Mac mini 1.83 intel duo - graphics capabilities?

[The7artist7]

Hi guys,

I'm currently in real need of upgrading my mac to enable a workable speed of creating animations I'm currently using a powerpc G4 400mhz with 704MB Ram. To be honest I'm very impressed with how it's managed to cope with many programs recommending much higher processing speeds, but alas finally tis too much for my faithful puter - sniff!

Ahem! anyway - due to very limited funds my plan is to go with the very reasonably priced intel duo 1.83ghz mini and upgrade the ram to the 2gig option - my concern is that I'll be using it to create reasonably sized flash animations in ToonBoom Studio and also plan to create professional standard music via logic or similar - can it cope!!?

any experiences / advice welcome

[ElDiabloConCaca]

If you're going to spend that much on a mini, you could spend just a tiny bit more (~$100) and get a 17" iMac, which has a better processor, better graphics, faster and larger hard drive, and integrated 17" widescreen monitor -- much better suited to music creation and animation.

[The7artist7]

Hmm yeah I see what you mean - the HD and graphics card speed are issues indeed as day-to-day usage would be affected with that too and I'd hate too actually end out with some things being slower than my 400mhz G4!! Looks like an iMac could be the way to go... ooh which one though!! so many choices! baring in mind I need to update my software too (still running illustrator Pshop elements through classic! ugh!)

Bit of a side note here but I currently use a Lacie electron19blue monitor bought in 2000 and was wondering if it's possible to connect that to the imac without spending extra than a connector cable?? I've never run two monitors before and don't know any of the in and outs of the process? again any advice welcome (maybe I should start a new thread?)

[ElDiabloConCaca]

That's one caveat of the new Intel-based Macintosh computers: no more Classic environment, at all. There are workaround, such as possibly using software like SheepShaver, but there are no guarantees that'll work. If you're upgrading to an Intel-based Macintosh computer, I would toss any ideas of using Classic-based applications out the window.

The new Intel-based iMacs support screen-spanning, meaning they can use an external monitor as extra desktop space, instead of being limited to "mirroring" the built-in monitor (effectively two monitors displaying the same thing -- the earlier iMacs like the G4 and G5 iMacs were limited to mirroring). Just add the Apple VGA or DVI (whichever matches your monitor) cable to your order, and your LaCie Electron19 will be good-to-go to use with your iMac.

I would recommend the biggest iMac you can get -- I hear the 24" is just phenomenal, but the price may be prohibitive. Just get the largest you can afford -- even the 17" is quite nice!

[The7artist7]

yikes!! no classic really would mean going for the full up-date/grade then! I've been wanting to do that but money is always the issue grrr! hmmm - would it be possible to use my old mac to run the classic stuff and rig up some kind of network thingy??? that would be cool as my G4 was great booted up in 9.2.2 quite nippy enough until I can afford the upgrades anyway!

[eric2006]

Originally Posted by Lordart

yikes!! no classic really would mean going for the full up-date/grade then! I've been wanting to do that but money is always the issue grrr! hmmm - would it be possible to use my old mac to run the classic stuff and rig up some kind of network thingy??? that would be cool as my G4 was great booted up in 9.2.2 quite nippy enough until I can afford the upgrades anyway!

You could use something like VNC, but that's probably not practical for graphics work. A KVM with your secondary monitor would be your best option.

[The7artist7]

umm, sorry Eric2006 but what does VNC and KVM stand for??

[eric2006]

Sorry, I should have expanded there..
VNC is basically creating a "window" to your other computer. You see the desktop, can move the mouse, type, etc. Here's an example. The downside to VNC is that there is a noticeable lag when you're doing anything. It's not too much of a lag, especially on a LAN, but it would not be suitable for graphics work.
A KVM is a Keyboard, Video, Mouse switch. It does exactly what it sounds like, switches between two computers with one set of input devices.
Another solution you may want to consider is Synergy, a free program that lets you use a mouse and keyboard with two computers that have their own display, as if they were one, multi-display machine. You can't move windows between the two machines, but other than that, it great for using two computers.