iMac or Mac mini or macbook

[whooshbong]

I have a top spec 2012 iMac 27”. Fine for work but struggling now with some gaming stuff. I have steam and use macOS where possible but boot camp uf Window only versions. Tends not to be too many overly heavy settings wise.
Trying to justify a new iMac at the moment but also saw an article about using an eGPU with a Mac mini and MacBook.
I wondered if anyone had this setup and thoughts of comparison with iMac and whether it was worth it.

 

[bdbolin]

I had a top spec 2012 iMac 27" as well. Moved to:

1. Mac Mini i7 baseline
2. Running off external envoy pro ssd
3. External eGPU
4. 27" 4k Monitor

I LOVE the setup. If something breaks down, I can literally go to bestbuy and pick up anything I need. Worst case is a new Mac Mini but that's < $1000 up front and I'm running that same day again. No need to wait weeks for repairs.

I'll play some games on steam. DOS2. Cities Skylines. Very happy.

I had stability issues the first month with the eGPU, but Apple since had OS updates that fixed them and it's been as stable as my iMac was.

Initial cost was cheaper. Performance equal to an iMac. Repairability is way quicker and cheaper. I got a GPU used off Kijiji - was all plug n play.

 

[whooshbong]

Do you use bootcamp at all. I’m reading that there’s some tinkering needed to make it work?

 

[bdbolin]

I do not use bootcamp. Sorry

 

[ruslan120]

I’m planning on doing a video tutorial on this topic, but tl;dr - if your Mac already has a graphics card it takes more tinkering and it’s a harder setup process.

Best choices are the Mac Mini and Macbooks without discrete graphics. Most difficult setup process: iMac.
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I was actually debating this question a few months ago and decided on a powerful iMac + base model MBP 13”.

 

[weaztek]

If you get a new machine soon I'd look for one running Mojave. Catalina is definitely not ready for production yet. I'm stuck with it at the moment.

 

[whooshbong]

I had a top spec 2012 iMac 27" as well. Moved to:

1. Mac Mini i7 baseline
2. Running off external envoy pro ssd
3. External eGPU
4. 27" 4k Monitor

I LOVE the setup. If something breaks down, I can literally go to bestbuy and pick up anything I need. Worst case is a new Mac Mini but that's < $1000 up front and I'm running that same day again. No need to wait weeks for repairs.

I'll play some games on steam. DOS2. Cities Skylines. Very happy.

How much did that set up cost vs off the shelf iMac

 

[shaunp]

A bit leftfield but look at the games you play and whether they will run on a console. If so it would be cheaper just to get an xbox or PS4 with an external monitor (assuming you have room). You could then use that as a second monitor on your iMac when you aren't gaming. The gaming experience would also be better than it is on a Mac.