Uses for older mac mini?

Upgrading to the newest mac mini, but it would be nice to find a good use for the older one. I've no need to turn it into a server, but I do have a lot of music and movies.
It's the 2009 version, so there's no hdmi. Is there another way to hook it up to a TV to make a media center?

Get a mini displayport to HDMI adopter.
The 2009 has two video connection, a mini DVI and a mini displayport.

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What's the best system upgrade for 'older' Mac Mini?

My MacMini is about five years old:
Model Name:    Mac mini
Model Identifier:    Macmini4,1
Processor Name:    Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:    2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors:    1
Total Number Of Cores:    2
L2 Cache:    3 MB
Memory:    2 GB
Bus Speed:    1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version:    MM41.0042.B00
SMC Version (system):    1.65f2
This mini is still running System 10.6.8, with the 'latest' version of Safari being version 5.1.10.
Lately, Safari fails to perform certain features correctly on certain websites, and I have to switch to Firefox to make the websites work.
Is it time for a system upgrade, so I can run a newer version of Safari? If so, which newer OSX system version would be the best for me to upgrade to?

A few other things to consider if you want to upgrade your OS.
If you are using any apps that are still PowerPC apps, they will not run on
any newer Mac OS. So you will need to find replacements ($$$$).
Also, in terms of apps, you need to make sure the apps you are currently
using are compatible with the newer MacOS. You may need to upgrade ($$$$)
or find alternatives.
Also, you will need to make sure any external hardware that you use with
your Mac is also compatible with the newer MacOS. You may simply need to
update drivers or the hardware may no longer be supported ($$$$).
So, upgrading your MacOS could end up costing more than just adding RAM!!!

What kind of input is used for my Mac mini?

Well I'm planning on buying a Mac mini and I was wondering which input like can be used so I could connect my Mac mini to my monitor (I'm not planning on buying the Thunderbolt Display monitor) like is there some type of input so my new Mac mini can work on my old monitor?

The Mini comes with an HDMI->DVI-D adapter. So, if your monitor
supports DVI-D you are set. If it supports HDMI, you just need an
HDMI cable.
If it only supports VGA, you will need a Display Port->VGA adapter.

HDMI to TV as Display for New Mac Mini DOESN'T WORK

I bought a new Mac Mini and was told I could us HDMI to my TV as display.   I was using this TV as display for older Mac Mini (VGA) and for a Windows PC, and DVD via HDMI.     TV is one year old.
The Genius at the store who sold me the new mini said all I needed was an HDMI cable.   Which I purchased.
The screen comes up for the Setup Assistant but as soon I select continue is goes to gray, mixed color scanning garbage mode.    If I turn the TV off and back on, the screen returns (now at the next prompt in the setup assistant) but again it goes gray after hitting continue.    Unusable, CANNOT set up my new purchase.
Unfortunately, the DVI to VGA adapter on my old mini is different and doesn't mate to the HDMI to DVI adapter that ships with new MacMini, so I can't test VGA.   The old DVI to VGA has extra pins not on the new one.
My purchase is not usable and is extremely poor.   Buyer beware I guess.

I have been using MacMini's for commercial digital signage/video conferencing gateway usage for sometime now, they all have HDMI output, about one third are on Lion the others still on Snow Leopard, here's what I have found.
Toshiba & LG tv's are generally reliable, Samsung and Philips generally are not, Panasonic, Sony, Sharp & Viewsonic all work, somtimes with a bit of work from me.
Cables are important (always look for compatibility with HDMI revision 1.3 or greater (1.4 preferred), don't waste your money on exotic brands, adhere to the distance limitations, I generally send the HDMI signal wirelessly (cost of labor to add wiring to an existing space can be very high) so am limited to less than 50ft, same as with a wire.
READ THE TV MANUAL, find out what HDMI choices your tv possesses, is there a 'parallel' audio input available for the times when your signal origin is a MDP or DVI.
Some TV's just don't work well, cut your losses and get another when faced with this issue.

Is it possible to use an iMac as the display for a Mac mini?

Is it possible to use an iMac as the display for a Mac mini?

iMacs late 2009 or newer can be used in Target display
mode. Any older, no can do.
The only other way is via network Screen Sharing or
some otherVPN network like solution. The issue here
though is that video performance will be pretty severely
hampered.

How do I use my 26" Polaroid FLM-2601 Television as a montor for my mac mini?

How do I use my 26" Polaroid FLM-2601 Television as a montor for my mac mini? I keep getting "no signal" for every resolution and refresh rate I've tried both for VGA and DVI settings (listed in the back of the manual for the polaroid tv and a few people posted online).
I plug the VGA cable into my old monitor, changing the settings and move the VGA input cable to the TV, (direct to VGA in or thru a VGA to DVI adaptor) and so far thru either input I only get a black screen with "No Signal - VGA Input" or "No Signal - DVI Input" displayed, so then I go back to the old monitor, try another resolution/refresh rate and try the TV again. This can't be the best way to do this - plus I'm out of resolution options.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Go to System Preferences>Displays. Change the settings to your desire.

Can I use My Ibook G4 as a Second Monitor For My Mac Mini G4

Hi
I wonderd if theres any way of being able to use my 14'' Ibook G4 as a second monitor for my Mac Mini G4? I already have a Samsung SyncMaster 913n. Is there any way of doing this by firewire using both monitors, if not what cables would I need?
Thanks

There is a application called Synergy which you may find useful. It allows the keyboard, mouse and clipboard to be shared across computers, and even different operating systems. It's not strictly what you have asked for as each computer still runs it's applications (and operating system) separately, meaning you can not drag windows between the screens, but by allowing you to copy and paste between the computers, and seamlessly slide your mouse and keyboard input between them you may get the effect you desire. Oh, and it is free and open-source, so why not give it a whirl?
You will need to connect the machines with a TCP/IP network, which can be done either with an ethernet patch cable, or alternatively as you suggest, using FireWire - these two articles may assist you in setting that up: IP over FireWire in Panther and Tiger.
As a point of note, a commercial program, MaxiVista allows exactly what you are looking for under Microsoft Windows.
Hope that helps.
Jason

How can I split the video port of an older Mac Mini so I can use both the 922-6199 DVI to RCA, S-Video Adapter and a Cinema Display?

How can I split the video port of an older Mac Mini so I can use both the 922-6199 DVI to RCA, S-Video Adapter and a Cinema Display?

Which exact Mini?
At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac.
Then click on More Info>Hardware and report this upto but not including the Serial#...
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 6 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.21f4

Iv bought a touchpad app for my iPhone 5 to use on my Mac mini, all the functions work accept the zoom one, how can I fix this problem

Iv bought a touchpad app for my iPhone 5 to use on my Mac mini, all the functions work apart from the zoom one. How can I fix this please

Iv bought a touchpad app for my iPhone 5 to use on my Mac mini,''
Considering the app for the iPhone is for iOS, you may have problems using it on the Mac (Mac OS X)
Two different operating sysems.
From iTunes for the touchpad app:
Requirements: Compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 5.1 or later. This app is optimized for iPhone 5.
From here > https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/touchpad/id297623931?mt=8

HT5219 I would like to use my iMac 7,1 as a monitor for my Mac mini 2012. Is that possible and if yes, what type of cable connection do I need? Thank you.

I would like to use my iMac 7,1 as a monitor for my Mac mini 2012. Is that possible and if yes, what type of cable connection do I need? Thank you.

No. Your iMac only has DVI video connection. You would need an iMac with Thunderbolt.

I have a mid 2011 27 inch iMac and a late 2012 mac mini. I am using the 27 inch iMac as the display for the mac mini. I was trying to use bootcamp on the mini but after I started downloading windows I can't get it to display on the iMac.

I have a mid 2011 27 inch iMac and a late 2012 mac mini. I am using the 27 inch iMac as the display for the mac mini with a thunderbolt cable. I was trying to use bootcamp on the mini but after I started downloading windows I can't get it to display on the iMac.

Hi there,
The simplest way is to drag it across wirelessly using the 'Airdrop' application once both computers are near one another. 'Airdrop' can be found near the top, on the left hand side menu, within 'Finder'.
AJ

Using an emac as a monitor for a mac mini

Hi,
Sorry if the question was already asked, but a quick search in the forum brought no answer.
I have an emac (OS9) and a mac mini(OSX). I'd like to use the emac as a monitor for the mac mini. Is it possible? How? (Both are G4, although I don't think that's relevant : I don't want to use them at the same time, only to use the Emac as a "screen")
Many thanks.

I happen to know for a fact that you can use the internal screen on an iMac G3 333, and presumably also a 266 and 233. It has a fixed horizontal frequency so it will only display the resolutions that you can choose with it's motherboard installed: 640x480@117Hz, 800x600@95Hz, and 1024x768@75Hz. With DisplayConfigX I was even able to get other resolutions, as long as I stayed within the 60kHz horizontal frequency. If try to set it to any other resolution and refresh rate it will not work, so the best way to test it is to have another screen as your main screen so that you can set the resolutions on the iMac screen from there. I imagine that the screen in the eMac does not have a fixed horizontal frequency, so if you got the pinouts, you could probably get it working. However, I made a custom video cable for a slot loading iMac G3, and I couldn't get it to work.

My thuderbolt display is 3 weeks old which I'm using as display for my mac mini. I no longer get the display on but can hear the sound. Please suggest.

My thuderbolt display is 3 weeks old which I'm using as display for my mac mini. I no longer get the display on but can hear the sound. Please suggest.

Make sure the mini-displayport/TB plug is fully seated. It may look fully plugged in but isn't.
Make sure the Displays system preferences has an Arrangement tab. No Arrangement means the monitor is not being detected.
Do a smc reset.
If none of this works I suggest you take it back to apple (along with your mini).

I plan to purchase a Mac mini and then a new iPad. Can I use the iPad as a monitor and keyboard for the Mac mini, either through the USB connection or thru Wi-Fi?

I plan to purchase a Mac mini and then a new iPad. Can I use the iPad as a keyboard and screen for the Mac mini, using either the USB connector or Wi-Fi?

I'm sorry, I should have said thru Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi. I want to use the mini as a base station and the iPad like a laptop that I can sync when I'm home and carry with me when I travel. Is is possible to hook these 2 up - iPad/mini, through Bluetooth? I understand I need to use a regular monitor/keyboard/mouse on the initial install.

Can I use my old 2008 mac as the display unit for a Mac mini

Can I use my old 2008 20 inch mac as a display for a Mac mini as an option instead of buying a new I mac?
I need a better graphics card and more Ram but happy with the display.

Hi Yinka,
You'd first have to set up something like this on the Mini...
ScreenRecycler...
http://www.screenrecycler.com/ScreenRecycler.html

Uses for older mac mini?

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