Why DIDN"T you choose a MacMini as you CarPC?

Creative0Mind · 02-11-2008, 12:45 AM

I know there's a Mac forum, but I wanted to ask those who took the Windows route so.......for all the Windows users, why not the MiniMac??

It's compact, cost effective and with the latest OS you can still install Windows & it's drivers, so what gives?

I ask because i'm in the decision stage.

Thanks.

Rob Withey · 02-11-2008, 12:56 AM

Because it is too big, and too expensive, and it didn't exist when I built my PC.

2k1Toaster · 02-11-2008, 01:09 AM

1) Its a mac
2) Too expensive
3) Too constrictive
4) No good software for mac (CarPC related)
5) No good hardware for mac (CarPC related)

Bugbyte · 02-11-2008, 01:35 AM

Tut-tut, now let's be fair on the price front.

First - you CAN build a PC cheaper than a Mini. That's a given.

However, if you want and like the features that the Mini has, then you'll find that it is very comparable to PC offerings. The AOPen Pandora is similar in form factor to the Mini.

Looking at the Apple web site, the cheapest Mac Mini is $599. It comes with
- 1.83ghz Intel core 2 duo processor
- 1gb of RAM
- 80 gig HD
- CD/DVD drive
- Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
- WiFi 802.11g
- OSX preloaded

I configured the cheapest Aopen MiniPC MP945-X Multi with similar specs on the mp3car.com store for $670
-Aopen MiniPC MP945-X Multi
-1gb RAM
- 80 gig SATA drive

No CD/DVD drive, no bluetooth, no WiFi, no operating system

There are lots of reasons for not picking a Mini. However, in the same form factor with the same features, it is price competitive.

Rob Withey · 02-11-2008, 02:06 AM

And if you don't need the features then it is too expensive. Lambourginis are too expensive, I chose not to buy one of those too. However, I'm sure they are a reasonable price in their own field.

stroths · 02-11-2008, 07:08 AM

For about $370 you can get a similar system from a seller on ebay (i.e. item 360022631937)

1.2GHz Celeron 220 (essentially core 2 solo)
M2-ATX 160w power supply
120G Toshiba 2.5" SATA hard drive
512 Kingston DDR2 RAM
slot loading external USB DVD drive
Bluetooth 2.0

All this in a small aluminum case that looks like a car amp and is designed for CarPC use. It's not exactly the specs of the Mac Mini, but its ready to go. I bought a bare bones version of this system from him without the USB drive or hard drive and its a nice small system.

Rockhammer · 02-11-2008, 09:40 AM

It's all about the (lack of) software.

RedGTiVR6 · 02-11-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

1) Its a mac
2) Too expensive
3) Too constrictive
4) No good software for mac (CarPC related)
5) No good hardware for mac (CarPC related)

Mostly 3 - 5 for me.

Entirely too constrictive. You cannot get a laptop drive big enough for what I need. While they are getting close, they still aren't there.

No matter what, you HAVE to run a USB hub.

While many people say you can run Windows on the new Intel Mac Minis, so what? Why buy a Mac mini just to buy a Mac Mini?

Now, there are some people out there (a good friend of mine included) that LOVE anything Apple. He wants to run a Mac Mini and is ok with running Mac OS as his front end.

it's all about what YOU want out of your CarPC.

FusionFanatic · 02-11-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Creative0Mind

for all the Windows users, why not the MiniMac??

the main reason is price... it's simply too expensive for what you get out of it. it is a nice little machine, but you can "get more, for less" with a PC.

also, there is absolutely no point in spending the extra money on a mac if you're just going to put windows on it. the mac operating system is it's only strength. the hardware in a mac is no better than the hardware available to PCs. so why waste money on over-priced hardware if you're not going to use the intended software?

JimmyFitz · 02-11-2008, 10:35 AM

Aside from reasons others have stated, I chose a Windows PC because that is what all of my experience is with. Why get a PC that I only use in my car that has a different OS with quirks and new stuff for me to need to learn. Stick with what I already know. If I wanted to dig in to learning a different OS it would be Linux.

lxt_123 · 02-11-2008, 10:48 AM

It is about the lack of software and hardware limitations, same problems I had with macs since the 80's

jonessc · 02-11-2008, 12:27 PM

Plus all the good front ends run on Windows, the majority being free...

Creative0Mind · 02-12-2008, 01:09 PM

Hello all, very interesting responses.

Firstly, let me expound on my reason for this post. As a newbie to carpc with limited space in my car, the MiniMac's form factor is very appealing and given the ability of the latest OS to allow for Mac & Windows I thought this was the best of both worlds.

Also, given that I do have an iPod the integration would be awesome, (I know this works great on everyone's Windows PC also); The stability of the MAC OS etc. Then I can also have the flexibility of switching to Windows for all the other apps. that I may want to run. That's my thinking.
I'm starting to like those nice front ends i'm seeing and the different neat apps. folks are running, etc.

I have not chosen a system yet, hence my curiousity for other's decision(s) so that I can make my decision.

Thanks..

Bugbyte · 02-12-2008, 02:01 PM

I'd say most everyone has hit the nail on the head. If you only intend to run Windows, the only reason to buy the Mini is if you require the same form factor and capabilities in that package.

I'll offer up that although I run the Mac Mini, it is the PPC version. I've been wanting to explore the Windows front ends. However, I chose not to upgrade to an Intel Mac Mini but instead purchase the Intel Little Valley board because it was dirt cheap. I got full flexibility in hardware choices, but the setup I ended up with doesn't fit where the Mini does now. So - there you have a real life example of an Apple fan-boy buying a PC.

As for stability of the OS, yes OS X is stable, but so is Windows in a Car PC. A car PC is a very different kind of computer. It is basically an appliance in your automobile. It doesn't get jerked around like your desktop PC and once you wrap a nice front end on it, you won't be able to tell if it is Windows, Apple, or Linux. I wouldn't worry too much about the stability issues.

One thing many people discount is that the Mini comes with a built in Car PC application - Front Row. Not only that, it comes with a remote control. After wiring it up, you already have a built in front end that plays music, video, DVD's, photos and so on. They've started hacking the new Front Row and you can add plug ins to it now. That's bound to show up in the Car PC environment.

But software-wise, that's all the Mini has going for it in the car. You surely can run Windows on it, but as others have pointed out, why do that instead of just buying a Windows box?

Well, maybe you like the form factor and the features in the Mini. Which brings us full circle. If you like those, the Mini is for you. If you don't, you can build one out of practically spare parts for next to dirt.

Machinehead · 02-12-2008, 02:09 PM

When the hand-built PC crowd is crying that their machines won't boot at 25 degrees F, the mini will boot just fine. I've had mine boot just fine at 6 degrees F.

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