Where to buy previous generation Mac Mini?

[eek]

Because virtual-RAM/swap-file is so much faster on SSD?

probably I didn't think about it that much...

[d000hg]

8 with an SSD is fine that's what my macbook pro is...

Because virtual-RAM/swap-file is so much faster on SSD?

[eek]

Have the Mini, now debating upgrades. If budget were no issue I would simply buy 16Gb RAM and a 512Gb SSD which would mean the built-in 1Tb spinny disk was virtually unneeded. But I can't decide if that's really justified and I should go 256Gb instead.

Thinking of buying an internal disk and an external enclosure/USB3 adapter in case I decide to mount it internally later.

But considering a 512Gb disk is virtually 2X the price of a 256Gb, I could just buy two smaller ones - or one smaller one now and a second if I need it; or more likely by that time a 512Gb will cost the same as a 256Gb now anyway.

Any suggestions? For general dev work and maybe using Parallels is 8Gb adequate or is 16 really worth the extra?

8 with an SSD is fine that's what my macbook pro is...

[d000hg]

Have the Mini, now debating upgrades. If budget were no issue I would simply buy 16Gb RAM and a 512Gb SSD which would mean the built-in 1Tb spinny disk was virtually unneeded. But I can't decide if that's really justified and I should go 256Gb instead.

Thinking of buying an internal disk and an external enclosure/USB3 adapter in case I decide to mount it internally later.

But considering a 512Gb disk is virtually 2X the price of a 256Gb, I could just buy two smaller ones - or one smaller one now and a second if I need it; or more likely by that time a 512Gb will cost the same as a 256Gb now anyway.

Any suggestions? For general dev work and maybe using Parallels is 8Gb adequate or is 16 really worth the extra?

[d000hg]

People might like to know that the new Mac Mini is no longer user upgradable. So buying a cheaper model and then swapping out the HDD and RAM is no longer an option, so I've been reading.

I'd wait for a proper tear-down before jumping to any rash decision. It's been suggested the RAM is only soldered on the cheaper model and I haven't seen this refuted or corroborated yet. Similarly, soldering the RAM doesn't mean you can't add a 2nd disk or replace the existing one.

Wait for iFixit (or monitor The Register for reviews).

[Platypus]

People might like to know that the new Mac Mini is no longer user upgradable. So buying a cheaper model and then swapping out the HDD and RAM is no longer an option, so I've been reading.

[stek]

Both VMware fusion and parallels run like crap on my fusion drive iMac under Yosemite, SSD only rMBP flies though...

[NickFitz]

Then to decide if I want to use Bootcamp or Parallels to run Windows, which is my primary OS - and whether to stick with W7 or update to 8.1 at the same time. No idea where a VM fits in the "files on SSD?" discussions... is your whole VM one large file?

I hate mucking about with these things, but I'm committed now

The VM is a folder containing several files but it has the "package" flag set so it appears as one file, can be moved around as if it were one file, and so forth. The reason there are several files lurking within is that there are various configuration files and application logs, as well as the humongous file containing the HDD image. In practice, you can regard it as one file.

As far as performance goes: when I got my SSD-based MacBook Air I copied across an existing XP VM from my old MacBook and fired it up. I was absolutely stunned by the speed at which it started up, and ran. I daresay it would be even faster using BootCamp to dual-boot, and if Windows is your main use for the machine then it's probably worth using that; but, if you're planning on getting Parallels anyway or can find a time-limited trial version, it may be worth trying it for a week or so and seeing if it meets your needs. Turn off the stuff like Coherence (which makes Windows apps run in their own individual Mac windows, rather than the whole VM running in just one) and go full-screen on Windows, for best performance. If you decide to move to Bootcamp, it'll be easy enough to copy your files from the VM - or you can set the VM up to keep your Windows files in a Mac folder, the easier to move them to the Bootcamp Windows later.

[d000hg]

Well, I've taken the plunge and got my mate at the Apple Store to buy a low-end quad-core i7 with staff discount. Then I'll whack some 3rd-party RAM in and maybe a SSD as a 2nd drive, or replace the drive entirely with a large SSD/Hybrid, depending on what works out most cost effective given that I don't need loads of storage (the 500Gb disk in my 5-year old desktop is still only half-full).

Then to decide if I want to use Bootcamp or Parallels to run Windows, which is my primary OS - and whether to stick with W7 or update to 8.1 at the same time. No idea where a VM fits in the "files on SSD?" discussions... is your whole VM one large file?

I hate mucking about with these things, but I'm committed now

[FiveTimes]

In fact now they list no refurbished Mac Minis at all - when I looked a few minutes ago they had an i5 version.

I think Apple is playing silly buggers, or people are snapping them up. £479 is a total bargain, I wish I could've got one

I would keep an eye on the refurb page - I've bought a couple of MBPs, ipad mini and a couple of ipod touches. you just have to get luck and drop on

[d000hg]

Refurbished Mac mini 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7
£479.00
Dispatched: Out of stock
Free Delivery

In fact now they list no refurbished Mac Minis at all - when I looked a few minutes ago they had an i5 version.

I think Apple is playing silly buggers, or people are snapping them up. £479 is a total bargain, I wish I could've got one

[FiveTimes]

Cheers, never saw that in the store before. Supply seems very limited though (if there was a quad-core one when you posted, there isn't now - people rushing to snap them up like me?) What happens to all the brand new ones available on the website until yesterday; do they offload them to 3rd-party sellers?

I also need to wait on a review to see about the upgradability. The previous generation not only had user-serviceable RAM but (rather surprisingly) had room to add a 2nd hard disk. When I looked at this before it was significantly cheaper to buy a low-spec model and a separate SSD plus some more RAM... in fact on CUK someone pointed me at a site who do this for you.

edit:

It looks very much available to me. I've added one to basket !

[d000hg]

Cheers, never saw that in the store before. Supply seems very limited though (if there was a quad-core one when you posted, there isn't now - people rushing to snap them up like me?) What happens to all the brand new ones available on the website until yesterday; do they offload them to 3rd-party sellers?

I also need to wait on a review to see about the upgradability. The previous generation not only had user-serviceable RAM but (rather surprisingly) had room to add a 2nd hard disk. When I looked at this before it was significantly cheaper to buy a low-spec model and a separate SSD plus some more RAM... in fact on CUK someone pointed me at a site who do this for you.

edit:

This looks like the company concerned. Pick the Mac mini section, if you already have one feed in the serial number, and off you go.

Mac Upgrades - Macintosh Upgrades in the UK

[FiveTimes]

certified refurb
Refurbished Mac mini 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 - Apple Store (UK)

[d000hg]

I've been waiting/hoping for Apple to release a new Mac Mini with upgraded spec for the same money, and now they have. But, they now don't offer a quad-core option AT ALL which was rather the thing I was after as a desktop replacement (they also killed Mac Mini Server edition).

You can immediately no longer buy the old models online; am I right to think the same is true in store? If so what do Apple do with all the stock they were selling yesterday and where can I buy one - is there scope for a good deal?