Still looking, refirbished Mini vs Imac?

[solchitlins]

I had decided on getting a refurbished 2.26ghz Mac Mini.
But now I'm not so sure on what the wiser choice would be.

A:
Refurbished Mac mini 2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB memory
160GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
$449.00
$115 Monitor, 22" widescreen
$90 ,640gb hard drive
$90 Ram 4gb
$30 keyboard
$30 Mouse
$30 webcam
----------------------
$865 total after taxes and stuff

B:
Refurbished iMac 20-inch IMAC 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
20-inch glossy widescreen display
2GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera
....................
$850

C:
Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
24-inch glossy widescreen display
2GB memory
320GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight Camera
............................
$1000

D:
Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
24-inch glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
640GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera
wireless keyboard and mouse
------------------------
$1165.

I threw in the last 2 choices just for sake of comparison it's about a $300 difference.

I think I rather have the $300 an honestly the last 2 choices are more than I'm comfortable spending.


I don't know, it's tempting to have the all in one imac.

Wouldn't have to worry about getting a mouse/keyboard/web cam/speakers etc.....

But then I would feel more inclined to need the extended applecare if something were to go wrong. That would add to the price.

Where the Mini, I would take a gamble and upgrade the ram/harddrive myself and skip the applecare.

I'm looking for something that might have to last 5 years before I upgrade again. What one would hold it's value better? Or will they both be worth squat in 5 years anyways?

Also isn't there an issue with the 20" displays? Or would this refurbished probably have that fixed?

Thanks

 

[Badger^2]

how about E.?

iMac 21.5" 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM 500GB HD SuperDrive Nvidia GeForce 9400M AP BT

$1050AR, no tax, free shipping

http://www.macconnection.com/IPA/Shop/Product/Detail.htm?sku=10682017

No computers last 5 years anymore.

The 20" AL iMacs have crappy screens, but if you are just a normal email, net, iphoto user you probably wont notice it. Of course, you would notice it if it was right next to a new 21.5" iMac tho...

 

[solchitlins]

Thanks

Thats worth considering for sure.

 

[brendu]

yes computers do last 5 years. id say go with the iMac if you do not like clutter, i have that 20" myself, but im finding i do not like the glass screen as much as the dell external monitor i have attached as a 2nd display. If you can live with more wires / external speakers then go with the mini, either way they are both fine and unless your doing heavy computing (video / audio editing) there is no reason they cant last you 4-5 years.

 

[pukifloyd]

All depends on your usage...but i will recommend the iMac...its less problem with wires and everything(plus you won't need to upgrade it as its better than the mini), will take less desk space if you are already spending ~$850 on mini then its better you spend some more money on the iMac...this is just what I think and all depends on your usage or choice

cheers...

 

[xpected_one]

Personally, I would go with the 24" iMac. Nice screen dedicated graphics.. overall a nice machine for the money IMO.

 

[iSee]

These are really close, and I think you could go either way and be happy.
The spec differences don't seem to concern you much, so I'm guessing none of the differences are that critical for you...

You should spend a little time thinking about what you think you'll be using the computer for over the next five years... It might push you one way or the other.

Also, maybe think about these two thing:

(1) how much would you really prefer the all-in-one nature of the iMac to the piecemeal nature of the Mini setup?

(2) Longer-term:

iMac - Faster CPU but you're locked into the 20" screen.

Mini - Locked in to the slower CPU (I think -- maybe double-check that, if you want to be sure). In the medium term, you're stuck with the slower HDD (though longer-term, I'm assuming an SSD upgrade will become viable for you).

----

This is speculation, but I think the future value of both will be probably be pretty decent and about the same: ~$300. The mini will hold its value better because even in 5 years it will be quite useful as a low-power home-theater or media server. I could even be low on my guesses.

Either one could last you five years -- it depends on what you want to do with it. The iMac probably takes you a little further though.

 

[flopticalcube]

Mini - Locked in to the slower CPU (I think -- maybe double-check that, if you want to be sure).

The CPUs of the minis are no longer upgradable, unfortunately.

 

[solchitlins]

Thanks guys.

Right now I don't use my computer for much more than office documents, watching vids, Internet etc...

But I have recently gone back to college to study computer security or possibly another IT career. I might take a graphics course to see if that's more my thing. I don't really have it locked down yet.

So I'm not really sure what the next 4 or 5 years has instore but I plan on being on my computer a lot.

The 21.5 inch looks "from the online video reviews I have seen" to be far clearer and nicer than the 24".

That could just be a video effect, not sure.

But the 24" is bigger and I would appreciate larger text and what not....

In preparation for buying the mini I picked up a nice 22" lcd, keyboard and 640gb hard drive already but they can be returned.
This is the lcd I bought, I'm happy with it so far, but I got such a good deal on it "$115" that I could unload it on craigslist fairly easily.
http://us.aoc.com/lcd_monitors/2236vw