I'm trying to figure out my options for setting up a small digital media lab for a new non-profit, but I have no idea how to set a minimum level of server specs! How much CPU and RAM do I really need? What determines this? The server will be used to administer local user accounts, and store files (including large media files). We may also end up using it to host our website and mail, if it makes sense (unlikely). All the main client computers will be macs, so I assume I should make life easier and just get an XServe. But I'm open to other suggestions. See below for some prices and models for various XServe's I'm trying to choose between. How low can I go? How much CPU/RAM do I need? Let me know if you need more information... [more inside]
posted by yuletide on Aug 20, 2009 - 5 answers

MacFilter: Can anyone recommend a hard drive enclosure for an old hard drive from a G5? [more inside]
posted by el_lupino on Jul 14, 2009 - 6 answers

I'm in the market for a new laptop. Should I get a PC or Mac? What specs are important for me to look at when making a decision? [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 2, 2009 - 31 answers

Can anyone help me pick a new hard drive for my first generation MacBook? [more inside]
posted by alan on Mar 11, 2009 - 8 answers

I just ordered the updated Mac Mini, and I'm looking around for an external box that I can plug analog or DV sources into to capture video. The main purpose would be to capture a lot of old material on VHS and Hi8 tape that is getting well past expiration date. If it could tune into cable or over-the-air tv, that'd be great, but it's really just capturing/encoding video from external sources (RCA,S-Video,DV) that it needs to do well. I have one of these things for inputting analog/outputting digital audio, and it works great with its parent application. I'm hoping to find something similar in quality for video. My price point is $200-400. Does anyone have experience using something like this, that they'd care to recommend?
posted by $0up on Mar 3, 2009 - 10 answers

Major crashes with OS X 10.4 (on a G5 iMac). Bad hardware? It looks like I'll have to take it in for repairs, but maybe there's a software fix? [more inside]
posted by AmbroseChapel on Jun 1, 2008 - 13 answers

Is there such thing as a PCI-X video card that will work in a Mac G5 tower? [more inside]
posted by dmd on Apr 29, 2008 - 5 answers

Am I courting disaster by doubting the Mac Genius? [more inside]
posted by tristeza on Jun 18, 2007 - 29 answers

Can you identify this connector? It's actually for bluetooth in the Mac Pro, but I want to figure out what this 10-pin connector is officially called so that I can buy a male analog of it. [more inside]
posted by floam on Jan 27, 2007 - 16 answers

We moved my husband's Mac from one side of the room to the other, carefully re-connecting all the cables. But when we started it up again, the screen displays in almost indecipherable chunky gray-and-white (8-bit?), and the icon and window sizing are all wrong. Help, please!
posted by Uccellina on Sep 3, 2006 - 19 answers

My campus has a pile of (maybe 40) dual 1GHz G4 PowerMacs that have reached their "end-of-life". Usually we ship them off to a recycler, but that seems like a sin for what are perfectly good systems. What should be do with them? There's a little bit ... [more inside]
posted by roue on Aug 15, 2006 - 44 answers

The conventional wisdom is to not buy "Rev A" Apple hardware. How can I tell what revision a specific piece of hardware is? [more inside]
posted by shaneflyer on May 12, 2006 - 16 answers

Does booting a computer often lower its life expectancy? [more inside]
posted by visual mechanic on Apr 11, 2006 - 15 answers

What prevents the volume control working on a Mac when the optical digital audio output is being used? [more inside]
posted by bruceyeah on Apr 2, 2006 - 10 answers

I need to replace the hard drive in a G3 iMac. What type of disc will I need? [more inside]
posted by kenchie on Aug 27, 2005 - 5 answers

What does is mean when my G3 white iBook's sleep light flashes very quickly when I am either booting up or trying to shut down? [more inside]
posted by yesno on Jul 31, 2005 - 5 answers

I recently returned to Macintosh after a long stint with Windows. I'd like to upgrade the memory and video card in my 1.8ghz g5. It used to be, long ago, that Macs and PCs did not share the same hardware. Is this still the case? What do I need to know about shopping for RAM and video cards? Can I go out and buy any 400mhz PC3200 RAM for my g5, or does it have to be a special kind? Will the g5 take any video card, or does it have to be Mac-specific? What other pitfalls will I encounter? [more inside]
posted by jdroth on Jan 28, 2005 - 13 answers

What are some good 7200 RPM 60GB+ 2.5" drives that are suitable for installation in an Apple TiBook? Recommendations on where to buy?
posted by namespan on Dec 16, 2004 - 8 answers

Death of an iBook. A couple hours ago, in the exact instant that I pushed the button to turn off my iBook G4, the iBook made a weird sound, its power was cut out immediately and abruptly went dead in a split-second (instead of the usual, slower process). It doesn't restart. It doesn't. Batteries are OK, by the way. Two questions: how bad is it, is it just electrical or the hard disk has been damaged as well? Also, I have put a lot of expensive software (Photoshop CS, Toast Titanium, Office, etc) in it. I still have the cd's and serial numbers, will I be able to reinstall them when the iBook's been fixed? It is still under guarantee, it's 7 months old. (more inside) [more inside]
posted by matteo on Nov 1, 2004 - 11 answers

Printers: I am looking at photo printers and have pretty much narrowed it down to the Canon i9900 and the Epson Stylus Photo 2200. Which should I choose? (Output continues inside) [more inside]
posted by TedW on Oct 29, 2004 - 2 answers

I picked up an abandoned Mac Plus on the sidewalk yesterday, for sentimental reasons. It boots, expecting a floppy. I haven't tried booting it fully yet, but it should work. The screen is wonky, but fixable.

Anyhow, I need to locate a mouse and keyboard, since it lacks them - and it predates ADB (which I do have). Is there an easy (and cheap) source for this, or should I just prowl computer "junk" stores and thrift stores?
posted by O9scar on Mar 30, 2004 - 11 answers