So I'm thinking of getting CS4 and will probably need a new computer if I do (I currently have an old Mac Mini). For someone that basically uses the computer for internet, iTunes, and eventually a bit of Illustrator/Photoshop would one of the new Mac Minis suffice? Is there a reason I should go with the 320GB over the 120GB? Is there anything I should add to the computer (upgrade processor or memory)?
Thanks for any advice!

I have the highest end Macbook, the last gen, and it runs pretty well with CS3 suite. My suggestion would be maybe bump up the RAM. I know the 120 GB version only has 1 gig of RAM, which is what my laptop has. Sometimes it has a hard time saving and if I'm working on big projects I get a little worried while saving. haha. So I'd at least bump it up to 2 on the RAM. My computer has a 160 gig hard drive and I thought that would be enough but I was blown away at how fast with music, art projects and a few DVD rips that thing filled up. So an external hard drive to save all your art projects might be a good idea too. Hope that helps a little.

Thanks! We have a 500GB external HD - so with that we could probably go with the 120GB Mini, and just increase the RAM? I'm not really sure how the hard drive affects performance, or if it's just the RAM and processor that affect performance...I'm pretty illiterate when it comes to understanding how computer components work.
It looks like the only difference between the two Mac Minis is the HD size (the processor and RAM can be made equal on either model, but the 320 comes with more RAM initially) - can anyone tell me if I'm overlooking something else?

With something like cs4 you are going to notice the biggest performance improvements with more RAM. I'd go with the smaller hard drive and get as much RAM into the thing as you can, it will pay off. OS X can be a memory hog at times.

your HD size will affect how photoshop runs if you are working with giant size files. photoshop needs the HD space to write to while youre working. but if you are just tinkering in photoshop you should be fine with the smaller HD.

i would get as much RAM as you can afford. anytime i get a new computer i always max out the RAM. its a no-brainer.

Exactly what legoomba and havingmysay said. Max that RAM out! The only time I have lagging issues with my computer is when I'm dealing with huge photoshop flies.

Thanks a bunch, guys! Since I'm not doing this for work I'll go with the smaller HD and max the RAM. What does processor speed mean? The standard is 2.0 GHz, but can be upgraded to 2.26 - doesn't seem significant, but again, I have no idea what this means.
Now I gotta see if I have any toys to help fund the purchase and Illustrator class...

i dont think there will be much difference between 2.0 and 2.26 if you max out the RAM. the shit will be FAST

I honestly wouldn't stress out about the processor speed. The difference between 2.0 and 2.26 isn't going to be big enough for you to notice. 2.0 to 3.0 then maybe. A very long story short, I built a custom PC(i know, i know) to do art on. I did a really crazy processor, can't remember exactly what but it was over 3 mhz. I did 2 gigs of ram and I had so much trouble running AI and PS on it. I upgraded to 4 gigs on the RAM and it ran way better. What I find really funny though is my little Macbook out performs that custom PC, which I built to be an insane machine. I failed, don't know why I tried to fake the funk on the Mac.

Thanks again, folk!
Yesterday I was just planning on buying a new monitor (finally!). Then last night my wife says she wants to take an Illustrator class (which I also want to learn), and today I thought it'd be pretty useless to learn Illustrator and not have it on our computer (well, we kinda have a copy). And with our computer being pretty old I figured it probably wouldn't run CS4 very well - so now I'm pretty much in for a whole new set-up plus some classes. Ouch! Luckily I can get a real sweet deal on the software, otherwise this would all be moot because that shit is EXPENSIVE if you have to pay retail!

Campus tech has CS4 for pretty cheap.