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Recommendation for fast Mac for databases or way to make Mac faster?

I've currently got a Mac mini 1.83 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 1 GB RAM running OS 10.6.8. I'm on a quest to either make my current Mac faster or find the ideal mac for databases. I upgraded recently from 10.5.8 to 10.6.8 in the hopes of making my computer more stable and faster, but things are running slower. No wonder, Activity Monitor hardly shows any green memory. Apple doesn't seem to sell memory for this Mac anymore. So I'm wondering whether it's time to just get a new Mac.

What Mac would you recommend for someone not using videos, music, images on a regular basis? Would you consider any of them to be overkill for mostly running database programs? Or would any particular one be insufficient?

Thanks!

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 13, 2013 7:39 AM

19 replies

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Mar 21, 2013 8:44 AM in response to Schionatulander

RAM upgrade: you get bit twice:

1. You must take out your existing RAM, and

2. You must install 4GB, of which the system will only recognize 3GB.

I have the same Mac Mini and I did this upgrade, see here:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/mac-mini/

Will cost you about $60 + tax & shipping.

Ah: yes, you link another page with the correct RAM upgrade...

Mar 22, 2013 1:19 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

It looks like we're going to go with a new Mac after all. So a few more questions for clarification:

MlchaelLAX wrote:

I'd get the 2.3GHz i7 Mac Mini and max out the RAM and possibly consider replacing the hard drive with a SSD and upgrade to FileMaker Pro 12.

Why do you recommend the i7 over i5 (with 2.6 GHz)? Speed? Same question for SSD.

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Mar 22, 2013 7:57 AM in response to Schionatulander

I always recommend as much CPU power as you can afford. You will see the benefits as the years go by.

SSD's will access data much faster than a physical hard drive.

Mar 22, 2013 8:45 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

Thank you all for the informative and helpful replies!

Recommendation for fast Mac for databases or way to make Mac faster?