[djseto]

I bought a Mini 9 when they first came out and I've been running 10.5.7 without any problems. I've been closing the constant updates asking me to move to the latest patches for fear of having to go through the whole EFI process again. I have an install disc for Snow Leopard, but I'm debating whether this is an upgrade worth doing. Are there any real advantages on a Mini 9 when it comes to Snow Leopard? There certainly are on my iMac, but I'm not so sure the hassle vs. new features are worth it for the Mini. Also, are there any good guides for doing the upgrade? I've seen the guides that mention fresh installs, but I don't want to lose what I have installed/configured already on my 10.5.7. I've also searched and seen some threads on audio that doesnt work, etc. with SL. If this isn't going to be painless, I'm gonna stick with what I have.

Thanks

[ljsworld]

My primary uses for my mini-9 is as a portable video player and Skype box. With the audio issues I had on my one SL attempt awhile back, I've decided to stay with Leopard (YMMV).

[underwhelmed]

I had Leo, now I have SL. SL takes up less space.

Audio is a non issue with the newer NBI, unless you need mic. then it is an easy enough fix, either add a kext, or buy a cheap USB headset or soundcard. I bought one on eBay for less than $3 including shipping.

I would recommend doing a fresh install, versus upgrading to SL.

[Slothtyper]

I'm with ya and have decided for me the answer is not-quite-yet. I'm a big believer in the "don't fix it if it ain't broke" principle, and for me 10.5.8 with DELL EFI1.2a5 has been just like owning a Mac......way too stable to mess with.

[hootoot]

Originally Posted by djseto

I bought a Mini 9 when they first came out and I've been running 10.5.7 without any problems. I've been closing the constant updates asking me

You can stop those annoying update windows by doing this:

System Preferences -> Software Update -> uncheck the "Check for updates:" checkbox.

As for me, I'm also still on 10.5.7. Other than light web-surfing, I only use the Mini 9 for playing standard-def video (VLC and the MythTV frontend) and for running noise/music synthesizer programs (Supercollider and Pure Data).

It works perfectly now with 10.5.7/DellEFI 1.2a5, so I'm not gonna update it. At least for now. I'm lazy, and "if it ain't broke", etc.

It's a perfectly functional tiny Mac video player and noisemaker just as it is. I just keep a current image/backup of the SSD in case it messes up. It been running like this since last May.

[dchao]

I am also on 10.5.8. What concerns me most is the constant updates with SL. You have no idea what Apple will bring with 10.6.3, will the Atom support still be there? Will it break something else?

What ever the next Apple update might be, one thing for sure, it will not be as smooth as a Mac native update. That means more tweaking.

[underwhelmed]

Originally Posted by dchao

I am also on 10.5.8. What concerns me most is the constant updates with SL. You have no idea what Apple will bring with 10.6.3, will the Atom support still be there? Will it break something else?

What ever the next Apple update might be, one thing for sure, it will not be as smooth as a Mac native update. That means more tweaking.

Run what you want, but Apple could roll out a 10.5.9 and disable your install as well. Apple broke the Atom support with 10.6.2, but Meklort had a workaround quickly, and a solution in a few days.

With the newer NBI I have had zero issues with updates to SL.

[ljsworld]

10.5.9 is very unllikely. Apple doesn't update, except for security updates, after a new version is released (10.6.x). Meklort has been wonderful, but in all honesty, I'm a little nervous about continued mini-9 support since the 10v has been released.

10.5.7 does all I need: email; internet browsing; Skype; VLC; EyeTV; and a terminal window for accessing various servers.

[bmcclure937]

OSX 10.6.2 with the latest and greatest NetbookInstaller .8.3 works like a charm. Some of the changes you get from upgrading to NetbookInstaller are both beneficial and aesthetically advantageous. It makes the overall experience more Mac-like and smooth.

That is what I personally recommend and then you are using the most current version of the OS as well

[sonatacreative]

I would also add another nod to 10.5.8 if for not other reason than to continue the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' band wagon. I upgraded to SL on my MacPro, and while its nice to have some extra space and a few speed increases, its nothing earth shattering. For me the Mini 9 works absolutely flawlessly on 10.5.8 with no sacrifices having to be made. I use this for much more than just a simple video and web machine- I use it as my main portable computer and often run full Adobe Creative Suite apps on it as well as some screencasting, skype, neo office, and production apps on it.

I used carbon copy cloner to make a nice image of the stable system so that if anything changes in the future I can immediately warp back to a usable system image. Combine this with the use of dropbox to keep all the core files synced across systems, and I really have no reason to upgrade. That being said, if this little machine is still going strong (and I have no reason to expect it to not do so) in 8-12 months, then I'll consider upgrading it to the next OS iteration.