Comments on: My New Mac: Why I’m Downgrading from a Mac Pro to a Mac mini http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/ Writings about more than just Macs, by Kirk McElhearn Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:06:22 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: frailer http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-985 frailer Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:54:31 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-985 Just caught your Mini discussion on Tech Night Owl Radio. Coincidentally, just bought a 2.0 core duo Mini for home, to replace aging PC, (son's hand-me-down, of course); from Apple Refurb.(Australia). 320GB/2GB. I use a PPC tower at work for prepress, am soldiering on with it, as long as they make me. On displays, I had my derriere burned 2 years ago, purchasing for work. I have boned up in the meantime. Glossy displays look "good", but over-saturate colors, (espec. for prepress work). My preferred "affordable" currently is, of all things, a DELL. It's the new e-IPS panel technology, 16.7mill cols/true 8-bit. Model is 2209WA. Worth a look for anyone thinking about purchasing. thanks for your site, Kirk. Now bookmarked. Oh, and the Java vulnerability, thanks again for the reminder! Just caught your Mini discussion on Tech Night Owl Radio. Coincidentally, just bought a 2.0 core duo Mini for home, to replace aging PC, (son’s hand-me-down, of course); from Apple Refurb.(Australia). 320GB/2GB. I use a PPC tower at work for prepress, am soldiering on with it, as long as they make me.
On displays, I had my derriere burned 2 years ago, purchasing for work. I have boned up in the meantime. Glossy displays look “good”, but over-saturate colors, (espec. for prepress work).
My preferred “affordable” currently is, of all things, a DELL. It’s the new e-IPS panel technology, 16.7mill cols/true 8-bit. Model is 2209WA. Worth a look for anyone thinking about purchasing.
thanks for your site, Kirk. Now bookmarked.
Oh, and the Java vulnerability, thanks again for the reminder!

]]> By: idou747 http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-979 idou747 Fri, 29 May 2009 14:04:28 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-979 I've got a super-glossy new MBP, and I've never seen any reflection. Especially these new ones are so bright they drown out any reflection. The only time I see a reflection is when it is turned off. I’ve got a super-glossy new MBP, and I’ve never seen any reflection. Especially these new ones are so bright they drown out any reflection. The only time I see a reflection is when it is turned off.

]]> By: spinoza http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-978 spinoza Fri, 29 May 2009 13:34:37 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-978 If I had a choice I would go with a glossy display, no question. I recently was able to compare two Macs side-by-side, one with a glossy display and the other matte. The differences in brightness and contrast were striking, with the glossy I could read text without my glasses, which was not the case with the matte display. I can see why Apple has gone with glossy displays on their computers, they're so much sharper and crisper than the older matte displays, which seem like impressionistic paintings in comparison. I like my older 23" Cinema Display, but I would replace it with the new LED display in a heartbeat if I could afford it. And with the glossy displays I don't have the problem with glare that others seem to be having, it seems pretty easy for me to control it by adjusting the lighting and angle. If I had a choice I would go with a glossy display, no question. I recently was able to compare two Macs side-by-side, one with a glossy display and the other matte. The differences in brightness and contrast were striking, with the glossy I could read text without my glasses, which was not the case with the matte display.

I can see why Apple has gone with glossy displays on their computers, they’re so much sharper and crisper than the older matte displays, which seem like impressionistic paintings in comparison. I like my older 23″ Cinema Display, but I would replace it with the new LED display in a heartbeat if I could afford it.

And with the glossy displays I don’t have the problem with glare that others seem to be having, it seems pretty easy for me to control it by adjusting the lighting and angle.

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-977 kirk Fri, 29 May 2009 13:24:34 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-977 I've got a Dell 24", which I wrote about <a href="http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=330" rel="nofollow">here</a>. I’ve got a Dell 24″, which I wrote about here.

]]> By: Terence Ollerhead http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-976 Terence Ollerhead Fri, 29 May 2009 11:56:13 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-976 Thank you Kirk. I'll go with 160! As for the ontopic post, I feel the same about those monitors which reflect me all day. What monitor do you use? As far as I can see, Apple doesn't have anymore a non-reflecting display. Thank you Kirk. I’ll go with 160!

As for the ontopic post, I feel the same about those monitors which reflect me all day. What monitor do you use? As far as I can see, Apple doesn’t have anymore a non-reflecting display.

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-975 kirk Fri, 29 May 2009 07:57:13 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-975 Well, that's slightly off-topic, but here's what I did. Many years ago, I ripped some music at different bit rates and did some blind tests. I found I could pretty easily tell the difference between originals and files at 96 kbps, and sometimes 128, but not 160. So, since then, I've ripped everything at 160. I suggest you do the same: do a test, and if you find that a higher bit rate suits you, use that. I recently did a test with a group of classical music reviewers, with "discriminating ears" and high-end equipment. They couldn't tell the difference between originals and 128 kbps files or anything in between... Well, that’s slightly off-topic, but here’s what I did. Many years ago, I ripped some music at different bit rates and did some blind tests. I found I could pretty easily tell the difference between originals and files at 96 kbps, and sometimes 128, but not 160. So, since then, I’ve ripped everything at 160. I suggest you do the same: do a test, and if you find that a higher bit rate suits you, use that.

I recently did a test with a group of classical music reviewers, with “discriminating ears” and high-end equipment. They couldn’t tell the difference between originals and 128 kbps files or anything in between…

]]> By: Terence Ollerhead http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-973 Terence Ollerhead Thu, 28 May 2009 22:55:44 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-973 Hello I have a classical CD collection of about 1500 CDs. I'd like to transfer a lot of them to my new IPod, but haven't a clue how to get the best quality: I have a fairly discriminating set of ears! I have also been looking into a Brennan(co.uk) system, essentially a hard-drive set up, but don't know if I should use Lossless, 192, etc. All Greek to me! I'm a charter Apple user, compliments of my university in the early 1980s and haven't switched. I'm just now, though, exploring the way to use my music on Apple equipment. Thank you. Hello

I have a classical CD collection of about 1500 CDs. I’d like to transfer a lot of them to my new IPod, but haven’t a clue how to get the best quality: I have a fairly discriminating set of ears! I have also been looking into a Brennan(co.uk) system, essentially a hard-drive set up, but don’t know if I should use Lossless, 192, etc. All Greek to me!

I’m a charter Apple user, compliments of my university in the early 1980s and haven’t switched. I’m just now, though, exploring the way to use my music on Apple equipment. Thank you.

]]> By: heimi http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-972 heimi Thu, 28 May 2009 09:15:12 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-972 You may found cheaper SSD, but the OCZ Vertex is close to the Intel SSD and most of the cheaper models are way slower. There was a good article on the speed of SSDs in one of the last c't (german computer magazine). The OCZ and one Samsung model are the only one's that can up the speed of the Intel SSD's. You may found cheaper SSD, but the OCZ Vertex is close to the Intel SSD and most of the cheaper models are way slower. There was a good article on the speed of SSDs in one of the last c’t (german computer magazine). The OCZ and one Samsung model are the only one’s that can up the speed of the Intel SSD’s.

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-971 kirk Thu, 28 May 2009 08:30:07 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-971 I've thought of the SSD; I have one in my MacBook Air, and it's a delight. I've found them even cheaper than the price you mention. While I'm hesitant to crack open the mini, it's something I may eventually do. As for cases, I get mine from a French reseller who has a few fanless models; all me externals have been fanless for years now. I’ve thought of the SSD; I have one in my MacBook Air, and it’s a delight. I’ve found them even cheaper than the price you mention. While I’m hesitant to crack open the mini, it’s something I may eventually do.

As for cases, I get mine from a French reseller who has a few fanless models; all me externals have been fanless for years now.

]]> By: heimi http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-970 heimi Wed, 27 May 2009 20:08:49 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-970 If speed matters, I would suggest to upgrade the Mac Mini with a OCZ Vertex SSD. Then you can see a Mac in flight mode ;-) When you store your mass data on external HDDs, you can choose a 120GB SSD which is affordable (round 350 EUR). As external Cases for your HDD I would suugest the RaidSonic Icy Dock (http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a251586.html). It's a fanless one. I use one on my desk and with a silent HDD you have virtually no noise. If speed matters, I would suggest to upgrade the Mac Mini with a OCZ Vertex SSD. Then you can see a Mac in flight mode ;-)
When you store your mass data on external HDDs, you can choose a 120GB SSD which is affordable (round 350 EUR).

As external Cases for your HDD I would suugest the RaidSonic Icy Dock (http://geizhals.at/deutschland/a251586.html). It’s a fanless one. I use one on my desk and with a silent HDD you have virtually no noise.

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-969 kirk Wed, 27 May 2009 14:15:05 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-969 My enclosures don't have fans. My enclosures don’t have fans.

]]> By: idou747 http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-968 idou747 Wed, 27 May 2009 14:11:18 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-968 Well a Drobo shouldn't be any noisier than any enclosure with a fan. You can stick in a drawer or if really bothers you get a Droboshare and put it in another room. I think one site was throwing those in for free when you get a Drobo. The gigabit ethernet interface is the fastest anyway. Or if you wanted to go the whole hog a DroboPro natively can connect via ethernet, with or without a router in the middle. Well a Drobo shouldn’t be any noisier than any enclosure with a fan. You can stick in a drawer or if really bothers you get a Droboshare and put it in another room. I think one site was throwing those in for free when you get a Drobo. The gigabit ethernet interface is the fastest anyway. Or if you wanted to go the whole hog a DroboPro natively can connect via ethernet, with or without a router in the middle.

]]> By: Don http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-967 Don Wed, 27 May 2009 08:49:24 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-967 The biggest concern for me was the tender connection of the FireWire cable in the external drive. Carelessly flipping the light switch on a cable that was lightly touching the FW cable cut the connection and unsaved work was perdu... Not something you'd want to happen at night, when loud swearing is not an option ;) The biggest concern for me was the tender connection of the FireWire cable in the external drive.
Carelessly flipping the light switch on a cable that was lightly touching the FW cable cut the connection and unsaved work was perdu…
Not something you’d want to happen at night, when loud swearing is not an option ;)

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-966 kirk Wed, 27 May 2009 08:42:49 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-966 Dan Frakes, in his Macworld article, says that performance is slightly better using an external 7200 RPM drive instead of the internal. Frankly, I'm not convinced; I tend to agree that it's a pain, but I have often booted from external drives, when needing to work on an untweaked system, for example, or when writing about new pre-release versions of Mac OS X. It's no real problem for me. Dan Frakes, in his Macworld article, says that performance is slightly better using an external 7200 RPM drive instead of the internal. Frankly, I’m not convinced; I tend to agree that it’s a pain, but I have often booted from external drives, when needing to work on an untweaked system, for example, or when writing about new pre-release versions of Mac OS X. It’s no real problem for me.

]]> By: Don http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/05/26/my-new-mac-why-i-downgraded-from-a-mac-pro-to-a-mac-mini/#comment-965 Don Wed, 27 May 2009 08:39:53 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=627#comment-965 Kirk, I've had to boot my system from an external 7200rpm-1TB-drive before when my MBP was in repair and it's no fun. Wouldn't the internal drive always be faster due to the limitations of a FireWire interface? Also: Thanks for the insight! Downgrading CAN be the logical choice... Cheers, D. Kirk,

I’ve had to boot my system from an external 7200rpm-1TB-drive before when my MBP was in repair and it’s no fun.

Wouldn’t the internal drive always be faster due to the limitations of a FireWire interface?

Also: Thanks for the insight! Downgrading CAN be the logical choice…

Cheers,
D.

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