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Highend iMac or mini + ps3 + FullHD flatscreen

S

Skyruner2

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 7, 2009
6
0
ive got a bit of a dilemma:
i want to switch to mac. I have tons of games on Steam so id rund bootcamp to play them via native XP on my iMac. for that (GTA IV as game example) id need a highend iMac. i was thinking of THE highend iMac, though id wait till the ATI HD card reviews are in.
Another option would be to screw my Steam account, get a Mac Mini to have a mac for all my picture storing, office work, surfing, mail ect. get a PS3 for games since most of my friends have PS3s id be easy to borrow games to play them and get a Full HD display /TV and hook the PS3 and mini up. As an added Plus id get a BluRay player :)

Im somewhat undecided and am running a sort of Web2.0 experiment while sleeping it over a few times.

Id appreciate if you guys and gals could give me some feed back here and also vote for your opinion at this doodle poll: http://doodle.com/u36xqdz85u2cq7wh

thanks in advance!
 
Mini + PS3 is what I have. Totally the way to go IMO, sorry but the iMac is just too restrictive, and I only have room for one big screen - my display caters for my Mini , PS3 and Wii, with room for more connections. Also the Mini (2009) has an additional video output which I've connected a Cintiq to. Simply couldn't have this setup with an iMac.
 
I don't think there is much of a decision there... Mac Mini + all the goodies is the only way to go on this one, unless you have an absolute need for any extra performance an iMac might bring.

I am pretty much dead set against all in one's, even though I just purchased an iMac. The only reason I went with an iMac was because I thought the refurbs were a great deal and 2.8ghz with a 24" screen for $1199, seemed to be ok. If it wasn't for that, I would have gone with a Mac Mini and added my own components.

I participated in your poll. Barring any polling place irregularities, I expect the mini will win by a landslide!

"Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything." - Josef Stalin
 
jnc said:
Mini + PS3 is what I have. Totally the way to go IMO, sorry but the iMac is just too restrictive, and I only have room for one big screen - my display caters for my Mini , PS3 and Wii, with room for more connections. Also the Mini (2009) has an additional video output which I've connected a Cintiq to. Simply couldn't have this setup with an iMac.
Click to expand...

The iMac 2009 also has a mini display port out for a 2nd screen, so not sure what you mean.

I currently have a Mini and am upgrading to an iMac 4850 which is on order. The responsiveness, etc, on the iMac is much better than the Mini. Also, if you get a good keyboard, mouse and display for the Mini it doesn't end up saving you much over the entry level iMac.

The 2.93ghz C2D iMac has the 6MB cache "extreme" version of that processor, and is really fast. Upgrade the graphics and you should have a machine capable of not only blazing fast Mac work but also pretty good with gaming for at least a year or three.
 
jmpage2 said:
The iMac 2009 also has a mini display port out for a 2nd screen, so not sure what you mean.
Click to expand...

As iMac has its own screen, you can't plug in a further 2 screens.

And the iMac's screen is only good for the iMac itself, it has no additional inputs. So my setup (Mac, PS3, Cintiq) would be impossible, even with iMac's display port out.

PS Will be trading up to a 4850 iMac or 4870 Mac Pro one day, but at the moment only have room for one display, which needs to do it all. (Dorm!)
 
Well, me being a hardcore gamer I hope I can help you.

I was a hardcore CS gamer. and eventually got me a ps3 and a 52" 1080p samsung. I just ordered an imac 2.8 since I do all my gaming on my ps3. CoD4 and Killzone2 are AMAZING!

Here's the thing thou, if you're not willing to give a console a chance you might get annoyed when you get your butt handed to you. You'll get good thou, SPECIALLY with a decent size screen.

On the other hand sadly as much as I love macs, you might never get the performance you want for games even from a 3.2ghz imac, some games yeah, most games are gonna have to be ran on med settings which is ok. But I wouldn't count on it for upcoming games, while the ps3 you got some good 6 years left of awesome games without worrying about how it will run.

A mac mini plus a 32" 720p samsung and a ps3, holy cr, that's a no match, that takes the imac hands down. My friend just got a 50" 720p samsung for $698.

Good luck and don't forget mgs4. Let us know what you get.
 
BulletToothTony said:
A mac mini plus a 32" 720p samsung and a ps3, holy cr, that's a no match, that takes the imac hands down. My friend just got a 50" 720p samsung for $698.

Good luck and don't forget mgs4. Let us know what you get.
Click to expand...


MGS4, CoD4, GTAIV, SFIV, Soul Calibur IV, Armored Core 4, Devil May Cry 4... am I missing any 4s? :D
 
Listen up, get a psystar,
http://www.psystar.com/
i don't know why no one ever brings this up, it can run mac os x and is a lot cheaper. the quad core mac pro equivalent goes for 1,154, the lowend imac equivalent goes for 550 or so. id go that way if i had the money. my plan is when they come out with their laptops ill be selling my blackbook to be getting the MBP equivalent. u should check them out
 
ceezy3000 said:
Listen up, get a psystar,
http://www.psystar.com/
i don't know why no one ever brings this up, it can run mac os x and is a lot cheaper. the quad core mac pro equivalent goes for 1,154, the lowend imac equivalent goes for 550 or so. id go that way if i had the money. my plan is when they come out with their laptops ill be selling my blackbook to be getting the MBP equivalent. u should check them out
Click to expand...

Careful with the word "equivalent", cus there's sod all equal about those things except maybe some numbers on a sheet of paper.
 
jnc said:
Careful with the word "equivalent", cus there's sod all equal about those things except maybe some numbers on a sheet of paper.
Click to expand...

The Psystar option is probably a good choice for someone who isn't willing to pay Apple's prices but doesn't want to go the FrankenMac/Hackintosh route.

They now clone Apples updates and have a technical staff of hackers who try to work around issues. Apparently software compatibility functionality is at nearly 100%.

On the other hand, the Psystar stuff is cheaply built, with budget parts and probably isn't going to be as aesthetically pleasing as a real Mac. The risk is also there that it won't ever be upgradable to SnowLeopard, that future updates and functionality won't work with it, etc.

Caveot Emptor as they say.
 
Thanks for all the Replies!
Looking at the Vote it definatly reflects what ive heard & read from people. The Psystar option is not really one for me - i dont really trust it... The PS3 Option seems so appealing to me for the same reasons as OS X vs. Windows: Simplicity, ease of use. It just seems really simple and streight forward with a Console to pop a game in and play, not worring about My hardware and My configuration(drivers and co)...

Steam seems like its the main thing that keeps me bound to a PC. I have a few games on there such as BioShock and GTA IV that i havnt had a chance to really enjoy because of my current PC hardware. It seams like a waste to have to buy these games again for a console - but a few friends allready suggested letting me borrow these games from them to play them through :) - so really its not THAT bad.

And though i have saved up on a new PC for more or less 5 years now i like the though of not spending the money all at once. I could get the Mini now, so ill have it for my first iPhone (waiting for gen.3), or get it with Snow Leopard later on, or get a new TV first or the PS3... and the PS3 option is indeed more Bang for the Buck (just Processor wise im getting 9Cores (8SPUs and one PPU in the Cell) @ 3Ghz + the 2Ghz duo in the mini, vs one single dualcore @3GHz ^^

so im really tending towards the PS3 option. Ill endup buying something next week and then let you know what it will be :)
 
BulletToothTony said:
just ordered an imac 2.8 since I do all my gaming on my ps3. CoD4 and Killzone2 are AMAZING!
Click to expand...

Can you use a keyboard and mouse yet on PS3 for gaming? Frankly, I find a console control pad to be a joke for shooter games - particularly Sony's horrible controller (the worst of the current gen consoles, IMO). Why they would stick with that horrible controller is beyond me. So I prefer gaming on my computer for the keyboard & mouse control.
 
I have a PS3, 360 and Wii and have recently ordered an iMac. I'm not made of money though, it's just I've bought them all at totally different times when I can.

I was going to get a Mini and monitor with PS3 set up but decided not to. Why? Well looking at the price, I wanted the top end Mini, upgraded, with a decent monitor and that came to say £1500 (ish). But, I wanted a computer that would last a long time and have the ability to actually play some decent PC games well and a Mini isn't great for games in the long run.

I already have a quality 32inch Samsung TV. So then I look at the future, where they would be in my flat/house. I would be getting a new bigger TV in the future definitely, so that would go in the lounge. Then my 32inch Samsung would go in the spare room, along with the PS3 or 360 (so I can free up the lounge for gf or whatever).

Now if I had ANOTHER monitor with the Mini what would be the advantage! - I'd already have the consoles connected to a big tv and all I'd be left with is a below par computer that doesn't look as good as the...iMAC...

Which leads me to image, the iMac looks far better. Far more powerfull, long lasting computer. I know for a fact that the future is the most important thing and when friends come round I won't be wanting to computer seats to sit at a desk and play PS3! So, I want a big screen close to me with the PS3 and a sofa, then an iMac for proper computer stuff.

Not only is the iMac screen better, it all looks better, more powerful, screw Steam play other games! And play your PS3 on the sofa where you should be!
 
PS mate, I never play on my PS3 or 360, they are pretty crappy really, plus bad controls.

They are exciting at first but it wears off. I know for certain that the most fun and addiction I've ever had on games were ALL on the PC.
Footy Manager / Champ Man
Command and Conquer
Starcraft
CSS
And all the Amiga games from old days.

I'm telling you from first hand, a good computer is better than a good console in the long run. :)
 
erasr said:
PS mate, I never play on my PS3 or 360, they are pretty crappy really, plus bad controls.

They are exciting at first but it wears off. I know for certain that the most fun and addiction I've ever had on games were ALL on the PC.
Footy Manager / Champ Man
Command and Conquer
Starcraft
CSS
And all the Amiga games from old days.

I'm telling you from first hand, a good computer is better than a good console in the long run. :)
Click to expand...

That's your opinion. I've always been console gamer and I love it. I always laugh for my friends who has problems with their PCs, lags, low FPS etc. Consoles are so easy, you just turn 'em on and play! And consoles have the best games too.

I have PS3 with 32" Sony + 24" iMac and I think that combo is perfect!
 
LagunaSol said:
Can you use a keyboard and mouse yet on PS3 for gaming? Frankly, I find a console control pad to be a joke for shooter games - particularly Sony's horrible controller (the worst of the current gen consoles, IMO). Why they would stick with that horrible controller is beyond me. So I prefer gaming on my computer for the keyboard & mouse control.
Click to expand...

There is a Spit Fish 3rd party mouse controller.. it's worked ok.. but i'm used to the ps3 controller..

It's always a matter of opinion.. i don't see what's so bad about the controller.. the sticks are great in sensitivity and if you get used to it.. you'll be good at it.. i play 360 and ps3 i don't see a difference in the controllers..
 
ceezy3000 said:
Listen up, get a psystar
Click to expand...
Only if you want a cheap, poorly made, poorly supported pile of junk.

i don't know why no one ever brings this up
Click to expand...
Because psystar is not an intelligent choice.

the quad core mac pro equivalent goes for 1,154
Click to expand...
Their "equivalent" is nowhere near comparable to an actual MacPro in build quality, components or specs.

id go that way if i had the money.
Click to expand...
So, you're so poor you can't even afford their junk?
 
Its taken me a long time to think through (some other things came up) but I am definatly going to go with the PS3&mini option. I think this is what i am going to get for now:


My plan is to wait for Snow Leopard to come out to get the Mac Mini. Ill propably have a next gen iPhone by then as well :)
 
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not too bad bro..

gta4 got very boring for me very fast.. extremely fast, i resold it the second day :(

While i love resistance story, resistance 2 imo left me a bit down.. and the multiplayer is missing something that i can't quite put my finger on.. maybe is that it takes a bit too long to kill people i dunno.

While Killzone 2 was the first game that took me completely away from cod4.. great single player campaign.. AWESOME multiplayer..

gta4 is a rental at best, and don't forget that the full version of GT is coming out maybe even this year (most likely next thou).

Overall i think you're thinking wise and waiting for snow leopard (if you can) it's a good idea.. i wouldn't expect it b4 august thou.

26" is great if you're planning on playing up close.. might be a bit too big in the beginning but you'll get used to it.
 
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