Why I decided to get an iMac instead of a Mac Mini

[ger19]

Value for the dollar.

The iMac with $1,899 in the 16gb/512 configuration. Comes with the best monitor on the market and includes all needed peripherals - keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers.

I compared this to a Mac Mini 16gb/512 configuration and a Studio Display and that cost over $800 more which includes buying the keyboard and mouse separately. Pro - a bigger monitor. Con - an extra box on my desk (not as clean a look). Basically $800+ for a slightly bigger screen.

Then I looked at a cheaper monitor for the Mac Mini. I found a nice Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" for about $500 and had to add all the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers). I could get this down to about $125 less than the iMac. However, the only Pro was the cost. Cons - my desk would be a mess, similar to what I have now, with an additional box, external speakers and the web cam sitting on the top of my monitor. Also, while the monitor would be larger and it would be a nice monitor, it would not have the high level of screen in the iMac.

So for the cost, the iMac gives me the screen I want, albeit a bit smaller, in a clean all in one package which is what I want from my next computer.

 

[Juicy Box]

I agree with the up front value fir the cost, but getting a decent monitor with a MM would be better in the long run, imo.

Once the Mac no longer meets the performance needs, it will be a beautiful display trapped in an obsolete computer. Compare that to the separate display and MM, once tge MM gets to slow, replace it for a much cheaper, new MM.

If Apple brought back Target Display Mode, then I would put the long term value back on the iMac, but without it, it isn’t worth it, imo.

 

[goodthymes]

In my instance I have a perfect 5k display I can no longer use because Apple decided to deprecate the hardware it's strapped to. Learned my lesson and bought a Mini and an ASD that can be moved to the next upgrade (not that I upgrade often, used my 2014 iMac until earlier this year).

 

[ger19]

The separate monitor issue is valid. I didn’t give that much weight as I expect this to last 10 years and at that point I’ll be 73. Not sure it will matter much given my timeframe. Appreciate the input. I haven’t bought yet and will consider all points.

 

[BotchQue]

Once the Mac no longer meets the performance needs, it will be a beautiful display trapped in an obsolete computer.

Yep; I have two of them now. I went with an ASD (cry once) and standalone box; I'll probably have to replace the Mac once or twice more, but hope to be pushing daisies when the ASD finally needs replacing.
BUT, the all-in-one solution may be perfect for the OP; a one-time $1,300 cost that will last 8 to 10 years, with minimal "boxes".
It's a good thing that we all have these choices.

 

[ger19]

I guess one thing to consider about the monitor is whether or not you believe that a monitor 5 years from now will be significantly better - making the monitor inherent in the iMac somewhat obsolete.

Financially, I think it would be appropriate to give the ASD an estimate of residual value after say 5 or 7 years. Seems unlikely it would yield more than a couple hundred bucks but I’m not up on used monitor values.

 

[Jay Tee]

M1 iMac is my first AIO; I love the added desk space, and more importantly, no messy wires to manage. Five years of support is enough for me to start considering an update.

 

[Jay Tee]

The separate monitor issue is valid. I didn’t give that much weight as I expect this to last 10 years and at that point I’ll be 73. Not sure it will matter much given my timeframe. Appreciate the input. I haven’t bought yet and will consider all points.

AppleCare​

Do also consider the AppleCare situation.

My iMac purchase included the Numeric Pad Keyboard and TrackPad. I extended my AppleCare coverage to three years, and this includes the accessories.

Last month, I had damaged some of my keys when I wiped the grimy keyboard with a little soap and water. I called AppleCare and explained what I'd done; they immediately flagged it as liquid damage and exchanged my KB for a brand new one, no questions asked. AppleCare+ for iMac is $169, a Numeric Pad Keyboard with TouchID is $179: AppleCare's paid for itself, and I've got another year to go !

I don't see the same coverage if you buy the accessories separately, but you should check this.

Time Machine​

You'll also need a back-up device for the data on your desktop. That's already one wire to manage from the get-go: separate desktop+display is going to be more hassle with more cable management.

Clutter, Convenience, and Commitment​

Honestly, I'd just get the iMac for its convenience, and clutterless setup. Use the savings, by avoiding a separate desktop and display system, to get a new iMac in five to six year's time, rather than pay a large, unnessesary commitment now.

 

[picpicmac]

Not sure it will matter much given my timeframe.

I'm in the same spot as you.

While many lament that the current iMac is not upgradeable (in the field), and that a separate monitor can easily last 10 years or maybe even 15 and be fine, the bottom line is at our age we can consider that any machine may outlast us.

So, trying to plan a multi-decade strategy of minimal screen, keyboard, and pointing device purchases seems a bit irrelevant once one gets past a certain age.

The iMac on which I am currently typing this is 15 years. It still does the basics, even if it is now limited.

I have not made my final decision. I might go with a MM, or a MMPro, or an iMac. The MMPro has the advantage of port counts and I need at least 8 so whatever I buy I will need to get a USB hub of some sort, but the MMPro makes the choice easier.

Or a Mac Studio from the refurb store, which has the ports I need.

Anyway, thanks for the report. Let's hope you outlive its usefulness.

 

[colodane]

This is indeed a difficult decision to make. For some, it comes down to $$. For others, the number of boxes and cables to manage on their desk. For me, it comes down to the lack of reasonably priced high quality 24 or 27 inch monitors.

I really like the concept of a Mac Studio (or Miini) with a separate monitor. I've priced out a nicely equipped Studio Max several times and was excited about the performance and flexibility and price of the Mac, but hit a dead end when trying to find a monitor. Sorry, Apple, but $1600 is too much for a display. And, I would really prefer a 24 inch monitor anyhow. If Apple came out with a 24 inch version of the Studio display for $1000, I'd click the buy button immediately. And I've yet to locate a good 4K 24 inch monitor from another supplier.

So the search and wait continues.

 

[kagharaht]

Recently retired and "do not want to work" anymore! LOL Well, computer demanding work, the iMac is perfect! The one I'm ordering though will be:
Apple M3 chip with 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine
2TB SSD storage
24GB unified memory

Should last a good 10 years.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

As it has always been, iMac looks like a great value going in- possibly the best of all possible "buy a new Mac" choices on a relative value basis.

However, at the end- when any one part goes or when Apple arbitrarily vintages it (in spite of hackers generally being able to keep "too old" Macs running later macOS vs. when AAPL quits on them), it's "throw baby out with the bathwater." In other words, the WHOLE thing goes when any one part fails or when Apple "fails" it. It's highly likely that you'll have a perfectly good monitor, speakers, camera, stand, case, functional ports, etc, but none of them can carry forward when the tech guts quit or Apple quits it for you.

I was a long-term iMac(s) user for well over a decade but learned that latter lesson a final time... and will no longer be seduced by such a locked-down option, even if it can look quite favorable vs. other options on the way in.

In embracing the more expensive "separates" approach, when Mac Studio fails or is made obsolete by AAPL, a much bigger, ultra-wide monitor will carry on to the next Mac (or perhaps PC depending on how Apple pricing evolves). Speaker, ports, cam, keyboard & mouse will likely live on too.

So another way to consider this "better value" math is to look at it over the next FEW Macs instead of a single purchase. Those embracing separates are not going to be tossing a perfectly good monitor when their Mac conks or is vintaged. They probably won't need a new keyboard or mouse. Those able to go the Mac Mini route will simply buy a new Mac Mini, sub it in for the old one, and carry on. All iMac owners have to replace the whole computer, screen, cam, speakers, etc. One tremendous value up front becomes one big waste at the end.

Separates buyers are also not married to what a corp chooses. For example, those who see 27" as far superior to 24" can get 27" TODAY if they like. Those who covet 30" or 32" or 34" or 40" (like me) or even bigger/wider, can immediately have that "Mac" too. Rather than pay as much for an ASD as it used to cost for an entire iMac 27" with the same screen, there are PLENTY of fish in the monitor sea. And if you choose a NOT-Apple monitor, not only will you generally pay a lot less but you'll get a much more flexible monitor (example: mine has FOUR inputs, a whole hub with many useful ports built in, has no iOS/iOS hardware dependency and thus vintaging risk, etc).

Those who choose iMac should be as happy as they can be with the purchase... and enjoying the "going in" relative value vs. all other Apple options. It's later where that "bites" the buyer because while it IS an "all in one," the view of that is very different when one part fails or AAPL decides to press replacements. Then it's "all in one-big-loss."

I wish OP well with their purchase. Enjoy your new Mac. At this point, you saved money on a relative basis and you got brand new everything. It should serve you well for many years. But start saving up for the replacement of it all because that clock is already ticking. None of an iMac is salvageable for the next computer except keyboard & mouse.

 

[AlastorKatriona]

Well, maybe value today is what makes you think iMac is attractive, but it is not very forward thinking at all.

iMac's biggest problem is that the display will outlast the PC inside it by several years, and it eventually becomes a gigantic paperweight that is impossible to repurpose or trade in/sell. And good luck getting support or service on it should you need it.

 

[3Rock]

This is why I would get the yearly extended warranty ($60.00) from Apple. Peace of mind something goes wrong 5 years from now.

 

[ssledoux]

I don’t have a need for anything extravagant in the computer department, but I have always been drawn to the AIOs since my first Apple product (the eMac). At that time I LOVED not having a big, bulky tower to go along with my big, bulky monitor. Moved to iMac from there, and though there have been times when I haven’t needed a desktop at all, I’m back to having an M1 iMac and I love it. I still use my iPad a lot of the time, but when I want to work with photos, make books/digital scrapbooks, that screen is a dream, and I still love using a mouse. Having it so neat and streamlined is right up my alley. I love a clutter-free look.

 

[Timpetus]

Value for the dollar.

The iMac with $1,899 in the 16gb/512 configuration. Comes with the best monitor on the market and includes all needed peripherals - keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers.

I compared this to a Mac Mini 16gb/512 configuration and a Studio Display and that cost over $800 more which includes buying the keyboard and mouse separately. Pro - a bigger monitor. Con - an extra box on my desk (not as clean a look). Basically $800+ for a slightly bigger screen.

Then I looked at a cheaper monitor for the Mac Mini. I found a nice Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" for about $500 and had to add all the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers). I could get this down to about $125 less than the iMac. However, the only Pro was the cost. Cons - my desk would be a mess, similar to what I have now, with an additional box, external speakers and the web cam sitting on the top of my monitor. Also, while the monitor would be larger and it would be a nice monitor, it would not have the high level of screen in the iMac.

So for the cost, the iMac gives me the screen I want, albeit a bit smaller, in a clean all in one package which is what I want from my next computer.

One thing you failed to mention as a con is that the screen is probably also what you want for your next next computer. That won't be possible without buying another iMac, while the Studio Display can be purchased once and used with a long line of computers.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Value for the dollar.

The iMac with $1,899 in the 16gb/512 configuration. Comes with the best monitor on the market and includes all needed peripherals - keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers.

I compared this to a Mac Mini 16gb/512 configuration and a Studio Display and that cost over $800 more which includes buying the keyboard and mouse separately. Pro - a bigger monitor. Con - an extra box on my desk (not as clean a look). Basically $800+ for a slightly bigger screen.

Then I looked at a cheaper monitor for the Mac Mini. I found a nice Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" for about $500 and had to add all the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers). I could get this down to about $125 less than the iMac. However, the only Pro was the cost. Cons - my desk would be a mess, similar to what I have now, with an additional box, external speakers and the web cam sitting on the top of my monitor. Also, while the monitor would be larger and it would be a nice monitor, it would not have the high level of screen in the iMac.

So for the cost, the iMac gives me the screen I want, albeit a bit smaller, in a clean all in one package which is what I want from my next computer.

I have 27” iMac and love it. The convenient of having the large screen with CPU in it is one of the reasons I love it. The other reason is the cost saving.

 

[ignatius345]

Value for the dollar.

The iMac with $1,899 in the 16gb/512 configuration. Comes with the best monitor on the market and includes all needed peripherals - keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers.

I compared this to a Mac Mini 16gb/512 configuration and a Studio Display and that cost over $800 more which includes buying the keyboard and mouse separately. Pro - a bigger monitor. Con - an extra box on my desk (not as clean a look). Basically $800+ for a slightly bigger screen.

Then I looked at a cheaper monitor for the Mac Mini. I found a nice Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" for about $500 and had to add all the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers). I could get this down to about $125 less than the iMac. However, the only Pro was the cost. Cons - my desk would be a mess, similar to what I have now, with an additional box, external speakers and the web cam sitting on the top of my monitor. Also, while the monitor would be larger and it would be a nice monitor, it would not have the high level of screen in the iMac.

So for the cost, the iMac gives me the screen I want, albeit a bit smaller, in a clean all in one package which is what I want from my next computer.

Agree. The iMac is still a huge bargain up front, and has been for a long time. If Apple sold the 24" 4.5K display as a standalone, you could bet it would cost at least $1000 -- so in a sense you're getting the built-in Mac, keyboard and mouse for almost nothing. The pricing advantage does break down pretty quickly when you go to upgrade, though, since unfortunately they haven't seen fit to enable it to function as an external display.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Value for the dollar.

The iMac with $1,899 in the 16gb/512 configuration. Comes with the best monitor on the market and includes all needed peripherals - keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers.

I compared this to a Mac Mini 16gb/512 configuration and a Studio Display and that cost over $800 more which includes buying the keyboard and mouse separately. Pro - a bigger monitor. Con - an extra box on my desk (not as clean a look). Basically $800+ for a slightly bigger screen.

Then I looked at a cheaper monitor for the Mac Mini. I found a nice Dell UltraSharp U2723QE 27" for about $500 and had to add all the peripherals (keyboard, mouse, web cam and speakers). I could get this down to about $125 less than the iMac. However, the only Pro was the cost. Cons - my desk would be a mess, similar to what I have now, with an additional box, external speakers and the web cam sitting on the top of my monitor. Also, while the monitor would be larger and it would be a nice monitor, it would not have the high level of screen in the iMac.

So for the cost, the iMac gives me the screen I want, albeit a bit smaller, in a clean all in one package which is what I want from my next computer.

The problem is that for most folks individual parts of computer setups need changing over time. Folks find that they want
- multiple displays
- better speakers with integrated subwoofer
- larger display
- smaller display
- newer display
- better display
- stronger computer
- ports they can access w/o moving the display
- VESA display mounting
- replace broken display
- replace broken computer
For those reasons AIO boxes suck IMO. But I do know a cohort of folks do like them, especially folks ensconced into one size and look for their workspace that does not change for many years.

 

[ger19]

The problem is that for most folks individual parts of computer setups need changing over time. Folks find that they want
- multiple displays
- better speakers with integrated subwoofer
- larger display
- smaller display
- newer display
- better display
- stronger computer
- ports they can access w/o moving the display
- VESA display mounting
- replace broken display
- replace broken computer
For those reasons AIO boxes suck IMO. But I do know a cohort of folks do like them, especially folks ensconced into one size and look for their workspace that does not change for many years.

Indeed, I used to be one of those people. However, I no longer am. I’m retired and do not use my computer like I did years ago. I ran Win machines because it worked well with work. Now, my main desire is for my computer to seamlessly sync with my phone and iPad. My usage is very simple browsing, email, very light duty spreadsheet(my finances). Music is just background noise to me at this point and I’ve never watched anything more that a short u-tube video on my computer - that what my TV’s are for.

So, your point is valid, but not for everyone.

 

[phillyman]

Ger19, I've waited to upgrade my father for about 18 months (he has been retiered for a bit). I upgraded him from a 10 year old iMac to a new M3 with all the bells and whistles. He is more than happy. He has a second monitor but his ancient speakers work just fine (out of the headphone port). I was really tempted to go the Mac mini route but for really 80% of home users an iMac just is enough. He can message, FaceTime and do anything that requires the internet.

I looked at the options for upgradability and for macrumors.com users that is probably the way to go. BUT for regular people? Why bother? Who knows what our/his needs will be in 5 or 10 years? We all know the fallacy of waiting for the next great thing and I think that also applies here. We all THINK people will upgrade or use x features and hardly ever do. Don't get me wrong I loved my powermac towers and upgraded them for a long time but now the MBP with an external and after five years I just upgrade.

He is ecstatic with his machine and having an all in one is more than enough for him. Go out and enjoy, plus yes AppleCare did cover his accessories which is a nice thing for him.

Good luck,
Philly

 

[sleeptodream]

Indeed, I used to be one of those people. However, I no longer am. I’m retired and do not use my computer like I did years ago. I ran Win machines because it worked well with work. Now, my main desire is for my computer to seamlessly sync with my phone and iPad. My usage is very simple browsing, email, very light duty spreadsheet(my finances). Music is just background noise to me at this point and I’ve never watched anything more that a short u-tube video on my computer - that what my TV’s are for.

So, your point is valid, but not for everyone.

Based on your use case an iMac would probably have a useful life of 10+ years, which is similar to the lifespan of a monitor anyway. I’d say go for it!

It would be a different story if you were using it for video editing or some sort of heavy computing, but even my M1 handles Photoshop and the odd video conversion no problem

Obviously I’m a little biased, but I love mine. It blends well into the room, looks clean and minimal, and it’s so unique! It doesn’t look like a “computer”.

As slow as the pace of technology has become, I think an iMac makes more sense now than ever. This isn’t the 2000s where speeds were doubling every few years

 

[CraigJDuffy]

In my instance I have a perfect 5k display I can no longer use because Apple decided to deprecate the hardware it's strapped to. Learned my lesson and bought a Mini and an ASD that can be moved to the next upgrade (not that I upgrade often, used my 2014 iMac until earlier this year).

Open Core is your friend.

Sent from my 2011 27” iMac running Sonoma

 

[CraigJDuffy]

Well, maybe value today is what makes you think iMac is attractive, but it is not very forward thinking at all.

iMac's biggest problem is that the display will outlast the PC inside it by several years, and it eventually becomes a gigantic paperweight that is impossible to repurpose or trade in/sell. And good luck getting support or service on it should you need it.

I mean idk what it’s like where you are but I can still trade in/ sell my 2011 iMac in the UK (admittedly not got very much)

 

[Populus]

Rather than pay as much for an ASD as it used to cost for an entire iMac 27" with the same screen, there are PLENTY of fish in the monitor sea.

Not that many, if what you want is a very good 4K or, ideally, 5K monitor with a glossy display made out of glass, and light sensor for brightness, etc. The only thing I’d miss from the ASD is HDR, even if it’s a modest one, but it has a way to display higher peak brightness when overall brightness is low, I think it is called EDR.

Also, there’s now an adapter to directly plug in the PS5.

Honestly I don’t see a better alternative for both a Mac mini and a PS5. But I’ll be happy to read about those glossy screen alternatives I’m still not aware of.