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Thread: Mac Mini?

  1. #1
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    Mac Mini?

    Should I buy one?

    I don't like Apple generally speaking, but my 12" Macbook is the best computer I've ever owned, and I need a powerful computer for home and research stuff - I'd prefer a portable mini-PC setup.

    I was thinking:

    MacMini i7
    8GB RAM (buy 32GB RAM online and install that meself).
    128GB SSD (buy a Samsung external X5 SSD; connect through thunderbolt 3 and it's faster than most internal drives)
    a 32" 21:9 curved QHD monitor for dual-screening.

    That's about $2500, and you have a totally shite graphics card, so that's another $400++ if you want to add an external unit... I don't do gaming, but will be doing simulations which are more core intensive than GPU intensive (although a balanced CPU/GPU is good).

    Alternatively a top end NUC Canyon with similar specs, once sent here to Korea with 30% tax, is about the same money, but you have a decent graphics card onboard, so no need to update. But, I f'kin made MS OS.

    Alternative Dell all in ones or Lenovo, etc are very expensive here in Korea - no saving over the Mac Mini. The iMAC would end up the same price and the processor is dated, but the graphics cards are ok(ish). Hmmm...

    Should I go all metrosexual and get a Mac Mini?
    Cycling should be banned!!!

  2. #2
    Excommunicated baldrick's Avatar
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    what about a notebook with thunderbolt, displayport and a 1060 or 1070 video card ?

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Gigaby...91001546341805

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    Quote Originally Posted by baldrick View Post
    what about a notebook with thunderbolt, displayport and a 1060 or 1070 video card ?

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/Gigaby...91001546341805
    That does look good - a lot of positives in that setup. I certainly like the video card and CPU.

    Downsides would be thermal throttling (I might be running simulations for hours) due to the form factor, and I'd also like a minimum of QHD. A fully maxed out Macbook Pro at $4000 doesn't perform as well as the i7 Mac Mini, and it thermal throttles a lot (the Mac Mini doesn't drop below 3.4GHz, 6 Cores, so it actually out peforms the iMAC pro on less Core Intensive tasks - it's just that shitty GPU is a f'kin tragedy, but I could add one of these, also from Gigabyte:

    https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-Gami...NJP5NCH6SK9390

    For $450 deiverd here, it's about the best value I can find, and the radeon RX 480 8GB is the same as a top spec iMAC, and works well with the Mac Mini i7.

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    Sounds like you've already done your research and made your mind up

    I see it's just been updated for the first time in four years and you already have a Macbook with a shiny apple on the back for gaining the attention of young professionals at Starbucks.

    What I'd suggest is to look at the price in diffferent Country's apple stores. They vary a lot and it could well be worth your while grabbing one on a trip to Bangkok or KL and just imagine how many thousands of people will envy your plastic apple bag as you strut your stuff around the airport and it's lounges.

    Do it, you big gay bear

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    Throughout my professional life, I’ve tried to maintain a basic level of privacy. I come from humble roots, and I don’t seek to draw attention to myself. Apple is already one of the most closely watched companies in the world, and I like keeping the focus on our products and the incredible things our customers achieve with them.

    At the same time, I believe deeply in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who said: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” I often challenge myself with that question, and I’ve come to realize that my desire for personal privacy has been holding me back from doing something more important. That’s what has led me to today.

    For years, I’ve been open with many people about my sexual orientation. Plenty of colleagues at Apple know I’m gay, and it doesn’t seem to make a difference in the way they treat me. Of course, I’ve had the good fortune to work at a company that loves creativity and innovation and knows it can only flourish when you embrace people’s differences. Not everyone is so lucky.

    While I have never denied my sexuality, I haven’t publicly acknowledged it either, until now. So let me be clear: I’m proud to be gay, and I consider being gay among the greatest gifts God has given me.
    Tim Cook





  6. #6
    Thailand Expat lom's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    Mac Mini?

    Should I buy one?

    I don't like Apple generally speaking, but my 12" Macbook is the best computer I've ever owned
    Ask your mum you ambivalent poofter!

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    I've been thinking along the same lines.

    I have an 8 year old iMac. It still works OK for most of my needs, but the GPU lets me down when doing intensive video editing using Davinci Resolve.

    When the latest version of DR came out, I decided to buy a Windoze PC just for doing video editing and also stuck a big drive in it to use as a server.

    But, %&$*, I hate Windoze more than I hate Apple !!

    The advantage in having an external GPU, is that you can use it with either the mini or the Macbook, or any future mac/PC. Also its possible in some eGPUs to upgrade/replace the card at a later date if you decide in the future that you need some extra grunt.
    Last edited by TizMe; 03-01-2019 at 10:54 AM.

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    Jeff needs advice on his next abacus purchase. Mac or Windows, must have an aftermarket random nonsense generator compatibility.

    Portability is not not an issue, doesn’t travel much. It must be suitable for working in extreme conditions.

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    Lol. Just had a peek at this thread and Dill had me chuckling with his photoshops! You guys are a hoot!

    btw @bettyboo, I saw some mountain goats during my latest hike and took pics just for you.

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    Quote Originally Posted by lom View Post
    Ask your mum you ambivalent poofter!
    But, what if she says no?

    Quote Originally Posted by TizMe View Post
    I've been thinking along the same lines.

    I have an 8 year old iMac. It still works OK for most of my needs, but the GPU lets me down when doing intensive video editing using Davinci Resolve.

    When the latest version of DR came out, I decided to buy a Windoze PC just for doing video editing and also stuck a big drive in it to use as a server.

    But, %&$*, I hate Windoze more than I hate Apple !!

    The advantage in having an external GPU, is that you can use it with either the mini or the Macbook, or any future mac/PC. Also its possible in some eGPUs to upgrade/replace the card at a later date if you decide in the future that you need some extra grunt.
    Yeah, I'm agreeing with most of that. But, only the i5 available in Korea... Still fast, 6-cores.

    Quote Originally Posted by katie23 View Post
    Lol. Just had a peek at this thread and Dill had me chuckling with his photoshops! You guys are a hoot!

    btw @bettyboo, I saw some mountain goats during my latest hike and took pics just for you.
    WOW, now that's sexy!

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    Sounds like you've already done your research and made your mind up

    I see it's just been updated for the first time in four years and you already have a Macbook with a shiny apple on the back for gaining the attention of young professionals at Starbucks.

    What I'd suggest is to look at the price in diffferent Country's apple stores. They vary a lot and it could well be worth your while grabbing one on a trip to Bangkok or KL and just imagine how many thousands of people will envy your plastic apple bag as you strut your stuff around the airport and it's lounges.

    Do it, you big gay bear
    I knew you'd make it gay, and I agree... Pictures tonight.

  12. #12
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    Here's the different prices for an i5 Mac Mini in various Countries

    UK -44,374
    China-41,642
    South Korea -40,932
    Thailand -38,400
    Singapore -38,125
    OZ -38,062
    Hong Kong - 36,949
    Malaysia -36,478
    USA -35,337

  13. #13
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    ^ strangely, Korea is expensive for everything, but not the Apple Store.

    OK, that's $2000 spent, and I still need to get some RAM, an external drive (although I did get a 256 SSD), and an external eGPU...

    Mac Mini?-20190103_181653-jpg
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mac Mini?-20190103_181653-jpg  

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    OK, that's $2000 spent, and I still need to get some RAM, an external drive (although I did get a 256 SSD), and an external eGPU...
    $2000 for an i5 desktop PC without a dedicated graphics driver but with a shiny apple on the top?

    Well done

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    Well done
    I would have preferred the i7, but they would've needed a special order - I can't be doing with that...



    Wait until the screen is up and running, it's gonna be great.

    Just gonna put everything on my WD Passport then I'll throw this laptop away (bought it in Oman seven years ago, I can probably find the thread if you like... ) and fire up the super sexy, super fast, super mini-mac.

    I've applied for research funds at work, if given, there's $$$ for hardware, so I will be getting a mega GPU (as well as an iMac Pro 18-core for my office at work).
    Last edited by Bettyboo; 03-01-2019 at 07:10 PM.

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    ^ you gonna buy some speakers. You're gonna be needing a nice surround system now to do her justice

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    ^ you gonna buy some speakers. You're gonna be needing a nice surround system now to do her justice
    My Yamaha THR10 sits on the desk and is an excellent stereo speaker (plugs in via USB). Just spent $300 getting 32GB Ram and a toolkit to get into my Mac Mini (probably void the warranty...).

    https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Mac...it/IF171-050-2

    256GB hard drive will do for now, but I'm also ordering up one of these (they are actually quicker than onboard storage through the lightening 3):


    https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Porta.../dp/B07GBWZJFG

    Only a GPU to go, and I'm thinking about one of these because they are cheap and portable:






    https://www.amazon.com/GIGABYTE-Gami...NJP5NCH6SK9390

    Suffice to say, I have gone to town (still a bit peeved about not getting the i&, but...).

  18. #18
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    Is your 7 button broke?

    of those different apple stores I looked on earlier, no country had the i7 model listed.

  19. #19
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    Mac Mini?-screen-shot-2019-01-03-21-a

    Here in the Philippines, the i7 is selectable after you click "Buy" for an additional PHP10K
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mac Mini?-screen-shot-2019-01-03-21-a  

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    ^same on the Korean website, but not so in the shop... Even though the i& is very fast it does get hot and throttles down to 3.4 GHz rather than staying at turbo boost, so maybe the i5 isn't a bad option, probably doesn't get as hot, so probably nearly as quick under workload.

    I did make an error: I paid $100 for the extended 3 year warranty which will be void in about 2 weeks when I upgrade the RAM... Oh well...

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bettyboo View Post
    I did make an error: I paid $100 for the extended 3 year warranty which will be void in about 2 weeks when I upgrade the RAM... Oh well...
    I was going to ask about that....

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    ^ indeed...

    Now, would you like full screen cinema or split screen for "working"?

    Mac Mini?-20190104_015809-jpg

    Mac Mini?-20190104_020107-jpg

    Of course, I haven't managed to get the THR10 working yet, so just the sound from the Mac mini (not bad, not great) - maybe an opportunity to buy a USB-C speaker tomorrow and sell the THR10 to a mate.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Mac Mini?-20190104_020107-jpg   Mac Mini?-20190104_015809-jpg  

  23. #23
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    Very nice.

    Can you get any porn on it?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dillinger View Post
    Very nice.

    Can you get any porn on it?
    For that price it should be part of the service package

  25. #25
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    I can split the screen into 4 areas and have 4 porn sections - if I wanted...

    Sound is fine now through the THR10 - took a few hours, but everything is fantastically good now. &, 32GBs on the way, & space for a eGPU under the desk... Just downloaded some simulation software, very basic stuff, so we'll have a go with that tomorrow; can only justify this if it's for work too.

    &, the wife hasn't complained because work is going well, and she sees this play centre of wonderfulness as a work system.

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