macmini vs. iMac - my experience

[Yvan256]

I understand you point, but for me I made a comparison to laptops. A few years back many people moved to laptops as their primary machine. Maybe they don't upgrade them as often but each time they do upgrade they are purchasing a new LCD with the new machine. And odds are the "new" LCD they are getting is no different than what they had. They just want a faster laptop.

Never thought about that fact (iMac = laptop, in terms of upgrading), thanks.

The other argument is in how long you will keep the display that you purchased. I'm looking at going from a 17" iMac G4 to a 20" G5, so that is an upgrade of both the computer and the display. How long will the Mac mini server you? If in 3 years you want to upgrade the computer do you think you'll still be ok with your 20" Dell LCD? In 2008 20" LCDs will probably be pretty standard. Are you a person who wants to upgrade often? Will you want a 23" LCD?

The Mac mini is my first Mac ever. I come from the PC world. Aside from a Tandy CoCo2, I started with an XT/8086, 640KiB RAM, 16-color EGA, 360K floppies days. Ah, memories...

Hum. Anyway, in the "PC world", upgrading your computer every three years, well, is insane. Most people upgrade components every 6-12 months (new videocard, 6-12 months later new mobo/cpu[/ram], rinse, repeat).

I guess I'll have to get used to that "upgrade every 3 years" mindset (just writing it makes no sense in my mind right now. Three years is an eternity in computer world!).

I agree that I'd rather not buy a new LCD with *every* computer purchase but I'm the type of person that probably would like to upgrade my display along with my computer.

The resale value of Macs is also unlike the PC world. You can actually sell back your 3-years-old Mac and still get a nice amount for it. If you have a 3-years old PC, well, I hope you weren't planning to easily sell it and get more than a few hundreds for it (like, 200-300$US at most).

I'm trying to sell my old Athlon XP 2600+, 512MB DDR, Radeon 9600XT, and I'm losing at least 35-40% of the initial value. After only one year and a half.

Worst, I'm losing 50% if you count the taxes.

 

[clayj]

I've heard the Radeon 9200/32MB (iBook/Mac mini) doesn't work so well above 1024x768 (or was it 1152x870).

I have no complaints with mine running at 1920 x 1200... (Actually, I was surprised to see it would go that high, but it did. Looks great, actually pretty snappy, too.)

 

[Spectrum]

mac mini at hi-res

So, to those that are driving large-hi-res monitors/lcds: is their any sluggishness in onscreen effects or not?

Looking back - I think the in-store mac-mini that I tested was hooked up to a 23" (although it might have just been the 20") display. I guess this could account for the choppiness - and if my parents use their old CRT, they probably won't run it at above 1024x768...

Can anybody testify that the choppiness goes away when they reduce the screen res?

 

[kgarner]

So, to those that are driving large-hi-res monitors/lcds: is their any sluggishness in onscreen effects or not?

Looking back - I think the in-store mac-mini that I tested was hooked up to a 23" (although it might have just been the 20") display. I guess this could account for the choppiness - and if my parents use their old CRT, they probably won't run it at above 1024x768...

Can anybody testify that the choppiness goes away when they reduce the screen res?

I'm running mine at 1280x960 on a 17" CRt with no choppiness what so ever. I have read other posts here that it starts misbehaving at around 1600x1200, but other say no. Either way, my experiecne is falwless at my resolution with LOTS of windows open.

 

[feakbeak]

How about this:
- PowerMacs have dual-core, dual-processors, 3 PCI-X slots, 3 PCI slots, 8 memory slots, 2 serial ATA bays, FireWire 800, optical audio in/out + analog audio in/out.
- "PowerMac mini" have a single dual-core processor, 2 PCI slots, 4 memory slots, 1 serial ATA bay, FireWire 400, analog audio in/out.

This would keep a nice distance between the two systems but still make an very attractive choice for iMac/PowerMac mini buyers (do I go all-in-one with a nice LCD or headless with more power and expansion room?).

I like the name "PowerMac mini" (PM-m).

I agree with and like most your recommendations, but I'd change a few things.

1. The PM should have had PCI-E a long time ago. If a PM-m was created it should have PCI-E as well - even if only 1-2 slots. PCI-E is common place in consumer level x86 hardware, Apple needs to get with the times.

2. FW 800 needs to be pushed down Apple's lines. It is never going to catch on if they only have it in the Power' lines.

3. The PM should have more than two 3.5" drive bays - they should have three or four. I think the PM-m should have 2.

 

[ravenvii]

Hum. Anyway, in the "PC world", upgrading your computer every three years, well, is insane. Most people upgrade components every 6-12 months (new videocard, 6-12 months later new mobo/cpu[/ram], rinse, repeat).

I guess I'll have to get used to that "upgrade every 3 years" mindset (just writing it makes no sense in my mind right now. Three years is an eternity in computer world!).

Three years is forever for me too. I tend to upgrade after about two years myself. But on the other hand, I really never had a "top-of-the-line" Mac, so I never had to pay a lot. If I got a PowerMac G5 for example, yeah I would go much longer than 2 years, but don't forget that PowerMacs can be upgraded - in particular, the video card can - so you can keep it top-of-the-line much longer.

My Mac mini? Heh, as much as I love the thing, it wouldn't last more than two years.

 

[Xeem]

The eMac. Ok I know it is only a 17" CRT but it is not much more expensive than the mac mini and you get the monitor, keyboard and mouse thrown in. Also I belive it is one of Apple's most reliable computers. Anyway I am just worried that the eMac is getting forgoten and want to remind people about it.

You're neglecting to mention the fact that eMacs are easily overclockable and actually perform substantially better than the Mini. If I were choosing based on the screen, I'd take an eMac CRT over the G4 iMac LCD any day, but I haven't used a G5 iMac yet so I can't compare them. I might be getting a Mini soon anyway, I have very limited space, can't afford both a good LCD AND new Mac, and there is no sense letting my good old 17" (CRT) Apple Studio Display go to waste.