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mac mini vs. iMac

T

think.different

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 2, 2009
10
0
Hi folks,

I was pretty sure I would buy a mac mini soon after the upgrade .. but I am still a little confused :confused:

This is what I use my mac for (I have a 20" core duo):
* Photo editing with Aperture and a lil bit of photoshop
* iMovie
* Watching DVDs

I am not able to decide between iMac 24" vs. mac mini (plus a 24" monitor - don't have one currently) Please help!
 
you can buy a faster iMac than mac mini - and the 24" iMac comes with a NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 w/256MB memory. and the RAM in the iMac can be upgraded more so than the mac mini due to the chipset differences (mac mini is a mobile chipset)

i'm perfectly happy with my mac mini - but if price is not an issue i'd say go with the faster computer - which is, in this case, the iMac.
 
Do you know they actually make carrying cases (like nylon bags with handles) designed for the 20 and 24" iMacs? I only own laptops and have for years but I was really tempted to make the switch to an iMac not too long ago--couldn't you just see me roll into Borders and pull out my 20" iMac and plug it into their wall outlet?!

I'd get the iMac. Call me easy to please but I think it's one of the coolest computers I've ever seen.
 
Mac Mini:
+ Slightly Cheaper (requires a few spec upgrades if using iLife/Aperture)
+ Uses 2.5GB HDD ($100 gets you 500GB)
+ More compact (Never understood this one. How small are peoples desks?!?!)
+ BYO Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard (Some Mac users still do think for themselves)
- Upgrading isn't impossible but it aint easy either
- Overpriced for what you get
- Severely under-spec'd (1GB RAM/120GB HDD is straight out of 2005)

iMac:
+ Beautiful LED screen
+ Better Value
+ Uses full size 3.5" HDD ($100 gets you 1TB)
+ Faster everything
+ Comes with Keyboard and Mouse
- Disposable Screen (Computer dies, so does your monitor)

MacBook
+ Just as powerful (if not more) than Mini
+ Portable and easy to dock when home
+ Easy to upgrade
+ Can handle up to 30" monitors for working at home
+ Infinitely cooler (both in style and temp. The new Macbooks are amazing)
- More expensive

I tossed in that 3rd option because it's my personal preference. I can work on my photo editing or whatever when on the road or couch, but if I need to do heavy duty work I just bring it to the desk and plug in my 24" monitor, external HDD's and fullsize mouse/keyboard. The Mini and iMac are nice and all but there's a reason why notebooks have been outselling desktops in the last few years. Portability changes everything.
 
urkel said:
Mac Mini:
+ Slightly Cheaper (requires a few spec upgrades if using iLife/Aperture)
+ Uses 2.5GB HDD ($100 gets you 500GB)
+ More compact (Never understood this one. How small are peoples desks?!?!)
+ BYO Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard (Some Mac users still do think for themselves)
- Upgrading isn't impossible but it aint easy either
- Overpriced for what you get
- Severely under-spec'd (1GB RAM/120GB HDD is straight out of 2005)

iMac:
+ Beautiful LED screen
+ Better Value
+ Uses full size 3.5" HDD ($100 gets you 1TB)
+ Faster everything
+ Comes with Keyboard and Mouse
- Disposable Screen (Computer dies, so does your monitor)

MacBook
+ Just as powerful (if not more) than Mini
+ Portable and easy to dock when home
+ Easy to upgrade
+ Can handle up to 30" monitors for working at home
+ Infinitely cooler (both in style and temp. The new Macbooks are amazing)
- More expensive

I tossed in that 3rd option because it's my personal preference. I can work on my photo editing or whatever when on the road or couch, but if I need to do heavy duty work I just bring it to the desk and plug in my 24" monitor, external HDD's and fullsize mouse/keyboard. The Mini and iMac are nice and all but there's a reason why notebooks have been outselling desktops in the last few years. Portability changes everything.
Click to expand...
I was not aware that they had changed the iMac display to use an LED backlight. I don't see any mention of LED in the iMac specs either. Are you sure about this?
 
danny_w said:
I was not aware that they had changed the iMac display to use an LED backlight. I don't see any mention of LED in the iMac specs either. Are you sure about this?
Click to expand...

Good call. It's not LED I guess. That kinda stinks.
 
imac, unless price is a big concern. You could get a mini + 24" screen (not apple's) for less than a 24" imac, but you're losing a lot of power.
 
wow not even LED for the iMac, seriously what changes were made to the iMac besides additional crappy graphics card?
 
I would just keep your core duo. does it not do something you want it to do?
 
dwd3885 said:
I would just keep your core duo. does it not do something you want it to do?
Click to expand...

I am happy with it in terms of it's performance .. but I would love to have a 24" for my photo editing.

Pardon my ignorance, is the difference between the current iMac displays & back-lit LED displays obvious?:confused:
 
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