Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with Mini

The processor cost of upgrading

WhackyparseThis — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 06:21:49 -0800

Upgrading from OS X 10.4 to 10.6: Does it use more CPU? I have a Mac Mini 1.66GHz that suffers from overheating problems when placed under stress. I'm looking at upgrading for the extra utilities such as Time Machine and Quicktime Pro, but i am concerned that a newer OS may place more pressure on my weakened computer. Does 10.6 run the computer harder than 10.4?

Dell Mini 10v Just Showed Up--How to Protect it?

mixer — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:42:28 -0800

I just got a new Dell Mini 10v. I need some advice on programs--for security and to fight viruses! First thing, this is for my gf, who doesn't know anything about computers. I want to download all the good stuff for her. What security/firewall programs are good? I prefer the free stuff, mind you!

(I am a Mac OS guy. If I were to keep the compu, it would definitely be a hackintosh, but, alas, it's for her! So fill me in on how to protect this cool little thing.)
Thanks!

Fixing a netbook's corrupt registry sans optical drive?

Teira — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 03:50:25 -0800

How exactly does one go about fixing a corrupt XP registry or reinstalling XP on a device with no optical drive? Okay, so out of the blue with no problems earlier, I start up my netbook (dell mini 10v) and find myself confronted with the lovely missing/corrupted system file error. Now I realize this is going to require some effort with a boot CD, but serendipitously, this laptop has no drive. Now I figure I have three options here for self repair, and I would love to be corrected on these

1) Hopefully there's some way to use my desktop to load the netbook as a target drive, much like holding T at startup on a mac, and fixing things up that way... I have no idea how to do this and googling/mefi...ing aren't proving terribly useful

2) I can figure out how to boot from a thumb drive. I have a fairly speedy 16 gig one, a boot .iso, and my BIOS set to take it first, but I'm a little unsure if I need to do anything special. Do I unpack the ISO into the thumb's root directory? Do I attempt to install windows, onto it and try to use that boot to run a system restore? Again, provided instructions aren't very clear

3) I could force the target drive issue with brute force: ripping open the netbook and shoving the drive in my desktop for intense treatment. I don't want to do this. Please don't make me do this.

Am I being a drama queen here? Are there much easier ways to go about this?

This is a lot of question.

Also since Dell's kind enough to have stopped sending OEM discs with computers, my install discs and .iso are vanilla microsoft installs. I'm going to have horrible, awful driver issues aren't I?

mini solar chimney for micro power generation

kimyo — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 14:17:51 -0800

i'm fascinated with the solar chimney concept for electric power generation. i'd like to build a small, fabric-based model, see if it might be able to provide enough power to charge a couple of car batteries. does the mefi hivemind want to help me brainstorm? there's some pretty decent video here of a large scale project in australia (not yet constructed).

i'd like to design something which could be built from locally available materials, nothing too complex.

a smallish tethered hot air balloon might serve to support the structure.

a long tapered cylinder made from fabric (fireproof at the bottom) would be suspended from the balloon and anchored to the ground.

at the top of the cylinder we need some kind of turbine. hot air exiting might also feed the balloon. at the base we'd have a small wood fire.

i'd love to hear from any and all mefites, with or without experience in power generation/off grid/ballooning.

if it works, i think we should call it a montgo.

What European country will offer the lowest price for the same mini-laptop?

gttommy — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:58:53 -0800

What European country will offer the lowest price for the same mini-laptop? (list of countries inside) This is really a 2 part question...

I would like to buy a cheap, super fast, long-battery-life mini-laptop, solely for going on to the internet at places which provide free wi-fi. I will emphasise the need for fast load up time, and switching between several web browser windows without lag. Eye-candy is not important.

For under 200-400 USD what should I get? (cheaper is good)

As I am travelling around Europe, in what country should I get it?

Countries: England, Sweden, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Netherlands, Monaco, Vatican City

Considering currency exchange rates, tax regulations, and anything else you can think of.

Thanks in advance.

Using a ViBook with Mac Mini and Cintiq 12WX?

austinlee — Wed, 13 May 2009 14:05:13 -0800

I have a last generation mac mini and would like to use a cintiq 12WX with it. Would a ViBook USB adapter help me accomplish this? Ok, so I have a last generation mac mini and can only use one monitor on it. I want to start using a WACOM CINTIQ 12WX. The problem is that the cintiq works like a monitor so I can only have either the cintiq plugged in or my normal monitor. I found a piece of hardware called the ViBook which I think might solve this. Has anyone used this thing with good results? Will photoshop run ok on it? Any advice is appreciated. Also, I've found similar USB adapters that were less expensive. Is one better than the other ones or could I get away with getting a cheap one? Thanks!

Newest Mac Mini a worthwhile upgrade?

Venadium — Wed, 06 May 2009 22:38:56 -0800

Would a new 2.26GHz Mac Mini be a worthwhile upgrade from my 2 year old Macbook Pro? I've got a 15" Macbook Pro that I bought in early 2007. It still runs fine, but it's starting to show its age. It's literally falling apart, needs a new battery, etc. I was considering spending the cash to get it fixed up, but then a friend of mine bought a new Mac Mini and it got me thinking...

I know it'll be faster than my Macbook Pro, at least I'd hope so, but I'm wondering if the difference is enough to make the upgrade worth it. The only resource-intensive things I use are Photoshop, sometimes Final Cut Pro, but mostly Nikon's Capture NX2 for editing RAW files.

Out of the box my friend's Mini seems really smooth, and one thing I noticed right away was that the newer video hardware handles Leopard's 3D dock better than my laptop's does, but I'm wondering how big the difference in overall performance will be once he's installed and running a bunch of applications.

I've also been considering just putting together an OSX-compatible machine of my own, but the convenience of just being able to go to the store and pick up a Mac Mini might just be enough to make me forget that idea. I don't know though. Help me out here, folks.

Can I connect this monitor cable to a new Mac Mini?

thesneeze — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:53:39 -0800

I'd like to connect an old monitor I have to the latest Mac Mini with whatever adapters Apple has available. Here is a pic of the connector. If it helps, the cable on the connector reads "AWM E101344 STYLE 20276 VW-1 80 C 30V DVI DIGITAL SINGLE LINK SPACE SHUTTLE-C"

Thanks!

Wireless keyboard for G4 Mini?

caution live frogs — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 05:44:18 -0800

Trying to find a keybaord / mouse combo for a G4 Mac Mini (no IR, no bluetooth) that will work in a living room PC without costing me an arm and a leg. Recommendations? Short story: Wife will be having the baby in the near future (due on three weeks!). Computer is downstairs in the basement. I'm in the process of refurbishing a 1st-generation G4 Mac Mini which I plan to connect to our LCD TV for her to use as a computer, for web / email access, to keep her from having to drag the kid up and down the stairs just to get online.

Mini was a freebie, needed a new HD (done). Leopard installed, runs fine, TV has an RGB input for use as a monitor, and I've already dropped a Cat5 cable into our living room so the thing will be wired into our home network.

Basically my little Mother's Day present is all set except for the input devices - I need a keyboard and mouse combo that will work in our living room. She'll likely be sitting about 8-9 feet from the Mini.

I'm leaning towards the Microsoft Laser Wireless for Mac keyboard. Had also considered the Kensington Ci70.

Both are about in the price range I'd be happy with, and I do prefer Microsoft's mouse shapes over Kensington, but (a) the MS setup has some poor reviews for range and connectivity from some people, and (b) the Kensington layout is PC-specific with an Apple key tacked on in the bottom corner. I'd prefer a native Apple layout.

Searching for keyboards online has given me hundreds of PC keyboard combos that work on a Mac but aren't native layout, and every time I find something that might work it turns out to want Bluetooth. (Yes, I could get a BT dongle, and I might eventually, but for now I just want something that works out of the box!)

Any help? I'm trying to keep this a surprise...

Mini Romantic/Relaxing Vacation Ideas for a Couple?

lwclec072 — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 08:47:19 -0800

Mini Vacation Ideas for a Couple? We've looking for a nice long weekend escape from the city. Something relaxing and serene away from the usual. My boyfriend and I are trying to plan a little mini vacation for us, like a long weekend, maybe 3-4 days. We currently live in Louisville, KY, and have a couple different states in mind, Michigan or Maine. We want something with a little history culture involved and something suited well for couples.

We currently have 500$ put back we're estimating about 100$ in gas for the trip (round trip) to MA and 60$ (round trip) MI, we might stay at least 1-2 nights in a hotel so we can make it an enjoyable stay in a nice hotel.

Anyone have any ideas? I really want some place near a nice lake or coast, but he wants something w/ a little more than a view but he is open to being on the water with activities around, we do not want something really hectic, no big city, maybe a little town or a city nearby so we could drive up one day, something relaxing and serene.

We're open to absolutely any suggestions outside of those two states though nowhere any further than 15 hrs from Louisville.

Any suggestions would be great!

apple tv or mac mini

fumbducker — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:43:00 -0800

apple tv or mac mini or both? i've spent the last few hours looking this up, and can not come to a conclusion. i have a few apple gift certs to spend, about $450. my requirements:

i want to connect to my hdtv & my stereo (not a home theater, its a zepplin - http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/display.aspx?infid=2466)
i want to play music & photos preferably without streaming
i want to browse the web
i want to play the occassional dvd (ripped or actually from a dvd)
i dont care about tv shows or movies that much, i have a directv dvr
ive seen all the apple tv hacks, looks like i could do most of what i want by adding an external hard disk. does anyone out there have that setup? one thing im not clear on is can i store the mp3s & photos right on this hard drive, and how do i get them on there? it sounds like i can sync it with any pc\mac with itunes, but what about the pics? and hows the web browsing?

alternatively, anyone have the mac mini setup with an apple tv? why should i spend the extra dough?

thanks in advance.

old mac Mini is too Mini for TV

penciltopper — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:06:44 -0800

I have an old G5 PowerPC Mac Mini that would be just right to repurpose as a DVR/HTPC. But the weak onboard graphics are preventing joy. Is there a way I can offload the graphics processing workload to an auxillary device? It's an old G5 powerpc mini, still works just fine; but it's an orphan at the moment, with no purpose in life.
So I thought I'd try hooking it up to my TV and using it as a HTPC of sorts.

DVI output to my TV at 1080i works for DVD player, torrented .AVIs via VLC, etc.

But if I try to watch Hulu through it, the picture is choppy if it works at all. Especially for 480p streams.

I'd also like to use something like Elgato's EyeTV to capture over-the-air HD TV broadcasts and play them back later. (Watching the signal live is unnecessary, but would be a bonus.)

But I'm pretty sure the Mini can't handle that processing load?

Elgato seems to have a couple of devices like the turbo.264 that mention that they do the transcoding/processing of the video, offloading it from the attached Mac's processor.

Would this help? If not, is there some other kind of external graphics card or add-on device I can use to externalize the graphics processing workload, so the old hardware in the Mini isn't crippling?

Desired end state is that I am able to watch recorded OTA HD shows and "live" Hulu/other video streams

I have a NAS drive to hold recordings, and an XBox 360 (all three are on same wired network) if that helps.

1080i preferred, HD only (I can skip analog)
$250 max budget (so I'm not just going to buy a new Intel Mini)

Anyone have any experience or suggestions?

Mac Mini as centerpiece of home theater?

xmutex — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:46:05 -0800

Mac Mini as centerpiece of home theater, driving a HDTV? Wanted to buy a new Mac Mini to serve as the centerpiece of the home theater. Need it to play DVDs, downloads, and stream stuff from Hulu/MLB.tv/etc. Would the machine work well? How could I get 5.1 sound from DVDs? Would the Mini drive 1080p on an HDTV well?

Mac Mini: Yes or No?

Subspace — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 19:24:25 -0800

My husband and I are Apple noobs and can't get a straight answer from any sales people: is the Mini adequate for our needs? My husband and I work as advertising copywriters, an industry that exclusively uses Apple computers. Over the years our employers have always loaned us Apple laptops, thus negating our need to actually purchase one. Without getting into a Mac vs. PC debate, our home computers have always been PCs, and we're comfortable with that.

However! Since we're going freelance soon, we finally admitted we need to just buy the damn Apple already, and quickly discovered that everyone in the Apple store is convinced we'll be miserable with anything less than a $3,000 machine (which isn't an option: we're as financially fragile as everyone else these days). It just seems so absurd and wasteful to buy so much computer when we already have expensive, beloved monitors, keyboards and meeces. When we read about the Mac Mini we thought, well, that seems perfectly fine, until, of course, we consulted people.

Everyone seems shocked and weirded out that we want to attach a Mac of some kind to a preexisting monitor and keyboard, as though it limits the operating system in some way. And in fact, that is the implication: that by not using everything Apple we are limiting our purchase not just in aesthetics, but in function. To make things worse, when we tell them we are going to use the Mini primarily for Photoshop and InDesign, their heads explode.

So I guess my question is: are we being silly by thinking we can just get a Mini and nothing else and happily generate massive image files?

USB Mini Male to Big Female

neustile — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:18:16 -0800

I need to buy an adapter or cable that lets me plug a normally-sized USB plug into a "mini" USB receptacle. I must be doing something wrong in my searching because I can't seem to find something that lets me do this anywhere. Specifics: on the device (a speciality microcontroller) there is a female mini-USB port meant for connecting keyboards/mice to the device. It's the kind of port you see on blackberries or cameras. I have thousands of cables that go from that port to a male version of the "real" usb connector, but I want male mini to female big (and not the female big that looks like a square with the notch cut out.) Where can I get?

Sanity check my Mac media center.

swift — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:50:09 -0800

Please sanity check a possible Mac Mini HTPC/media center setup. Before I start spending money on additional components, maybe the community can review my plans for a Mac-Mini-based media center and HTPC. I've done lots of reading online, and based on some other AskMe threads, I'm not alone in being a little confused about the best setup for my needs, until someone invents a box that does it all.

I have:
- an HDTV with resolution up to 1080i
- an Intel Mac Mini with OS/X 10.4, but no remote
- a home theater receiver with speakers and lots of input options
- a NAS with tons of music, and some movies
- an Xbox 360
- a VCR
- a Netflix account, which I use to stream movies to the Xbox
- at the moment, cable
- a laptop

I want to:
- ditch cable and get HD programming over the air
- watch whatever programming I can get via the Internet
- watch streaming Netflix movies
- transfer VHS tapes to the NAS
- browse and play music and movies from the NAS
- use Tivo-like capabilities like pausing, recording, and browsing on-screen listings
- control as much as possible with a single remote
- play games

Right now I'm planning to go down a route similar to mr. obsession, using a HDHomeRun tuner, some kind of antenna, and EyeTV software for the TV end, and Plex for the media center end (which would require upgrading the Mac to Leopard).

Has anyone used a similar combination of these pieces? Do you think there's a better way to do it?

Also (and this is really my "original" question), since I've lost the little white Mac remote, is there a universal remote that works with the Mac? Controlling the Mac via the laptop (or getting a wireless keyboard) is certainly possible, but it's not ideal if I just want to flip channels and browse media.

Thanks in advance!

Looking for an old South African TV mini-series...

timpollard — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 13:31:56 -0800

Does anyone know where (or even if) I can get hold of a copy of the 1980's SABC (South African TV) series 'The John Ross Story: An African Adventure', made and set around the same time and locations as their excellent 'Shaka Zulu' series? I know it exists but I can find no mention of its availability in any format, or even at the IMDB... Thanks in advance!

Are convertible cars a bad idea?

jdroth — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:26:59 -0800

I want a Mini Cooper. I want a convertible Mini Cooper. My wife tells me convertibles are a bad idea. (Especially in Oregon.) I'm not convinced. Hasn't convertible technology advanced to a point where they're pretty hassle-free? Help me convince her a convertible is a fine idea!

Mac Mini Magically Misplaced Music

chrisalbon — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:32:49 -0800

Mac Mini Sound Stops Working When I Push The Top of the Case Last week my Mac Mini (less than 6 months old) broke when I was restarting it. I took it to the SF Apple Store and got the logic board replaced. However, when I took the Mac Mini home there was no sound output device detected. I took it back to the SF Apple Store and they replaced the sound card. I picked it up from the Apple store Friday night.

However, when I got home I sound was only working sometimes. After some testing I can replicate the problem 100%:

The Mac Mini works fine, until you put even the lightest weight on the back right corner of the top of the case. When that part of the case is touched the sound stops working entirely and the only way I can get the sound to start working again is to restart the Mac Mini.

What could the problem be? Should I take it back to the Apple Store for a 3rd time? Can I fix it myself without voiding the Apple Care warranty?

Any help would be appreciated.

OS X Time Machine backup with USB disc as one source

superfurry — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 03:45:40 -0800

OS X Backup Filter. I use a mac mini with it's limited had disc space, so also use an external USB drive to store big stuff like my iTunes Library, Lightroom Catalog, and Downloads. I need automatic backup help. I also have a second USB disc attached for backups, but since Time Machine can't use a USB disc as a source, I can only use Time Machine as a method of backing up what's on my internal hard disc on the mini, and I need to do all backups of my external disc manually. As you can imagine, since it's manual I very rarely do it but at the same time the data on the external drive is much more sensitive. So I need a way to automatically backup everything from both internal and external discs, to another external disc. Any ideas ?

Requirements:
Needs to be automated/provide scheduled backup capability
Can backup both internal and external USB/FireWire disc sources to external USB/FireWire destination.
A Time machine hack/plugin etc would be preferable
Free would be preferable, though I would be willing to pay for a reliable easy to use app

Mac Mini scratched my DVD

snarfois — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:44:04 -0800

Mac Mini scratched my DVD -- anyone seen this before? (photo inside) What should I do? I popped a brand new DVD in the slot, and for about a minute nothing happened, except the noises of a computer struggling with a disc.

Then it popped back out, and it looked like this. Almost pretty.

Never mind salvaging the DVD -- I'll download a torrent with a clean conscience. (I guess I could try the toothpaste trick on the DVD first.) Is this a familiar problem to anyone? Did I do something wrong? What should I do? I have subsequently played other DVDs in the Mini without problems, but am wondering how likely this problem is to recur.

Formac Mini External Drive

mtonks — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 01:03:50 -0800

Anyone know the specs for the Formac Disk Mini external power adaptor (NT070)? I need to run a Formac Disk Mini drive from an external power supply. I don't really want to buy the NT070 when I'll only be using it occasionally and I have a box full of old adaptors lying around. I'm hoping one of them might fit the bill but I can't find the details online and the drive's manual is awol.

Homebrew PVR with HD?

joshuaconner — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:30:33 -0800

Just switched from cable to DirecTV (7 HD channels on cable just wasn't cutting it), and we have a Mac Mini we'd like to use as a DVR. Possible? Practical?

How do I escalate my AppleCare problem?

snarfois — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:19:22 -0800

I'm disappointed with the service I'm getting from an Apple authorised repair centre. Where do I go from here? A month ago on AskMeFi I described a problem with my Mac Mini, 6 months old and still under warranty and AppleCare. As mumkin recommended on that thread, I took the Mac in for repair, especially as it was defeating the computer's main purpose of being a media centre.

I dropped the Mac off 3 weeks ago, with a video I took demonstrating the problem in action (using 2 different remotes and a clean install), and links to websites where 3 other Mac users describe the same problem (without reaching a resolution.)

The people at the repair shop keep telling me they are unable to recreate the problem. I admit it could be difficult: it usually only showed up after the Mac's been on for hours, and not every time. They say that until they can recreate it, they can't fix it. They are unmoved by the thought of me moaning about them, Mac servicing and Macs in general on the web.

Isn't it perhaps time for giving me some benefit of the doubt? It should be clear I'm not imagining the problem, nor doing without my media centre for laughs. If they can't find the problem, they can swap the machine for a new one. I'm just worried that this will drag on for weeks and weeks, I may never get it fixed, and my brand new Mac media centre will end up being a big waste of money. Or am I being unfair?

Will attaching an external drive to my Mac Mini improve booting time?

salmacis — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:36:28 -0800

Will attaching an external Firewire drive to my G4 Mac Mini make a big difference to booting speeds and application loading times? I'd like to use an external Firewire drive as the default boot device. I think the internal drive is a crappy 4200rpm 2.5" 60Gb drive. Booting is pretty slow. Loading applications is pretty slow. How much (if any) of a speed increase could I expect? The new drive will be faster, but will the Firewire 400 interface counteract this?