[ydl-gen] RFO: Mac Mini or G5 iMac

[Brian Wood]

Just my $0.02:

You didn't mention what version of MacOS you run under MOL, if it's OS-X 
you *definitely* want more than the stock 256MB. of RAM that the Mini 
comes with. Even running straight OS-X, 256MB. is insufficient. The 
problem with the Mini is that it has only one internal DIMM slot, so 
upgrading later means you must throw away the module already installed 
(unless you have another use for it), they are also not the easiest 
units in the world to get inside of (although compared to an iBook they 
are not too bad).

You are right about the 33-1/3 RPM hard drive being slow. I replaced a 
similar drive in my iBook with a 5400 RPM unit and the difference is 
quite noticeable.

In short, if you go with the Mini get all of your upgrades installed at 
initial purchase time if you can, this includes a SuperDrive if you're 
going to want one. With the possible exception of OS-X under MOL, the 
Mini is a very capable Linux box, IMHO.

I don't know much of anything about the G5 iMacs, I've been a bit 
surprised that the reviews I have seen show the eMac as being almost as 
fast, which I can't understand as the eMac is a G4.  Even though you 
already have a display the eMac might be a more cost-effective answer 
for you. You might also consider some of the used machines out there, a 
Blue and White Tower upgraded to a G4 with some fast drives and lots of 
RAM is a very viable machine IMHO, and is a lot more flexible in terms 
of video options, add-in cards, optical drives etc. than the iMac, eMac 
or Mini.

Ken Schweigert wrote:

>Request for Opinions:
>
>I'm in a situation where I can do a hardware upgrade.  I'm torn
>between either the Mac Mini and the new G5 iMacs.  This is for my work
>workstation.  Most of my work is spent ssh'ing in to various servers,
>do some coding, and surfing.  I do also have XMMS running in the
>background.  I also boot into MOL a few times a week.  So as you can
>see, my needs aren't that great.  The others in my office will be
>upgrading to G5s but will only be running OSX.  Since I need to
>dual-boot, I have to be a little more careful.
>
>I thought the Mac Mini was going to work out, since I have an Apple
>15" LCD, but I'm a little concerned about the hard disk speed being
>4200 RPMs and the sketchy sound support (I saw BenH has written a
>patch for it, though).
>
>Then the G5 iMac sounded good with having the G5, and all, and then I
>saw no MOL and loud as heck with the fan running.  Is support for the
>fan coming along?  Is it really *that* loud?
>
>I would image that eventually sound and fan support will be supported
>and a new version of MOL will be released, but is any of this in the
>works now?  Will it be a year before these features are available?
>
>Can anyone offer any opinions towards an upgrade?  Any other things I
>should consider?  If you have either of these systems, could you
>comment on how well you (dis)like them and what it's like to run linux
>on them?
>
>Thanks!
>-ken
>  
>