So I have always had an iPod, iPhone, iPad at the start of every product launch. Now that I actually have some money I am finally able to purchase a Mac. My price range is Under $2000 (give or take taxes I suppose, also I am eligible for education discount.)
I am having a killer time deciding what I want. I currently have a Dell laptop that is almost 4 years old, so any upgrade is an amazing upgrade to me. I use it for heavy downloading of files, movies, games etc. I do a lot of browsing / reading on the internet and so on (so screen quality and size is hugely important to me) I do game (I haven't much because I have this horrible Dell laptop) I use to play World of Warcraft, and Diablo all the time, other then that I don't play much else. I do stream 720P / 1080 P videos to my PS3 for watching. I also occasionly use Photoshop.
I was originally looking at purchasing the 2nd highest tier 27" iMac (The one with 512 MB graphics card) but then I looked at the MacRumors buying guide and its already half way through its life cycle. I love that its a 27" screen, its 1 TB hard drive (I do have the option for external drives obviously.) and that its all in one.
However, I have been looking at the top of the line Mac Mini (the one with the graphics chip, not the integrated Intel crap) I was going to purchase that with the 27" Thunderbolt display, yes its a smaller hard drive, the graphics chip isn't as great, and I have to purchase the keyboard and mouse separately. But its brand new.
Which one should I choose? The Mac Mini ends up coasting a bit more, but is that the route I should go for my needs? Any help deciding is hugely helpful. Thanks!
*Edit - another option is I could max out that Mac Mini in specs (other then the SSD) and save money and just get a Dell monitor? Or am I better off with the Thunderbolt?
I am having a killer time deciding what I want. I currently have a Dell laptop that is almost 4 years old, so any upgrade is an amazing upgrade to me. I use it for heavy downloading of files, movies, games etc. I do a lot of browsing / reading on the internet and so on (so screen quality and size is hugely important to me) I do game (I haven't much because I have this horrible Dell laptop) I use to play World of Warcraft, and Diablo all the time, other then that I don't play much else. I do stream 720P / 1080 P videos to my PS3 for watching. I also occasionly use Photoshop.
I was originally looking at purchasing the 2nd highest tier 27" iMac (The one with 512 MB graphics card) but then I looked at the MacRumors buying guide and its already half way through its life cycle. I love that its a 27" screen, its 1 TB hard drive (I do have the option for external drives obviously.) and that its all in one.
However, I have been looking at the top of the line Mac Mini (the one with the graphics chip, not the integrated Intel crap) I was going to purchase that with the 27" Thunderbolt display, yes its a smaller hard drive, the graphics chip isn't as great, and I have to purchase the keyboard and mouse separately. But its brand new.
Which one should I choose? The Mac Mini ends up coasting a bit more, but is that the route I should go for my needs? Any help deciding is hugely helpful. Thanks!
*Edit - another option is I could max out that Mac Mini in specs (other then the SSD) and save money and just get a Dell monitor? Or am I better off with the Thunderbolt?
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