I feel so bad but...

[[Director] Joseph B]

Well it's official, I'm a MAC convert. Not entirely, I'm going to have to daul boot soon because there are just some PC things I can't do without but I'm now using the MAC 85-90% of the time.
I'm taking every free class at the local MAC store to get up to speed.

My question is, how are the MAC mini's?
I'd like to get another MAC book but the funding just isn't there (nor do I expect it to be anytime soon).

I'm thinking a desktop unit would do for a year or two until I can swing a MACbook Pro. The only one even remotely doable is the mini - so I can use my monitor, keyboard and mouse to keep costs down as well.

I'm running adobe creative suite and can move a copy to the mini - have plenty of external hard drives as well.

Maybe even a used one if I can find it.

What do you MAC guru's think?

[cmchamp]

RE Dual boot. When I first got my MacPro, I had obtained a free copy of Crossover, which worked well. I now have Parallels which works much better for me. I've been a Mac guy since '86, so my need for Windows only applications is for work.
RE Mini: Rendering may be the slow down as it has the GeForce 9400M integrated graphics, so as long as you're not doing powerhouse filters and effects, you should be Ok.
Personally, I'd stick with a current revision with the dual core in it. Faster frontside buss, etc. will give you a much more pleasant experience.
Check the refurbished store at Apple.com once in a while to see if a B-Stock or refurb shows up. Other than that, new.

[[Director] Joseph B]

Actually as it is a backup system for the MAC book - rendering speed is not much of an issue. However the refurb option (when I have the cash) sounds like a great option.

Thanks

[shayward]

I'm glad to hear that you like the Mac. I hope to get a Mac some day. Not to leave Windows behind, but to run Logic. Plus I really like Mac OS... was very impressed.

[Pastor Ryan]

congrats on a successful and pleasant switchover.

[[Director] Joseph B]

Pleasant -- more like interesting. Successful -- most likely, but it's not over yet.

[mikecheck1two]

Mac's start up so much faster. That's what I noticed first time I got my mac.

[jonnyfishstix]

mini's are alright. and if i remember correctly you can hook the mini to a Macbook Pro and use it as a bus. Might want to check on that.

[petereit]

Several years ago our Pastor gave a strict order -- NO MORE PCs!!! So now we're a complete Mac shop. We have a PC-based DMX controller that we run on Windows XP, in Parallels on a Mac Mini and it works great! We were just talking last week about the possibility of hosting our video sermon archive in-house and we just thought we'd install a rack and start buying Mac Mini servers. Drives getting full? Add another Mini. And just think how fast renders would get with a dozen Mac Mini servers connected over gigabit ethernet added to our Q-Cluster.