We'd be dead. Can't get paid if you're dead.

Mal ,'Serenity'


Buffistechnology 3: "Press Some Buttons, See What Happens."

Got a question about technology? Ask it here. Discussion of hardware, software, TiVos, multi-region DVDs, Windows, Macs, LINUX, hand-helds, iPods, anything tech related. Better than any helpdesk!


askye - Dec 15, 2015 12:42:07 pm PST #24701 of 25496
Thrive to spite them

I have a Note 4 which is one of the larger phones. I got it party because if the size but partly because I thought I'd use the stylus and note features. I dont.

However my eyes are at a stage where I don't need bifocals but to see far away I need a prescription that makes close things blurry. I don't always have to take off my glasses for my phone but when I was helping Dad with his phone I needed to take my glasses off.

This probably wouldn't be such an issue if I didn't use my phone more for the Internet than anything else.


Tom Scola - Dec 17, 2015 3:22:58 pm PST #24702 of 25496
Mr. Scola’s wardrobe by Botany 500

Have you tried typing "A long time ago in a galaxy far far away" into Google today?


-t - Dec 17, 2015 3:40:18 pm PST #24703 of 25496
I am a woman of various inclinations and only some of the time are they to burn everything down in frustration

Is it different from last time I did it?

I dig the Beethoven doodle.


beekaytee - Dec 29, 2015 6:05:14 pm PST #24704 of 25496
Compassionately intolerant

I've got about a day and a half to decide whether or not to replace my mac mini.

I don't really want a laptop and want to get away as inexpensively as possible...but I'm done buying used computers.

I have loved the mini but my current one is so fiendishly slow and crashy, it makes me frantic some times.

The imac 27" in attractive, but I hate the idea of an all-in-one, cuz if one goes all elements go.

On the other hand, the mini line seems to be diminished, which makes me worry that it will be discontinued soon.

Can the mac folks, ND, Daniel, etc weigh in on my best bet between the two (and the best configuration) especially for longevity?


NoiseDesign - Dec 30, 2015 5:39:31 pm PST #24705 of 25496
Our wings are not tired

I own close to 50 Mac minis and they have all been workhorses. Don't buy the cheapest one, but one notch up. Better processor and better video card on that one.

I also have three of the 27" Retina iMacs that are amazing machines as well as iMacs going back to a 24" from 2009. I have never had the monitor section fail in one so I don't consider the all in one aspect a problem.


beekaytee - Dec 30, 2015 7:19:30 pm PST #24706 of 25496
Compassionately intolerant

Thanks, ND.

I was considering the middle or highest end mini.

Do you think there is a substantive difference between the i5 (imac) vs i7(mini) processor?


NoiseDesign - Dec 30, 2015 7:31:28 pm PST #24707 of 25496
Our wings are not tired

It's a deceptive comparison. If my memory is correct the i7 in the Mini is a dual core processor and the i5 in the iMac is a quad core. There are also substantive differences in the video processing between the two systems.


beekaytee - Dec 30, 2015 9:23:30 pm PST #24708 of 25496
Compassionately intolerant

This is where my brain cramps.

I'm assuming that means the imac is 'stronger' but I don't know that I necessarily need that.

I run a bunch of applications at once, but I'm not using high end graphics or anything. I stream a LOT, but have only every used about half the memory on my current mini.

I just don't know what I actually need.


Jon B. - Jan 01, 2016 4:56:56 pm PST #24709 of 25496
A turkey in every toilet -- only in America!

have only every used about half the memory on my current mini.

When you say "memory", do you mean hard drive or RAM? It usually means the latter, but people often confuse the two.


beekaytee - Jan 01, 2016 5:07:25 pm PST #24710 of 25496
Compassionately intolerant

Hard drive, Jon.

Just now, I ran Disk Inventory, which tells me I have 4 gigs and I'm using 2.2.

Still, the system runs like molasses and stuff crashes all the time.

I've run all sorts of cleaners but nothing seems to help.