I want a new mac

[Nick F]

I have had my first generation mac mini for the past 6 months (thanks David ) but I want to get something better and based around the new intel platform so I can install Vista when the time comes.

Any ideas?

[Gordy]

How much do you want to spend?
What are you going to use it for?
Portable or desktop?

[Nick F]

I have a work portable so no problems there. It needs to be used for general office stuff, no games but needs to be fast as I have slow computers.

Looking at spending no more that £1k but this can be extended if I feel there is value in the extra spend.

[dave87]

You could go for the new iMac - looks to be pretty good. The 20" version seems to be in your price range -

20-inch widescreen LCD
1680x1050 resolution
2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor1
4MB shared L2 cache
1GB memory (2x512MB SO-DIMM)
250GB Serial ATA hard drive2
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD+R DL, DVD±RW, CD-RW)
ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
Apple Remote

For £999

[BroadbandPlacey]

if you want the 20 inch go for it but at £1k id go for the 17" with applecare and some upgrades.

also dont forget to look on the apple refurb site - often newish intel stuff on there at some good discounts

[awm]

I wouldn't put too much money into a monitor that is attached to a computer. The iMac is a good choice but I'd save money on the monitor and use any savings for an external monitor that you can use with any computer.

[dave87]

The problem with that is that you are looking at £250-300 for a comparable screen (like the 2007fpw) and that leaves you £700ish to spend on a Mac Pro - which don't start until £1699 Or spend less and get the 17" without any extras...

[Nick F]

I already have a Dell 20" widescreen monitor so all I would need is the base bit. I was thinking about the updated mac mini's?

[dave87]

You would still face the integrated GMA graphics - depends if you want to put up with them, but otherwise there should be a good processor available within your budget.

The only other thing is that it runs a laptop hard drive & laptop RAM - I don't know if that would be an issue...

[awm]

Difficult decision. My Dad had the same decions to make when buying a mac. The problem is Apple has a monopoly on OS X machines and thus their pricing is made to try and force you to a higher level of hardware. If you have no need for 3D I'd save the money and go with the mini which has a tine footprint (it can go in any timy place on your desk). The catch is it doesn't support dual monitors (don't know how important that is to you). Also, remember the Core 2 is only in the iMac not the Mac Mini.

[Gordy]

If you arent planning on doing gaming the mac mini is the one for you. The integrated intel graphics is a downer but it can run the 2007fpw so that shouldnt be a problem.

I would suggest getting the basic 1.5ghz solo model on the referb section for 300 quid and then upgrading it yourself, you can put in the core duo 2 mobile chips in the mini with no problems! Chuck in a bigger hard disc and more ram and it would be a little speed king

If you aren't happy to do that the top end one is a good comprimise.

RAM: If you can afford it go for 2gb as rossetta loves more ram the standard 512mb is not enough so 1gb is the minimum I would choose.

[CAL3H]

Go for the new mac mini @ 1.83GHz core duo and add in 2*1GB sticks of RAM for about £150-200. Total spend - about £650-£700. You could also raise some funds by selling your old mac mini. Alternatively if you can manage with out DVD writing go for the £399 mac mini and again add the 2GB of RAM. Total cost without DVD writing - £550 - £600. If you do decide to sell your existing mac mini - if its the 1.25 GHz G4 you should get about £200 for it or the 1.42 GHz model with DVD writing you should get about £250-£350.

[BroadbandPlacey]

tbh it is a gap in the mac range.

if you want something more beefy than a mac mini but not as expensive or powerful as the macpro's, then your only choice is the imac but if you already have a screen... it aint that good.

however you can dual screen the new imac's so it would look very nive with the 20" dell if you got a 20" imac

[Nick F]

Go for the new mac mini @ 1.83GHz core duo and add in 2*1GB sticks of RAM for about £150-200. Total spend - about £650-£700. You could also raise some funds by selling your old mac mini. Alternatively if you can manage with out DVD writing go for the £399 mac mini and again add the 2GB of RAM. Total cost without DVD writing - £550 - £600. If you do decide to sell your existing mac mini - if its the 1.25 GHz G4 you should get about £200 for it or the 1.42 GHz model with DVD writing you should get about £250-£350.

I have the 1.42 model so will hopefully get a bit of money. I like the idea of going for the higher end mini version and adding 2GB. I will need a DVD writer.

Thanks for all your advice on this.

[trashcanmonkey]

The catch is it doesn't support dual monitors (don't know how important that is to you).

Not an issue,
Matrox would be happy to solve your problem with their duel head adaptor.

Don't go for an imac as you already have a decent screen, save up and get a mac pro, or go for another happy mac mini.

[Splash]

Holy scamlink thread-revival, Batman!