Help me decide between these two setups!

[jamdr]

Okay, which one is the better and why:

1.42 GHz Mac Mini + 20" Apple Cinema Display = $1278 (EDU)
1.8 GHz iMac G5 = $1200 (EDU)

Note that I'd also have to get more memory for the Mac Mini, but I probably wouldn't get anymore for the iMac. I like the Mac Mini option because I could keep the display and upgrade just the computer later for very cheap. However, the initial investment would be more. Also, I HATE the look of the iMac G5. Please help convince me which is better.

[Phat_Pat]

The iMac has a G5 while the Mac Mini currently doesn't.

The iMac comes with 512 MB of RAM. THe Mac mini.... 256.

iMac has a bigger Hard Drive (160 vs 40)

iMac has a better graphics Card (128 MB vs 32)

go with the iMac.... it sexy looking too. ;)

Theres alot more but... well yeah

[mad jew]

The only benefit from getting the mini is if you want to upgrade to a PowerMac later on, you'll have a gorgeous 20 inch screen already. But I'd go for the iMac personally. Actually, change that. I am going for the iMac, and chucking my money just below my nose. ;)




That's my mouth BTW.

[BKKloppenborg]

i would get the imac because of what Phat_Pat said.. Anyone know if screen got better then they were i remember they were to dark and bad 3 years ago..

[gamestriker]

iMac. Far more powerful than the Mac mini, and serve you much better, especially with Tiger. (Mac mini still does not fully support Tiger i.e. Core Image, and you can barely run a few programs on Tiger without some lag on 256M RAM as it is. The 512 will make a major difference.)

[MrCommunistGen]

The iMac is faster in every way... Higher clocked processor, G5 instead of G4, Radeon 9600 graphics as opposed to Radeon 9200 (important for Quartz in Tiger err something like that... I've got a G3 iMac so I really don't keep up with that kind of stuff), and aside from having a larger HD, its faster too! The mini's have a 4200RPM 2.5" laptop hard drive, the iMac has a 7200RPM 3.5" desktop HD. The iMac also has 2 ram slots to the mini's 1. That means that when you upgrade the mini's memory you have to take out the old stick and find something to do with it (collect dust? :( )

Then again, as you mentioned, if you upgrade you dont get to use the monitor... If speed is you're main concern, go for the iMac. If being able to use the monitor with a later computer is important go for the mini. Honestly, I feel that if you go for the mini you'd be upgrading sooner than if you got the iMac. Also, if you were to get the iMac, by the time you would replace it (in 2+ years I'm assuming) the price of a 20" LCD will have come down a lot anyway. When the 23" first came out it was like $3500, more than the top of the line G4, now a couple years later its $1500.

In the end, its your money and therefore your choice. i hope I've helped you and not made things more difficult.

Good Luck with your choice!
-mcg

Edit: that quartz thing i mentioned is Core Image in Tiger

[iJaz]

iMac! :D
As have already been said, you'll get much more computer for your money!
If you want to upgrade to a PowerMac later, I guess you'll get good money for your iMac. The prices for used Macs are usually quite high. And by that time the LCD prices will probably have gone down.

[russed]

yeh i think as the general pattern is emerging - its a bit of a no brainer! get the iMac!

i think it should last quite a while so there wont be any need to upgrade soon with that!

[ZLurker]

iMac! :D
As have already been said, you'll get much more computer for your money!
If you want to upgrade to a PowerMac later, I guess you'll get good money for your iMac. The prices for used Macs are usually quite high. And by that time the LCD prices will probably have gone down.
Hi there!
Greetings from Lund. Since i prob. dont need the pci slots your iMac is my biggest contender for my upcoming buy of a PM. What did you pay in sek, for the whole kit?

[SpaceMagic]

The iMac. No contest.

Believe it or not the iMac takes up less desk space too - as you've just got the screen's stand and the keyboard/mouse. The Mac mini will have itself, the external fair sized power brick, And the 20" Apple Cinema Display stand.

You'll learn to love the way the iMac looks ;)

It's also a hella lot better machine.

[Passante]

Check out this Barefeats speed test

http://www.barefeats.com/imacg5.html

While it didn't test the mini, I think the mini is very close to an iMac G4.

I'd get the G5 iMac unless your planning to replace the mini un a year or so.

[wdlove]

I would also recommend the iMac G5. As mentioned it has the better technology. It also looks very cool.

[noel4r]

Well, if you think you'll upgrade within a year, I say just get mac mini and a separate monitor. You will also save around $300.00 if you dont mind getting a 20" Dell LCD instead. Said LCD will still be usable when you upgrade to that Powermac (you know you want to) in a couple of years.... ;)