Mac Mini for production?

[rexob]

Alright, I've done some searching and only really came across anything on this thread - http://www.dubstepforum.com/mac-mini-mu ... 63956.html

It is however nearly 2 years old, there's new Mac Mini's since then, technology changes fast etc. So I was wondering if anyone has any experiences of producing on Mac Mini's? They're a lot cheaper than any other Mac and obviously a lot smaller, so I don't feel confident spending nearly a grand for one.

Here's the specs that I've been looking at:

8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
2X500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
Intel HD Graphics 3000
2.0GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 (?)

Now, is it better to go for the 2.0GHz i7 or the 2.5GHz i5?


The other option is this - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medion-Desktop- ... 240&sr=1-8

Unless anybody else has any suggestions? I'd build one myself but I'm scared I'll fuck up.

[Shum]

wait for the new ones next year imo.

p.s. mac minis are fine to produce on. get a RAM upgrade and a better HD (as money allows) also.

[Attila]

I almost got one, then I realized the pc I could build for the same price and it was an easy choice. I still feel that overall, a custom pc is easily the best choice in terms of value and performance when it comes to audio production...actually I'd probably extend that to most processes that require a reasonably powerful computer. Unless the portability is whats most important to you of course, in that case your options are kind of slim.

[rexob]

No, I'd build my own PC but I know how tricky it is. I'd rather get an iMac but they're a lot more expensive. :p

I might just do that Shum, tbh. I'm not desperately in need of a new PC yet, I can cope with bouncing everything down to audio for a while.

Cheers.

[Attila]

No, I'd build my own PC but I know how tricky it is. I'd rather get an iMac but they're a lot more expensive. :p.

Yeah man if youre spending more than a grand on a production desktop youre spending too much.

[outbound]

I would go with the i7, what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in it being newer technology (running more efficiently etc) If possible I would choose a higher spec dual-core over a lower spec quad-core though. (I use a 3.2 GHz Quad-core and there's no way in hell Logic ever manages to utilise it properly especially when using 3rd party plugins)

If you have to wait like a couple of weeks to a month then may as well to get a better spec machine but any longer than that and it's a bit waste, I'd say get stuck in, fair enough it may not be as high grade but everything becomes obsolete given enough time, it's best to get cracking and learn to make use of what you have

[djbmc]

I use one, it was the cheapest option. At the time i was studying for my music production degree and primarily using Logic so i needed an Apple computer to run it. I've got the 2.53Ghz Core 2 with 4GB of ram and it runs lovely, it's crashed a few times, maybe 4 times in 3 years, i think that was due to dodgy plug ins tho.

[SaveMidnight]

I used one once.
Mac Mini + Monitor = Basically an iMac IMO.
If the only reason you want a MAC is for logic, then yeah that works.

[Mad_EP]

When I get a desktop, I'll be going with a Mini for sure - easily the best bang for buck option and it can be fully loaded with 3rd party RAM for quite cheap.

As someone already said - a Mini with an external monitor is essentially an iMac. If you already have the monitor, then it is a very cheap way to get a Mac desktop.

[Shum]

i hooked mine up to one of my TVs lol

[Electric_Head]

Go for i5 2500k sandybridge over i7 2ghz

[LilWUB]

I have a late 2009 Mac Mini and it works great for producing. I use an Mbox2 Pro, Logic and Massive.

[bassinine]

it's really not that hard to put a computer together - plenty of guides online will help you do it in an hour or two total.

built my pc which is about that fast, with a fast video card (gtx 460) as well, that cost about $700 total - including windows 7.

[Maxadax]

It doesn't matter what computer you're using, as long as it runs your DAW of choice well enough. I'm using a white MacBook running Lion, It has no problems running Ableton Live 8. I also have an external display. I have lower specs than that computer too so you should be good for a good long while.

If it is a Mac that you want, at a lower price then I'd say go for it.

[rexob]

Cheers for the replies.

I found it really hard to trust that something so small would be powerful even with such high specs. Had to get some opinions.

I'm gonna get one next month.

[Shum]