Need your thoughts/advice/help! re: MacMini!

[Code3_NB]

Ok - Here is the deal -

All i have to say is 'Yes' and a brand new MacMini (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=Macmini&siteID=ukRUajDh%2AKU-gyw4de0HPqjg9ruXjAMtIg) is mine. :eek:

I have a few concerns. I have been a Windows user for 10 years, along with my family. I mainly use my computer for my photography hobby/photoshop, internet surfing, (I also have AOL) and any internet classes i take. ( I also have a 40G iPod) Oh, and i also watch movies/DVD's since my monitor is 10x better than my television. ;)

If i get this new toy, i will cut myself off from any programs we use at the house. This makes me a little nervous. I don't know if Adobe Photoshop is comparable to Mac p/s. And i can't afford to go buy a Mac p/s for hundreds of dollars.

I also used Dreamweaver to build my webpage. How will changing to a Mac affect this?

I have a beautiful flat panel monitor that i am in love with - and i need to see if that is compatible too. :eek:

Can anyone offer me any added negatives to switching to Mac or things that i should watch for?
(positives are OK too :p )

TIA for any help!

[lostntainted]

Ok - Here is the deal -

All i have to say is 'Yes' and a brand new MacMini (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?family=Macmini&siteID=ukRUajDh%2AKU-gyw4de0HPqjg9ruXjAMtIg) is mine. :eek:

I have a few concerns. I have been a Windows user for 10 years, along with my family. I mainly use my computer for my photography hobby/photoshop, internet surfing, (I also have AOL) and any internet classes i take. ( I also have a 40G iPod) Oh, and i also watch movies/DVD's since my monitor is 10x better than my television. ;)

If i get this new toy, i will cut myself off from any programs we use at the house. This makes me a little nervous. I don't know if Adobe Photoshop is comparable to Mac p/s. And i can't afford to go buy a Mac p/s for hundreds of dollars.

I also used Dreamweaver to build my webpage. How will changing to a Mac affect this?

I have a beautiful flat panel monitor that i am in love with - and i need to see if that is compatible too. :eek:

Can anyone offer me any added negatives to switching to Mac or things that i should watch for?
(positives are OK too :p )

TIA for any help!




i don't know much about your situation aside from the fact that any graphic design school i have ever considered ALWAYS used mac computers... when it comes to this area of expertise they top the market.... sorry i can't be of much help :)

[Code3_NB]

That's ok! Yeah, that's what i keep hearing as well. I'm just nervous about making the change and don't know what it may involve. Or if it's even worth it.

I am learning i will have to purchase a keyboard and mouse - it doesn't come with the Mini. That's not so bad - but little things add up.

[madajb]

Umm..if you don't want it, I'll take it. =)

But to answer your question:

Dreamweaver is available on the Mac, and operates mostly the same.
Photoshop - same thing.
Web is mostly the same across platforms.

In general, you don't appear to do anything that really locks you into the platform, so switching shouldn't be a huge deal.
Remember though, that Macs "think different", so if you aren't computer-savvy, or at least have someone to show you the ropes, it can be more trouble than it's worth to switch.

[mitssn]

What if you want to add something--no room for expansion AT ALL

[Code3_NB]

From what i read, i can expand to 1GB. (which isn't much, i know) But, i have a 40GB ipod. I'll never use all the space... and wouldn't that count as a portable, external hard drive that will hook right up to it Mitssn?

Alan- thanks! What a relief to know that p/s and dreamweaver works the same.
I consider myself somewhat computer literate. I can figure things out if i play with it.


:)

[Code3_NB]

Wait... what do you mean by expansion? I was thinking memory.. :confused:

[ncttrnl]

I use the applications you've mentiond on both PC and mac. They are the same. They keyboard shortcuts may be a little different but they are basically the same exact thing and both Macromedia and Adobe are very good about keeping their Mac users happy.

I would say go for it.

Expansion isn't the selling point of a 500 dollar machine. Computers are now becoming a commodity. They are cheap and easily accessible and in a few years you throw them out and get a new one. All the upgrade expansion stuff is really going the way of the Dodo for the typical user.

[Code3_NB]

Gotcha!

Question - i can't find the answer to this...
How does it keep cool?? I am hearing there is no fan - is that right? I sometimes leave my computer running for a day or two - :eek: I'm thinking if this thing doesn't have a fan, i don't want to burn it up - lol

[madajb]

What if you want to add something--no room for expansion AT ALL

Eh?
You can add memory. You can add wireless. You can add a TV tuner.
It's got firewire for external stuff.
What more do you need?

-ajb

[madajb]

Gotcha!

Question - i can't find the answer to this...
How does it keep cool?? I am hearing there is no fan - is that right? I sometimes leave my computer running for a day or two - :eek: I'm thinking if this thing doesn't have a fan, i don't want to burn it up - lol

It'll go into powersaving mode. You really don't need to worry about that.
-ajb

[Code3_NB]

Sweet! Ok - i'm thinking this is going to be a really good thing :tup:

[creanium]

I was pretty leery about going to the mac side myself. Got a new Powerbook G4 as my work computer 2 months ago. Took me about a month to get fully comfortable with it and now I love it.

I never thought I would see the day I actually admit to loving a mac.

[madajb]

I never thought I would see the day I actually admit to loving a mac.
It's the first step out of the closet...now go buy yourself some hair product and a CD of Steisand tunes...
=)
-ajb

[Code3_NB]

lol Well, truth be known - i said that if/when i do get it, i can't tell anyone i know because i don't want to be known as the typical elitist mac owner! lol

I really don't give a crap if my computer matches my 'decor'. And i don't need to advertise to the world by putting a little apple sticker on my car. I mean, really. lol

You know what kind of people i'm talking about... they just put a bad taste in my mouth.

[Code3_NB]

It's the first step out of the closet...now go buy yourself some hair product and a CD of Steisand tunes...
=)
-ajb

LOL Oh no!! Ok - what i'll do is get the Mini and hide it in my PC tower... ;)

[madajb]

LOL Oh no!! Ok - what i'll do is get the Mini and hide it in my PC tower... ;)
No, no, it's ok for women to do girlie things like own Macs, it's only when guys do it that you have to wonder..
-ajb

[SYNYSTAGLI]

I have a beautiful flat panel monitor that i am in love with - and i need to see if that is compatible too. :eek:






Connect. Plug. Play.
Mac mini works with both Mac and PC-compatible peripherals, so it’s easy to upgrade from an older Mac or PC system. Simply connect your USB mouse and keyboard, then hook up your DVI or VGA display (adapter included). Next, plug in, turn on and say hello to Mac OS X, the world’s most advanced operating system.

Sounds like that Flat Panel will work just fine :D

[ncttrnl]

lol Well, truth be known - i said that if/when i do get it, i can't tell anyone i know because i don't want to be known as the typical elitist mac owner! lol

I really don't give a crap if my computer matches my 'decor'. And i don't need to advertise to the world by putting a little apple sticker on my car. I mean, really. lol

You know what kind of people i'm talking about... they just put a bad taste in my mouth.



So I guess thats a shot at me for buying a powerbook because it matched my car?

[Alan_One]

Connect. Plug. Play.
Mac mini works with both Mac and PC-compatible peripherals, so it’s easy to upgrade from an older Mac or PC system. Simply connect your USB mouse and keyboard, then hook up your DVI or VGA display (adapter included). Next, plug in, turn on and say hello to Mac OS X, the world’s most advanced operating system.

Sounds like that Flat Panel will work just fine :D

I can't believe my eyes.

2Fitty-gitty pimpin the mac?

what next?

[Code3_NB]

So I guess thats a shot at me for buying a powerbook because it matched my car?

Say it aint so! :D

lol Nah.. i have never noticed that 'better than thou' attitude from you. You are an all around cool guy. :p I used to be a member of another site were that elitistism i mentioned was the problem. It was about who had the most money and best toys - that made them 'better' people. :tdown:


Sounds like that Flat Panel will work just fine
:D :D :tup: :tup: I thought so.. but i wasn't positive. :o