XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jun 27, 2012 2:51:03 GMT
Well, which is a better choice. One is an i5 with Lion OS and the other is an i7 with Lion Server and OS. Both with Thunderbolt. Price wise a difference of about USD 250. Shoot ..............
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pagan
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Post by pagan on Jun 27, 2012 8:14:01 GMT
Either one without the Apple O/S ;D Use Linux O/S
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jun 27, 2012 22:55:31 GMT
It does mostly depend on what you are doing with it. The faster processor is certainly a benefit for some applications. On the other hand, the faster configurations offer usually only a slight performance increase, while they cost a lot more. For simple audio playback, all models will be OK and for music production, all Mac Minis are the wrong machine. I have a couple of Mac Minis here (from different generations), but not from the current line of products. Mac Minis are usually very quiet, are very energy efficient and have small dimensions. I've stopped buying Macs because I don't like the current Apple strategy. Apple is going "closed" with it's products and they are making mainly "throw-away products" at the moment. Upgrading/modifying current Apple hardware is difficult or even impossible (depending on the model). The only model that is really exapandable is the MacPro, which costs almost a fortune. You can change the two most interesting components in the Mac Minis though: RAM and HD/SSD. I've decided to migrate to Linux at home, but I have to admit that I'll most likely still have Macs in the future (at least one), since I need it for job-related reasons. In case you are opting for a Mac only because of the Thunderbolt port, then I'd advise you to forget it. Thunderbolt is still a very new interface and there are only a few peripherals around. Sure, that amount will increase soon, but I don't see much benefits for audio at the moment. Several motherboard manufacturers have announced products with Thunderbolt interface at Computex in Taiwan. You can expect to see Thunderbolt also in Windows and Linux environments soon. AnandTech has tested some of the recently annouced motherboards with Thunderbolt: www.anandtech.com/If you are interested in buying music from the iTunes store, then a Mac certainly makes sense. I've bought also music from there. OSX is still a lot better than Windows IMO and the OSX audio subsystem is better an offers lower latencies than Windows. Unfortunately, I can't use the protected AAC files with Linux, but I knew that before I've bought the music.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jun 28, 2012 0:52:52 GMT
Actually, there will finally be a variety to try all OS when I'm earning again. No harm asking now as I browsed into the Apple Store site. Yeah, maybe I'm not clear enough. This will be for a dedicated PC for Computer AV only and maybe the occasional usual usage stuff when at the terminal. This will be placed in the hall for AV during that time. I was intrigued when so mnay are using a headless Mac Mini for their AV stuff locally and perhaps internationally too.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jun 28, 2012 1:04:14 GMT
Several motherboard manufacturers have announced products with Thunderbolt interface at Computex in Taiwan. You can expect to see Thunderbolt also in Windows and Linux environments soon. AnandTech has tested some of the recently annouced motherboards with Thunderbolt: www.anandtech.com/Good! If you are interested in buying music from the iTunes store, then a Mac certainly makes sense. I've bought also music from there. OSX is still a lot better than Windows IMO and the OSX audio subsystem is better an offers lower latencies than Windows. Unfortunately, I can't use the protected AAC files with Linux, but I knew that before I've bought the music. In fact, I have no interest in iTune Store as they are lorez files and they also use their proprietary coding which is not too universal. I visit HDTracks, Linn, etc more than iTune Store. So far I have not even make a purchase from iTune yet. Btw, Apple and Win have good music players (paid and FOC) around. What is (are) there, of at least the standard of Foobar, that we can use in Linux?
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jun 28, 2012 1:14:39 GMT
If you mean "Foobar 2000", then I guess it's only for Windows. But there are good audio players around for OSX and Linux. I don't know if these will satisfy you though. You'll have to try a few, but I'm almost sure, you'll find something that fits your demand.
I CAN recommend the Mac Mini for the purpose you have mentioned in the last posts. It's not a bad computer.
IMO, it's always the best idea to have more than one operating system around. I have even some Windows stuff, but I rarely use it and I DO NOT like it.
One reason why I have bought mainly low-end models from Apple since 2007 was their line of products. I don't like the all-in-one iMacs, the MacPro was to costly and simply overkill for my demands. The Mac Mini (older generations) was always serviceable enough for me (although it was not really comfortable). Usually, Apple's low-end models are also quite realiable since they are not going to the technical limits, at least not as far as with the high-end models.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jun 28, 2012 3:12:52 GMT
I think finding one that can just play 44-16 or even 48-24 will not be too problematic for Linux. But finding one that can do what the Foolbar can do like DSDIFF or even 384-24, upsampling and multichannel will be a problem. This is not even considering sound quality yet. Also, finding a media player to play Full HD video surely is a problem too. Win or Apple, no problem at all for hirez AV application.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jun 28, 2012 11:13:51 GMT
I have an old but good 80 GB WD IDE interface 7200 rpm HDD now which I took out from my old and spoilt Pentium 3 PC. Is there any current motherboard for Win 7 or 8 to use it with? This PC will be use as a dedicated AV PC too, just like the future Mac Mini. Any 6 cores or higher motherboard for AV only?
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elysion
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Post by elysion on Jul 6, 2012 9:17:14 GMT
This 80GB IDE harddisk is a bit old for a current motherboard, isn't it? There are still a few motherboards around that have an IDE connector, but they are quite rare.
SATA is the standard interface for HD's since years. Apple introduced the first computer using SATA in autumn 2003. That's almost 10 years ago.
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XTRProf
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Post by XTRProf on Jul 6, 2012 10:22:41 GMT
Come to think of it again, the AV computer must also be able to play hotrock games, so IDE HDD maybe still not so advisable. Alright, demoted to data storage thru USB 3 casing connected to the NAS. Hmm, maybe don't need USB 3 casing too USB 2 or Firewire 800 will do due to the speed of the IDE. But then I cannot reuse the casing when that HDD goes to heaven or hell eventually for the any SATA 3 HDD or SSD that goes into the case.
Btw, is there any advantage in using Firewire 800 over USB 2? People into video and photo making like Firewire. Any truth in that?
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