Buying advice / thoughts welcome...

[Cedd]

I have an early 2009 iMac which is used for fairly light word processing, browsing, emailing and used as a Roon core.

It is still functioning but everything has slowed down hugely, the hard drive is chugging a bit, and it definitely feels like it is on its last legs.

In terms of replacing it I would welcome your views on my main options, which are:

1. A refurbished 2019 21.5 inch iMac from Apple with 4k screen, 1TB fusion drive - about £1200

2. An M1 Mac Mini with 1TB SSD and an HD (not 4k) screen - about £1300

3. Wait for a new M series iMac - price, specs and time scale unknown.

 

[throAU]

I'd go for a mac mini.

Coming from a 2009 (or 2019 for that matter) iMac of any spec the m1 mini will blow you away.

And you've got the freedom to choose whatever display you like - upgrade it to 4k HDR, plug it into your 4k tv or whatever down the line as you please.

 

[colodane]

Unless you're inclined to wait and see what the M1 iMac has to offer, definitely go with the Mac Mini. AVOID the fusion drive 2019 refurb.

 

[Phil77354]

I agree with the others who recommend avoiding the fusion drive.

With respect to M1 Mini vs new M1 iMac, how urgent is this to you? We don't know yet when the new iMac will be announced or available. If you can hang on for another month or two, that will hopefully become clear. Then you can decide between the new iMac, and a M1 Mini, and make an informed decision.

If I was in your situation, I would try very hard to wait before committing to the Mini. You still might decide to do that, but if the new iMac turns out to be something sensational, I would hate to regret making a decision just a month or two too early to know what I was missing. You've kept your current iMac for a very long time, so I am guessing that the next purchase will also be one you will hang on to for a long time, you'll want to make the best possible decision.

I personally very much prefer the all-in-one design of the iMac. I've thought about getting a Mini in the past, but I don't like the choices available in monitors - and another factor now in play is that Apple is rumored to be bringing out a new separate monitor. That could also turn out to be attractive to you - the M1 Mini + Apple monitor might be a great choice as well.

 

[Cedd]

All wise words, thank you. The consensus is certainly to avoid the refurb, and I'm happy to go with that.

Whilst it keeps chugging away I may do what Phil suggests and just hang on a bit longer to see what the new iMac brings. If it is not right for me then I can still get the mini and lost nothing in the process. Thanks all.

 

[stradify]

Hi Cedd,
I'm curious what kind of hard drive is in your iMac? It might be worth the small investment to clone both internal drives,
assuming you have a fusion drive, over to a more modern external SSD such as the Samsung 500GB SSD which sell for around $65.
Maybe someone else can chime in who has done this and give you some feedback from their experience.

 

[ascender]

Unless you need a machine with an Intel chip in it for software which won't run on the M1 yet, I'd definitely recommend an M1-based Mac. Then its up to you as to whether you need one now or you can wait to see what happens this year.

Like @stradify says, the other option is to get an SSD in your machine which will probably give it a new lease of life.

 

[bdj33ranch]

You have a 10+yo computer now that seems to be accomplishing your needed tasks. So I suspect you are not a “power user”. I think the M1 Mini would have greater long term flexibility for your situation.

I personally very much prefer the all-in-one design of the iMac....

I’m kinda the opposite. I have an old iMac I bought off the Apple Refurbished Store in 2008. I still occasionally start it up and use it as a secondary. It’s working ok for its current mission in life. But when the time comes I will replace it with a Mini. I especially like the idea that the two major components (computer box and monitor) can be replaced individually as needed.

 

[Phil77354]

I especially like the idea that the two major components (computer box and monitor) can be replaced individually as needed.

I totally get that. And with Apple apparently bringing out its own stand-alone monitor, it could be the better approach. It will be very interesting to make that comparison once we see what Apple introduces this year.

 

[fpb]

AVOID the fusion drive 2019 refurb.

If not clear already - avoid any Mac with a spinning disk. Get a Mac with SSD only. The m1 Mac mini looks like great value