mini Mac specs

[Pacman555]

I know, I know, it's underpowered, it's got a weeny hard drive etc etc. But I want to use it solely to plug into a couple of LaCie d2s (full of video and music), and Bittorrent (to er, 'acquire' more video and music ), and connect to my TV. Because then I can use it as a media server.

Plus, they look lovely.

So. Will 1.25Ghz be enough processing power for watching films, playing music, instant messaging, and a bit of web surfing? (Not all at the same time). I'll still have my WinXP machine for high power stuff, software etc. I only need a 40GB hard drive as the only thing it'll have on it will be iLife and Mac OSX (pretty much).

Cheers in advance.

[superkully]

Don't worry too much about the raw Ghz Pacman. Yes, that's enough for what you want.

Thing is, how long are you going to have to wait for one?

[Valken]

I've got an 800MHz G4 and it comes with all of that stuff at the same time... The only time it runs into trouble is if you want to compile lots of C++ in a reasonable time or so some seriously CPU intensive stuff like compressing files, applying filters to images etc etc.

[Firsty]

1.25GHz G4 chips are plenty fast for all that.
TBH connecting it to just a tv is a real waste, you'll be missing out. Try using it as an actual computer for a while. PowerPC chips aren't directly comparable in terms of Hz to Pentiums, so a 1.25GHz G4 is actually faster than the 1.25GHz Intel penium equivalent.

[Freddo]

overclockers.com reckons you can equate that 1.25ghz g4 to around a 2.0ghz intel p4 prescott.

[DjSatansfury]

Which means its like a ****ty Athlon

[Valken]

overclockers.com reckons you can equate that 1.25ghz g4 to around a 2.0ghz intel p4 prescott.

I'd say more like 1.6 or 1.8Ghz myself although I have only general usage not benchmarks to back up my claim...

But yeah... a ****ty Athlon!

[Pacman555]

Yeah, knowledge about processor speeds tends to be my weak point in my computing knowledge . Cheers guys.

TBH connecting it to just a tv is a real waste, you'll be missing out. Try using it as an actual computer for a while.

I plan on using it as a computer too, just slumped on the sofa with a wireless mouse and keyboard. But I just NEED some way of being able to easily and quickly access all my movies/TV series stored digitally. It'll be connected to a 17inch LCD monitor/TV job, probably a bit like this.

Thing is, how long are you going to have to wait for one?

It's OK, won't need one another couple of months anyway!

[Freddo]

I just NEED some way of being able to easily and quickly access all my movies/TV series stored digitally.

considered a modified xbox + xbmc? it'd be cheaper and its seriously impressive software now.

also component or rgb out, optical digital output or coaxial if you have two seconds and a soldering iron

and a remote control, thats the last edit now I'm sure.

[Pacman555]

Ah but that won't connect to my carefully archived LaCie hard drives. Plus that won't allow me to slump there chatting on MSN or glancing on here at the same time.

[Freddo]

what protocol do your drives use?

[Space Monkey]

Does anyone know of a wireless keyboard with a trackpad, I`m wanting to get a minimac for my dear old dad, and he`ll get on much better with a pad.

[yashiro]

what protocol do your drives use?

They're USB and Firewire externals.

[NeilMcRae]

What video outputs does it have? Can the DVI be run in component mode like other ATI/NVidia boards?