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2012 iMac vs 2012 Mac Mini

J

jharvey71884

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 3, 2011
300
27
So I was about ready to throw down on refurbished mini, but saw something interesting. What do you think?

2012 iMac - 21.5
2.7 quad core i5
1 TB fusion
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M with 512MB
8 GB or ram
Comes with Apple Keyboard/Mouse

Total - $1315


2012 Mac Mini
2.3 quad core i7
1 TB fusion
Intel HD 4000
16 GB ram (will upgrade it for $140)
Will buy Apple Keyboard/Mouse ($140)
$225 monitor

Total - $1430


Thing that worries me about the Mini is the graphics. I do a lot of Lightroom and quite a bit of Final Cut Pro stuff with my job. Nothing too big, but a lot of interviews. The thing I worry about the iMac is the 8GB of ram.
 
jharvey71884 said:
So I was about ready to throw down on refurbished mini, but saw something interesting. What do you think?

2012 iMac - 21.5
2.7 quad core i5
1 TB fusion
NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M with 512MB
8 GB or ram
Comes with Apple Keyboard/Mouse

Total - $1315


2012 Mac Mini
2.3 quad core i7
1 TB fusion
Intel HD 4000
16 GB ram (will upgrade it for $140)
Will buy Apple Keyboard/Mouse ($140)
$225 monitor

Total - $1430


Thing that worries me about the Mini is the graphics. I do a lot of Lightroom and quite a bit of Final Cut Pro stuff with my job. Nothing too big, but a lot of interviews. The thing I worry about the iMac is the 8GB of ram.
Click to expand...

Especially if you are using apps like that, 8GB is definitely worrisome. On the other hand, the HD 4000 is a terrible performer for 3D graphics. The 640m about triples the performance on 3D benchmarks.

This might seem crazy, but here is the computer you should get. It is $1870, but the RAM can be upgraded to 32GB, it has a gorgeous display worth at least $500 alone, and it outperforms both the computers you are looking at in every aspect. Based on your needs, it is the perfect fit.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0PG1LL/A/refurbished-27-inch-imac-34ghz-quad-core-Intel-Core-i5

At least consider it. If you cannot afford it, I would probably go with the mini, but that is only because I would expect you to replace it very soon and retain some value in the accessories you do keep. Both of the computers you are looking at have some serious tradeoffs.

Best,
Matt
 
Wish I could get that 27inch, but both the Mini and iMac are at the top of my budget.
 
jharvey71884 said:
I looked at it, but don't know if I want to be investing in a three-year computer that's not SSD or Fusion.



Signed up for alerts on a 27 inch 2012 Fusion refurbished that sits at 1599. Hopefully one comes available.
Click to expand...


U can put a ssd to tb external.
 
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