Mac Mini

[digit]

Hi everyone, i've a complete mac and apple newbie. I'm possible interested in purchasing a mac mini for use whilst at uni due to its very small footprint and to be a bit different to everyone else who will most likely have a laptop of some kind! Is this a wise decision to potentially make or should i perhaps take my pc or buy a laptop that i am 100% familar with and know will work with everything related to my studies at uni? I apologise if this question has been asked before.

[Red10]

Hi everyone, i've a complete mac and apple newbie. I'm possible interested in purchasing a mac mini for use whilst at uni due to its very small footprint and to be a bit different to everyone else who will most likely have a laptop of some kind! Is this a wise decision to potentially make or should i perhaps take my pc or buy a laptop that i am 100% familar with and know will work with everything related to my studies at uni? I apologise if this question has been asked before.

For an office/web/dvd/mp3 machine it's a belter; i don't know a PC which can compete at the price with a Mini, it's quiet, small and really nice to use due to the OS - Mac OS X is superb, it really is.

You can get Matlab and Office for Mac OS X, check the apple site for other software, though...

Is the mini more useful than a laptop? dunno, the only thing i can see where a laptop is better is that's it more portable, obviously.

[digit]

Fantastic, is it worthwhile for general usage paying for the extra ram or is not really needed?

[BroadbandPlacey]

oh yeah the ram is almost a must, if you can afford the ram upgrade do it

also a thing to remember is - in halls you think your safe, but if you get a mini id buy a lock thingymabob (i think it has a laptop lock port on it)

because its so small its even more of a target than a lappy

[bsodmike]

Get an ibook/powerbook I find having a laptop (ok I have 2 but that's besides the point, the 17" pb is my desktop) a life saver. With Wifi access ALL over Uni I can work anywhere pretty much and I take digital notes in lectures.

[digit]

I have found the apple laptops cost an absolute bomb though .... I'm a bit concerned about software compatability as well ... Yes i can use msn messenger and the mac version of ms office but what else is available

[BroadbandPlacey]

just about everything

pshop, dreamweaver, ms office, ms word

its just not a gaming machine - oh and ms access isnt available either

[Nick F]

I have been using one now for about 4 months after selling my PC. It's so easy to use and has everything you could ever need. It's also so quiet so you can leave it on 24/7 with no problems.

[muddyfox470]

(just will carry on from another forum)

if you get virtual pc 7 you will be able to run any pc program you are missing, albeit slightly slower, unless you get the ram upgrade.

my main motive for buying the mac was to stop me getting too distracted from my studies; i.e. i wouldn't be gaming too much etc etc.

the main transition problem for me has been my immense collection of music, i love my music, and the majority of music i have is in wma format, and as wmp for mac is pants (i am actually beginning to like itunes!), i have to convert all the wma files to aac or mp3. i have found that a lot of software that i need for mac has been free, i.e. flip4mac or something (to convert music)

hope that helps

ian

one thing that macs do miss, is mytunes, there is no mac version, and in your halls you could be tempted... although i only like the music i have anyway

[Nick F]

I'm the same really. I don't play any games on my Mac so I make sure I do loads of work. If I want to play games I use my Xbox 360

[trashcanmonkey]

(just will carry on from another forum)
one thing that macs do miss, is mytunes, there is no mac version, and in your halls you could be tempted... although i only like the music i have anyway

Actually there is a mac version called Gettunes!

[muddyfox470]

Actually there is a mac version called Gettunes!

i think i tried gettunes, it has a crap gui and is useless.

it shows the sources but it just says connection failed or something similar. i am on a lan and mytunes works fine.

shame really

ian

anyway i do prefer my own music...

[bsodmike]

I've heard that there is OurTunes that is a java thing that works. I still prefer to stick to my music tho these days or internet radio

The new Core Duo mini is nice, I just ordered one!