Mac Mini vs iMac

figo · Nov 23rd, 2009, 08:57 PM

Looking to upgrade to something newer but can't decided between the mac mini or imac?

I have the original iMac and I've been happy with the performance but it's getting slow. Mac Mini seems like the better deal.

What do you think?

fyrefly · Nov 23rd, 2009, 09:20 PM

Well if you have the iMac right now, then you have a keyboard/mouse, but not a display. The new displays on the 21/27" iMacs are stunners. A Mini + a decent display, or an iMac end up being the same price, and the iMac has more horsepower.

eMacMan · Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:24 PM

Only advantage to the mini would be being able to buy a matte monitor with a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you prefer the movie screen set-up and don't mind the extremely glossy monitor then you will probably prefer the iMac.

Personally I would go with the wired KB and Mouse but that is entirely personal prejudice.

broad · Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:40 PM

	Quote:
	A Mini + a decent display, or an iMac end up being the same price, and the iMac has more horsepower.

mini is 629, 21.5" imac is 1299. there are LOT of "decent" displays on the market for way less than that, considering he already has kbrd and mouse

neptune · Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:57 PM

The mini allows you to run dual matched displays, which you can't do with the iMac. Mac mini with dual anti-glare screens is a sweet setup.

fyrefly · Nov 23rd, 2009, 11:18 PM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by broad
	mini is 629, 21.5" imac is 1299. there are LOT of "decent" displays on the market for way less than that, considering he already has kbrd and mouse

Lets compare Apples to Apples (heh) at least.

Mini is $649 at apple.ca - that gets you 2.26Ghz, 2GB RAM, 160GB HDD

The higher end Mini (more comparable to the iMac) is $899 - 2.53Ghz, 4GB Ram and 320GB HDD. Add the cheapest IPS Screen you can get (Dell 2209WA for $370 right now) and you're at $1269. And still with less processor and HDD.

iMac at $1299 gets you 3.06Ghz, 4GB RAM and a 500GB 7200RPM HDD (+ a 21.5" IPS Screen).

If you want the cheapest solution, for sure the mini wins. But once you start comparing and matching actual specs - the iMac starts to become a better value.

greydoggie · Nov 23rd, 2009, 11:39 PM

If you just want a newer computer get a mini. If you want one that will stay faster longer and want everything new get an iMac.

chas_m · Nov 24th, 2009, 05:58 AM

Bless you fyrefly, I was going to post essentially the same thing.

dolawren · Nov 24th, 2009, 07:33 AM

The mini is easier to carry back to the store should it need to be fixed,
The iMac is a PITA to carry back to the store should it need to be fixed.

Dave

fyrefly · Nov 24th, 2009, 10:11 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by dolawren
	The mini is easier to carry back to the store should it need to be fixed, The iMac is a PITA to carry back to the store should it need to be fixed.

Do you not keep the box? I admit it's bigger, and the 27" is a BEAST, but I see people carrying those iMac boxes around the Eaton Centre all the time when I'm there.

Nov 23rd, 2009, 08:57 PM	#1
figo Full Citizen Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 44	Mac Mini vs iMac Looking to upgrade to something newer but can't decided between the mac mini or imac? I have the original iMac and I've been happy with the performance but it's getting slow. Mac Mini seems like the better deal. What do you think?

Nov 23rd, 2009, 09:20 PM	#2
fyrefly Honourable Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 3,486	Well if you have the iMac right now, then you have a keyboard/mouse, but not a display. The new displays on the 21/27" iMacs are stunners. A Mini + a decent display, or an iMac end up being the same price, and the iMac has more horsepower. __________________ Steve Jobs re: iTunes on Windows: "It's like giving a glass of ice water to somebody in hell"

Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:24 PM	#3
eMacMan Honourable Citizen Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 5,963	Only advantage to the mini would be being able to buy a matte monitor with a 4:3 aspect ratio. If you prefer the movie screen set-up and don't mind the extremely glossy monitor then you will probably prefer the iMac. Personally I would go with the wired KB and Mouse but that is entirely personal prejudice. __________________ Do NOT Touch this computer!!! Touching this computer WILL cause irreversible brain damage.

Nov 23rd, 2009, 10:57 PM	#5
neptune Full Citizen Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ontario Posts: 116	The mini allows you to run dual matched displays, which you can't do with the iMac. Mac mini with dual anti-glare screens is a sweet setup. __________________ fight back for the Mac! and while you're at it, shop at Carbon Computing Mac Pro 2.66GHz, 5GB, 2TB, 2 x SuperDrive - Audio iMac 2.8GHz i7, 8GB, 1TB, 4850 - Work MacBook Pro 13in 2.53GHz, 4GB, 256GB SSD - Mobile iPhone 3Gs 32GB White

Nov 24th, 2009, 05:58 AM	#8
chas_m Honourable Citizen Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 11,323	Bless you fyrefly, I was going to post essentially the same thing. __________________ Cheers chas_m Evangelist, ACDSee Pro for Mac: Get the beta! Join the community! Help us build the next great Mac photo manager! Our life in Victoria BC • Music blog • My Podcast • Film blog Victoria Macintosh Users Group

Nov 23rd, 2009, 11:39 PM	#7
greydoggie Full Citizen Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 125	If you just want a newer computer get a mini. If you want one that will stay faster longer and want everything new get an iMac.

Nov 24th, 2009, 07:33 AM	#9
dolawren Multimedia Artist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Posts: 6,266	The mini is easier to carry back to the store should it need to be fixed, The iMac is a PITA to carry back to the store should it need to be fixed. Dave __________________ ----------------------------------------------------- The future is one of my favourite past times. ----------------------------------------------------- Magic Portal

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