I currently have an older PC and, much like Maple, am looking at a Mac. I've been eyeing a mac mini, and using my existing PC monitor with a monitor switch between the 2. The pricing on the mac's is one thing that makes me hesitate, but I keep hearing alot of good about them, stability and performace wise. I'm a unix admin by trade, so I do like the unix underlaying OS as well

I'm debating between the 2 intel dual core models. Would it be better to go with a slightly slower CPU and get more memory, or the faster proc and not as much memory? I hate the fact you can't get the superdrive with the slower processor That's another big draw for me.

I see mentions of the new OS coming out this spring. If I bought a Mac Mini now, would I have to buy the OS, or does mac usually offer some sort of discount for "recent" purchases?

Thanks