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 toadmeister 
Member
Joined: Dec 2011  IA, USA
 Posts: 235 Feedback: 0% (0) |
Posted: 6/23/2012 6:21:40 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. |
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Posted: 6/23/2012 8:21:40 PM
Originally Posted By toadmeister:
We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). |
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NimmerMehr
Member
Team Member
Joined: Apr 2005 TX, USA
Posts: 15533 Feedback: 100% (6) Link To This Post |
Posted: 6/24/2012 1:40:51 AM
Sounds like you describe a server-eqsue device.
and it by syncing you mean iphone via itunes, you're getting windows or mac. http://arstechnica.com/civis/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1147197 http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-ways-to-sync-music-to-your-iphone-without-itunes/ |
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Posted: 6/24/2012 1:48:41 PM
How about a Mac Mini and a Drobo 4-tray array cabinet ($299 Newegg) with 4 HDD's in your choice of capacity?
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Posted: 6/24/2012 1:56:10 PM
check out ibuypower.com you can build you own, or take a preconfigured, and get WAY more computing power for your money than a Mac, plus you don''t have to put up with the annoying OSX GUI. For $600, you can build a great machine, tested and shipped to your door. I dare you to try to get a mac with the same specs of what you can build there for under $1000. |
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skebe
Meat Popsicle.
Team Member
Joined: Aug 2005 GA, USA
Posts: 5027 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 6/24/2012 2:08:07 PM
If all you need is file storage, go with a NAS you can upgrade with drive bays. http://www.synology.com/us/index.php
Otherwise a refurb mac mini might be a good way to go. |
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RR_Broccoli
Member
Team Member
Joined: Jul 2008 WI, USA
Posts: 4016 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 6/25/2012 9:13:29 AM
Originally Posted By 501st: Originally Posted By toadmeister: We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). While building a PC DIY used to be cheaper, it is no longer the case. The only situation where someone would benefit from that is if there are specific needs or wants, or it's a gaming machine. In all other cases, the individual parts (not to mention the time) of assembling a PC is not even CLOSE to the cost effectiveness of getting an off the shelf Dell or HP or something. The OP wants to stop farting around with PCs and is sick of Windows. That's sorta the opposite direction from where you are steering him.
OP, if you want to fart around, get a Myth box, or some other Linux based small home server file sharing software, on a run of the mill bare bones machine.
Otherwise, a Mac is the way to go. Though, you'll find considerably less help getting that networked and shared and all that... I suggest finding a Mac specific forum to formulate a plan. |
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Posted: 6/25/2012 1:56:47 PM
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By toadmeister:
We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). While building a PC DIY used to be cheaper, it is no longer the case. The only situation where someone would benefit from that is if there are specific needs or wants, or it's a gaming machine. In all other cases, the individual parts (not to mention the time) of assembling a PC is not even CLOSE to the cost effectiveness of getting an off the shelf Dell or HP or something. The OP wants to stop farting around with PCs and is sick of Windows. That's sorta the opposite direction from where you are steering him. OP, if you want to fart around, get a Myth box, or some other Linux based small home server file sharing software, on a run of the mill bare bones machine. Otherwise, a Mac is the way to go. Though, you'll find considerably less help getting that networked and shared and all that... I suggest finding a Mac specific forum to formulate a plan. You do realize part of the reason he has to mess around with windows could be the preloaded crap software on prebuilt computers? |
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RR_Broccoli
Member
Team Member
Joined: Jul 2008 WI, USA
Posts: 4017 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 6/25/2012 2:30:29 PM
Originally Posted By 501st: Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli: Originally Posted By 501st: Originally Posted By toadmeister: We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). While building a PC DIY used to be cheaper, it is no longer the case. The only situation where someone would benefit from that is if there are specific needs or wants, or it's a gaming machine. In all other cases, the individual parts (not to mention the time) of assembling a PC is not even CLOSE to the cost effectiveness of getting an off the shelf Dell or HP or something. The OP wants to stop farting around with PCs and is sick of Windows. That's sorta the opposite direction from where you are steering him.
OP, if you want to fart around, get a Myth box, or some other Linux based small home server file sharing software, on a run of the mill bare bones machine.
Otherwise, a Mac is the way to go. Though, you'll find considerably less help getting that networked and shared and all that... I suggest finding a Mac specific forum to formulate a plan. You do realize part of the reason he has to mess around with windows could be the preloaded crap software on prebuilt computers? He didn't state as such, so who knows. I DO realize when someone is giving obviously bad advice, contradictory to the assumptions the OP stated from the get-go though.  |
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Posted: 6/25/2012 5:33:18 PM
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By toadmeister:
We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). While building a PC DIY used to be cheaper, it is no longer the case. The only situation where someone would benefit from that is if there are specific needs or wants, or it's a gaming machine. In all other cases, the individual parts (not to mention the time) of assembling a PC is not even CLOSE to the cost effectiveness of getting an off the shelf Dell or HP or something. The OP wants to stop farting around with PCs and is sick of Windows. That's sorta the opposite direction from where you are steering him. OP, if you want to fart around, get a Myth box, or some other Linux based small home server file sharing software, on a run of the mill bare bones machine. Otherwise, a Mac is the way to go. Though, you'll find considerably less help getting that networked and shared and all that... I suggest finding a Mac specific forum to formulate a plan. You do realize part of the reason he has to mess around with windows could be the preloaded crap software on prebuilt computers? He didn't state as such, so who knows. I DO realize when someone is giving obviously bad advice, contradictory to the assumptions the OP stated from the get-go though. When you DIY, you get exactly what you want, nothing more, nothing less. |
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Posted: 6/25/2012 8:54:22 PM
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By toadmeister:
We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). While building a PC DIY used to be cheaper, it is no longer the case. The only situation where someone would benefit from that is if there are specific needs or wants, or it's a gaming machine. In all other cases, the individual parts (not to mention the time) of assembling a PC is not even CLOSE to the cost effectiveness of getting an off the shelf Dell or HP or something. The OP wants to stop farting around with PCs and is sick of Windows. That's sorta the opposite direction from where you are steering him. OP, if you want to fart around, get a Myth box, or some other Linux based small home server file sharing software, on a run of the mill bare bones machine. Otherwise, a Mac is the way to go. Though, you'll find considerably less help getting that networked and shared and all that... I suggest finding a Mac specific forum to formulate a plan. You do realize part of the reason he has to mess around with windows could be the preloaded crap software on prebuilt computers? Yeah, I HATE the preloaded crap you get with an HP or Dell Windows computer. So much shit! That's a major reason I'm leaning Mac right now. |
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Posted: 6/25/2012 9:12:22 PM
Originally Posted By toadmeister:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By RR_Broccoli:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By toadmeister:
We are mainly a WiFi house with mobile devices like the ihone and iPad but need a central computer for storing multimedia, maintaining the network and syncing up all our devices. I've had a dozen Windows PCs over the years and am sorta not wanting another. Any other options out there? Any suggestions? I like Apple products but not sure an Mac- mini is the way to go or not. Maybe an iMac? Thanks in advance. You are too ambiguous. Need more specific details and a budget. Also, there is little point in buying a prebuilt desktop unless you find a smoking deal. So it really comes down to a mac vs a DIY windows pc build (if you are up to it). While building a PC DIY used to be cheaper, it is no longer the case. The only situation where someone would benefit from that is if there are specific needs or wants, or it's a gaming machine. In all other cases, the individual parts (not to mention the time) of assembling a PC is not even CLOSE to the cost effectiveness of getting an off the shelf Dell or HP or something. The OP wants to stop farting around with PCs and is sick of Windows. That's sorta the opposite direction from where you are steering him. OP, if you want to fart around, get a Myth box, or some other Linux based small home server file sharing software, on a run of the mill bare bones machine. Otherwise, a Mac is the way to go. Though, you'll find considerably less help getting that networked and shared and all that... I suggest finding a Mac specific forum to formulate a plan. You do realize part of the reason he has to mess around with windows could be the preloaded crap software on prebuilt computers? Yeah, I HATE the preloaded crap you get with an HP or Dell Windows computer. So much shit! That's a major reason I'm leaning Mac right now. FYI, if you buy a computer from the MS store they do clean installs on all prebuilt machines. something like this: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/pd/HP-Pavilion-p7-1218/productID.250639900/vip.true |
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Posted: 6/26/2012 2:17:59 AM
The new Minis have very respectable specs. RAM is upgradable to 8GB and the new units have a twist-off hatch to make changing RAM easy (buy from Crucial).
Need Mini info? go to www.123macmini.com |
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Posted: 6/26/2012 11:30:59 AM
Originally Posted By ThePontificator:
The new Minis have very respectable specs. RAM is upgradable to 8GB and the new units have a twist-off hatch to make changing RAM easy (buy from Crucial). Need Mini info? go to www.123macmini.com The problem with the mac mini is that even with the server model, storage capacity is limited (max of 2 2.5 inch HDD's which means you are limited to 2TB max (1.5TB through apple)). The imac is even worse in this regard since you are limited to only 1 HDD and changing it is a PITA (though I don't think the mac mini's are any easier, if its even possible) |
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skebe
Meat Popsicle.
Team Member
Joined: Aug 2005 GA, USA
Posts: 5071 Feedback: 0% (0) Link To This Post |
Posted: 6/26/2012 11:52:22 AM
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By ThePontificator:
The new Minis have very respectable specs. RAM is upgradable to 8GB and the new units have a twist-off hatch to make changing RAM easy (buy from Crucial). Need Mini info? go to www.123macmini.com The problem with the mac mini is that even with the server model, storage capacity is limited (max of 2 2.5 inch HDD's which means you are limited to 2TB max (1.5TB through apple)). The imac is even worse in this regard since you are limited to only 1 HDD and changing it is a PITA (though I don't think the mac mini's are any easier, if its even possible) NAS is the answer. |
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Posted: 6/26/2012 2:30:04 PM
"NAS is the answer"
That's why I suggested a Drobo unit in an earlier post. They appear to be pretty easy to use. |
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Posted: 6/26/2012 7:59:53 PM
Originally Posted By skebe:
Originally Posted By 501st:
Originally Posted By ThePontificator:
The new Minis have very respectable specs. RAM is upgradable to 8GB and the new units have a twist-off hatch to make changing RAM easy (buy from Crucial). Need Mini info? go to www.123macmini.com The problem with the mac mini is that even with the server model, storage capacity is limited (max of 2 2.5 inch HDD's which means you are limited to 2TB max (1.5TB through apple)). The imac is even worse in this regard since you are limited to only 1 HDD and changing it is a PITA (though I don't think the mac mini's are any easier, if its even possible) NAS is the answer. Or a windows home server pc. |
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