Apple Mini Mac question.

[Occams Rasor]

So I am looking to get a Mac Mini. Standard configuration is
1.4Ghz, 4megs of ram for ~$500.

Next option is 2.6Ghz, 8megs of ram for ~$700

I will be using it for word processing, spread sheets, web surfing and e-mail.
Light duty stuff.

So is it worth the extra $200 for upgraded model??

I am going from PC to Mac and don't really know that much about Macs.

To be clear I am talking about the Mac Mini NOT the iPad mini.

[Mighty max]

1.4 & 4 megs is plenty for your required work,if you start doing more CPU intensive things you will wish you spent the extra$.
I have a desk top 1.2 & 3 megs never have an issue unless I try to work with my GoPro.

[Rivers]

Personally, spend the extra $200. You get a faster processor but more importantly, the 8GB of RAM will permit more applications open at the same time without slowing things down. Essentially it gives you a higher ceiling. While it will run fine with 4GB of RAM, you'll appreciate the extra RAM. Just doing the RAM upgrade will cost you about $65 (RAM, shipping, tax) so the rest is the processor and the extra hard drive capacity (500GB vs. 1TB).

If you need to really keep the $ down, buy the base model and order the RAM upgrade from www.macsales.com. Easy to self-install. But spend the extra to get AppleCare to extend the warranty from the standard one to three years.

[DaveInOroValley]

Either one will suit your needs really. When I used to work for Apple back a ways the MacMini had an out of box failure rate of less than one percent which was really unheard of.

I still have one of the original MacMinis and to this day it still runs flawlessly.

[sonofeugene]

1.4 & 4 megs is plenty for your required work,if you start doing more CPU intensive things you will wish you spent the extra$.
I have a desk top 1.2 & 3 megs never have an issue unless I try to work with my GoPro.

I would disagree. 1.4 MHz and 4 megs of ram is barely enough for basic surfing and word processing. I would also never buy a computer I couldn't upgrade easily myself with more ram, larger hard drive, better video card, etc. You'd be far better off with a lightly used tower.

[ocabj]

So I am looking to get a Mac Mini. Standard configuration is
1.4Ghz, 4megs of ram for ~$500.

Next option is 2.6Ghz, 8megs of ram for ~$700

I will be using it for word processing, spread sheets, web surfing and e-mail.
Light duty stuff.

So is it worth the extra $200 for upgraded model??

I am going from PC to Mac and don't really know that much about Macs.

To be clear I am talking about the Mac Mini NOT the iPad mini.

I highly recommend at least 8GB of RAM.

I have the Mac Mini the generation prior to the current one, and I actually do a lot of Lightroom+Photoshop and Premiere editing on it with no issues (SSD and 16GB RAM).

Unfortunately, the current generation integrates the RAM to the board, so you have to get the RAM at the time of order. Also, there's no more SATA connector, so you can't swap/add another drive. The previous generation allows for two drives (I run SSD and a platter drive). So you will want to get the largest SSD possible.

[sonofeugene]

That's what I don't like about some of the computers sold nowadays. You can't really make upgrades should your needs change down the road.

[psango]

Upgrading a Mac Mini isn't difficult just tedious. It is worth the extra $ to get the extra RAM and faster CPU up front.

Information and videos on upgrading MAC's can be fount at MacSales Other World Computing. Or you can take them back to an Apple store for a RAM upgrade.

I use solid state drives in all of my computers both PC and MAC's which is a useful upgrade for improving performance and reliability.

I own a Mac Mini with and I7 CPU and 8 megs of RAM and a MacBook with the same configuration. Both preform well in daily use. Photo editing is fine, Video editing is somewhat of a strain. Both are more reliable than my PC's but perhaps not a universal for obtaining software.

They are good values for day to day use.

[the86d]

[ocabj]

Upgrading a Mac Mini isn't difficult just tedious. It is worth the extra $ to get the extra RAM and faster CPU up front.

You cannot upgrade the RAM on a current gen Mac Mini. You have to get it maxed out up front.

[Lodie1878]

I would say spend the extra 200$ and get the 2.4ghz model but with the lowest amount of storage you can get and invest in an external hard drive to save money. I suggest getting it certified preowned/open box through best buy to save $$$. I recently bought an apple watch 42mm and saved 200$ buying a certified open box/preowned. No scratches or sign of wear at all.

[Bushwack44]

RAM is your friend. You're not going to do anything processor intensive.

[redmarble]

I'd also recommend the 2.4GHz MacMini with 8GB ram. It's the best bargained Apple computer that not too many people know about! Everything else is overpriced!

If you still haven't purchased, I'd take a look at B&H Photo... Good prices and no tax!

[Glockguy85]

I got a Mac mini on eBay for 425. 2011 model. 500gb hd, 16gb ram, wireless keyboard and mouse and trackpad. I am happy with it.


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[e90bmw]

As fast as you can afford with as much memory and HD space as you can afford.