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To buy or not to buy: iMac vs Mac Mini or could I just reinstall an older version of Photoshop via adobe Cloud?

R

robtrik

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jan 2, 2024
11
1
Happy New Year to anyone that reads this.

My 2014 iMac can unfortunately no longer take OS updates. I use mostly for photography/design and bit of video editing. Some photo files can be v large. It's a real pain as it is still hanging in there otherwise. Have a few questions about next steps.

1. I've lost photoshop after recent re-subscription to Adobe Cloud (latest version not compatible). Before I go out and buy a new machine is there a way to install an earlier version of PS via adobe cloud?

1. iMac or Mac mini? - Intrigued by the mac mini as it works out cheaper. A friend who uses an m1 version for design work raves about it too. However seeing as the latest iMacs have the m3 chip am wondering how much better there performance is in real terms. Seen apple saying between 17% and 21% depending on tasks. Also wondering about overall longevity. Which chip/machine is going to last longer in terms of OS updates (guessing the M3).

3. Any suggestions for affordable monitor and alternatives to magic mouse keyboard much appreciated.

Regards
Rob
 
m2PRO Mini.
Base model comes with 16gb RAM and 512gb SSD.
You could upgrade the SSD to 1tb and it will be TWICE as fast as the 512.
Buy an Apple refurbished unit to save money.

27" 4k display (many choices available).

Logitech mouse (with "unifying receiver", DON'T buy "the Mac version", get the "regular" version).

WIRED keyboard.
 
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Fishrrman said:
m2PRO Mini.
Base model comes with 16gb RAM and 512gb SSD.
You could upgrade the SSD to 1tb and it will be TWICE as fast as the 512.
Buy an Apple refurbished unit to save money.

27" 4k display (many choices available).

Logitech mouse (with "unifying receiver", DON'T buy "the Mac version", get the "regular" version).

WIRED keyboard.
Click to expand...
Thank you!! Will look into refurbished mini pro option.
 
OP:

One thing about the Apple online refurbished store:
If you don't see what you're looking for today, check TOMORROW.
And the next day.
Sometimes twice a day (or more).
Stock "comes in" and gets sold quickly.

If you see "what you want", BUY IT.
An hour later it may be gone.
 
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robtrik said:
iMac or Mac mini?
Click to expand...

I'm in the same boat as you. I am waiting till March (or thereabouts) as we all expect the M3 to be stuck inside a Mini (and the MacBook Air and the iPad Pro) Real Soon Now.

You did not say how much RAM you have in your current iMac.

If you are really into photography, by which I mean you shoot raw files and use either the Adobe apps or the camera maker's software, then you should always buy as much RAM as you can afford. I am a defender of the 8GB entry model capacity because most people don't do what I outlined above (and most people just shoot JPEGs and post them on Instagram). Yet for the serious amatuer or professional who uses Adobe products the solution for Adobe bloatware is more RAM.

robtrik said:
Any suggestions for affordable monitor
Click to expand...

This is the perpetual question for the headless Macs. There is a very long thread on Macrumors about which monitor to buy for a Mini. Recommend you read it. There is also a very, very long thread on the Apple Silicon Macs causing flickering problems with third party monitors. You can read that one too but part of it is out of date, but try to read the last few pages of posts.

It's a quandary that has been around since the beginning of headless Macs. Long ago I had a Mac IIc and in those days the video output was analog and matching a monitor was not so difficult. However, there was always the issue of cost and size and at work I used a 19" color monitor for high resolution output and in those days that was expensive (and big and very heavy.)

Today monitor shopping is more confusing than ever. One reason to stay inside the Apple ecosystem. The Apple Studio Display has a relatively large up-front cost, but I am still considering it because I want a seamless integration, and my old eyes will appreciate the better text.
 
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robtrik said:
Before I go out and buy a new machine is there a way to install an earlier version of PS via adobe cloud?
Click to expand...

Opened creative cloud from the apps folder on my 2018 (Intel) Mini, clicked the Apps button and then the three-dot menu next to the open button and chose Other Versions.

apps.png



It offered about 15 different legacy versions, going back to v22.2. Here's just the first part of the list.

ps.png
 
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I would, if I were you, consider the Mini if you can get at least 32 gigs RAM and 512 or 1 terabyte ssd. The RAM is more important than the drive size if you are doing graphics and photography. You can always add an external drive but you cannot add more RAM later.

As for monitors, there are several around the 27” size that are reasonable choices. I use a BenQ that serves me well and others might suggest a Dell or ASUS or LG etc. Each has several models and it is a matter of price and selecting one that covers the preferred colour space as clone to or matching 100 percent.

The extra advantage of the mini is that if you invest in a good monitor for your needs, you can later trade up to newer mini models and remain with your preferred monitor.

For my needs I went to a Studio Max (after finding the m1 mini 16/512 was not sufficient for my needs). I use Affinity Photo, Luminar Neo and Topaz plugins primarily. The catch is, I also have email and web pages open and the latter can (certain pages) gobble up gigs of memory.
 
Boyd01 said:
Opened creative cloud from the apps folder on my 2018 (Intel) Mini, clicked the Apps button and then the three-dot menu next to the open button and chose Other Versions.

View attachment 2332030


It offered about 15 different legacy versions, going back to v22.2. Here's just the first part of the list.

View attachment 2332029
Click to expand...
Wow thanks for that will check on my machine!👍
 
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Mac Mini M2 Pro is very good. All the Apple employees told me the other day it’s better than the iMac M3.
 
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Mac2004 said:
Mac Mini M2 Pro is very good. All the Apple employees told me the other day it’s better than the iMac M3.
Click to expand...
Sorry late reply…thank you … and if macemployees are saying that then who am I to argue?! Thx again :)
 
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