Base Mac Mini vs iMac 10-core: Can you beat the All in One?:

[permanoob]

Hello!

I am curious to know - what peripherals would you buy to add to a M4 mac mini that would create a package that would be cheaper but just as good quality, than the 10-core M4 iMac? Or maybe peripherals that add up to about the same price as the iMac, but better quality.

Is this possible to find this or is the m4 iMac all in one actually a great deal?

M4 Mac mini 10-cpu/10-gpu/16GB/256GB = $599
M4 iMac 10-cpu/10-gpu/16GB/256GB = $1499

So I guess you'd have to find a display, keyboard, mouse, and webcam that is equal or better quality than what comes with the iMac for $900 or less. Am I missing something that comes with the iMac?

Does anyone use and love such peripherals?

I'm expecting that all the knowledge in this forum will open my eyes to some high quality peripherals that I didn't know about, to beat the iMac all in one package. Especially because it seems people here seem to prefer bigger screens than the iMac.

But I don't know, maybe iMac is actually the excellent deal it appears to be. Thoughts?

 

[blufrog]

I'm in this exact situation right now.

Apple display is £1500 straight on top of the Mini, and the Apple keyboard/trackpad are another £300, so instantly it's £1800 more for me to build a Mini system to what I'd consider "equal standard" as the iMac.

In that way, the iMac is VERY good value.

I'm still debating if I can live with the M4 as shipped with the iMac, vs. the M4 Pro of the Mini. The memory on the M4 Pro is 2.3x faster (on paper) which itself is no small upgrade.

BenQ do a range of monitors that have a wide color gamut, and are color calibrated and tuned to match other Apple displays. At the moment it is going for £1000.

I'd buy an Apple keyboard and trackpad, because they are excellent, and the keyboard has Touch ID. Not sure any other keyboards do. I have a custom USB-A mechanical keyboard that I use with my PC.

 

[permanoob]

In that way, the iMac is VERY good value.

I'm still debating if I can live with the M4 as shipped with the iMac, vs. the M4 Pro of the Mini. The memory on the M4 Pro is 2.3x faster (on paper) which itself is no small upgrade.

BenQ do a range of monitors that have a wide color gamut, and are color calibrated and tuned to match other Apple displays. At the moment it is going for £1000.

Yeah, I feel you. The pro M4 seems pretty ace and then you get the TB5 port too where you could attach a display with 120hz, right?

So thats an advantage over iMac. That’s a tick box for build your own package. But at what cost?

I would still love to see what peripherals others are using with the mini and how it compares priced all together?

 

[CalMin]

Buy a Mac mini if you already have all that stuff. If you don't have that stuff then just get an iMac - it will be a better experience unless you have specific needs such as a bigger monitor etc..

 

[GLaker]

I currently have a iMac with a Retina 5K 27” display. The iMac is working fine but, due to its age, I can’t update the OS any longer. I’d like to get a Mac Mini M4 and use my iMac display. That display, by the way, is being sold by Apple currently for $1,599. I have talked to 3 different Apple reps and some say I can do it and some say you can. Does anyone have any thoughts.

 

[StoneJack]

Hello!

I am curious to know - what peripherals would you buy to add to a M4 mac mini that would create a package that would be cheaper but just as good quality, than the 10-core M4 iMac? Or maybe peripherals that add up to about the same price as the iMac, but better quality.

Is this possible to find this or is the m4 iMac all in one actually a great deal?

M4 Mac mini 10-cpu/10-gpu/16GB/256GB = $599
M4 iMac 10-cpu/10-gpu/16GB/256GB = $1499

So I guess you'd have to find a display, keyboard, mouse, and webcam that is equal or better quality than what comes with the iMac for $900 or less. Am I missing something that comes with the iMac?

Does anyone use and love such peripherals?

I'm expecting that all the knowledge in this forum will open my eyes to some high quality peripherals that I didn't know about, to beat the iMac all in one package. Especially because it seems people here seem to prefer bigger screens than the iMac.

But I don't know, maybe iMac is actually the excellent deal it appears to be. Thoughts?

a grea budget setup will be
1. Mac Mini (any M to be honest)
2. 27 inch Dell display.
3. Logitch keyboard and mouse.
4. Edifier speakers G2000

I know because I used these devices for years

 

[permanoob]

a grea budget setup will be
1. Mac Mini (any M to be honest)
2. 27 inch Dell display.
3. Logitch keyboard and mouse.
4. Edifier speakers G2000

I know because I used these devices for years now.

Thanks! Oh yeah, the speakers that are in the iMac. I didnt think of that. Makes it even more of a good deal.

The Dell display would have to be at least 4.5K to match the quality of the iMac so at 27 inches, maybe this exceeds the iMac price, but of course, you can replace the pieces individually as they get better.