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ranny2

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 9, 2011
99
0
Hi! I am really struggling to decide which Mac to buy!
I already have an iPad 2, and a Windows laptop (which I will be selling to fund the Mac. Portability is not required as I use my iPad on the go.

Here are my uses:
Web browsing (YouTube, email etc)
Photo editing (I will be using Aperture)
Light video editing (only ever on iMovie and very rarely)
iTunes
Document editing using iWork

Here are the options I have come up with. The prices are based on refurbished machines, NOT the price of them new.

1. MacBook Pro*
Dual-core i5; 4Gb RAM; 320Gb HDD
Unit: £849
Mouse: £57
Total: £906

Pros
• Design
• Portable (less important because of iPad)*
• Option to upgrade to SSD

Cons
• Expensive
• Small screen
• Small HDD

2. iMac
Quad-core i5; 4Gb RAM; 500Gb HDD
Unit: £849
Total: £849

Pros
• Powerful*
• Amazing display
• Cheapest power/price option
• Mouse and Keyboard included

Cons
• HDD cannot be upgraded
• Not portable

3. Mac Mini*
Dual-core i5; 2Gb RAM (upgradable to 4Gb); 500Gb HDD
Unit: £529
RAM: £49
Mouse: £57
Keyboard: £57
Monitor: £130
Total: £822

Pros
• Cheapest option
• Large HDD for price*
• RAM easily upgradable

Cons
• Monitor required
• Monitor not as good quality as iMac/MacBook Pro*
• Less 'Apple'*

Please can you recommend which one you think I should buy and why. If you have any other suggestions, I would love to here them.

Thank you.
 
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