Intel Mac Minis vs. PPC Minis

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Dennis Gordon

Gawd
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I usually do music projects in Cubase on my PC. I have a large project that's being recorded with Digital Performer (MOTU-Mac only). I've been recording my tracks on the PC to a submix and then sending individual tracks to the producer for inclusion into the DP files.

Thinking it'd be easier to set up a simple Mac DAW, I pulled out an unused 667 G4 today at the office and tried to get it going, but it was heavy and kinda clunky and aggravating.

The producer suggested I look into a Mac Mini, which are going used in the $400 range on Ebay.

Then I went to MacMall, where the new Intel Minis are starting at $574.

Are the Intels really that much better than the PPC variety? The $200 price difference between used PPC and New Intel isn't much, if they are as good as the Apple hype.

In audio recording, faster is always better.

I'm pretty Mac-ignorant. I'd welcome any opinions on the flavors of Minis. Thanks...
 
well the new minis have the core 2 duo, so you may want that processor. not sure about the PPC mini performance.
 
If your app you plan to run is older than a year – then its likely coded for the PPC, and not the Intel CPU. If this is the case, then I would bet the PPC mini would run rings around an Intel machine – since there would be emulation involved. Also, since Rosetta is so memory hungry, you would need a full meg of RAM I would think.
If your app you plan to run is older than a year – then its likely coded for the PPC, and not the Intel CPU. If this is the case, then I would bet the PPC mini would run rings around an Intel machine – since there would emulation involved. Also, since Rosetta is so memory hungry, you would need a full meg of RAM I would think.

If your app you plan to run is older than a year – then its likely coded for the PPC, and not the Intel CPU. If this is the case, then I would bet the PPC mini would run rings around an Intel machine – since there would emulation involved. Also, since Rosetta is so memory hungry, you would need a full meg of RAM I would think.

Let me put it this way…if the company offers a universal binary version (can run on both w/o emulation), as an upgrade or what you have now…then go with the Intel.

If you have a Power PC version, and they do not offer a universal binary version…then go with Power PC.

Best way is to call the company and ask if they have made the Mac version a ‘universal binary’ they should know what you are talking about.

Here is a link about what this is and such http://www.apple.com/universal/
 
Only DP 5.1, program and plugins, are compiled for the Intel processors, so unless I upgraded from 4.6, I'd be running in emulation. Probably not the best idea, but then I don't really know what the performance hit is.
 
The G4 minis (at least in my experience) are pretty pathetic. They're slow and difficult to use because you're always watching the beachball, but they're nice looking. Much better suited for a HTPC then a production machine. I'd look for a more powerful G4 (dual g4 mdd or something) and you'll be much better off at a similar pricepoint.

Intel minis are fast, but you still have to remember that you're using laptop hardware in a basically uncooled, tiny metal box.
 
as previously suggested, if you're running PPC only software and know for a fact that you're not going to be upgrading any time soon, be on the lookout for a late model dual G4 powermac.
 
Yea, I had a g4 mini mac, and it was only mildly fast, though the intels are impressively quick I think the mini macs main limitation is it's terrible graphics card
 
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