Mac mini VS iMac

[Vlajko]

Hi there!

I am about to make myself happy with new apple computer. Its been a long time since i got my G4 ppc...

Thing is, I'd like to hear your opinion on this.
I got two options:

1. New Mac Mini with these specs:
Mac Mini 2.26GHz
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo,2GB memory,160GB hard drive,8x double-layer,NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics

or

2. Used iMac
iMac 20", Core 2 Duo 2,4 GHz, Memorija 1GB 800Mhz, Hard disk 250Gb, Grafika ATI Radeon HD2400XT


NOTE
iMac is sold at my local Apple dealer and there is 3 month warranty. Price difference is really small. iMac is just bit more $( round 80 US dollars)

Main purpose for purchasing this is refreshing my home music studio. Nothing big-just recording some ideas and some demo stuff...

Any thoughts?

edit*
already have 2GB of spare ram so if i go with iMac would upgrade it

 

[Hellhammer]

Do you have a display, KB and mouse to use with Mini? iMac sounds like a good deal IMO but if you have the peripherals Mini needs, it's better as it has more RAM and full warranty

 

[Vlajko]

Do you have a display, KB and mouse to use with Mini? iMac sounds like a good deal IMO but if you have the peripherals Mini needs, it's better as it has more RAM and full warranty

yea i got 17"studio display, keyboard and pro mouse..regarding RAM- i got one 2GB spare-sitting for nothing so plan is to upgrade iMac if i go with that option..

Went to the store the other day to check that iMac-runs quite good-couldnt see anything wrong with it.

 

[Vlajko]

oh,and thanks for reply!

 

[Hellhammer]

yea i got 17"studio display, keyboard and pro mouse..regarding RAM- i got one 2GB spare-sitting for nothing so plan is to upgrade iMac if i go with that option..

Went to the store the other day to check that iMac-runs quite good-couldnt see anything wrong with it.

What type is that RAM? It may not be compatible.

Seeing that your display isn't that nice (like 24"), I'd get the iMac and then use both displays. KB and mouse you can use with iMac if you want plus you can upgrade the RAM to 4GB for ~100$

 

[Vlajko]

RAM is fine . same type as in iMac only one bar of 2GB...

What do you mean isnt that nice? It was one of the top products when i got it back in the days

Yea using two displays is good idea- i got second monitor but not Apple made..
You just brought me closer to an iMAc!

 

[Hellhammer]

RAM is fine . same type as in iMac only one bar of 2GB...

Is it SODIMM (i.e. laptop RAM)?

What do you mean isnt that nice? It was one of the top products when i got it back in the days

Yea using two displays is good idea- i got second monitor but not Apple made..
You just brought me closer to an iMAc!

Well, IMO 17" as only display ain't that nice, no offense of course

I have dual 24"s and the other is my iMac and other is BenQ, no issues. The iMac is also faster and anyway a better deal

 

[Vlajko]

its a 2GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM same as in iMac that i might buy...

non taken

 

[Hellhammer]

its a 2GB 800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM same as in iMac that i might buy...

non taken

Ahh, cool! Then I'd get the iMac as you can have 3GB then and upgrading is a lot easier than with Mini

 

[Vlajko]

Any other thoughts? someone else?

No offense Hellhammer-you helped me enough, just want to hear others opinions..if possible..

 

[EasyJW]

get the imac

put your ram in in, and have 2 monitors with the extra 17" or sell your peripherals altogether and buy a 21.5 iMac!

 

[talmy]

The display in the 20" White iMac is IPS and is basically as good (except for not having LED backlight) as current production. However the 20" Aluminum iMac has a TN display which is of much lower quality.

That said, the White iMac with your old display connected at the side seems to me a superior choice.

 

[balamw]

I can never end up justifying a Mini except for HTPC/carputer type applications. That's how I ended up with my 17" Core Duo iMac.

That said, the two concerns I have are:

1) The slower RAM in the iMac may limit you if you end up doing some RAM intensive stuff down the line, though that is somewhat offset by having more of it to begin with

2) How does the HD2400XT stack up against the 9400?

EDIT: Pretty much a wash according to https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/662306/

B

 

[Vlajko]

Thank you all for input!
I checked mroogle some more, and with this thread i def. learned few new facts!

Thanks again!

Will let you know when I'm done buying!