Folks, I have done extensive reading but need help. Basic user, don't do any video editing/gaming etc. Family/home office user. I have a 2011 iMac and have been waiting to upgrade. Looking at either base model 27 inch w/16 gb ram and SSD vs mac mini w/same chip. Difference price-wise is about $800 then add monitor of course. I like the all in one and the screen of the iMac, and am trying to compare that with the ability to customize monitor w/the mini. Yet the iMac has better graphics capability, and I have yet to see a monitor I like as much as the one on the iMac. Don't know much about resolutions etc. so thinking I am better off with the plug-n-play of the iMac. Thanks for any input.
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non-techie, announced iMac vs mini
- Thread starter jpm132
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I think you've already decided. When you pick the iMac, you have the guarantee of getting a top-notch screen. When you pick the mac mini, your next step will be going crazy because there's so much choice in external screens 
Easy choice. If you have the space for the 27 incher iMac, go for it. If you're space constrained, think about Mac mini. That's it
And @PeterJP is right as well, of course - external screens can be cheap, but aren't a sight to behold!