Decision: M1 vs 2020 iMac

[omeletpants]

Nuerotic nutjob with too much time on his hands is looking for opinions.

Just upgraded 5 weeks ago to a 27" 2020 Intel iMac (32gb, 256gb, i5). Has Monterrey and runs great. Use for simple stuff like surfing, email and son does world of warcraft. No graphics, video or huge spreadsheets.

Kinda got the bug to upgrade to a M1 mini (16gb, 256gb), with 32" Samsung curved screen. Have a huge desk that can accommodate the size.

The M1 would be $1400 (M1, monitor and stand), while I think I could get $1425 on market in Chicago area. So the cost would be a wash. The only issue would be the aggravation of migrating systems

The mini would be cool and different with the huge monitor and extra speed, but the 2020 Intel is working fine. The cost difference is a wash

I always want the best that I can afford.

What would you do??????

 

[Donsell]

I love my Mac Mini and have a 14" Pro on the way (I hope soon)

Are you only going to do surfing, email and play simple games? If it's going to be a wash cost wise, it sounds like a fun thing to do. But maybe you should spend your time with your son and learn some development or explore photo processing. Get him into more than just game.

 

[DieselFiend1989]

System migration should be a relative breeze with time machine

 

[Jorbanead]

Migrating to a new Mac is pretty simple with migration assistant or time machine.

Just don’t sell the iMac until you get the mini (preferred method), but it also works if you just have an external drive (use it as a time machine backup and have it do a full backup of your iMac before you sell). Normally I advise against migrating and old Mac to a new Mac, but since your iMac is still pretty new I doubt you’ve accumulated a lot of junk.

 

[Technerd108]

You want the Mini because you want a bigger screen? I am guessing that is why you aren't getting a new M1 iMac 24"?

As far as performance and upgrading the difference between Intel and M1 in desktop is not as noticeable as on a laptop. You have better thermal constraints and no battery to worry about. The M1 is both faster and more efficient and has better integrated graphics. I don't know what Intel Processor you have but if it is a 10th gen or later than the difference isn't going to be super huge.

That being said M1 is a pretty big upgrade but if you want a larger display I would maybe wait for the larger iMac to update to M1 or M2 would probably be a better idea. You will have better resale value on an iMac than a Mini setup I would guess which may be another reason to get the 24" or wait for the larger iMac.

Good Luck whatever you decide!

 

[omeletpants]

You want the Mini because you want a bigger screen? I am guessing that is why you aren't getting a new M1 iMac 24"?

As far as performance and upgrading the difference between Intel and M1 in desktop is not as noticeable as on a laptop. You have better thermal constraints and no battery to worry about. The M1 is both faster and more efficient and has better integrated graphics. I don't know what Intel Processor you have but if it is a 10th gen or later than the difference isn't going to be super huge.

That being said M1 is a pretty big upgrade but if you want a larger display I would maybe wait for the larger iMac to update to M1 or M2 would probably be a better idea. You will have better resale value on an iMac than a Mini setup I would guess which may be another reason to get the 24" or wait for the larger iMac.

Good Luck whatever you decide!

I have the 27" i5

 

[alien3dx]

Nuerotic nutjob with too much time on his hands is looking for opinions.

Just upgraded 5 weeks ago to a 27" 2020 Intel iMac (32gb, 256gb, i5). Has Monterrey and runs great. Use for simple stuff like surfing, email and son does world of warcraft. No graphics, video or huge spreadsheets.

Kinda got the bug to upgrade to a M1 mini (16gb, 256gb), with 32" Samsung curved screen. Have a huge desk that can accommodate the size.

The M1 would be $1400 (M1, monitor and stand), while I think I could get $1425 on market in Chicago area. So the cost would be a wash. The only issue would be the aggravation of migrating systems

The mini would be cool and different with the huge monitor and extra speed, but the 2020 Intel is working fine. The cost difference is a wash

I always want the best that I can afford.

What would you do??????

i wouldn't buy m1 air unless i do travel work job like now sometimes. I do code in imac 2017 even thou got m1. 00

 

[wilberforce]

Kinda got the bug to upgrade to a M1 mini (16gb, 256gb), with 32" Samsung curved screen. Have a huge desk that can accommodate the size.

What would you do??????

A 4k screen with 40% less pixel density?
No thanks.

 

[Significant1]

Nuerotic nutjob with too much time on his hands is looking for opinions.

Just upgraded 5 weeks ago to a 27" 2020 Intel iMac (32gb, 256gb, i5). Has Monterrey and runs great. Use for simple stuff like surfing, email and son does world of warcraft. No graphics, video or huge spreadsheets.

Kinda got the bug to upgrade to a M1 mini (16gb, 256gb), with 32" Samsung curved screen. Have a huge desk that can accommodate the size.

The M1 would be $1400 (M1, monitor and stand), while I think I could get $1425 on market in Chicago area. So the cost would be a wash. The only issue would be the aggravation of migrating systems

The mini would be cool and different with the huge monitor and extra speed, but the 2020 Intel is working fine. The cost difference is a wash

I always want the best that I can afford.

What would you do??????

Keep the iMac. I have a M1 MBA 16/1TB, but still use my old 27 iMac for desktop use.

 

[Technerd108]

Have you thought of the base model MBP 14"? I know desktop setup with large screen is a plus but the MBP 14" base model has a lot better performance than the regular M1 and would be a big upgrade from your i5. You can use an external monitor with the MBP 14" and buy it with it or later. Just a thought?

 

[omeletpants]

A 4k screen with 40% less pixel density?
No thanks.

I was thinking of this

Dell 32 Curved Gaming Monitor - S3222DGM,31.5", QHD, FreeSync Premium, 165Hz, 1ms (MPRT)

​ Qty ​ Price ​ Total ​ ​

 

[omeletpants]

Have you thought of the base model MBP 14"? I know desktop setup with large screen is a plus but the MBP 14" base model has a lot better performance than the regular M1 and would be a big upgrade from your i5. You can use an external monitor with the MBP 14" and buy it with it or later. Just a thought?

Only want desktop

 

[andrewstirling]

I was thinking of this

Dell 32 Curved Gaming Monitor - S3222DGM,31.5", QHD, FreeSync Premium, 165Hz, 1ms (MPRT)

​ Qty ​ Price ​ Total ​ ​

Yeah….don’t do that. Your current iMac has a resolution of 5120 x 2880. The monitor you’re looking to buy only has a resolution of 2560 x 1440. If going the route you suggest, I’d be investing a bit more in the monitor. Pretty much everything you can buy will be a step down in pixel density in comparison to the iMac. You might find the trade off worth it if you get a full 4k screen but you will still notice a drop in image quality.

 

[wilberforce]

I was thinking of this

Dell 32 Curved Gaming Monitor - S3222DGM,31.5", QHD, FreeSync Premium, 165Hz, 1ms (MPRT)

​

​ Qty ​ Price ​ Total ​ ​

That would be a BIG downgrade. Literally, a downgrade that is big.

 

[omeletpants]

Yeah….don’t do that. Your current iMac has a resolution of 5120 x 2880. The monitor you’re looking to buy only has a resolution of 2560 x 1440. If going the route you suggest, I’d be investing a bit more in the monitor. Pretty much everything you can buy will be a step down in pixel density in comparison to the iMac. You might find the trade off worth it if you get a full 4k screen but you will still notice a drop in image quality.

So, what would be the suggestion to approximate the iMac resolution

 

[Technerd108]

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage)

The Apple M1 chip takes Mac mini, the most versatile, do-it-all Mac desktop, to a whole new level of performance. With up to 3x faster CPU performance, up to 6x faster graphics, a powerful Neural Engine with up to 15x faster machine learning, and superfast unified memory—all in an ultracompact de...

www.amazon.com

A good deal on M1 mini

 

[omeletpants]

Thanks to everyone for your great answers. Spent the afternoon researching an it gave me a headache and this shouldn't be this difficult.

There doesnt seem to be any good solution to the wide screen resolution issue. In this video he explains a lot of what you all said then went further saying apple has ignored this as it's not on their agenda. It's sad because I would like to upgrade to 32" but not lose resolution and size or gain a lot of pixelization

 

[Donsell]

I'm new to Macs and had no idea they wouldn't scale like Linux does. I'm a developer on an M1 Mac Mini with two 1440 monitors, one an LG Ultrawide. I'm not into photography, video, or gaming. But it's great for coding.

It really depends on what you want to do.

 

[steve217]

2020 Apple Mac Mini with Apple M1 Chip (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage)

The Apple M1 chip takes Mac mini, the most versatile, do-it-all Mac desktop, to a whole new level of performance. With up to 3x faster CPU performance, up to 6x faster graphics, a powerful Neural Engine with up to 15x faster machine learning, and superfast unified memory—all in an ultracompact de...

www.amazon.com

A good deal on M1 mini

Don’t forget the refurb deals.

Refurbished Mac mini Apple M1 Chip with 8‑Core CPU and 8‑Core GPU

The Apple M1 chip takes our most versatile, do-it-all desktop into another dimension. With up to 3x faster CPU performance. Up to 6x faster graphics. And our most advanced Neural Engine for up to 15x faster machine learning. Get ready to work, play, and create on Mac mini with speed and power...

www.apple.com

 

[omeletpants]

 

[Technerd108]

Well it seems there is no limitation to getting the set up you want with the mini. There are still good sales and it is a great value overall.

The mini should update with possibly an M2 chip late next year along with the 27” iMac.

So do you wait or get a deal now?

 

[omeletpants]

Well it seems there is no limitation to getting the set up you want with the mini. There are still good sales and it is a great value overall.

The mini should update with possibly an M2 chip late next year along with the 27” iMac.

So do you wait or get a deal now?

The "deal" was not the point of this thread. It was about getting resolution close to 5K retina

 

[Technerd108]

Got it.

Good luck ?

 

[andrewstirling]

Thanks to everyone for your great answers. Spent the afternoon researching an it gave me a headache and this shouldn't be this difficult.

There doesnt seem to be any good solution to the wide screen resolution issue. In this video he explains a lot of what you all said then went further saying apple has ignored this as it's not on their agenda. It's sad because I would like to upgrade to 32" but not lose resolution and size or gain a lot of pixelization

Apple include a best in class monitor on their iMacs. I bought an lg32un880 which I like but it’s definitely not as sharp as the 27” iMac I replaced with it. I’m happy with my choice but there are definitely trade offs. My iMac was much older than yours so that was a factor. I also use an MacBook Pro as the replacement and that obviously brings benefits with regards to portability. You’re not in an easy position with regards to a straightforward upgrade really but the mac you have is pretty damn good

 

[omeletpants]

Apple include a best in class monitor on their iMacs. I bought an lg32un880 which I like but it’s definitely not as sharp as the 27” iMac I replaced with it. I’m happy with my choice but there are definitely trade offs. My iMac was much older than yours so that was a factor. I also use an MacBook Pro as the replacement and that obviously brings benefits with regards to portability. You’re not in an easy position with regards to a straightforward upgrade really but the mac you have is pretty damn good

Chasing technology takes you down a lot of rat holes. My initial thought was to increase the monitor size and processor speed. Should be pretty simple until you encounter all the caveats. Seems there is no clear solution and I would be increasing size/speed and decreasing clarity/picture quality

What's interesting is with all the monitor testing everyone wants to show you how it looks gaming or pictures but almost no one shows the font/clarity trade off. Glad to have you guys to keep me from making a mistake