Thread: Mac Mini

Richard -

External drive size: Doesn't matter, but I'd get 1TB to cover multiple recordings.

FireWire throughput: I've done it without issue on location recordings. However, normally my external drive is in a separate FW connection or hooked up through my GB ethernet. You might consider a USB2 external drive if you are concerned about the issue. A powered hub might work as well.

External drive speed: 7200 rpm.

OS: Go with what you feel comfortable with or that will power the application you desire. I use Apple Logic and Harrison Mixbus - so it's a Mac for me (I come from a graphic design background, so I've been using Apple computers since 1983, Macs since 1989). PCs are great DAWs as well; if you use a WinTel application there is no reason to switch unless feel you want to work with a different tool (program).
I love Logic and the PC people love their programs. If you go with a PC, just make sure you have the proper Windows OS and the machine for the application (check all specs!). BTW GargageBand (free with a new Mac) is a great sounding app that is pretty easy to learn.

It really depends on what you are wanting to do with it.

Much to the consternation of my wife, I have a few computers for audio/video processing. The one I have been most using lately is a mac mini.
It's quiet, it does the job fine for what I am doing.

Occasionally I will fire up one of the louder desktops to do processing. But this is not on for long, as the noise drives me bonkers.