What should we buy? IMAC or Mac Mini?

[KillaMac]

#1
My brother that has autism has been having constant issues with his HP 500 series computer we bought him 2 years ago. SLOW as can be. WIFI won't work over the internet, etc. It has been blown away and fresh install of the O/S from the DISCS that came with it. It helped with the wifi issue, but still extremely slow. AMD A8-6410 processor just doesn't seem to perform well. I even have an SSD in this machine and it seems the machine can't handle the speed.

So with that, is the IMAC a good choice for $999? Or should I just get him the MAC Mini upgraded model and he keeps his external samsung monitor? I've heard this version of the IMAC is slow.

Budget max is around $1000.

Thoughts and concerns, let me know.

 

[LorenK]

A new iMac is already out of your budget, so that means refurb, which doesn't get you much in any case compared to the MacMini for the same price. I have a MacMini, which I've connected to my 50" Vizio TV for a monitor, and I have no complaints about it, and its going on three years old taking every O/S update without complaint. If you look at the processor options, the mini has more power across the board than an iMac.

Remember, though, that with the mini, you still have to buy a keyboard and a mouse, so that adds to the cost, but when you already have a monitor that you like, the mini is the way to go.

One other thought, if he uses it extensively, you should also consider getting a stand for it, so it sits vertically, which ensures sufficient airflow around it.

 

[KillaMac]

A new iMac is already out of your budget, so that means refurb, which doesn't get you much in any case compared to the MacMini for the same price. I have a MacMini, which I've connected to my 50" Vizio TV for a monitor, and I have no complaints about it, and its going on three years old taking every O/S update without complaint. If you look at the processor options, the mini has more power across the board than an iMac.

Remember, though, that with the mini, you still have to buy a keyboard and a mouse, so that adds to the cost, but when you already have a monitor that you like, the mini is the way to go.

One other thought, if he uses it extensively, you should also consider getting a stand for it, so it sits vertically, which ensures sufficient airflow around it.

How does the Mini perform better when it has a much older generation processor? I show the IMAC for $999 at Best Buy, or the next level at $1299.

I can't tell what is different between the two though other than the model below?

mk142ll/a vs mk442ll/a


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-2...1tb-hard-drive-silver/3093014.p?skuId=3093014


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-2...1tb-hard-drive-silver/3094013.p?skuId=3094013

 

[KillaMac]

I actually canceled my order as I found a refurb and decided to get a better one.

Refurbished 21.5-inch iMac 3.1GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5 with Retina 4K, 256gb Flash Drive with Apple Care.