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Mac Mini

S

Stupid_Newbie

Gawd
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
Messages
671
Im building a new house, that will be automated with HAI OmniPro II UPB automation. With that said, there is an app that is much nicer then factory, and it uses a mac based helper. So im in the market for a mac to run with my HAI.

Im thinking of running a mac mini. It would run Haiku Helper. Now my question is what model. I obviously dont need a power house (see sig), however I was thinking of intergrating it into the media server, and having it stream blueray rips, and itunes media library for whole home audio.

The current models are:
Low End:
i5-2410M, HD3000 with 288MB shared, 2GB ram, 500GB HDD (5400)

High End:
i5-2520M, Radeon 6630 with 256MB, 4GB Ram, 500GB HDD (5400)

Server:
i7-2635QM, HD3000 with 384MB shared, 4GB Ram, 2x500GB HDD (7200)

I guess im wondering if the graphics will stream Bluray just fine.
 
I'd get the Mac Mini server. 4 cores might come in handy.
 
450 said:
I'd get the Mac Mini server. 4 cores might come in handy.
Click to expand...

I agree. Ram and CPU will be the biggest considerations (HD space not withstanding.) Another thought, you may want to wait until they refresh the Mini with Ivy Bridge parts.
 
Streaming 1080p doesn't need 4 cores. Though I do second the thought on waiting for Ivy Bridge parts
 
Check for refurbs from Apple too.

Same as new, just comes in a brown box instead of the white one.
 
The low end model will do the job, but the middle will give you headroom.
 
Yeah, im still a bit away from buying this, but id like to get it reasonably soon, and get haiku on it, and start some programming
 
I have a 2011 2.3GHZ base model with 8GB of ram and it flies even while viewing 4 separate blu-ray rips. It also plays Steam Source games quite well. The new Ivy Bridge models have much better integrated graphics so the base model should suit you fine.

The quad core model would be good if you do a lot of encodings or run VMs. I can only run one vm on my mini and only 2 gigs of ram on it otherwise it starts slowing down the osx system.

The 2011 mini can do up to 16GB of ram unadvertised and I suspect the Ivy Bridge can do more. I am planning on picking up an Ivy Bridge mini once they are out. Hoping for quad-core i7 with discrete gpu.
 
yeah discrete GPU would be great. I just wonder how the heat and power consumption will be with Ivy. It will be part of my home automation, and just sitting on the desk. So it will be idle or near idle all the time. 24/7/365. So if it draws too much, i may opt for something in the sandy line.
 
UnknownSouljer said:
I agree. Ram and CPU will be the biggest considerations (HD space not withstanding.) Another thought, you may want to wait until they refresh the Mini with Ivy Bridge parts.
Click to expand...

Yea right now the current model mac mini's are pretty old. I'd hold out a few months for the new model that should be coming pretty soon.
 
I'd either wait for an update (best idea), or go with the low end and maybe add some RAM.
 
Echoing what several others have said, I wouldn't invest in more than the base model. Honestly, it's a niche product and even you know you'll get more bang for the buck using that extra cash on another rig or components. The base model will do the base tasks just fine.
 
I was thinking base, with some ram (just cause its cheap). Just never relied on intergrated before, so wasnt sure how it would stream or process blu-rays etc, while running monitoring software in the background.
 
Stupid_Newbie said:
I was thinking base, with some ram (just cause its cheap). Just never relied on intergrated before, so wasnt sure how it would stream or process blu-rays etc, while running monitoring software in the background.
Click to expand...

If you are doing any transcoding, I'd still go with the quad.
 
Well it would be faster if faster encoding time is (which i don't think it is in this case). I would consider it if i rendered videos since that is a chore to wait for a project to finish but movies can wait overnight. OP if you decide the new upcoming minis are too much then I can sell you my base 2011 2.3ghz with 8gigs of ram.
 
Yes the plan is to have a 4x4 HDbaseT matrix.

Id like to have 1 Bell 9421 PVRs, and 2 Apple TV3s. This would allow pause, rewind, change TV (ie start in one room, finish in another). All from a central location. I am wiring for more then 4x4, but I think ill only use 4x4 for now. So that leaves pulling 2 sources at once, and also possibly music. Im just looking to hold off and see what comes from an Ivy mini. If its that much better, ill grab it, if not grab a current mini for a reduced price.
 
Another question, what is the audio output capabilities of the Mac mini? I see it has a stereo out, but am I able to extract 5.1/7.1 out of the HDMI?
 
Stupid_Newbie said:
Another question, what is the audio output capabilities of the Mac mini? I see it has a stereo out, but am I able to extract 5.1/7.1 out of the HDMI?
Click to expand...

I haven't checked the Mini, but I'm fairly sure the 3.5" mini-jack is also mini-toslink. It's annoying to buy cables for (since it's specialized) but they are available at amazon, and I believe monoprice.

Not sure about hdmi audio out. Probably, but worth looking into.

Edit: As I suspect, both are available. Took 30 seconds to check Apple's website, which provides all specs.
http://www.apple.com/macmini/specs.html
Apple Mac Mini Specs said:
Audio line out/headphone minijack (digital/analog)
HDMI port supports multichannel audio output
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
look for a quad core i7 Sandybridge, or hold out for the refresh with ivybridge. I like the Mini Servers cause they come with dual 500GB drives from the factory. Unlike having to do a custom option on the regular minis for dual drives. HD3000 vs the HD6630, either one will stream content at 1080p with no issue. I just think the quad core will help in the long run for multi-tasking (streaming, backup, downloading, updating etc)

its a powerful little computer. well worth the money IMO
 
Yeah, still not sure what audio comes out of the HDMI, can't find an answer other then multichannel.

I have just noticed the server isn't available at two if my retailers right now, so I'm gonna assume a refresh is near.
 
Stupid_Newbie said:
Yeah, still not sure what audio comes out of the HDMI, can't find an answer other then multichannel.

I have just noticed the server isn't available at two if my retailers right now, so I'm gonna assume a refresh is near.
Click to expand...

Well the current model is from July of last year. That being I'm not sure if the server version is generally sold by retailers.

I was waiting for the refresh myself as my mini was too old to run mountain lion. I gave in and just got myself a macbook pro 13 instead. For you though I'd try to hold out a bit longer for a refresh.
 
The server was sold at best buy/future shop (what I have locally). Now they are no longer listed, only the low and mid range ones. I don't need one, so I'll wait and see power consumption, as it will be a 24/7 machine.
 
luckily it's a relatively small power draw for the system. I've had three versions of the Mini (starting with the old G4) and have enjoyed it immensely. I even helped a friend embed the core solo build into his tacoma quite a few years ago.
 
Hey OP, a ssd would make the mac mini even faster. And I would get the server one.
 
Yeah didn't think I needed an ssd. It's strictly a iTunes library for my apple tvs in a 4x4 matrix, audio for whole house system, and to run add on software for my automation system. I'll still have the pig in my sig for browsing web (since I'm done with skyrim)
 
Yeah I just double checked. It doesn't show up in specs on Canadian site, but if I go into store it appears. I was just getting excited as the server has been pulled from some electronic stores I frequent.
 
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