03-03-2010, 04:34 PM
I'm replacing a 2006 1.66GHz mini with a new 2.53GHz model - with Apple's pricing on these it actually makes some sense to allow them to bump up the RAM and HD rather than do the upgrades myself. Plus, the current mini will be sold to offset the cost of the new one so that makes the whole upgrade all the more attractive.
Would I see much of a performance increase by getting the stock 320GB 5400RPM drive and replacing it with a 500GB 7200RPM drive? Is there a downside to using the faster drive in a mini? Apple wants $90 to upgrade the 320 to a 500GB 5400RPM drive and for about that I know I can get a 500GB 7200RPM drive and then have the 320 to sell, reuse, whatever. But then there's the labor involved in tearing apart a new mini...
The mini is used for basic tasks, but the user routinely has a dozen or more apps open - Eudora, Google Earth, iTunes, iPhoto, Safari, Word, Preview, Excel, Powerpoint, iChat, Skype, iCal, Skitch and a bajillion windows (mostly email). iPhoto is probably the most taxing app, as they have about 20,000 photos, many in RAW format, and the Library is approaching 200GB.
The current mini is attached to a 500GB ministack, which is being used as its primary drive but I'd rather bring all of the storage into the mini at this point.
What say you - should I just go with Apple's 500GB 5400RPM drive and be done with it? Thanks!
Would I see much of a performance increase by getting the stock 320GB 5400RPM drive and replacing it with a 500GB 7200RPM drive? Is there a downside to using the faster drive in a mini? Apple wants $90 to upgrade the 320 to a 500GB 5400RPM drive and for about that I know I can get a 500GB 7200RPM drive and then have the 320 to sell, reuse, whatever. But then there's the labor involved in tearing apart a new mini...
The mini is used for basic tasks, but the user routinely has a dozen or more apps open - Eudora, Google Earth, iTunes, iPhoto, Safari, Word, Preview, Excel, Powerpoint, iChat, Skype, iCal, Skitch and a bajillion windows (mostly email). iPhoto is probably the most taxing app, as they have about 20,000 photos, many in RAW format, and the Library is approaching 200GB.
The current mini is attached to a 500GB ministack, which is being used as its primary drive but I'd rather bring all of the storage into the mini at this point.
What say you - should I just go with Apple's 500GB 5400RPM drive and be done with it? Thanks!