Get advice to help you create your t-shirt graphics. Discuss t-shirt design software, special effect techniques, or other topics related to creating a t-shirt design on your computer. If you'd rather hire a graphic designer to do the work for you, please post in our Referrals and Recommendations section here.
I've been thinking of getting a mac mini to get my feet wet in the world of mac computers. I haven't had one since 1992 (i think it was an LC II).
Anyone using one to design with?
i used a mac mini for a while, even when it was sitting next to my G5, and my Dell tower. they are awesome, get as much ram as you can, it may be a little sluggish if you are working with MASSIVE files but im talking a psd over 100MB... otherwise I wouldnt worry about it...
The Macintosh operating system has undergone a major shift from what you knew in 1992. If you are going to learn an new operating system, you may want to consider making the shift to a windows machine.
fred
I don't know what you mean by learn a new operating system. I've been using computers for 25+ years....since my first Atari 800xl. I've had lots of PC's but only one mac, back in 1992. I currently use PC's for design but I've thought of switching to macs for designing with the idea of trying it out with a relatively inexpensive mac mini.
i used a mac mini for a while, even when it was sitting next to my G5, and my Dell tower. they are awesome, get as much ram as you can, it may be a little sluggish if you are working with MASSIVE files but im talking a psd over 100MB... otherwise I wouldnt worry about it...
Thanks for the info.
Hmm...some files could easily be 100+mb. I've got to get over to an Apple store and try one of these out.
well i am talking about an older mini also..
only a 1.25 with 1 gig ram...
im guessing any current models will perform very well. though wait a week before you buy anything since macworld is coming up...
Thanks for the info.
Hmm...some files could easily be 100+mb. I've got to get over to an Apple store and try one of these out.
you can only go up to 2GB of RAM with the minis, so you may need to be patient with some of your larger files. i'd also recommend skipping the combo drive and going straight for the super drive.
you can get yourself any decent flat screen no problem, but you may wish to consider getting a mac keyboard (not included). they are made to interface with OSX really well. i personally hate the mouse that apple offers. i prefer something more big and ergonomic.
i just got a new 24" iMac for work, the mini will probably be my next home computer. you have me envious.
__________________
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." Groucho Marx
Every computer has an operating system. The operating system is a group of files which allows a computer to boot and it gives the machine its look and feel. Back when the Mac LC was new, it shipped with system 6.0.7 or some version of system 7.
Apple continued to improve the operating system till version 9.
When Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1996, he put the company on the path to eliminate apples old operating system and replace it with a unix kernel'ed operating system similar to what Job's NEXT computer used. This new operating system is called OS X.
I used to love the mac, but i hate OS X.
fred
Fred, I just don't think you understand what I am saying. I know what an operating system is! The mac history you've noted is old news to me. Like I've said, I've been a (daily) computer (PC) user since the mid eighties. Other than Vista, I've been through every operating system you can think of. I don't think I'd have any trouble "learning" what I'd need to know with OS X. I don't have any stance in the mac vs pc debate. I think any computer is just a tool used to get the job done and people should choose the tool they are comfortable using.
If I get a mini I'd be running Photoshop and Illustrator. Thats it. No email. No word processor, spreadsheet or any other programs. I'll need to learn how to use the mac version of PS and Illy. I dont think it'll be that difficult because, based on the screen shots I've seen, I don't think their interfaces are much different than Acobe's PC versions. I don't really need to "learn a new operating system." Its not like I'm going to be programming apps for it.
So, back to the question I posted. Fred, are you using a mac mini to design with?
I think he was being facetious.. i dont think this needs to turn into a mac vs windows debate....
I wasn't being facetious. I just didnt get the point of his post. It seems that Fred thinks I've been using a Mac LC II since 1992. I've had dozens of new computers since then but they have all been PC's.
I wasn't being facetious. I just didnt get the point of his post. It seems that Fred thinks I've been using a Mac LC II since 1992. I've had dozens of new computers since then but they have all been PC's.
you can only go up to 2GB of RAM with the minis, so you may need to be patient with some of your larger files. i'd also recommend skipping the combo drive and going straight for the super drive.
you can get yourself any decent flat screen no problem, but you may wish to consider getting a mac keyboard (not included). they are made to interface with OSX really well. i personally hate the mouse that apple offers. i prefer something more big and ergonomic.
i just got a new 24" iMac for work, the mini will probably be my next home computer. you have me envious.
Dont all the iMacs have that stupid glossy screen?
I'll have to look up the difference between the combo and super drives.
How much RAM can the iMac use?
Thanks. I'm definately looking forward to the macworld news. I've got a bit of mac stock (and just bought more after the huge drop on Friday) that I hope benefits from it.
From what I hear, one of the new product intros will be OS X's availability for PC's. People have hacked it to make it work but Apple could have a huge product if they get company's like Dell to offer their new computers with your choice of either XP, Vista or OSX pre-installed.
I recently purchased the iMac with a 24" screen. This is my first Mac and so far I love it. Both my wife and I work in graphic design and there is very little difference, once you get into your programs, between the Mac and Windows platforms. The one thing I did immediately was to up the RAM to 4 GB. Purchase the RAM separately and save yourself a ton of cash. I also replaced the 320 Gig hard drive with a 1 TB drive. Apple shop wanted to charge me 2 hours labor to do this at $125 an hour. I found a step by step pictorial online and it took me 37 minutes with no previous experience with an all in one unit.
I run the Adobe CS3 Ultimate Suite on the Tiger operating system (Acrobat doesn't work with Leopard yet which kills that upgrade). I've heard good things about the mini, but as has been said before, the 2 GB RAM limit can have its draw backs hence the reason I spent the extra dollars to go with the iMac. In case you missed it in the second sentence ..... I absolutely love this computer and I've been a die hard Windows man since the PC's inception.
dont get an imac, you cant upgrade
super drive just means you can burn DVDs
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sign Effectz
Dont all the iMacs have that stupid glossy screen?
I'll have to look up the difference between the combo and super drives.
How much RAM can the iMac use?
What exactly can't you upgrade? I've put 4 GB of Mushkin RAM in and also tossed in a 1 TB WD hard drive. This iMac runs smooth as silk. The iMac is great for just about everything except very high end video editing where it would be time to step up to the Mac Pro or a professional editing station.
Anyone using a mac mini for design ? 
