Help Upgrading old iMac 20" to Mini

[fightnchkn]

Hey guys, Im looking to upgrade from my 20" iMac to a Mac Mini and I could use some help on specs. My iMac current specs are

2 Ghz Intel Core Duo
4 GB 667 RAM
ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT GPU
1TB Hitachi 7200

Right now I cant decide between buying a new Mac mini (2010) or the late mac mini (2009) refurb. The specs seem pretty close but I cant decide if the GPU upgrade is worth it (for me). Ive read all the info and know the 320m is definitely better but Im coming from an old ATI Radeon HD 2400XT and Im still happy with it. I mainly surf the net, watch HD movies, netflix, WinXP through VMware, etc. I have never gamed on the computer. A 2.53Ghz refurb is cheaper. Dont worry about HDD or RAM. I can upgrade those down the road if I want.

Lastly Im mainly upgrading because I want a bigger screen (25" or 27") and a 27" iMac is not really an option. What do you all think?

 

[indg]

sounds like you answered your own question. you'd be fine with the 2.53 refurb.

 

[fightnchkn]

I guess more specifically I am curious how the the 320m and the 9400m compare to the 2400 XT. Would the 9400m be a big step up? Ive found lots of stuff comparing the 320m and 9400m, but nothing on how they compare with my older ATI 2400XT. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[BlindSoul]

From what i can see there isn't such a huge difference between ATI 2400XT And nVidia Geforce 9400m. If you want your Mac Mini to run all the applications of today then i suggest you to get the new one.
You can compare them here:
ATI 2400: http://www.notebookcheck.net/ATI_Mobility_Radeon_HD_2400.3773.0.html

nVidia GeForce 9400M: http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA_GeForce_9400M_G.11949.0.html

nVidia GeForce 320M:
http://www.notebookcheck.net/NVIDIA_GeForce_320M.28701.0.html

 

[mangrove]

I got the 2010 for the HDMI+graphics+small size+interior access. So glad I did because when, IMHO, you watch Netflix you can tell the difference on full screen mode. Also on web sites I can blow windows way up to full screen sitting 12 feet from the TV with no problem and the graphics are sublime.

With the new keyboard+mouse the Control+finger zoom are fast to use. Also the F3 key helps locate all the windows you have open simultaneously.

It makes life faster for me. That being said I remember dial ups at 28.8 too.

 

[fightnchkn]

Thanks for the help. Actually come to think of it my netflix is a bit blurry in full screen. I guess I always assumed it was the website as opposed to my computer. Would be nice to upgrade to the 320m. Did you get 2.4 or 2.66ghz?