Hi

I'm a long time Windows PC user and want to make the swtich to a Mac. I'm looking at getting one of the new Dual Core intel Mac Mini's to use as my desktop computer.

Question1: How much ram should i get? I don't mind paying the extra to get as much as 2gig if it provides a reasonable performance gain.

Question 2: Can anyone recommend a good compact hifi system or PC speaker system to plug it into? Stereo sound is fine - i'm not interested in surround sound.

thanks everyone!

CC

I'd go 1gb atleast. I have a 1.42 PowerPC G4 with 1gb and its been plenty enough memory for what I do. It usually sits at about 600mb or so in use.

yep 1gb is min
if your going to use apps that are not universal binaries alot you may want to consider maxing it out.im assuming the minis can take upto 2gb

as time goes by, you would want to use more apps to what your profession is i.e. music or video, or whatever, get 1.5gb just in case or go 2gb if you can afford it

Currently advertised as so.

Yes it takes up to 2gigs. It has 2 ram slots and the options are 2x256, 2x512, 2x1gig
So looks like its best to make it out to 2gig. I would not want to have to throw out 2x512 and buy a whole new 2gig if i wanted to upgrade. Plus the shared video memory eats 80meg of your ram too.
2gig it is!

Thanks for your fast responses everyone!
Any recommendations on speakers / sound system?

might be worth checking out this thread -> http://forums.appletalk.com.au/index...howtopic=17063

Personally id recommend altec lansing's
Ive got a set of 5.1's and they are top quality

Given the Mac mini now has digital (optical) out I would consider looking into a digital optical amp and then speakers - but $ could be 2 to 3 times the price of the Mac mini.

With speakers its what your ears tell you sound right, I have heard some disapointing to the ear expensive speakers and some great sounding no-name ones.

Currently I use my iPod as an alarm clock (amongst other things) and its connected to a no-name 2.1 powered computer speakers that cost me $23 and sound great.

As a rule of thumb the better the manufacturers history of speaker manufacturing, usually the better quality. But this is as loose as rule of thumbs get.

I'd suggest Logitech or Altec Lansing as reasonably priced units that you will be happy with. If you can afford shielded connector cables that should improve sound quality too.

If you had the money a pair of Richters off a new Denon amp or receiver would be a great sounding set-up, again if your ears can't tell the difference buy the best sounding speakers you can afford.

Once again thanks for the responses.

I think the Altec Lansing FX6021 would be the way to go. People seem to be happy with the quality and they are a reasonable size to put on the computer desk. I plan to use them mainly for listening to music in iTunes so i reckon they will do the job nicely.

One thing I can't understand is why the Apple Store sells them for A$ 499.95
Thats ridiculously overpriced even for the apple store. A quick search on shopbot tells me I can pick them up for a much more reasonable $270 + shipping.

The Apple Store is rarely the cheapest place to buy - although they do occasionally offer the odd special buy. That shopbot link is damned nice to know about - thanks for posting it...

Ordered from online apple store with upgraded ram and hard disk.

Estimated Delivered By: 22/03/2006



So far off. Guess they must be popular.

Get an iPod hi-fi and connect it up as your speaker system, they are audiophile quality man!!!!!

And back to reality, the altec lansing fx6021 are pretty good, and should be fine for you.

I hope the altec lansing fx6021 are good because I have ordered them too :-)
Just not from the apple store as they were way overpriced.

Thanks for all the advice guys - its going to be great once I get it all and put it together.

Well i might be able to help you i have the Core Duo Mac Mini and for intel applications 512Mb if fine it's only when it comes to PPC Applications you need at least 1Gb.
It's runs ok with 512Mb but not great.

So running Power PC applicatins using the built in emaulation uses a lot of memory then? Does running a couple of apps eat up all your memory?