I have always wanted to try a mac before and figured now might be a good time. I want something the is a low cost into the Mac world (and macs are quite expensive). I have always heard never to buy a workstation because they are way overpriced. I have always been told if I am going to get a Mac, I should get a MacBookPro. I recently took a look at the Mac-Mini specs and compared them to the MacBookPro and this is want I found: Mac-Mini ----------------------------------- MacBookPro (17-inch) Processor: 2.53 core duo ------------------- 2.8 core dou L2 cache: 3MB shared ----------------------- 6MB System bus: 1066 --------------------------- 1066 Memory: 4GB -------------------------------- 4GB Hardrive: 320 5400RPM ---------------------- 500GB 5400RPMM Video Card: 9400M 256MB DDR3 --------------- 9600/9400M 256MB DDR3 Graphic Memory: NONE ----------------------- 512MB GDDR3 Cost w/Warranty: ~$1000 -------------------- $2550 Let me first tell you want I am looking for in a Mac computer. There are 2 main reasons I want a mac. The first is that I am using the Unity game engine, and anything I build, I would like to be able to officailly support the Mac. The second reason is that when I searched for an entry level 3D application (yes my username really needs to get changed) with the mind set that all I need to do is build content for 3D games, I keep hearing a lot of good thing about Cheetah3D, however that is, and from what I have seen on the forum, will be a Mac only application for a long time. I also want to note that the mac I get now, I want it to be able to least be at least 2 years (hopefully the full 3 years of the warranty) without having the hardware be a major limitation for me. Here are some question I have with those points above in mind: Is my assumation that the .27GHz difference is not going to be huge? Is the double L2 cache memory a big deal? With that video card, I know is only using 1 or the other, not both, but is the 9600M a big difference? My current computer has a 8860GT 512MB Mobile video card into is, How much worse or better is the 9500M 256MB (I was told that video card memory differences does not affect performance in a major way)? The MacBookPro has 512MB GDDR3 Graphics Memory, what kind of difference does this make? Is it worth the $150 warranty with the Mini mac to extend to to 3 years (I guess that depends on how well the hardware will stay current) Am I able to plugin 2 monitors to the Mac-Mini? I should also note with the prices, I already have 2 19-inch LCD monitors so I would not need to spend any extra money on that for the Mac-Mini. These are my major questions and any help would be great.

If you plan on having 3 different modeling applications open with Photoshop going at the same time, surfing the web, watching a movie and listening to iTunes then you're better off with the MacBookPro.

Otherwise it's not much of a difference. I personally don't have a macbook but i have a Mac-Mini, and I'm quite pleased, it's fast and awesome.

My recommendation: Mac-Mini, especially if you're just getting started using the Mac platform, it's cheaper and the performance difference isn't that great.

Do you need to have a notebook? With Macs (like with most computer types), you will get more with a desktop for the same money, but with a Mac, you will get much more for the same cost.

If a notebook is not an absolute requirement, you could get a used desktop. If you are not sure how much you will use your Mac, you may not want to jump in with a $2,000 machine. How about this one here. It looks like a good deal. The guy is selling it a bit cheap because a RAM stick went bad on it.

EDIT: This Mac in the ad has almost the same power as the one you outlined above, but for much less money.

EDIT2: Oh crap, I thought this was a Buy It Now auction, but it is regular. This is going to get more expensive before it ends in a day, but still probably not up to $2550.

If you're concerned about the price/value of a Mac, you may want to look around and see if there's any speculation on a hardware refresh coming up. Macs tend to be priced pretty well for the hardware right after a hardware refresh, and become less so up until the next refresh.

Quote: Original post by Rycross
If you're concerned about the price/value of a Mac, you may want to look around and see if there's any speculation on a hardware refresh coming up. Macs tend to be priced pretty well for the hardware right after a hardware refresh, and become less so up until the next refresh.

Well I know they just did some pretty big upgrades of the mac-mini which is why I was think about getting that now (so that it will last me the longest).

A laptop is not requirement so I think I am going to go with the Mac Mini.

Quote: Original post by 3dmodelerguy

Quote: Original post by Rycross
If you're concerned about the price/value of a Mac, you may want to look around and see if there's any speculation on a hardware refresh coming up. Macs tend to be priced pretty well for the hardware right after a hardware refresh, and become less so up until the next refresh.

Well I know they just did some pretty big upgrades of the mac-mini which is why I was think about getting that now (so that it will last me the longest).

A laptop is not requirement so I think I am going to go with the Mac Mini.

To my understanding, the Mac Mini is the best deal you can get on a Mac right now. I think they are all Intel, but still make sure you are getting an Intel-based Mac.

Quote: Original post by jackolantern1

Quote: Original post by 3dmodelerguy

Quote: Original post by Rycross
If you're concerned about the price/value of a Mac, you may want to look around and see if there's any speculation on a hardware refresh coming up. Macs tend to be priced pretty well for the hardware right after a hardware refresh, and become less so up until the next refresh.

Well I know they just did some pretty big upgrades of the mac-mini which is why I was think about getting that now (so that it will last me the longest).

A laptop is not requirement so I think I am going to go with the Mac Mini.

To my understanding, the Mac Mini is the best deal you can get on a Mac right now. I think they are all Intel, but still make sure you are getting an Intel-based Mac.

yea according to the website, they are all intel based (even tho I plan to not run windows on it, it is nice to have that option if my laptop breaks or something)

Quote: Original post by jackolantern1
To my understanding, the Mac Mini is the best deal you can get on a Mac right now. I think they are all Intel, but still make sure you are getting an Intel-based Mac.

The new 27" iMac looks great too. Not only can you get a i7 processor, but it also can be used as an external monitor with a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Sure, it's not the most competent system around, but excellent for the price, considering that most 27" monitors have a worse resolution and cost at least $900.

Quote: Original post by 3dmodelerguy

Quote: Original post by jackolantern1

Quote: Original post by 3dmodelerguy

Quote: Original post by Rycross
If you're concerned about the price/value of a Mac, you may want to look around and see if there's any speculation on a hardware refresh coming up. Macs tend to be priced pretty well for the hardware right after a hardware refresh, and become less so up until the next refresh.

Well I know they just did some pretty big upgrades of the mac-mini which is why I was think about getting that now (so that it will last me the longest).

A laptop is not requirement so I think I am going to go with the Mac Mini.

To my understanding, the Mac Mini is the best deal you can get on a Mac right now. I think they are all Intel, but still make sure you are getting an Intel-based Mac.

yea according to the website, they are all intel based (even tho I plan to not run windows on it, it is nice to have that option if my laptop breaks or something)

It is not that you would not want to run Windows on it, but rather, you can't update non-Intel Macs to the latest OSX (as far as I know at least). I looked into a Mac a while back because I wanted to make iPhone apps, and the deal was that you had to have an Intel-based Mac to be able to run the correct OS to run the SDK. I think Apple is dropping support for non-Intel systems.

Quote: Original post by CrazySam
If you plan on having 3 different modeling applications open with Photoshop going at the same time, surfing the web, watching a movie and listening to iTunes then you're better off with the MacBookPro.

Otherwise it's not much of a difference. I personally don't have a macbook but i have a Mac-Mini, and I'm quite pleased, it's fast and awesome.

My recommendation: Mac-Mini, especially if you're just getting started using the Mac platform, it's cheaper and the performance difference isn't that great.

Yeah your just paying all that extra for the portability since .3GHz difference isn't going to be noticeable. The cache diff would be more noticeable in things like photoshop maybe. Same thing with videocard difference from 9600 and 9400 isn't noticeable either.
And yeah you can hook up 2 monitors to the mini but you do have to buy a 2nd displayport to vga or dvi video adapter for that since the mini only comes with a minidvi to dvi cable.