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Mac Mini Appreciation Thread

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450

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Feb 19, 2007
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I got a refurbished Mac Mini about a week ago, and its my favorite desktop computer so far.

In terms of hardware specifications its a downgrade coming from an overclocked e6600, but the tight software integration and compact form factor is really nice. I just wish I could figure out how to hibernate the machine.

I'm using it with a 23" ACD and 20" 2007FPb, a wired Apple keyboard w/numeric keypad, and a Microsoft Optical Mouse.

Anyone else with a Mac Mini that loves theirs?
 
There is no 'hibernate' on OS X. There is a 'Sleep' mode though. If you want to manually set sleep mode on the display, you can set a hot-corner in spaces, then set the computer to sleep after a set amount of time in 'energy saver' preference pane.

You can also do it with hotkey combination option-command-eject.

While I do not yet have a MacMini, I have had a MacBook for a long time, they are quite amazing.

Resources:
Keyboard shortcuts
MacUpdate
 
The thing is that sleep doesn't work for me because I like to transport my Mini from home to my apartment. I'd like for my progress to be saved so I can just start right up. There isn't any 3rd part device that'll allow me to do so?
 
you have a home and an apartment? :confused:

there's no way to hibernate your mac mini. once you unplug your mac mini to transport it, it has no power. what you're looking for is a laptop.
 
bloo said:
you have a home and an apartment? :confused:

there's no way to hibernate your mac mini. once you unplug your mac mini to transport it, it has no power. what you're looking for is a laptop.
Click to expand...

My parents house and my apartment right next to my college. I can a Mini instead of a Macbook due to the ability to run 2 full size monitors. Anyway, I found something that might work for me: http://www.jinx.de/SmartSleep.html.

This thread turned into a OS X hibernation thread, instead of a Mini appreciation thread. :p
 
Oh you can also use
Code: 
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 1
.

Anyway. I'm planning on using a Mac Mini for a media center as soon as I can afford to upgrade from my stupid old tube TV. Throw a blu-ray drive in it, an SSD for the hard drive, run a Digital Optical out, and I'm all set :)
 
My first Mac was a Mini I purchased a year ago. Since then, I picked up another Mini in July and I've loved these little machines.

The second Mini supports dual display and has 2x22" Acer displays on it (the first one has a single 19" Acer). The desk has limited space (though it's a Fredericks Ikea desk) and both sit up on a shelf out of the main desk space.

I've been using handbrake on both and burning my DVD collection (finally) and they've been running pretty much non-stop for the past 8 or 9 days.

My older windows boxes are languishing . . .
 
I picked up a 2.53 mini around last Thanksgiving and am loving it. It is everything I need in a desktop and less. Less heat, much less noise and much smaller size than mid-tower it replaced. It meets my needs perfectly and for my use I wouldn't consider going back to a full size computer.
 
Um.. if blu-ray uses h.264, then any player that can play the h.264 codec, can play blu ray discs, with the appropriate hardware.
 
August West said:
I picked up a 2.53 mini around last Thanksgiving and am loving it. It is everything I need in a desktop and less. Less heat, much less noise and much smaller size than mid-tower it replaced. It meets my needs perfectly and for my use I wouldn't consider going back to a full size computer.
Click to expand...

After using a Mini I don't want to go back to a full size machine either!

What were the specs of your mid-tower? I wish the Mini had an option for a 9600m GT or similar. I'd love the additional GPU power.
 
jrdonnaruma said:
Um.. if blu-ray uses h.264, then any player that can play the h.264 codec, can play blu ray discs, with the appropriate hardware.
Click to expand...


A lost little soul...


OSX can't play blu-ray movies... sorry dude, a quick google and 3 seconds of your time will show you the truth.
 
Verge said:
A lost little soul...


OSX can't play blu-ray movies... sorry dude, a quick google and 3 seconds of your time will show you the truth.
Click to expand...

Just install Windows 7 on the mini, problem solved!
 
450 said:
Just install Windows 7 on the mini, problem solved!
Click to expand...


Then what is the point of buying a mini? You can build a mini-itx for less... hopefully the purpose of buying a mac mini is to keep osx on it. Blasphemy otherwise!!!
 
Verge said:
Then what is the point of buying a mini? You can build a mini-itx for less... hopefully the purpose of buying a mac mini is to keep osx on it. Blasphemy otherwise!!!
Click to expand...

You'd still get the looks and compact size.

Show me a Mini-ITX that is as small as the Mini (6.5 x 6.5 x 2.5"), with as much power, and decent looks. It isn't a good value for money, but neither is a Mini when you consider that a Dell with a 20" TN LCD can be had for about $400.

Also you can always dual boot! :)
 
450 said:
I got a refurbished Mac Mini about a week ago, and its my favorite desktop computer so far.

In terms of hardware specifications its a downgrade coming from an overclocked e6600, but the tight software integration and compact form factor is really nice.
Click to expand...

Hooboy, wait until you get an iMac. Soooooooo sweet in terms of taking up even less space than a Mini, silent operation, and more power. :D

Even the "worst" iMac has a 3.06ghz Core 2 Duo and a 1920x1080 IPS display, and you can go dual display, so nice.
 
450 said:
After using a Mini I don't want to go back to a full size machine either!

What were the specs of your mid-tower? I wish the Mini had an option for a 9600m GT or similar. I'd love the additional GPU power.
Click to expand...

I was using a P4 2.8 Northwood with an old, passively cooled Martox P650 video card in an Antec mid-tower. Big and noisy even with the passively cooled card and Northwood. I'm perfectly happy with the supplied video card in the mini as I don't play games and use my home theater to watch movies. Anything more than what's in the mini would be wasted for me. My mini doesn't get stressed much.

I did just finish setting up my mini/time capsule to stream itunes to my HT system using the remote app. on my ipod touch and am very happy with the results.
 
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