Thread: New Computer - Apple or PC ?

I use my PC for image post processing.

Intel D975XBX2 $250.00
Seagate Entreprise 500GB $160.ea =- $ 320.00
Intel Q6600 $361.00 or Q6420 $224.00
Gigabyte Case and 600W power supply $ 150.00
That is $1081 with the expensive MB, add another $320 for 2 more HDD and we are in $1400 long way for the Apple for more than $ 5300
I have the Raid

What you want to do can be comfortably done on an iMac 21" with a time machine drive hung off it for 1400.00
With better architecture, bigger hdd and faster and more stable OS

Using less power too! Only 205w

Already dual screen capable too...

Just pointing out that they price point about the same, but run a true Unix distribution with a very friendly GUI and churn images brilliantly...

Post process workflow on the Mac is a piece of cake compared to Windows machines.

Originally Posted by Tombie

What you want to do can be comfortably done on an iMac 21" with a time machine drive hung off it for 1400.00
With better architecture, bigger hdd and faster and more stable OS

Using less power too! Only 205w

Already dual screen capable too...

Just pointing out that they price point about the same, but run a true Unix distribution with a very friendly GUI and churn images brilliantly...

Post process workflow on the Mac is a piece of cake compared to Windows machines.

Another option would be the 2.5Ghz Mac Mini which has comparable specs to Chucaro's example, and like the example doesn't include monitor, keyboard or mouse. Price = $899.

Originally Posted by OffTrack

Another option would be the 2.5Ghz Mac Mini which has comparable specs to Chucaro's example, and like the example doesn't include monitor, keyboard or mouse. Price = $899.

Interesting suggestions, I am not familiar with Apple gear.
For what I can see in the Apple store a Mini with dual 500gb HDD ( it does not mention if they are with a good back up warratnty like the Enterprise series) the price is $1339
If we add the other 2 500GB HDD working as well in Raid5 I think that the price will be close to $2000.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

Interesting suggestions, I am not familiar with Apple gear.
For what I can see in the Apple store a Mini with dual 500gb HDD ( it does not mention if they are with a good back up warratnty like the Enterprise series) the price is $1339
If we add the other 2 500GB HDD working as well in Raid5 I think that the price will be close to $2000.

The Mac Mini with dual 500G hard drives (AU list price is $1099) comes bundled with an unlimited user version of the OSX Server OS. The optical drive is deleted and a second hard drive installed in it's place.

I'd stick with a 2.5ghz Mini with single internal drive and a RAID rather than trying squeeze additional drives into a Mac Mini. The Mac Mini has a foot print just under 20cm square and is 3.6cm tall, so it's not exactly large.

One of my clients has been running their email server and web site using OSX Server on the previous version Mac Mini and a La Cie 4Big Quadra 8TB RAID for about 18 months with zero reliability issues.

cheers
Paul

Hi Paul,
I am using the PC for image post processing and working with big files in multiple layers.
The HDD work very hard when algorithms are required to do complex tasks.
Even with the new low energy HDD they are working hot with 2 fans in the large tower.
If I fit ( if it is possible) 2 31/2 "drivers inside so mall box working on Raid I am sure that the life of the drivers will be limited.
I doubt that Apple recomend the Mac Mini for this type of work.
Perhaps the I Mac Intal I5 model is more suitable but if I have to firt the 2 extra Raid drivers on the extra Thunderball unit then the cost is not compatible with an Intel based PC with Seagate Enterprise HDD running Raid 5.
I will visit an Apple store soon to see if they can make a good deal providing that I can use on it my exsisting $ 4000 software on it.

Originally Posted by OffTrack

The Mac Mini with dual 500G hard drives (AU list price is $1099) comes bundled with an unlimited user version of the OSX Server OS. The optical drive is deleted and a second hard drive installed in it's place.

I'd stick with a 2.5ghz Mini with single internal drive and a RAID rather than trying squeeze additional drives into a Mac Mini. The Mac Mini has a foot print just under 20cm square and is 3.6cm tall, so it's not exactly large.

One of my clients has been running their email server and web site using OSX Server on the previous version Mac Mini and a La Cie 4Big Quadra 8TB RAID for about 18 months with zero reliability issues.

cheers
Paul

I'm currently sitting here working on my 2006 Mac Mini, which does everything I have ever needed it to do (including run Windows for my etax - the only thing I run windows for). I have only every had it open once, and that was to install extra RAM. Work laptop is Win machine, by compulsion.
I'm a former network admin, and worked with both PCs and Apples, and run Linux on them both as well. The Apples are a nice bit of kit for both users and small-scale server work. I've never had any dramas getting Apples to talk to any other OS on a network. Windows, on the other hand.........

In fact, I've been trying to get my hands on an old 6150 workgroup server, like I was using in the mid 90s as a general linux server, and when they do come up on ebay, they still go for over $200. Like to see someone try and sell something running Win 3.11 for Workgroups and actually get a bid

Big Big Big picture peoples - be a part of the future.

The world will only become a better place when knowledge is no longer seen as a commodity used to trade imaginery currency BUT is instead shared freely to ensure that all have access to all knowledge. You are on AULRO, freely sharing knowledge - you are already taking part in a new paradigm.

Corporatisation of knowledge will NOT be the way of the future. Its days are numbered.

Open source IS the way of the future people - for everything. Computing & the Interwebs WILL lead public opinion which WILL lead policy which WILL then lead the messed up "exponential growth is infinately sustainable" financial markets. There will however be more 'global finanacial meltdowns' before the financial world actually realises that exponential growth is NOT possible - Midvale school for the gifted and all.


Steve

(sorry all, just needed to vent a little after spending three hours trying to budge the last 10mm fastener holding a Volvo Penta AD41 to its gear bag - cut cut OR red-n-blue will bring joy on the 'morrow)