Computer question 

"Slant6" (slant-6) 11/07/2015 at 09:38 • Filed to: None

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Right now my set up consists of this:

1. 2011 Mac Mini i5, 1.5 terabytes storage, 4gb of ram

Primary use: photo storage, Web browsing, multimedia

2. Dell Precision m4800 mobile workstation, i7, 512gb ssd, 16gb of ram

Primary use: rendering 3d things, adobe stuff, an occasional tycoon game, currently my main mobile machine

The thing is with the m4800 is that it’s so big and heavy. I hardly take it out because I’m scared I’ll drop it or something. Its an amazing machine witch I have no intention of getting rid of bit I think I’d like to have something like an ultra book to type papers on or to take on vacation.

My budget is college student slim so sub $300. I’m thinking 2008 macbook air. I know it’s pretty old now with its core 2 duo and 2gb of ram but I think the macs are pretty good at lasting. The mini still holds it’s own and is 4 years old. For my purposes I think this could work.

Any other sub $300 ultrabooks that don’t feel like they’ll fall apart in your hand (I had a cheap laptop phase and I’ll never go there again)? I’m fine with used or even an 11 inch.

Also I’m thinking of replacing the mini with a used macpro, the older bodystyles are getting cheap. Xeon quad core with terabytes of storage with 16gb of ram for under $500.

Nibby > Slant6 11/07/2015 at 09:42

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Do you have to go Mac? Cause if not buy a ThinkPad X220 instead.

Slant6 > Nibby 11/07/2015 at 09:45

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I don’t it’s just my first thought when it comes to well built small computers. I’ll look into the Lenovo. I used to have a nice ThinkPad but I gave it to my sister.

Nibby > Slant6 11/07/2015 at 09:51

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The X220 is solid and light too. And it’s Sandy bridge, MUCH faster than C2D

davedave1111 > Slant6 11/07/2015 at 09:57

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Get an HP Compaq 2530p or similar, max out the ram, give it a SSD. They seem to be unkillable.

tromoly > Slant6 11/07/2015 at 14:16

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What degree are you going for?

I lugged around an Asus G73SW that weighed around 6 pounds and didn’t have any troubles, it’s the equivalent of carrying an extra textbook in your backpack.

Slant6 > tromoly 11/07/2015 at 14:43

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Industrial design but I do graphics stuff for money sometimes. My Dell is 11 pounds.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Slant6 11/12/2015 at 17:05

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In addition to a late 2009 Mac mini, I have an early 2008 MacBook Pro. They have recently been upgraded to El Capitan and it has given them both a new lease on life, and I’m sure each would be further improved with the addition of an SSDD. Sure, I’d like to have newer computers, but I don’t feel like I’m being left behind.

A cheap MBP with an SSDD might just do the trick. You can still run Windows if needed, but even if you just use OS X you’re still current. And given the condition that mine was in when I acquired it, it seems almost indestructible.

Slant6 > Nibby 03/17/2016 at 01:46

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Looking into x220s now. I think this would be perfect for carrying around.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lenovo-Thi…

Nibby > Slant6 03/17/2016 at 08:57

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Go for it!

Slant6 > Nibby 03/17/2016 at 09:20

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Realized my dad has the same computer for work. He might get a new one soon so I’m seeing if his boss would sell it to me.