Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

09 Mac Mini or 2.4Ghz 20" Imac

T

txnoob

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 12, 2009
349
0
Debating on one of the iMacs in the clearance section or a Mac Mini w/after market Monitor

20" 2.4 Ghz iMac
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
Built-in iSight Camera

$1027.30 Delivered

2.0 Ghz '09 Mac Mini
1GB memory (self Upgrade to 4GB DDR3)
120GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
mini-dvi to DVI adapter
22" Widescreen Beautiful Matte finish monitor
320GB Firewire external HDD

$930.21 Delivered

From what I've gathered, the Graphics are about comparable on the two machines. So other than that, is there anything that should motivate me to go with the iMac instead of the Mac Mini??? I could care less about iSight.
 
txnoob said:
Debating on one of the iMacs in the clearance section or a Mac Mini w/after market Monitor

20" 2.4 Ghz iMac
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
Built-in iSight Camera

$1027.30 Delivered

2.0 Ghz '09 Mac Mini
1GB memory (self Upgrade to 4GB DDR3)
120GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
mini-dvi to DVI adapter
22" Widescreen Beautiful Matte finish monitor
320GB Firewire external HDD

$930.21 Delivered

From what I've gathered, the Graphics are about comparable on the two machines. So other than that, is there anything that should motivate me to go with the iMac instead of the Mac Mini??? I could care less about iSight.
Click to expand...

If you like Windows or Mac games you could get the refurb 24" with the ATI 2600 Pro for $1199 plus tax. If not, the mini is fine. I just bought the mini, but I still may jump on the refurb iMac.

Cheers,
 
Well, $1000US really is the top of muy budget, and I would like to keep the comparison between these 2 models.
 
If you are not considering the new nvidia 9400 based 20 inch iMacs (can be bought for $1100 BTW); then I would say the Mac mini deal you have is good. Note that you are voiding warranty by upgrading RAM urself.
 
txnoob said:
So other than that, is there anything that should motivate me to go with the iMac instead of the Mac Mini??? I could care less about iSight.
Click to expand...

I like the fact that the Monitor is separate from the Mac Mini. In the unlikely event that the iMac monitor would go out. Also that with the Mini I can buy two monitors of the same type (just for the way it looks on the desk.)
 
Perhaps a better deal is the 20"/2.66 GHz refurb with 2GB RAM and the 2600XT 256MB GPU. You can add up to 4GB total RAM and you will NOT void your warranty by installing RAM in the iMac. It runs for $999 and 4GB of RAM will cost you $50.
 
sapota said:
If you are not considering the new nvidia 9400 based 20 inch iMacs (can be bought for $1100 BTW); then I would say the Mac mini deal you have is good. Note that you are voiding warranty by upgrading RAM urself.
Click to expand...

From what I understand the actual voiding of the warranty isn't entirely accurate. From what I've read, only if something is damage in the process or somethign no longer works as a result of the upgrade. If I need service as long as I return in factory condition, I should be fine. I'm I way far off?
 
Mike in Kansas said:
Perhaps a better deal is the 20"/2.66 GHz refurb with 2GB RAM and the 2600XT 256MB GPU. You can add up to 4GB total RAM and you will NOT void your warranty by installing RAM in the iMac. It runs for $999 and 4GB of RAM will cost you $50.
Click to expand...

I didn't see that one. That is a very good deal.

Cheers,
 
Mike in Kansas said:
Perhaps a better deal is the 20"/2.66 GHz refurb with 2GB RAM and the 2600XT 256MB GPU. You can add up to 4GB total RAM and you will NOT void your warranty by installing RAM in the iMac. It runs for $999 and 4GB of RAM will cost you $50.
Click to expand...

Yes, except this one, while still being advertised has been out of stock for a few days....
 
Mike in Kansas said:
So it is... that stinks! I picked one up for my kids the day the new ones were announced. It is a great deal - keep an eye out in the store. They add stock daily.
Click to expand...

No problem, thanks for looking out. I think I'm just going to with the Mini anyway. I like the idea of a nice anit-glare non glossy finish on my monitor anyway. I just wish I could find that looked more "mac like". Thanks for everyone's input.
 
IF I went Mini I'd miss the built-in speakers and mic on the iMac and to a lesser extent the webcam. It sucks Apple's only monitor option with all that is $900. :eek:

I still am tempted to get a Mini and the $800 refurb 24" ACD though. :D

That 2.4ghz iMac is ~$900 on Club Mac with Apple Insider discount. Apple refurbs have been $849.
 
I would go with the iMac hands down. Personal opinion of course, I just think you would be more happy with it.
 
trip1ex said:
IF I went Mini I'd miss the built-in speakers and mic on the iMac and to a lesser extent the webcam. It sucks Apple's only monitor option with all that is $900. :eek:

I still am tempted to get a Mini and the $800 refurb 24" ACD though. :D

That 2.4ghz iMac is ~$900 on Club Mac with Apple Insider discount. Apple refurbs have been $849.
Click to expand...

My mini has mini speakers built in and there are plenty of decent non-Apple LCD monitors out there. I use a 1080p 24" Samsung.

Cheers,
 
txnoob said:
Debating on one of the iMacs in the clearance section or a Mac Mini w/after market Monitor

20" 2.4 Ghz iMac
1GB memory
250GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB memory
Built-in iSight Camera

$1027.30 Delivered

2.0 Ghz '09 Mac Mini
1GB memory (self Upgrade to 4GB DDR3)
120GB hard drive
8x double-layer SuperDrive
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics
mini-dvi to DVI adapter
22" Widescreen Beautiful Matte finish monitor
320GB Firewire external HDD

$930.21 Delivered

From what I've gathered, the Graphics are about comparable on the two machines. So other than that, is there anything that should motivate me to go with the iMac instead of the Mac Mini??? I could care less about iSight.
Click to expand...

What monitor are u planning on buying, and where from?
 
Just got home from the Apple store to remind myself that I'd rather have an alternate monitor than the 20" display on base iMac. Not that the screen isn't nice, I just don't care for the constant reflections I'd get of that glossy screen.

I will say this, that 24" iMac is a beaut!! I envy all that realestate.
 
I've had a few iMacs in the past as well as several ibooks/macbooks. I got my mini and I'm fully happy with it. I'd go that route.

The pros outweigh the cons to me. I like being able to run dual monitors that are both the same and have the ability to change my monitors in the future if I wanted.

Only plus I see on imac is the built in camera/mic. Depending on your needs that may or may not matter to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back