2019 iMac vs M2 Mac Mini

[TheBlackLabEdge]

Thinking of possibly a little future proofing, but I have a 21.5" 2019 imac with the 3.2 i7, Radeon Pro 4gb & 16gb of ram. Got it for what I feel is cheap ($300). Recently though ran across an Mac Mini M2 base model for the same price.

While the iMac is a very capable machine & both are dirty cheap as far as Apple products, part of me says the smart thing would be to ditch the iMac for the Mini, mainly because of the M chip & part of me says I won't even push the limits of the iMac.

Guess I'm partially thinking of 5 years down the line as I'm one to hold on to a system indefinitely, any thoughts?

 

[Significant1]

As long as your iMac meets your needs, just be happy.

 

[Fishrrman]

A 2019 iMac is "fine for now".

An m2 Mini WOULD NOT be "future proofing" in ANY way -- the m4 Minis are just around the corner.

Keep using the 2019 iMac.
Once the m4PRO Minis start appearing at the Apple online refurbished store -- get one of those.

THEN you will be "future-proofed".
At least, for a little while...

 

[pshufd]

Do you already have a monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, microphones and webcam to go with the M2 mini? You could spend $300 on those items alone.

 

[CaptTee]

I got a Maxed i7 Mac Mini in 2012. It was my main machine until I got my 2023 M2 Pro Mac Mini.
My 2012 i7 Mac Mini is still in service (running Catalina) as a media server for my AppleTV.
My 2023 M2 Pro Mac Mini has two $100 Acer monitors that are 2012 & 2013 vintage. The 2012 i7 Mac Mini runs headless and I use Apple Screen Sharing to control it.
I waited longer than I wanted to before buying a new computer, because:
1. Other things were more important to the family at the time, so I couldn't pay cash.
2. The newer models had limitations or didn't seem like enough of an upgrade to justify the cost.
3. Being one version of the OS behind didn't seem so bad.
4. Being two versions of the OS behind didn't seem so bad.
The M2 machines came out as I was going to be 3 versions the OS behind and I had the money in the bank!