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Mac Mini vs. iMac

japanjapan Registered User regular
edited June 2007 in Help / Advice Forum
What the title says. My girlfriend wants a desktop to go with her iBook, and the Mac Pros are out of our price range. Are there any compelling reasons to go with one or the other?

I'm also curious how upgradeable they are.

japan on

Posts

  • BijlBijl Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Does she already have a monitor?

    Bijl on
  • VulpineVulpine Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    The Mac mini can have its CPU, RAM and the hard disk upgraded, but has only a Core Duo and integrated graphics, plus requires a monitor, keyboard and mouse. The iMac can have its RAM and hard drive upgraded, all models come with a Core 2 Duo, and all but the 1.83Ghz 17" iMac come with either a Radeon X1600 or a GeForce 7300. The iMac, of course, has a screen built in, and has a keyboard and mouse in the box.

    Edit: a quick Google suggests that some people have had luck upgrading the iMac's CPU as well.

    Vulpine on
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  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Bijl wrote: »
    Does she already have a monitor?

    Not as such. I have a couple of spare 17" CRTs that I haven't got around to getting rid of yet, but we'd probably be buying a monitor as well.

    Pricing it out, it seems like we'd be spending similar amounts of money on a mini+monitor as we would on an iMac (we wouldn't get a collossal monitor, probably 19" if we bought seperately, and probably the 20" iMac if we went with that). I'm just wondering if there are any compelling differences between the two setups.

    EDIT: Graphics chipsets aren't really much of an issue, as it probably won't see any gaming use. I'm kind of leaning towards the Mini for upgradeability and the fact it's not an all in one.

    japan on
  • gneGnegneGne Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Dunno, Apple is discontinuing (sp?) the mini's...

    gneGne on
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  • supabeastsupabeast Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Compare prices on the two; throwing a few upgrades at a Mac Mini makes it cost more than the same configuration on an iMac, and the iMac includes the keyboard, mouse, and monitor.

    And while the Mac Mini and iMac are both upgradeable, the design makes it a huge pain in the arse. Don’t get one planning to do the upgrades yourself unless you like poking around with jewler’s screwdrivers.

    supabeast on
  • FristleFristle Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    gneGne wrote: »
    Dunno, Apple is discontinuing (sp?) the mini's...

    That's still just an unconfirmed rumor. And a pretty contentious one if the 500 comments arguing about it at Apple Insider are any indication.

    Fristle on
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  • QuarterMasterQuarterMaster Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Also, you can get a used iMac on ebay for a lot cheaper than the Apple store. I got a 17" iMac with a 160GB HDD and a X1600 for $900 shipped.

    QuarterMaster on
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  • Brodo FagginsBrodo Faggins Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Check the refurb section too, they usually have really good deals.

    Brodo Faggins on
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  • DaedalusDaedalus Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    gneGne wrote: »
    Dunno, Apple is discontinuing (sp?) the mini's...

    I highly doubt that.

    All Macs fit the category of "disposable computers", i.e. computers that you can't upgrade to any significant extent when they become outdated. I'd go with whatever's cheapest, unless she really needs a good graphics card or something. In fact, I'd suggest the Mini even if she doesn't have a monitor, because then she can use that monitor with her next computer, whenever that may be.

    Daedalus on
  • krlkrl Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Whichever you choose: wait for the upgrade.

    http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

    krl on
  • LewishamLewisham Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    The iMac is fantastic value compared to the Mac Mini.

    Unless you have a compelling reason to buy the mini, such as needing it as a media server, the iMac isthe way to go always.

    Lewisham on
  • NibCromNibCrom Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    My wife has an iMac and I have a Mac Mini. We both prefer our respective machines, so I think it's more of a personal preference. I think I'm just not that big on the iMacs screen. But the Mac Mini is always the one I suggest to people. And as someone else suggested, check out refurbished ones, you can save some money that way.

    NibCrom on
  • DaedalusDaedalus Registered User regular
    edited May 2007
    Lewisham wrote: »
    The iMac is fantastic value compared to the Mac Mini.

    Unless you have a compelling reason to buy the mini, such as needing it as a media server, the iMac isthe way to go always.

    Except once it becomes obsolete, you can never use the monitor for anything, since it's built into the computer. I wish those things had a DVI-In port or something.

    Daedalus on
  • BerrexBerrex Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    the iMac is a much better buy than the Mac Mini if you do not have a spare monitor for the Mini. If you go with the 17" 1.83 GHz iMac with Intel GMA 950 graphics, 1 GB of memory, and a 160 GB hard drive, it will cost you $1074. The Mac Mini costs the exact same amount at the same specs, except it doesn't come with a screen at all, which makes a difference of a few hundred bucks. Ouch.

    I would also recommend getting the memory from Crucial. For the 17" iMac I described above, you can get 1 GB sticks for $40 each, meaning that you can get yourself a full 2 GB for only $80; a good $100 savings over what Apple charges.
    http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=AC1F2DC1A5CA7304

    Berrex on
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Berrex wrote: »
    the iMac is a much better buy than the Mac Mini if you do not have a spare monitor for the Mini. If you go with the 17" 1.83 GHz iMac with Intel GMA 950 graphics, 1 GB of memory, and a 160 GB hard drive, it will cost you $1074. The Mac Mini costs the exact same amount at the same specs, except it doesn't come with a screen at all, which makes a difference of a few hundred bucks. Ouch.

    That's not what I'm seeing.

    Mac Mini: 1.83GHz, 512MB RAM, 80GB HD, Superdrive, Intel GMA graphics: £529
    17" iMac: 1.83GHz, 512MB RAM, 160GB HD, Combo drive, Intel GMA graphics: £679

    The iMac has a £150 premium for a bigger HD and a screen, and doesn't have a DVD-RW. That's what I meant when I said they cost out at about the same, because I can get a monitor for £100 or so easily, and I have a stack of mice and keyboards that could be used, and new ones only cost a few quid.

    Does the Mac Mini take 2.5" Hard drives (laptop sized)? The upgrade price on the apple store from 80GB to 160GB is £140, which seems more than a little steep.

    japan on
  • LewishamLewisham Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    You're splitting hairs over one of the nicest LCD screens money can buy for 150 quid? Don't forget that built-in iSight. And the bigger HD.

    You so crazy, but it's your money...

    Lewisham on
  • DeusfauxDeusfaux Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    the mac mini isnt being continued because it's been supplanted by apple tv

    In other words - consider getting an Apple TV because you can run applications and stuff off it (thought perhaps not without some information on how to first) and it's basically a mac mini with a different primary focus (and current/recent support)

    http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/31/apple-tv-running-full-version-of-os-x/

    Deusfaux on
  • japanjapan Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Lewisham wrote: »
    You're splitting hairs over one of the nicest LCD screens money can buy for 150 quid? Don't forget that built-in iSight. And the bigger HD.

    You so crazy, but it's your money...

    I still don't have a particular preference either way. It would bug me that the iMac's an all-in-one, but it's for my girlfriend, who probably wouldn't care. It's probably just going to come down to comparing prices at the time.

    japan on
  • ViolentChemistryViolentChemistry __BANNED USERS regular
    edited June 2007
    You know what guys? NO ONE GIVES A FUCK IF THE MINI IS GETTING DISCONTINUED. I don't want anyone posting "proof" either. Even if they do discontinue the Mac Mini, it's one of the models his girlfriend is interested in and Apple isn't going to just up and suspend support for several thousand of their customers out of nowhere so it doesn't fucking matter. Shut up about that.

    ViolentChemistry on
  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    Does upgradeability really matter other than RAM? Neither my girl nor my sister (both of whom I've bought macs for) really care, if they run out of space they want external drives, not me cracking open the case.

    Your girlfriend will be really impressed if there were fewer wires (they like that kind of stuff, so do I now that I think about it). iMac plus wireless might mouse.

    Also timely refurb purchase plus additional applecare can oft be had cheaper than new w/out additional applecare.

    Djeet on
  • mcpmcp Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    I don't like the Mini's 'cause they're a pain to work on. Seriously? A fucking painting knife?

    iMac's take hardly anytime at all to replace/upgrade the HD, or RAM.

    Personally, I'm going to buy a new 24" inch model when they're updated.

    mcp on
  • BerrexBerrex Registered User regular
    edited June 2007
    japan wrote: »
    Berrex wrote: »
    the iMac is a much better buy than the Mac Mini if you do not have a spare monitor for the Mini. If you go with the 17" 1.83 GHz iMac with Intel GMA 950 graphics, 1 GB of memory, and a 160 GB hard drive, it will cost you $1074. The Mac Mini costs the exact same amount at the same specs, except it doesn't come with a screen at all, which makes a difference of a few hundred bucks. Ouch.

    That's not what I'm seeing.

    Mac Mini: 1.83GHz, 512MB RAM, 80GB HD, Superdrive, Intel GMA graphics: £529
    17" iMac: 1.83GHz, 512MB RAM, 160GB HD, Combo drive, Intel GMA graphics: £679

    The iMac has a £150 premium for a bigger HD and a screen, and doesn't have a DVD-RW. That's what I meant when I said they cost out at about the same, because I can get a monitor for £100 or so easily, and I have a stack of mice and keyboards that could be used, and new ones only cost a few quid.

    Does the Mac Mini take 2.5" Hard drives (laptop sized)? The upgrade price on the apple store from 80GB to 160GB is £140, which seems more than a little steep.
    Maybe you didn't see when I said at the same specs. I'm ruling out buying parts from third parties there. When strictly purchasing from the Apple Store and the Apple Store only, an iMac and Mac Mini cost the exact same price with a 1.83 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB HD, and Intel GMA 950 graphics.

    The only plus you get here with the Mac Mini is the SuperDrive. But there is no way that the SuperDrive justifies the extra (couple/few) hundred dollars you're going to be spending on the Mini when you buy a monitor for the thing. That's why the iMac is a better buy, assuming you do not already have a spare monitor ready to use with the Mini. And thus, I have just reiterated exactly what I have already said. :P

    And yes, Minis use 2.5" hard drives.

    Berrex on
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