Seeking Input from Mac Afficianados

[znfdl]

I am thinking of getting this Mac Mini, which will be used for surfing the web, email, pay bills and connect to work Via Citrix. I am not a gamer etc. I would use my existing 24 inch monitor.

What do you think of this configuration?

Mac Mini: 2.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
1TB Fusion Drive
User's Guide (English)
Accessory Kit

I would also get the super drive, track pad and wireless keyboard.

Another question would be is the Airport Time Capsule worth the money?

I also get a 15% discount.

[ryker]

I have two current Mac minis and they are solid (had older models too). My only advice would be to start with 16GB of RAM. Usually it's cheaper to add memory yourself after purchase but you can do the math with your discount.

[Matthew Strongin]

Since the mini won't be portable, you may want to go with an external drive other than a time capsule. You can still use Time Machine, but can probably save some cash. Unless you want some of the other Time Capsule features...then go for it. Should be a pretty solid setup.

[Joel Benjamin L]

I would just get a 1 or 2TB external hard drive. I also prefer the mouse and keyboard to have wires, but ymmv. The mini itself looks perfect to me.

Just realize that the mini is nothing more than the laptop internals, minus keyboard and screen. If you can ever imagine traveling with it, you may get more bang for your buck/avoid buying twice...

[jonathanb]

Your configuration looks fine but I'd get a wired keyboard since it has a number pad and the wireless keyboard doesn't. The wireless trackpad is fine as it doesn't go through batteries quickly. I'd forgo buying the Time Capsule and would buy and would buy a NewerTech 3.0TB miniStack 7200RPM in stock at OWC instead. I'd also be sure to buy a USB 3.0 cable to connect the miniStack to the Mini.

[-HvA-]

There's rumors going around of an updated mini coming out in a month or so, if that's of any consequence to you.

[znfdl]

There's rumors going around of an updated mini coming out in a month or so, if that's of any consequence to you.

I am no rush, therefore I might just wait.

Everyone, thanks for the input / feedback. I have a work laptop that I use when I travel. I agree that the wired keyboard might be better for my use and that the time capsule seems expensive for how I would use the accessory. Does anyone know, if the owner opens up the mac mini, do you void the warranty? This would have an impact on how much memory to buy.

[j44ke]

I am no rush, therefore I might just wait.

Everyone, thanks for the input / feedback. I have a work laptop that I use when I travel. I agree that the wired keyboard might be better for my use and that the time capsule seems expensive for how I would use the accessory. Does anyone know, if the owner opens up the mac mini, do you void the warranty? This would have an impact on how much memory to buy.

Apple has built the MacMini with a door on the bottom (at least that is how they used to be set up) that you can open to add more memory. The process requires no tools beyond your thumbs. And Apple provides instructions on their website for the procedure. So I would say no, upgrading the memory yourself will not void the warranty.

If you want some sort of wireless network-attached disk, many wireless routers now come with the ability to attach a hard drive. That will be cheaper than the Time Capsule. However, like others have said here, the Time Capsule will also function as a router, so if you are thinking about upgrading your router as well as adding a disk to the network, then add up the pennies involved and see what happens. I think both the WIFI on both the new Mini and the new Time Capsule are also upgraded to 802.11ac, the next iteration of WIFI protocol, and while that's almost meaningless given the plodding speed of most ISP's product, maybe some day it will make a difference. Given the new Comcast/Time Warner megaton deal, I doubt it, but you never know.

[znfdl]

There's rumors going around of an updated mini coming out in a month or so, if that's of any consequence to you.

Henno, you are right on the money:

Mac mini: Everything We Know | MacRumors

[s_curran]

I have two current Mac minis and they are solid (had older models too). My only advice would be to start with 16GB of RAM. Usually it's cheaper to add memory yourself after purchase but you can do the math with your discount.

I would also say 16 gb. Even their photo editing software, with a itunes running can get pretty slow. I would definitely suggesting doing it yourself after. I saved hundreds.

[jonathanb]

It's $100 cheaper to buy 16GB ram from OWC (aka Macsales.com) than to buy it from Apple. Apple is actually $6 cheaper for 8GB. Therefore, if you're ok with 8GB (and with what you said you'd use it for, you should be) then buy it configured with 8GB from Apple. If you want a little extra speed and decide to buy 16GB then get the a 4GB model from Apple and buy the 16GB ram from OWC. OWC will even give you a few bucks for the 4GB ram that the Mini came with.

[-HvA-]

Check ifixit.com when it comes out to see if there's any upgrade issues.

[j44ke]

Ramjet is where I get Mac memory. Always been good. 18gb is $209. Always buy memory for what you'll do in a year, never right now. $209 isn't too bad for maxing out the memory.

[jitahs]

I am no rush, therefore I might just wait.

If your IT department supports Chrome OS a Chromebox functions identically as the Mac Mini, give your criteria.

$179. Think of all the Zin you could buy with the difference.

[jonathanb]

If your IT department supports Chrome OS a Chromebox functions identically as the Mac Mini, give your criteria.

$179. Think of all the Zin you could buy with the difference.

$179 and Google gets even more data about you. I'll pay the difference so that I just have to worry about the NSA.

[jitahs]

$179 and Google gets even more data about you. I'll pay the difference so that I just have to worry about the NSA.

Legitimate concern. I do really boring things on the net so doesn't bother me.

[znfdl]

If your IT department supports Chrome OS a Chromebox functions identically as the Mac Mini, give your criteria.

$179. Think of all the Zin you could buy with the difference.

I like the ability to buy more zin, but a Chromebox would be a non-starter, as I need to install Citrix receiver and some other software.

[winmonster]

With your needs in mind, you could go with the lower spec processor and not notice a difference.

[jitahs]

I like the ability to buy more zin, but a Chromebox would be a non-starter, as I need to install Citrix receiver and some other software.

Citrix is an extension in Chrome OS; my wife would use it on her Chromebook if her IT department had the desire to set up the back end, but alas. Some software-by-proxy can be subbed in for Win/Mac programs but by no means all. Just laying out options for everyone in the same boat.

[cody.wms]

Also worth looking at the refurbished models on the Apple site. My employer has had good luck going that way. I'm on a pretty ancient mini here at work and it is fine. I wish Excel ran faster, but that's more of Microsoft's problem than Apples.

EDIT: No Minis up right now, but they do come up regularly.