Mac Users Identify Yourselves!

[Dimwhit]

I don't know. The press is calling iWork a PageMaker replacement more than a Word replacement. I tend to agree. It's a good start. But until a spreadsheet app comes out, I wouldn't count on Office for Mac going away. But only time will tell.

 

[greymist]

Dimwhit wrote: I really like what I see with the Mac Mini. Unfortunately, it's just not quite enough computer for my needs.

Can you give me an idea of what the MiniMac would not be able to do? I have never used a Mac in my life, but I have been thinking about buying one for the last several months. I was thinking about the iMac, but have been choking on the price.

When I saw the miniMac, I thought that it might be a better choice because of the price and the amazing size, but I want it to be a modern machine.

Can you give me an idea of what type of Intel or AMD cpu the G4 in the miniMac is similar to?

I expect to use the miniMac for accessing the internet, dealing with photos from my digicam, updating my web-sites, burning CDs, and the like. Nothing too intensive, probably touching up digital photos will be the the most intensive program.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[buzz]

I expect to use the miniMac for accessing the internet, dealing with photos from my digicam, updating my web-sites, burning CDs, and the like. Nothing too intensive, probably touching up digital photos will be the the most intensive program.

The Mini will handle all of this. As for a comparable Intel CPU, the G4 is probably a bit more powerful than a Pentuim 4 of similar Ghz.

What really matters, though, is that the Mini uses a 2.5 inch hard drive, i.e., the kind you find in laptops. Consequently, it's not going to perform as responsively as a standard 3.5 inch drive (and you're not going to find 2.5 drives bigger than 80GB yet).

Really, when you figure in the cost of a monitor, keyboard, added RAM, etc., you're looking at roughly the same cost as a G5 iMac, a machine that has a processor that's a generation ahead, a better drive, and has more user-upgradeable innards.

However, if you already have a omnitor and keyboard or can find good deals on them, you can save some money and still get a Mac, i.e., the best computer on earth.

 

[Sun Wukong]

I'm a member of H.O.M.O.* and proud of it!

Ya know, that Mac Mini would look mighty fine with a 30" monitor...

*Honorable Order of Macintosh Operators

 

[Dimwhit]

You know, I don't even mind the 2.5" hard drive so much. For me it's the RAM. Judging by what I hear, it sounds like it has two RAM slots. Only ships with 256MB RAM. You really need 512MB to run things without pulling your hair out. But 1-2GB is ideal, at least for what I use it for, which included a lot of Photoshop and InDesign work. Yes, you can just get a couple 1GB chips and stick them in, but that's not cheap. Two 512MB chips would probably be fine for most users, even doing some graphics work, and that's cheaper.

So really, that's my main concern. Not something that can't be dealt with, though. It also only has 1 firewire port, but I guess a hub can take care of that. But basically, it's stripped down, so it's hard to deck out with a lot of stuff.

Looking back and seeing what you're going to use it for, it's probably a great machine for you. Maybe buy a 512MB chip for memory. The speed is fine. Much faster than my current G4, which is as fast as I've needed. Doesn't have a DVD burner, though you can upgrade to that.

If you're looking at switching to a Mac, and you have the monitor, keyboard, etc., then this is the way to go. And man, it's just so dang small!

 

[barsoomcore]

But until a spreadsheet app comes out, I wouldn't count on Office for Mac going away.

Right. Because Microsoft wouldn't stop making Mac:Office just because it might inconvenience Mac users.

Come on. Apple is smacking Microsoft right in the face. They are saying, "Screw you, we don't need you anymore. Take your toys and go home." They are saying, "We don't need you to keep making Office for us anymore." This is a significant shift since the late 90's when keeping Office on the Mac was a huge deal for Apple. They basically begged Microsoft to keep making Office. Now they're launching competing products against Office? That's a sign.

And I'm betting that Microsoft never releases another major version of Office for the Mac ever again. Why should they compete with Apple for a market that's 3% of their current market? They're not going to fight for it; it's not worth their time.

 

[Dimwhit]

Well, Microsoft is currently working on an upgrade to Office that will incorporate Spotlight into the Suite, so it hasn't yet ticked off Microsoft that much.

My guess is that as long as Microsoft can make a profit making Office for Mac, they'll do it. But given the marketshare, it won't take long for that to change. But I don't think it will happen in the next year. But I guess we'll see.

 

[Kage Tenjin]

I'd like to add my name to the list of Mac users here. Running my current game off my powerbook.

 

[Raevynn]

Well as of a few hours ago you can add my name. Just ordered a MacMini. I am a long time Windows user (have a bunch in the home/office) and have wanted to switch for a while... the price made the choice easy. So I sold my MTG MINT Black Lotus card and ordered my MM. Now all I have to do is to see what software I need. 3 weeks and counting ................

 

[Dimwhit]

Be sure to tell us what you think of the mini, Raevynn. As for extra software you'll need...surprisingly little. iLife will be on it. You might want an office suite, but OpenOffice is free and fairly good.

Enjoy!