Mac Mini Family Use Question

[elduave]

If we got a Mac Mini for family use, would I be able to have an exclusive iTunes for iPhone syncing? In other words, can I not mix the big time rush and paramore with the UFO and John Waite?

[mathman]

You can create multiple user accounts on the mac mini and then have separate itunes accounts for different accounts, or at least control what files are stored for which login while sharing the same itunes account. Macs have a "fast user switching" setting in accounts where you can quickly switch accounts without logging out before hand.

[specialk]

Macs have a "fast user switching" setting in accounts .

A great feature, IMHO.

BTW, the new Mac minis are pretty awesome. Here are some factory refurb units:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_mini

[elduave]

You lost me after the first comma, but I understand 4 user accounts, each with its own apple id for iTunes?

You can create multiple user accounts on the mac mini and then have separate itunes accounts for different accounts, or at least control what files are stored for which login while sharing the same itunes account. Macs have a "fast user switching" setting in accounts where you can quickly switch accounts without logging out before hand.

[mathman]

You lost me after the first comma, but I understand 4 user accounts, each with its own apple id for iTunes?

You can create multiple user accounts on the mac mini and then have separate itunes accounts for different accounts, or at least control what files are stored for which login while sharing the same itunes account. Macs have a "fast user switching" setting in accounts where you can quickly switch accounts without logging out before hand.

Some of the accounts could use the same apple id and share the files, songs etc if you wanted.

[alantig]

You lost me after the first comma, but I understand 4 user accounts, each with its own apple id for iTunes?

Yes - you can do multiple iTunes libraries under multiple user logons on the Mac. I believe you can even use the same iTunes account ID on different libraries with different content.

Meaning - you can have user logons Dad, Mom, Boy, Girl. Each logon can have it's own iTunes library. If Dad has an iTunes account, that account can be shared across the libraries even though the libraries may have different content. But Apple Central still will think YOU bought the new Justin Bieber!

Alan

[elduave]

So, assuming I'm logged on to the machine as Dad, and I plug in my phone, I will only see Dad's music get synced. Beyond that, I can select any tune on any profile/iTunes account to be seen in any other profile/account? Don't mean to be dense, just not liking the fact that I don't have a home base for my phone. Laptop is not an option, and our family computer is a troubled PC. Thanks again!

[tobereeno]

the newer Mac Minis have HDMI outputs, so you can use your HDTV as a monitor, which is very cool. With Hulu and other services, it can eliminate the need to have cable TV service, depending on what shows you watch.

[JohnnyB]

Another thing: you can add a portable USB drive to archive your iTunes files so it doesn't load up your internal hard drive. I bought a 500 GB portable at Costco for around $60 and that's where I keep the tunes for my laptop, whose internal HD isn't all that big. For a family I'd go for a 1 TB drive.

[gorch]

You lost me after the first comma, but I understand 4 user accounts, each with its own apple id for iTunes?

Yes - you can do multiple iTunes libraries under multiple user logons on the Mac. I believe you can even use the same iTunes account ID on different libraries with different content.

Meaning - you can have user logons Dad, Mom, Boy, Girl. Each logon can have it's own iTunes library. If Dad has an iTunes account, that account can be shared across the libraries even though the libraries may have different content. But Apple Central still will think YOU bought the new Justin Bieber!

Alan

I understand the issue. But, why should I buy the new Justin Bieber?

[alantig]

So, assuming I'm logged on to the machine as Dad, and I plug in my phone, I will only see Dad's music get synced. Beyond that, I can select any tune on any profile/iTunes account to be seen in any other profile/account? Don't mean to be dense, just not liking the fact that I don't have a home base for my phone. Laptop is not an option, and our family computer is a troubled PC. Thanks again!

No - unless you share the libraries, each user's library will be independent of each other. So you don't see Mom's Carly Simon, and she doesn't see your death metal. You can share the libraries (as I understand it - haven't done this myself), but you don't need to.

Alan