When a Mini is not enough and a Pro is too much...

[Zoidberg]

I have never had an issue that I can recall with buying Apple refurbs. Up until a few years ago, I think most of my Macs were purchased-from-Apple refurbs. I wouldn't get one from BestBuy or the like (as per MrNoBody, above).

[jdc]

Current minis internal drive replacement is detailed, but not that difficult. Nothing like previous minis with the putty knife.

You are forgetting about USB 3, or maybe just not realizing its potential. An internal SSD would probably be the fastest option, but running a SSD external via USB 3 is also very, very fast. Near internal SSD speed. Running a SSD inside something clean like OWCs mini stack would keep the small mini form factor plus give you all the benefits of a SSD.

See this: http://barefeats.com/hard168.html

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/...2012_hd_m/

[kj4btkljv]

Here's a possible twist...

Since there's no more optical drive in the Mac Mini, they don't necessarily need to keep the current form factor. Think iMac G4 lamp base shaped computers, or a short squat little cylinder, etc.

I'm not saying Apple is gonna do it, but now they actually could.

Jeff

[mrlynn]

kj4btkljv wrote:
Here's a possible twist...

Since there's no more optical drive in the Mac Mini, they don't necessarily need to keep the current form factor. Think iMac G4 lamp base shaped computers, or a short squat little cylinder, etc.

I'm not saying Apple is gonna do it, but now they actually could.

Jeff

Or even make it a small tower with easily-accessible/replaceable components, plus slots for additional drives and PCI cards?

One reason I stayed away from the Mini was that it was essentially an headless laptop: small, cramped, with slow laptop drives. I bought an iMac instead; theoretically more robust components (true?), but probably even more inaccessible.

/Mr Lynn

[GuyGene]

mrlynn wrote:
[quote=kj4btkljv]
Here's a possible twist...

Since there's no more optical drive in the Mac Mini, they don't necessarily need to keep the current form factor. Think iMac G4 lamp base shaped computers, or a short squat little cylinder, etc.

I'm not saying Apple is gonna do it, but now they actually could.

Jeff

Or even make it a small tower with easily-accessible/replaceable components, plus slots for additional drives and PCI cards?

One reason I stayed away from the Mini was that it was essentially an headless laptop: small, cramped, with slow laptop drives. I bought an iMac instead; theoretically more robust components (true?), but probably even more inaccessible.

/Mr Lynn
Mr, that's kind of the way I am about a mini. Seems like a laptop without monitor. I think there's a big gap between the mini and Mac Pro for desktop. iMac to me is totally different since it's all in one, which I've never liked. I don't know why, just me. But, I am a cash paying long time, bought MANY Macs customer.

[kj4btkljv]

mrlynn wrote:
Or even make it a small tower with easily-accessible/replaceable components, plus slots for additional drives and PCI cards?

These days, what are PCI cards needed for? I'm serious...

Jeff

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Catzilla wrote:
I have found "open box" 27" i7 iMacs (current model) for around $1800 delivered. I have no problem with open box or refurb, none of my macs for the last 10 years or so have been "new" The only thing I will miss on an iMac is FW, but I can get an adapter. Any thoughts?

Apple has the same in the refurb section of its website for perhaps just a few dollars more than the amount cited above. It's definitely worth paying a few dollars more for an Apple-refurbished model. i5 models are available for less.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/sp...ac/imac/27
http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0MS4L...el-core-i7

[MrNoBody]

kj4btkljv wrote:
[quote=mrlynn]
Or even make it a small tower with easily-accessible/replaceable components, plus slots for additional drives and PCI cards?

These days, what are PCI cards needed for? I'm serious...

Jeff
I'll guess mrlynn meant to state "PCI-e" cards.
Good for adding USB3 on older mobos, FW, more SATA-III ports, etc.

[mrlynn]

MrNoBody wrote:
I'll guess mrlynn meant to state "PCI-e" cards.
Good for adding USB3 on older mobos, FW, more SATA-III ports, etc.

I guess so, if plain ol' PCI cards are now obsolete. I remember having to buy a new PC to run a Mainpine IQ Express fax modem because all my office PCs had only PCI slots, and it was a PCI-e card.

Not that I need such accessories now, but you never know. I guess with the entire Mac line you'd have to buy some kind of external PCI-e adapter in order to use a card, even with the new Mac Pro.

/Mr Lynn

[N-OS X-tasy!]

mrlynn wrote:
I remember...

Expanded vs. extended memory, anyone?