Category: Geeks r Us
Could a mac mini be used kind of like a portable desktop? I.E. take it, a usb keyboard, the power cable, and a set of earphones, and use it anywhere you go? Or would it be better to just get a mac book?
I think it requires an outlet like any other desktop. So even if the form is a mini tower, it wouldn't really be as portable as a laptop, not the least of which is because of it's weight. But I suppose if you were moving, say from a house to an apartment or dorm, it would make sense to have something that small. Otherwise, I'd say just get a Macbook.
it really does depend, because the macBook can't last forever on it's battery depending on what you're doing. if you know you'll be near a power outlet a lot then i'd say the mini would work well, if you don't think that's the case the MacBook is better.
I'm short on finances, and I'm not looking for something in the car or a bus, just in various buildings. So far, the mini seems like it'd work.
In that case, better to get a Hacintosh or a cheap Windows machine. I got my IBM Thinkpad X32 for $284, including the power cord and a fully working battery. EBay has some excellent computers if you know where to look. *smile*
guys...using mac mini without a moniter is a contenscious issue, I've heard it results in serious voice over slowdowns. check this out, especially on the web, before purchase
i think one of the people who does podcasts on the mac for blindCoolTech doesn't have a monitor for his mini, and he doesn't have problems
I read somewhere - though can't authenticate so do your research - that the sluggishness problem was unique to older Mac Minis. Of course you'll want to check this out.
It sure doesn't work with windows because I had a computer that I used without a monitor. It wasn't great for a computer, so I took it apart. There was no problem without a monitor, however.
I use my XP desktop without a monitor and have never had a problem with it.
That's windows. Post six, can you please elaborate and tell us why using a Mac Mini without a monitor would be a problem? I've heard this too.
It was only a problem on older mac min computers. I've got two of them that I've done extensive work with the first one had an older intel chipset, and often resulted in voice over reporting busy when a monitor was not connected. However by simpley connecting a DVI adapter it seemed to make the machine think something was connected. I have worked with a much newer Mini where this was never an issue with or without a monitor or adapter.