Older iMac vs Mac Mini

[camardelle]

I just picked up an '09 Mac Mini server 2.53 Core 2 Duo. When compared to my 2011 iMac which is a 2.5 i5 processor, the Mini seems much quicker. Granted the iMac is loaded down with stuff and the Mini is pretty much empty, but am I imagining things. Not super savvy when it comes to computers, unless being smart enough to dump an old Windows 7 laptop last week that I thought I'd try again with mucho disappointment is savvy. LOL Seriously, I spent like an hour on that laptop before shutting it down and jumping back on my MBA.

So, is it just me or did I just pick up an upgrade from my iMac?

 

[Gav2k]

It's the effect of lack o crap.

 

[treekram]

All 2011 iMac i5's had quad-core (non-hyperthreading) CPU's. The 2009 Mini is Core 2 Duo, so not even an iX CPU. It might be the OS. My 2009 Mini (HDD) with Snow Leopard was more snappy in how the GUI worked than my 2014 Mini when it was running El Capitan on a HDD.

 

[camardelle]

The dreaded too much crap syndrome!

 

[ryguy92000]

Im going to guess the iMac has a pretty old install and worse still has likely never been wiped and reinstalled. Assuming hardware is working 100% i usually have my clients do a b/u wipe and reinstall at least once every 18-24mos for sanity sake. Apple SAYS the new OS wipes out the old one and it is patently false as you can trace the plist files all the way back to Lion on some of the older machines.

 

[Starfia]

Maybe? I would compare the processor model, speed and numbers of cores, hard drive type, installed OS, and amount of memory.

Server-aimed Mac minis were always high-end compared to entry-level.

 

[cynics]

The iMac is faster in every regard, faster CPU, much faster GPU, slightly faster RAM, faster HDD (RPM). Assuming both systems are stock? How much RAM does each system have BTW?

May want to check the disk of the iMac to make sure its in good health first. Wouldn't hurt to download and run Malwarebutes to check for adware and other malware (its not unheard of). If both check out then back up your data externally and wipe the HDD and start fresh.

 

[saulinpa]

Maybe the mini's disks are in a RAID 0 configuration?