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Mac Hardware and Software |OT| - All things Macintosh
- Thread starter 3N16MA
- Start date
My Late 2006 iMac won't turn on after I left it on to backup files in route to work. This wouldn't be that bad if my 3 TB Seagate hard drive didn't die at the same time. I'm calling AppleCare in 30 minutes and trying to get help. I'm heading into a certified repair place to see what they can do. This is easily the worst 18 hour stretch of my life.
I'm looking at a Mac Mini to replace this. This includes 64-bit Mac Minis dating back to 2009. Any suggestions on what I should buy?
I'm looking at a Mac Mini to replace this. This includes 64-bit Mac Minis dating back to 2009. Any suggestions on what I should buy?
What are you using it for? I personally wouldn't suggest getting any older than the 2011, since that has a TB port and you can get discrete graphics on it. The 2012 versions will have USB3 at the cost of some graphics power.
Woot on the Mac Pro. My 16-month countdown until I can justify buying one starts now...
As for 4K, unless you're actually using/grading 4K footage I'm not sure why you would want one. Two 2K monitors are going to be cheaper and more efficient.
My friend got me this one, might be visually up your alley (I like that it's designed to sit on a desk so the ports are angled the way I'll use them.)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CIY0KUG/?tag=neogaf0e-20
EDIT: So OWC is already blasting Mac Pro upgrades:
So theoretically you can save roughly $500 by upgrading everything but the RAM and trading in your stock to max out via OWC, less than $200 for the 32GB. Assuming that their SSD costs are roughly the same for the Pro when they come out as the Pro/Air upgrades are, you won't save any money by going with third-party (though they claim their SSDs have faster read/writes.)
The non 4k ones mentioned here sound interesting, 3440x1440 at 29" and 34":
http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/17/lg-4k-ultra-widescreen-monitors/
killertofu
Member
So weird for them to offer a new Mac Pro but not a new Cinema Display
Made for tiny people? The key size and spacing is 100% standard, just like Apple's laptop keyboards. No difference to a normal desktop keyboard.
What I don't like about them are the scissor keys - I want mechanical or high-quality rubber domes - but because the latter aren't really available wireless, Apple's boards are some of the best wireless boards around.
I would guess they are waiting for 4K, and the components to make really solid 4K displays don't quite exist yet - in order to run at 60Hz, all existing 4K displays use some fiddly special Displayport mode that runs the display as if it was two displays.
That said, they should have price cut the 27" a long time ago.
Thanks for the links and multiple options. Looks like even if I got a shell for the Pegasus I'd still be blowing more money filling it with hard drives than Lacie's 16TB stocked option at present. Hopefully in a year things might have changed up a bit with the release of more TB2 peripherals, so that when I get my new Pro I can get a nice system to complement it. At least I know from work not to trust a Drobo.
Apple doesn't seem to do anything unless they can "do it right" by their own standards. (
Yes I know a lot of people may want to point out contradictions.
I am shocked that they haven't even bothered to put USB 3.0 into their current cinema display. I was forced to buy a Dell 27" because I didn't want to buy an Apple monitor with a USB 2.0 hub in it.
It must be a very low profit and very low priority area for them... Anyway they let you buy the 4K sharp 32" off their website.
I'm thinking about getting a Mac in a few months, but I've read that some can get pretty hot and make the hard-drive break after just 2 years. I don't know if this is true (probably not) but the thing is I live in a hot place and temperature issues are a big deal to me when buying electronics.
So my question is: which one runs cooler, a Macbook or an iMac? I like both and I would use it for basic stuff like watching videos and working on documents (not video editing or gaming). So which one do you think would run cooler for that stuff?
So my question is: which one runs cooler, a Macbook or an iMac? I like both and I would use it for basic stuff like watching videos and working on documents (not video editing or gaming). So which one do you think would run cooler for that stuff?
weekend_warrior
Banned
You don't have to worry about heat with either. Get what makes more sense for you- the laptop or desktop.
I have owned many many many Mac computers for over more than twenty years and I have never had heat problems like the ones you describe.
Mac's are very good at heat dissipation. That said you never want to use computers of any brand outside in the sweltering heat for too long.
Besides that if you buy a Mac you should always always buy AppleCare. It is the best computer insurance policy that I know about. It gives you three years of very few questions asked full service repairs at no additional cost to you including shipping in both directions if necessary. If anything goes wrong, as long as they can't prove that you for instance dunked your computer in the bathtub, then you are fully covered.
Yes, AppleCare is something I'm planning to get when I buy it. If I had to choose which one I like more it would probably be the iMac, so I think I'll get that.
One last question. Would the 5400 rpm hard-drive be good enough? I think I read somewhere that before the redesign they used 7200 rpm, but I'm not sure. As I said I'm going to do basic stuff with it so I'm not sure if I should pick the Fusion Drive or a SSD instead or not.
Thank you for your help
One last question. Would the 5400 rpm hard-drive be good enough? I think I read somewhere that before the redesign they used 7200 rpm, but I'm not sure. As I said I'm going to do basic stuff with it so I'm not sure if I should pick the Fusion Drive or a SSD instead or not.
Thank you for your help
Yes, AppleCare is something I'm planning to get when I buy it. If I had to choose which one I like more it would probably be the iMac, so I think I'll get that.
One last question. Would the 5400 rpm hard-drive be good enough? I think I read somewhere that before the redesign they used 7200 rpm, but I'm not sure. As I said I'm going to do basic stuff with it so I'm not sure if I should pick the Fusion Drive or a SSD instead or not.
Thank you for your help
I would personally never buy a new Mac computer if it did not have an SSD or a Fusion Drive. If you want a zippy computer and it is not outside your budget then you will dramatically notice the difference in speed. SSD's really make any computer much much faster than it would be without one. Booting from an HDD whatever the RPM is really a major bottleneck slowdown compared to an SSD. If your thinking about whether you should use a faster RPM drive you should really think about an an SSD or a Fusion Drive.
EDIT: here apple gives you the specs for the iMac: http://www.apple.com/imac/specs/
27" comes with a 7200 rpm
21.5 comes with a 5400 rpm
I second this. I have the 2012 iMac with a fusion drive, and I love it. it feels snappy most of the time.
I think you're confusing the battery's quick-charge--modern batteries are designed to get up to 80% capacity really quickly, and trickle-charge to full after that.
Generally speaking you don't want to leave your computer plugged into a wall all the timetry to fully discharge the battery every once in a while. Apple has recommendations and instructions on how to calibrate your battery here: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1490
If you aren't going to be using your computer (and hence, your battery) for an extended period of timeweeks or monthsdraw it down to about 50% and store it in a dry, room temperature area. Leaving a battery at full capacity for storage can damage its total capacity, while leaving a battery full discharged can result in it never taking a charge again.
Thanks.
Mr. Wonderful
Member
I'll give you a hint: Nobody has had image retention issues a month and a half (tops) into a screen's life.
QuickRes?
Bless.
Charrettizard
Member
I just bought a used USB SuperDrive off of Amazon, but I am pretty sure it's broken. I plug in the USB and nothing; the slot loader won't take a disk; and I don't even see the SuperDrive under devices in Finder. It's busted right?
And for those wondering: I have a 2012 MacBook Air.
And for those wondering: I have a 2012 MacBook Air.
Check different USB port.
Which computer do you have? Only certain macs will take the SuperDrive (which is stupid - why not allow any computer to use it?).
And yes I know it requires a high powered port to run - it's fine if an old mac can't use it because of this, but newer macs should have no excuse.
Interesting developments on the Mac Pro front
* Getting a Mac Pro is far cheaper than trying to build your own solution (though given the size constraints and the deep discount AMD is giving Apple and end users on the FirePros, that's not really that surprising): http://bgr.com/2013/12/26/mac-pro-windows-diy-cost/
* According to OWC, the CPU is a normal and thus upgradable socketed model.
So essentially the RAM, GPU, and CPU are all user-upgradeable for those with a screwdriver; it just remains to be seen if Apple will support CPU upgrades enough to make it feasible, and if anyone will put out the heatsink-less GPUs to actually offer an option. http://appleinsider.com/articles/13...-mac-pro-reveals-socketed-removable-intel-cpu
(Still seems odd looking at the thing that they couldn't fit another PCIe SSD on the same side where the current one isfrom a space standpoint looks like there's room for two.)
* Getting a Mac Pro is far cheaper than trying to build your own solution (though given the size constraints and the deep discount AMD is giving Apple and end users on the FirePros, that's not really that surprising): http://bgr.com/2013/12/26/mac-pro-windows-diy-cost/
* According to OWC, the CPU is a normal and thus upgradable socketed model.
So essentially the RAM, GPU, and CPU are all user-upgradeable for those with a screwdriver; it just remains to be seen if Apple will support CPU upgrades enough to make it feasible, and if anyone will put out the heatsink-less GPUs to actually offer an option. http://appleinsider.com/articles/13...-mac-pro-reveals-socketed-removable-intel-cpu
(Still seems odd looking at the thing that they couldn't fit another PCIe SSD on the same side where the current one isfrom a space standpoint looks like there's room for two.)
Anything Samsung, Kingston or Crucial. Get whatever you find cheapest in the capacity that you want (EVO is probably the best all around for the money)
Pretty much this. I've had good experiences with the EVOs as well (using a 256GB as my boot drive as we speak.)
Autumn Wind
Member
Replacing my 500 GB stock HDD for a 128 GB Samsung 470 back in 2011 was the best thing I could have ever done for it.
PaulExcellent
Member
Hey, guys. I'll be making the jump to an iMac tomorrow, but I'm not sure on which one to get! I'll be using it mostly for some basic Photoshop, Office, GarageBand, and some sketching programs. I was taking a look at the iMacs from 2012 and 2013, but there doesn't appear to be much difference. Can you guys help me out?
What's your budget? The best deals will be at the refurb store: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/imac
Resellers like OWC, Macmall etc. might also offer you better deals than the straight Apple refurbs.
As to answering my own question about the woes of Thunderbolt + USB3 hybrid DAS, I asked Lacie if they were planning on upgrading the 4big line to Thunderbolt and this was their answer:
So either he's mistaken or lying (since Pegasus' Thunderbolt says it can do RAID 5 with no mention of issues or downgrades in speed)?
Urgh. The Lacie 4big is still prolly my best cheap option, I'll just need an external Thunderbolt drive for my fast editing stuff as well.
As to answering my own question about the woes of Thunderbolt + USB3 hybrid DAS, I asked Lacie if they were planning on upgrading the 4big line to Thunderbolt and this was their answer:
So either he's mistaken or lying (since Pegasus' Thunderbolt says it can do RAID 5 with no mention of issues or downgrades in speed)?
Urgh. The Lacie 4big is still prolly my best cheap option, I'll just need an external Thunderbolt drive for my fast editing stuff as well.
CrudeDiatribe
Member
Does the LaCie offering rely on the Mac'a software RAID (which is 0, 1, or 10), while Pegasus doesn't?
PaulExcellent
Member
About $1400, but I'm planning to add Applecare to it, so... About $1200?
I'd go for this one then
Edit: As for why, compared to the 2013 model, it has a better graphics card and an SSD. I'm guessing the 2013 model has a better processor (maybe), and newer WiFi. But it's a desktop, so why are you going wireless (and if you don't have an ac router, you're not going to benefit), and SSD > processor
PaulExcellent
Member
I've been told that it needs to have Applecare, but still stay at around $1400. -_-
Sorry about that!
You don't need to buy Applecare immediately (you have a year to buy it, and it doesn't even kick in until that year is over), but if you must for some reason, I can't in good faith recommend any of the iMacs. A SSD is just vital in my opinion, especially since the 21 inch iMacs use a 5400 RPM hard drive.
bitoriginal
Member
Crossposting from another thread.
Okay GAF, I need help. I've got a macbook pro retina 15" late 2013 with 512gb ssd, 16g ram, and Nvidia 750m. I want to install windows via bootcamp so I can play some games, and hopefully DayZ.
I'm a mac newb, I know little to nothing about the operating system. Ideally I need someone to post links to a step by step guide/pm me about installing bootcamp. I'm in the UK btw.
1.) Where can I download a windows 7/8.1 ISO? I've tried searching the microsoft site but it's a clusterfuck that I'm struggling to get my head around. I'm currently using my old laptop on win7 and its giving me options to upgrade, but ideally I just want an ISO file I can put on a usb stick and use on my mac. I'm not averse to torrenting but I'm hesitant to download something I'm unsure about.
2.) Should I go for windows 7 or 8.1? I'm not really bothered either way, is one better/easier to install than the other?
3.) Do I need a legit windows key? If so, can I buy one cheaply through a site other than microsoft?
4.) I've got a 16gb USB stick. Will this do the job? Does it need to be formatted a certain way to work?
5.) Do I need anything else to get this process started? I know I can use bootcamp to download the drivers required.
Hopefully I got across the information I needed to, I'm fairly technically inept when it comes to this stuff.
Okay GAF, I need help. I've got a macbook pro retina 15" late 2013 with 512gb ssd, 16g ram, and Nvidia 750m. I want to install windows via bootcamp so I can play some games, and hopefully DayZ.
I'm a mac newb, I know little to nothing about the operating system. Ideally I need someone to post links to a step by step guide/pm me about installing bootcamp. I'm in the UK btw.
1.) Where can I download a windows 7/8.1 ISO? I've tried searching the microsoft site but it's a clusterfuck that I'm struggling to get my head around. I'm currently using my old laptop on win7 and its giving me options to upgrade, but ideally I just want an ISO file I can put on a usb stick and use on my mac. I'm not averse to torrenting but I'm hesitant to download something I'm unsure about.
2.) Should I go for windows 7 or 8.1? I'm not really bothered either way, is one better/easier to install than the other?
3.) Do I need a legit windows key? If so, can I buy one cheaply through a site other than microsoft?
4.) I've got a 16gb USB stick. Will this do the job? Does it need to be formatted a certain way to work?
5.) Do I need anything else to get this process started? I know I can use bootcamp to download the drivers required.
Hopefully I got across the information I needed to, I'm fairly technically inept when it comes to this stuff.
The Real Abed
Perma-Junior
I would be interested in this information as well.
But I will say you only need an 8GB stick at minimum. The total files will fit fine in just over 4GB or so. (I think you need more than 4 though. But much less than 8.)
I'd love to know the easiest way to purchase a copy of Windows 7 and get it onto a stick. Or if it could come on a stick already it'd be awesome. I'm so spoiled by Apple's brilliantly simple way of upgrading or installing their OS. Microsoft is so behind. Still needing a DVD drive, even just to get the OS installer onto a USB stick is silly. Can you not purchase it already on a stick?
But I will say you only need an 8GB stick at minimum. The total files will fit fine in just over 4GB or so. (I think you need more than 4 though. But much less than 8.)
I'd love to know the easiest way to purchase a copy of Windows 7 and get it onto a stick. Or if it could come on a stick already it'd be awesome. I'm so spoiled by Apple's brilliantly simple way of upgrading or installing their OS. Microsoft is so behind. Still needing a DVD drive, even just to get the OS installer onto a USB stick is silly. Can you not purchase it already on a stick?
That's the only explanation I can think of that makes sense, yeah. Shot him an email asking for clarification in that regard.
Plopped down my order either way. Since it's long-term storage and backup I really shouldn't be complaining about USB3 speeds anyhow. Now I just have to consolidate my loose 4-5TB over eight or nine HDDs. Wheee.
PaulExcellent
Member
Nope! That sounds swell, and I'll be picking up the one you recommended later on today.
Thanks for the tip! Really appreciated!
The Real Abed
Perma-Junior
TLD 2013 Mac Pro unboxing and impressions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqR1RhkNY50