer again. Lame.
Don't get me started with the Canon MP 830. I thought, ok maybe its because the 1012 and 7550 are older printers. I'll go buy a new printer - they must have current drivers for that. Canon tells me that the MP 830 is only a single OS machine, meaning you can only connect it to a windows machine and only other windows machines can print from it, or connect it to a Mac, and only other Macs can use it - Again, Lame.
Really I wanted to love the Mac OS. When I first got it, I was loving it. But what good is it if I can't print. I searched the web and it seems I'm not the only person having issues with printing.
I hate this Intel Mac Mini with every fiber of my being. Ok, maybe my printing woes are only because it's a Intel chip, and the PPC macs are golden. But come on, if you can't print from a computer, what good is it?
Please, someone help me. Otherwise, anybody want to buy a Intel dual core Mac Mini?
mac mini duo core Mac OS X (10.4.6)

You have two different issues: HP and Canon.
I don't know if I believe the Canon people. Windows XP has lots of different print options. Try installing Bonjour on Windows and then setting up a networked, Color Apple Laserwriter PS printer using "http://macmini.local:631" (assuming macmini is the name of your Mac). I have done this before (though not on a Canon). I am sure Canon will only support a standard configuration and this is not quite standard. Give it a try. It doesn't sound like it can hurt anything in your current setup.
For the HP, you might have to just wait for an updated driver from HP. HP has always had this problem. They are a huge printer company and I'm sure they get Apple hardware and OS versions before anybody else in the world. And yet, it seems as if they don't even begin working on their drivers until Apple officially releases a new OS. HP drivers are always the last to show up for a new OS and the first to break. If you get it working under MacOS 10.4.6, and then upgrade to 10.4.7, it is very likely that the HP drivers will stop working.
Unlike some of the other big companies, HP seems to have made the transition from Classic MacOS to MacOS X seamlessly. Their printer driver software works just as well on MacOS X as it did under MacOS.

Intel Mac mini: Power LED Brightness

Hi,
I've discovered a quirky little 'feature' with my new Intel Mac mini. The brightness of the power LED varies with the time of day - late at night the LED is dimmer that first thing in the morning.
I've verified this by changing the clock time manually and sure enough as soon as I click save the brightness changes.
This didn't happen with my previous PowerPC mini. Anyone else noticed this with the new Intel minis?
Thanks,
Nina
Mac Mini Intel Core Duo 1.66GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Thanks
I noticed it when the PowerPC and Intel minis were side by side one evening and my initial thought was that maybe it's just a duff LED. This morning it was back to full brightness and now tonight, it's dim again. So yeah, I just guessed that is was related to the time.
Nice article btw, highly amusing
Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Thinking about switching to Intel Mac Mini... questions for the cognoscenti

Greetings:
I've been checking out the new Intel Mac Minis and I was thinking of purchasing one to replace my AV computer (PC) in the living room, which the GF currently uses. She's a typical user: watches video files/DVDs, uses iTunes excessively , sends web email and surfs the Net.
I've fairly decided on an Intel Core Duo Mini. Since I know the basics about Mac, I had a few questions:
1. What's an appropriate amount of RAM for a non-power user? Would 1 GB be more than enough or overkill? I'm used to running 1GB in a Windows machine. Plus, I'm also used to popping in memory when I needed to upgrade, and I see that's not really an option on the Mini.
2. How would I integrate it into a Windows network? Would the Mini be able to share files with a Windows machine and vice versa?
3. Regarding network integration: how easily would the Mini integrate into an existing Linksys 802.11g home network?
Lastly, this isn't really an (easily) answerable question, but how easy do you think it would be for an average computer user to get up and running on a Mac after having used Windows machines all their life?
Thanks, I look forward to your responses.
-Craig
Homebuilt Windows XP Pro 2GB PC 3500 RAM, 500GB SATA RAID (2x250), ATI AIW 9700 Pro, Athlon XP3200

Hello, I can only really answer Q's 1 & 3 as I've only owned a mini for the past 24 hours.
I purchased the Single Core after taking advice of the Apple Store staff in Manchester, they were quite helpful. I only really produce music (have used Ableton, Acid Pro etc on PC for quite a while), surf the web, do my banking etc so was advised that the Single Core with 512mb would be sufficent. I work for an ISP and have 10 years plus knowledge of Windows but I was prepared to listen and learn having never used a mac before. From my own experience, I'm used to having to use a pc with minimum spec ie min 1.2GHz processor, 1gb ram in order to produce music without any pops or clicks (latency), though sound cards also play a part. I've also had to keep internet activity well away from any PC that I produce music on in that respect. Anyhow, I'm going off on a tangent here but I was playing around with garageband last night and I've never known music production to run so smoothy on 512mb RAM, never known it before so was extremely impressed and certain I made the right purchase opting for Solo Core. You may not actually NEED the full 1gb though this depends what you're doing. To answer your other question, my mac slotted straight into my home nertwork without making any additional configuration.
i.e how long does it take to get used to a mac, I've found there is a learning curve but it's not THAT difficult, it's just the odd thing such as no right click of the mouse that takes some getting used to.

Wireless keyboard delay before active for Intel Mac Mini

I posted this many moons ago when I got my Intel Mac Mini. The issue was never resolved even though several users found it to be a problem. I am reposting the issue to see if there is any progress. I took my Intel Mini in to the Genius Bar at an Apple store. He thought it was a software issue related to the dual processor and thought it would be corrected by an update. This apparently has not happened yet.
When I start up my Mac Mini, the wireless keyboard is not active immediately. When the login screen appears, there is a delay of maybe 20 -30 seconds before a keystroke will show up even though the cursor is blinking on the screen. If I hit a key more than once during the end of this delay period, all the keystrokes eventually show up.
Mac Mini (Intel Core Duo) Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I just bought new Mac mini w/ wireless keyboard and track pad. During initial setup it would not pair to keyboard but it di see trackpad. I could not complete setup, I have no control. Brought home USB keyboard from work and resumed setup. I'm stuck again. In setup it's asking for a trackpad click to continue. The trackpad will scroll, but will not click. The whole system is two days old and nothing works I tried to contact support through the lengthy online screening process and apple ultimately say the new system doesn't qualify for free support.
Totally ******. I'm back to using my old pc.. What to do with this expensive boat anchor from apple?
Really could use some help here
Thanks

Intel Mac mini memory question

Hi,
I got an Intel Core Solo Mac Mini.
4 questions :
1- My mac has 512 mo. Is it ddr2-SODIMM memory (I think intel is different vs G5) ?
2- Is it 2x256 mo or 1x512 ?
3- I want to upgrade to 1 gig, do I have to buy 2x512 ou 1x1000 ?
4- Does this ram is compatible ? http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=221705 6&CatId=2268
It said "PC5400" but all the specs seems to be "PC5300"
thank you !
Intel Mac Mini Core Solo Mac OS X (10.4.6)
Intel Mac Mini Core Solo Mac OS X (10.4.6)
Intel Mac Mini Core Solo Mac OS X (10.4.6)

i recenetly purchases 2 gigs of memory off of ebay from approvedmemory
i called the apple store to get it installed, they do not intall 3rd party memory. so I called fry's and asked if they could do it. One store said no, but the Burbank, CA store has a guy who could do it. It took him 20 minutes to do it and it cost me $29.00
The 2 gigs of memory cost me $180 off of ebay.
The macstore/appleas store charges about $680.00 or so.... u do the math.
http://www.super-natural-films.com
http://www.naturalprinting.com
http://www.midimark.com
mac mini duo intel 1.66/2gb ram/80 HD Mac OS X (10.4.6) also own Mac, Mac Classic, Power PC, quadra 650, & G4 silver bullet... yay!

Intel Mac Mini stuck in reboot loop

I just upgraded the hard drive in my 2007 intel mac mini core duo. Drive formatted successfully, contains GUID Partition Table.
OSX 10.5 installed successfully.
Machine rebooted, I ran software update to 10.5.7 successfully.
Upon installing Adobe Flash Player, Adobe Acrobat Reader, machine began to react slowly to commands.
Rebooted machine, went to Grey Apple Screen with spinning dash wheen icon.
Machine rebooted itself, once again going to the grey apply screen with the spinning wheel.
After about 15 minutes of letting the continual reboot cycle happen, I inserted the installation DVD for 10.5, held the power button in to power off the machine, and booted from the disk.
I ran disk utility. Disk Utility shows the hard drive, shows the partition (GUID Partition) correctly.
I Verified Disk, which verified as "OK"
Repaired permissions.
Restarted machine.
Once again, it loaded to the grey apple screen, stayed there with the spinning dash wheel for about 3 minutes then continued to reboot over and over (everytime it reboots it sticks on the grey apple screen for 3 minutes before rebooting.
I once again powered off the machine and reset the PRAM.
Machine stuck again on reboot cycle.
I powered off the machine and reset the mini's SMC.
Machine is still stuck in reboot cycle.
I have also taken the mini back apart and verified that all RAM and connections are seated properly.
Any advice on what to do at this point will be very helpful.

+And I promise I will not download and install a hundred different programs this time.+
Good idea.
Any time you install software in OSX, there is a small, but finite, chance that the installation process won't be able to access a needed file because it is in use. This can mess up pre-binding, or even prevent files from being updated.
So the best advice is not to run any other programs while doing software installs or updates. And when in doubt, run DiskUtility afterwards and fix permissions one more time.
I cringe whenever I think of a post I read a while back about a Mac user who boasted about what music he likes to run in iTunes while doing system software updates. Not a good idea. It's "Russian roulette" with maybe 99 blanks in the "gun", but one real bullet that can kill your Mac's installation.

Intel Mac mini and widescreen TV output (analog)

I just replaced my 1.25 GHz mini with a dual-core Intel one, and are really disappointed that the wide-screen resolution options are nowhere to be found. I'm using the Apple DVI-to-Video adapter with an S-Video cable.
On the G4 Mac mini, I would get 640x480 (NTSC 4:3), 800x480 (NTSC 16:9), 768x576 (PAL 4:3) and 1024x576 (PAL 16:9). Together with Overscan and Best for Video, I got a really nice picture on my 16:9 CRT TV (can display PAL and NTSC in either 4:3 or 16:9).
With the Intel Mac mini, I only get 640x480.
(The other available resolutions do not match with the actual NTSC or PAL frequencies or aspect ratios. For example, 720x480 or 720x576 is used as the pixel format for some digital media, but the pixels are not square, and so far, all software expects display pixels to be square. So it's actually quite useless.)
Is there a trick to get those resolutions to show up in Displays and become usable?

1.) I am using either 1920x1080 (interlaced) which is the resultion that has the worst problem with text sharpness. Now, I have discovered the Zoom feature in OSX and I can use it to some degree to make things readable. This may be my best option.
2.) I have done the calibraton and it does look quite a bit better. Those the DVD output is good but not great.
3.) Apparently, from what I have read, this is a common problem. Maybe a driver upgrade from Apple or Intel could fix?
I bought a Philips DVI cable. I know it's not the best but it should suffice. Monster cables seem to be overpriced. I plan to hook my PC to my HDTV with the same cable. My ATi card supports HD resolutions as well.
I also hooked the mini to my CRT that I have on my Dell and it looks very good there. I am impressed that OSX adjusts the resoltions that it can display upon boot. Even which switching displays.
Intel Mini Duo Core Mac OS X (10.4.5) 512MB RAM

Can I use a Power PC non intel Mac Mini as an external HD with my iMac 3.06

Can I use a Power PC non intel Mac Mini as an external HD with my iMac 3.06 Intel Core Duo
I can't figure out how to get this to work. Is it possible?

WildBull wrote:
Will it work if I connect via usb instead of firewire?
No. There is no "USB Target Disk Mode".
Just so we're clear, when you start your Mac mini in FireWire Target Disk Mode (TDM - holding T on startup), do you see a FireWire icon on the Mac mini's display? IIRC, it's not required that the Mac mini be connected to a display for TDM, but it would help diagnose whether or not the mini is actually starting in this mode.

Intel mac mini: solo vs duo core.. thoughts ?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for