Mac mini - Page 2

Outvit · #21 01-18-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gog

Would you care to explain ? I read the specs and it`s not too bad. I probably could buy a better PC for less but that`s not relly the point with apple products

Gog

Yah, to get any sort of options it pushes it over $1000....at that price a Powerbook is far better.

atmasphere · #22 01-18-2005, 12:30 PM

except for the form factor... A Powerbook has a lid and can't easily run with it shut. You can run the Mac Mini in a headless state and use it as a server in addition to HTPC potential...

Outvit · #23 01-18-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atmasphere

except for the form factor... A Powerbook has a lid and can't easily run with it shut. You can run the Mac Mini in a headless state and use it as a server in addition to HTPC potential...

Are you sure? I closed my laptop while doing downloads and other tasks. It does not affect performance in the least to close the monitor down. The laptop does not just turn off when you close the screen.

atmasphere · #24 01-18-2005, 12:41 PM

when you close the lid, it goes to sleep. If you leave it cracked open it does not

Outvit · #25 01-18-2005, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atmasphere

when you close the lid, it goes to sleep. If you leave it cracked open it does not

It does not do that to me. You should check your power profiles.

I know there is a magnet in the edge of the lid that triggers it, but you can disable it. The only catch here is that the Powerbook must be plugged into an external power source, like the power adapter because when the display is closed, the thing assumes you are going to use an external monitor and that requires too much power from the battery.

If you can find no other way you're comfortable with...An easier way to do this is to just slip a non metalic object into there. Then it will never trigger sleep mode.

atmasphere · #26 01-18-2005, 12:55 PM

I don't see that as an option anywhere... what pref panel are you in for running with screen shut?

Outvit · #27 01-18-2005, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atmasphere

I don't see that as an option anywhere... what pref panel are you in for running with screen shut?

I don't remember exactly where...I enabled it a very long time ago. I may have done some modification from a tutorial or something. Umm, Energy Saver sounds about right. When I get some time, I'll see what I have enabled/disabled.

But I do know there is a hardware component there that has something to do with heat not being able to escape as well on the Titanium Powerbooks when the display is closed.

iain · #28 01-18-2005, 02:22 PM

There is a 3rd party (Freeware) program called NOSLEEP.
http://ftp.schempp.ch/schempp.ch/www...p/nosleep3.dmg

Warning... it gets really really hot! I did this to an iBook so I could remote control iTunes using a bluetooth cellphone, while it was in my backback but had to give up due to heat issues.

Back on topic, it would also be good to have some kind of 5.1 audio out. USB would be the easiest I guess.

Is there any other way to view a stream from the sage server on a Mac? VLC or RSTP perhaps?

Outvit · #29 01-18-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iain

There is a 3rd party (Freeware) program called NOSLEEP.
http://ftp.schempp.ch/schempp.ch/www...p/nosleep3.dmg

Warning... it gets really really hot! I did this to an iBook so I could remote control iTunes using a bluetooth cellphone, while it was in my backback but had to give up due to heat issues.

Back on topic, it would also be good to have some kind of 5.1 audio out. USB would be the easiest I guess.

Is there any other way to view a stream from the sage server on a Mac? VLC or RSTP perhaps?

Yes, that is exactly what I said above. I'll say it again. Heh....

There is a hardware component there that has something to do with heat not being able to escape as well on the Titanium Powerbooks when the display is closed.

atmasphere · #30 01-19-2005, 08:05 AM

that certainly makes it more attractive to have something like a Mac Mini then. It's cool running without a monitor, though obviously in this potential case would be connected to your home theater screen.

btw - you can now upgrade the RAM on your own, making the Mac Mini and even sweeter deal -

http://www.machtpc.com/archives/2005...your-mac-mini/

feamster · #31 02-03-2005, 12:03 PM

Actually for Sage TV to support the Mac Mini would make VERY good business sense. This box is marketed for PC owners. It is being hailed as a good choice for a media center on multiple fronts. All references to using it this way state use external storage, probably networked storage. I think Sage would get Mac owners and new PC owners to buy their product. I'm going to get one to research this as a replacement for a Windows workstation runnung my applications that a client has running in 100+ locations around the country. We've had too many security issues related to viruses and the monitors/keyboards/mice are already in place.

Sage had a great product. When they made the server a NT service they made it a phenomenal product. I comfortably rely on it's capabilities.

atmasphere · #32 02-03-2005, 12:25 PM

We just have to hope the linux software can be adapted to run on OS X...

feamster · #33 02-03-2005, 02:28 PM

Actually since the Sage (as I understand it) is written in Java there should be a high degree of portability. Of course optimizations are usually not that simple so let's hope.

AndyS · #34 02-04-2005, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by feamster

Actually since the Sage (as I understand it) is written in Java there should be a high degree of portability. Of course optimizations are usually not that simple so let's hope.

Bear in mind that while the core code is easily portable, drivers for the tuners are hardware-implementation specific. The tuner drivers present the greatest challenge for this type of solution when a multi-platform solution is desired.

Andy.

Wheemer · #35 02-04-2005, 05:44 PM

I think everyones directing these comments towards SageTV Client... No driver issues at all....

AndyS · #36 02-04-2005, 05:45 PM

Gotcha. My bad...

Except for video drivers of course...

Andy.

dbfresh23 · #37 02-05-2005, 12:34 AM

It probably wouldn't be too hard to port to OSX being that OSX is just a very nice gui sitting on top of unix. I think Sage for linux uses mplayer for video display, this is also already ported to OSX.

I think the Mac Mini looks really nice on the outside, but come on a 4200rpm hdd?!!?!

atmasphere · #38 02-05-2005, 12:57 AM

Don't worry about the drive speed... I've got mine connected to both firewire and NAS drives and it streams audio and video content beautifully.

Wheemer · #39 02-05-2005, 01:00 AM

Are any of the owners of the mac mini going to try the overclocking featured on screensavers?

atmasphere · #40 02-05-2005, 09:50 AM

Not me... I've got the 1.4 version and it's plenty for DVD, VOB and iTunes playback. I can also use EyeTV to view or record pass through signals from my cable box.

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