Mac Mini

[ProperModulation]

Questions for all you Mac folks...

Do any of you have a mac mini, and if so do you like it?

Is it easy to remote desktop into a mac?

Is it a good HTPC?

Is it quiet?

The situation is that I am losing my home office in prep for making it a bedroom for the latest ProperModulation family member due in June. I want to move our PC into our bedroom, but my homebuilt is a bit old and is pretty big (standard tower case). Plus, it will probably be a bit loud since I've always been liberal with installing big fans.

My needs for a PC have moved away from gaming, now I basically want to use it to store my personal files so they can be backed up on carbonite, and synced to my NAS. Plus probably some basic word processing and such. I'd love a new Dell Zino, but those are no longer being made. The Mini looks to be a perfect size, and capable machine but I've never owned a Mac so I don't know a lot about them. I've used them but never as my own machine.

I'm a little hesitant to spend around $1K when I essentially want the equivalent of my $400 Zino (HD is too small in my Zino or I'd probably just use that as my new main desktop). I am hoping that for the extra cost it'll be a good HTPC and come with Apple versions of MS Office.

Opinions? pros/cons?

 

[HecticArt]

Wait for DAB to check in. He's got one and loves it. Sounds like it'll handle everything you're looking for and more. I think he's got a thread or two about it floating around here.

 

[jef]

Questions for all you Mac folks...

Do any of you have a mac mini, and if so do you like it?

Is it easy to remote desktop into a mac?

Is it a good HTPC?

Is it quiet?

The situation is that I am losing my home office in prep for making it a bedroom for the latest ProperModulation family member due in June. I want to move our PC into our bedroom, but my homebuilt is a bit old and is pretty big (standard tower case). Plus, it will probably be a bit loud since I've always been liberal with installing big fans.

My needs for a PC have moved away from gaming, now I basically want to use it to store my personal files so they can be backed up on carbonite, and synced to my NAS. Plus probably some basic word processing and such. I'd love a new Dell Zino, but those are no longer being made. The Mini looks to be a perfect size, and capable machine but I've never owned a Mac so I don't know a lot about them. I've used them but never as my own machine.

I'm a little hesitant to spend around $1K when I essentially want the equivalent of my $400 Zino (HD is too small in my Zino or I'd probably just use that as my new main desktop). I am hoping that for the extra cost it'll be a good HTPC and come with Apple versions of MS Office.

Opinions? pros/cons?

I've had experience with several models over the years.
- 1st Gen PPC Mini,
- Last Gen PPC Mini,
- Previous Gen (mid-2010) Intel Mini (This one is at my Mom's house)

So, to answer your direct questions:

Do any of you have a mac mini, and if so do you like it?
- I've liked all of them

Is it easy to remote desktop into a mac?
- Yes. VNC is built in and easily set up in the Sharing settings

Is it a good HTPC?
- It can be.. depends on your expectations. You'll probably want to look at Plex or XBMC. (Decent ARS write-up here: Ars reviews the 2011 Mac mini as an HTPC )

Is it quiet?
- Yep, pretty quiet. I've not used the newest one (that my Mom is using) to do any real processor intensive stuff, so it's possible you could get a bit of fan noise if encoding video or the like.

The specs of the Mini have come a long way, and they are very capable machines. If you are looking to grab a Mac, they are nice systems if you don't need a laptop and already have monitor, etc.

As for word processing, you'll have to spring for Office for Mac. The Home edition is about $90 on Amazon. If you don't need the compatibility of MS Office, you can also give Apple's "Pages" a spin for only $20 in the Mac App Store. You can also pick up a copy of MarinerWrite for $50 ( https://www.marinersoftware.com/products/marinerwrite/ It's a great word processor!). There's also always the free Open Office, which is better than it used to be.


Cons:
- It's a Mac - some people don't like OS X.
- There will also be a learning curve. Initially your experience can be riddled with frustration as you adjust to the different way things are done.
- No optical drive

 

[ProperModulation]

Thanks for the info!

I've had experience with several models over the years.
- 1st Gen PPC Mini,
- Last Gen PPC Mini,
- Previous Gen (mid-2010) Intel Mini (This one is at my Mom's house)

So, to answer your direct questions:

Do any of you have a mac mini, and if so do you like it?
- I've liked all of them

Is it easy to remote desktop into a mac?
- Yes. VNC is built in and easily set up in the Sharing settings

Is it a good HTPC?
- It can be.. depends on your expectations. You'll probably want to look at Plex or XBMC. (Decent ARS write-up here: Ars reviews the 2011 Mac mini as an HTPC )

Is it quiet?
- Yep, pretty quiet. I've not used the newest one (that my Mom is using) to do any real processor intensive stuff, so it's possible you could get a bit of fan noise if encoding video or the like.

The specs of the Mini have come a long way, and they are very capable machines. If you are looking to grab a Mac, they are nice systems if you don't need a laptop and already have monitor, etc.

As for word processing, you'll have to spring for Office for Mac. The Home edition is about $90 on Amazon. If you don't need the compatibility of MS Office, you can also give Apple's "Pages" a spin for only $20 in the Mac App Store. You can also pick up a copy of MarinerWrite for $50 ( https://www.marinersoftware.com/products/marinerwrite/ It's a great word processor!). There's also always the free Open Office, which is better than it used to be.


Cons:
- It's a Mac - some people don't like OS X.
- There will also be a learning curve. Initially your experience can be riddled with frustration as you adjust to the different way things are done.
- No optical drive

 

[DAB]

I have a mac mini server it was really overkill, but I will likely use it for 3 plus years like I did my last one. We are switching to mac minis at my office right now because of my love of them. They are work horses and very reliable. Very low noise and in fact I don't even hear mine. Though the server fan can get to cranking when I do certainly cpu intensive activities.

I have an Apple TV, which is very limited, but have used the Mac Mini for some HTPC operations. I've really only dabbled in it, but it works well for what I've done.

Remote desktop access if very simple and I even do it from my iPad, so I like that too.

I recommend them highly, there are cheaper alternatives sure enough, but nothing that interest me.

 

[ProperModulation]

I have a mac mini server it was really overkill, but I will likely use it for 3 plus years like I did my last one. We are switching to mac minis at my office right now because of my love of them. They are work horses and very reliable. Very low noise and in fact I don't even hear mine. Though the server fan can get to cranking when I do certainly cpu intensive activities.

I have an Apple TV, which is very limited, but have used the Mac Mini for some HTPC operations. I've really only dabbled in it, but it works well for what I've done.

Remote desktop access if very simple and I even do it from my iPad, so I like that too.

I recommend them highly, there are cheaper alternatives sure enough, but nothing that interest me.

Thanks DAB. I was pricing the mid-level mini plus an upgrade to the 750GB drive. Came in at $950 before tax. I'm tossing around a few ideas for my situation, but I really like the idea of the mini due to the form factor and low sound signature. My only hesitation is due to the price and relatively small HD. I think I could get by with 750GB but I really want 2TB to match the data drive on the PC I want to take out of service.

I think this weekend will be when I either buy the mini, or just shove my current beast into the new cabinet in my bedroom!

 

[memebag]

I'm sad that the Zino HD isn't sold here anymore. The low cost HTPC landscape looks pretty barren right now. I've got friends who have Roku and Western Digital streaming media players, but none of that comes close to the flexibility of a real PC connected to the TV.

 

[ProperModulation]

I'm sad that the Zino HD isn't sold here anymore. The low cost HTPC landscape looks pretty barren right now. I've got friends who have Roku and Western Digital streaming media players, but none of that comes close to the flexibility of a real PC connected to the TV.

I was really bummed to see that it's no longer available. I am also considering swapping a 2tb drive into my zino to replace the 250gb one that it came with.

 

[memebag]

Have you considered NAS? I've got 2TB on my network in a mirrored RAID array. Everything in the house can play stuff from that.

 

[ProperModulation]

Have you considered NAS? I've got 2TB on my network in a mirrored RAID array. Everything in the house can play stuff from that.

I have a NAS. Problem is that I am doing this more for general file storage rather than home theater usage. I just figured the HTPC capability of the mini would be a bonus. I would ditch a home PC all together except for the fact that Carbonite won't back up a NAS. Carbonite requires a local hard drive, so I need to maintain some sort of PC for my main file storage if I want to use Carbonite for my offsite backup (the NAS is my local backup). Plus every now and then I need to transcode a video or something that I wouldn't necessarily want to do on my laptop.

 

[ProperModulation]

Just thought I'd post an update.

I looked hard at my budget and just couldn't justify $1k for a 750GB mini. Maaaaaybe if it were 2TB, but I really need HD space on this machine. I decided to take one of my 2TB backup drives and throw it in my Zino. However, when I loaded the OS the thing was just dog slow. Maybe the AMD processor couldn't handle the large drive or something, but I gave up on it after a day of trying to figure it out. So the original drive went back in and the 2TB is back to being my external backup stored in the fire safe. I ended up opting to simply get a new case for my workhorse desktop and just live with the bigger machine in the bedroom. My old case was getting a bit ragged so I figure the new case at least makes it look a little better (plus it's way quieter). I'll just find some space for it somewhere other than my TV cabinet. I also swapped out the vid card for an HTPC card with an HDMI out so that I can plug into my big TV for occasional use. Plus, my old vid card lost it's fan a year or two ago and I jerry rigged a case fan to the video card to cool it, which made for a loud ugly video card. I don't plan on gaming with this machine anymore so the HTPC card will work just fine.

I also picked up a 2.4Ghz keyboard/mouse that I plan on using after the machine gets moved. Should work well for occasional direct use of the machine.

Total investment was about a hundred bucks. Not as elegant as a mini but it'll do for now.

 

[HecticArt]

For a hundred bucks you can't beat it. It gives you options later on down the road. No buyers remorse if you go for a mini next year, and it doesn't leave you cash strapped now.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[ProperModulation]

For a hundred bucks you can't beat it. It gives you options later on down the road. No buyers remorse if you go for a mini next year, and it doesn't leave you cash strapped now.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

A year with the bulky PC in the bedroom might make the $1K purchase more palatable one of these days . With a new kid coming, I need that cash for nursery stuff at this point.

I'm hoping that when it does come time to miniaturize, the mini will have a couple TBs of drive space, or the design will be copied by Dell or someone and I can get a less expensive windows alternative.

 

[memebag]

The market has abandoned you, PM. The HTPC product has been replaced with things like Roku and XBox. Desktops are being replaced by laptops, which are being replaced by netbooks, ultrabooks and tablets. You can buy giant, noisy servers or tiny, quiet media extender/streamers, but you can no longer buy tiny, quiet, general purpose PCs. Except for a Mac Mini, which is pricey.

What the hell, damn guys?

 

[Casual Fan]

The market has abandoned you, PM. The HTPC product has been replaced with things like Roku and XBox. Desktops are being replaced by laptops, which are being replaced by netbooks, ultrabooks and tablets. You can buy giant, noisy servers or tiny, quiet media extender/streamers, but you can no longer buy tiny, quiet, general purpose PCs. Except for a Mac Mini, which is pricey.

What the hell, damn guys?

Netbooks are dying, but I can't see how a ultrabook or tablet replaces a laptop. I want a powerful computer, but I want a realistic keyboard and I want to be able to move it.

 

[ProperModulation]

The market has abandoned you, PM. The HTPC product has been replaced with things like Roku and XBox. Desktops are being replaced by laptops, which are being replaced by netbooks, ultrabooks and tablets. You can buy giant, noisy servers or tiny, quiet media extender/streamers, but you can no longer buy tiny, quiet, general purpose PCs. Except for a Mac Mini, which is pricey.

What the hell, damn guys?

no kidding. what I really want it a mac mini or dell zino (R.I.P. ) with lots of HD space. Even a slightly bigger form factor than the mini would be fine.

 

[memebag]

Netbooks are dying, but I can't see how a ultrabook or tablet replaces a laptop. I want a powerful computer, but I want a realistic keyboard and I want to be able to move it.

The trend in PCs is desktop->laptop->netbook->ultrabook/tablet. In general, as hardware is becoming more capable, users are seeking smaller and lighter hardware.

 

[Casual Fan]

The trend in PCs is desktop->laptop->netbook->ultrabook/tablet. In general, as hardware is becoming more capable, users are seeking smaller and lighter hardware.

I don't mind lighter. I do like a number pad. I need a full size keyboard.

Would you really put netbooks between laptops and ultrabooks? Netbooks are underpowered. Laptops and ultrabooks generally aren't.

 

[memebag]

I don't mind lighter. I do like a number pad. I need a full size keyboard.

This isn't about you.

Would you really put netbooks between laptops and ultrabooks? Netbooks are underpowered. Laptops and ultrabooks generally aren't.

In the trends of PC history, sure. There was a huge shift from laptops to netbooks a few years ago. The shift continued to tablets, and ultrabooks are being positioned for tasks that need a physical keyboard or more local CPU.

"Underpowered" is relative to the task. For what most people do with PCs, netbooks aren't underpowered. They'd suck for heavy video editing or CAD, but they have plenty of resources for common tasks like web surfing, email, light word processing and streaming video.

15 years ago, those common tasks were challenging for most desktop hardware. Now they can be done on a phone, so it's really just a matter of picking your favorite form factors.

 

[Casual Fan]

This isn't about you.

Don't hurt my feelings like that.

I think the demise of desktops and laptops is greatly exaggerated. I can't see my office ever buying anything but desktops or maybe laptops (chained to the wall). We don't want or need to take work home.