Seeking Mac Mini advice/suggestions

[Brazoo]

I've taken my old pro Mac to this place, the guys are awesome, and not expensive like other shops...

http://www.yelp.com/biz/easy-macintosh-support-oakland

The tech said my 2007 Mac reached its limit in terms of operating system, Lion. I mean, if it could be upgraded to Yosemite...I'd assume he would want me coming back for repairs and upgrades, lol. It also doesn't have an internal Bluetooth device...I had to get an external one. He did set up my Mac with two DVD drives, and has a 500 GB hard drive capacity (more can be added). It only has 2GB of ram though...so maybe just having Lion is okay...as long as I supe up the memory.

What you recommend me getting as far as RAM is concerned? I'm pretty ignorant of computers themselves. Can I install it myself? Should I back up my files? I don't have an external HD. Can you recommend one?

Also, I have a very old iMac, you know, the see through bubble graphite looking one. I have lots of downloaded photos that I'd love to retrieve, how would I go about transferring those to a newer computer?

So many questions I have to ask...

I really don't know the specifics of your machine to speak as an expert on it, and I wouldn't even consider myself an expert on my machine, so take what I'm saying with that in mind!!!

I'm guessing maybe your guy doesn't recommend the upgrade to Yosemite because you only have 2GB of RAM? I think Yosemite does use more than Lion. My 2008 Mac Pro has bluetooth, I'm not sure if it came this way or it was added by the previous owner.

The Mac Pro can hold up to 4 internal hard drives - and I'm pretty sure you can get 1T drives for roughly $120 right now. It's probably less in the USA because of the dollar exchange rate. Personally, I use Time Machine to back my whole system up once a week - it's super easy to set up.

Adding hard drives is also super easy on this tower, the bays are designed to slide in and out like cartridges. You just need to know how to use a screwdriver.

RAM is super easy too - and there's lots of videos like this:

Honestly, if I can do it ANYONE can. This Mac Pro is fantastically designed for easy hardware upgrades - and it's one of the reasons I love it.

[Brazoo]

Oh yeah, please ask a Mac Genius...

I'll get back to you when he's online!

[Brazoo]

Also, I have another very old iMac, older than my Mac Pro, you know, the see-through bubble graphite looking one. I have lots of downloaded photos that I'd love to retrieve, how would I go about transferring those to a newer computer?

This is the oldie I have in storage:

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcXkDFLlVzesAC7CKnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIyZjh2aXJjBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZAM3NmUyY2QwMWQ5MjBkYzVjZjVjM2Y4YmQ2N2NhOTFkMQRncG9zAzcEaXQDYmluZw--?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dgraphite%2Bimac%26fr%3Dipad%26fr2%3Dpiv-web%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D7&w=640&h=481&imgurl=c2.staticflickr.com%2F8%2F7230%2F6934720678_e5597ac3f8_z.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fflickr.com%2Fphotos%2Fdamianward%2F6934720678&size=161.6KB&name=%3Cb%3EGraphite%3C%2Fb%3E+G3+%3Cb%3EiMac%3C%2Fb%3E+DV&p=graphite+imac&oid=76e2cd01d920dc5cf5c3f8bd67ca91d1&fr2=piv-web&fr=ipad&tt=%3Cb%3EGraphite%3C%2Fb%3E+G3+%3Cb%3EiMac%3C%2Fb%3E+DV&b=0&ni=21&no=7&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=11em6d0te&sigb=132ful8qr&sigi=11mbmr9qm&sigt=111dbni67&sign=111dbni67&.crumb=EEbsjF3v2DW&fr=ipad&fr2=piv-web

So many questions I have to ask...

Hmmm...If the old iMac can't connect to your network there must be a way to connect it directly to another Mac with ethernet. My senile brain is remembering something called Apple Talk that might be helpful? Or maybe from there you need to just play with the Network or Share settings on both machines to make sure the iMac can share its files with the newer machine. Worse case, you can probably set up a dropbox on your old iMac and just transfer the files that way.

[Hector]

I sure appreciate all the info...I dig that provided video...awesome.

Mmm, I might be able to still save my old Mac after all...thanks to you.

I'll keep you updated.

[rche]

The imac has firewire on it, and I think the first generation of Mac pros had both FW 400 and FW 800 on them. You Should be able to connect the two together via firewire and then boot the imac up into target mode. This lets the Macpro see it as a hard drive. Then copy your files over. When done, eject the 'drive' from the Macpro, hold the power botton on the Imac until it shuts down, and disconnect the cable.

[Hector]

Awesome...I'll try that...much appreciated.

[Hector]

This seller just listed nice suped up 2012 Minis...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/applemac7/m.html?item=181817614872&hash=item2a552ca218&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

Apple Mac Mini QUAD CORE Intel i7 2.6 GHz 16GB ram 1TB 2 Hard Dr EXCELLENT SRVR.

Those specs will be more than enough for me to last a few years...

[drquest]

Yeah I'd go for a slightly older Mini and spend some extra on it by adding ram.

I have a 13" Macbook Pro, and I'm typing on my 13" Macbook Air(which I dearly love). Personally I'd probably go for an older maxed out Air and you can use your desktop stuff with it.

Grab one of these and you have the best of both....



https://www.twelvesouth.com/product/...or-macbook-air

[Hector]

Well, that one is sweet...but as I said...I have my iPad Air for portable browsing...and it's my go to GPS guidance. My Cinema Display would go great with a Mini.

If I get a MacBook Air...what about my Apple Cinema Display then?

[megoapesnut]

Could you provide the specs of those two Minis?

[drquest]

Well, that one is sweet...but as I said...I have my iPad Air for portable browsing...and it's my go to GPS guidance. My Cinema Display would go great with a Mini.

If I get a MacBook Air...what about my Apple Cinema Display then?

You would need one of these:

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MB...to-dvi-adapter

[Hector]

Thanks!

Now Im weighing my options, he, he...

[Hector]

Thanks, that helps me tremendously...

[Hector]

My colors of RAM chart was all yellow and red...not blue...my Mac Pro's 2GB just couldn't handle all the Adobe goodies I had acquired...

http://www.macworld.com/article/1049263/speedram.html

So I went ahead and got me four of these...for a total of 16GBs...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161158861217

My old Mac Pro will now have a total of 18GB of RAM...hopefully that will speed up things.

I'll keep you posted.

P.S. I almost bought a Mac Mini yesterday...but held off...hoping a lowly $60 gamble will do the trick.

Thanks guys!

[Hector]

One fact I did learn about my old 2007 Mac Pro...Lion is indeed the highest operation system I can go...but it's cool...as long as I can use my illustrator and Photoshop in peace, ha...