iMac 4K or Mac mini

[The Macless]

I was going to buy the base model Mac mini with i3, 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage.

However, I wonder if the base model iMac 4K also with i3 and 8 GB of RAM would be better because of its graphics? I know about the hard drive but Apple might change that (if not, my choice will be easier).

Assume Apple offer 256 GB of storage in the new base model iMac 4K, would that be a better computer than the base model Mac mini?

I don’t have an external monitor yet or anything else, but I wont mind buying it. I could choose what I prefer instead such as height adjustable monitor and Logitech MX Keys (I want backlit). This would however not be so important if the iMac 4K would give me a better computer, I can always swap the keyboard and fix another monitor stand. Although I do like the idea of an external monitor as I would be able to connect other computers in the future (and not needing to cover up a webcam), but that’s not something I would need now or in the near future (if ever?).

Spoiler: What the computer is for

I will only use the computer for web browsing, media consumption (YouTube, Netflix etc.), some website development (WordPress) and light video and photo editing (from iPhone in iMovie). I know the base models with i3 will work for this (coming from dual core i5 late 2012 MacBook Pro 13). I never have RAM issue either (not a person with a silly amount of tabs open), I have even used a Windows laptop with only 4 GB of RAM without any problems.

The question is, should I wait until WWDC and see if Apple make the iMac better (ditching mechanical hard drives including Fusion Drive), or should I just go ahead and buy the Mac mini?

 

[Andres Cantu]

Right now is not a good time to buy either (at full price). If you can wait it out a bit longer for an updated iMac, you should. Either machine will work fine for your use cases, but it's never a fun feeling when they release an updated machine weeks after a purchase.

Don't hold out for a Mac mini upgrade though. The recent 2x base storage "update" suggests nothing to come for this year.

 

[The Macless]

Right now is not a good time to buy either (at full price). If you can wait it out a bit longer for an updated iMac, you should. Either machine will work fine for your use cases, but it's never a fun feeling when they release an updated machine weeks after a purchase.

Don't hold out for a Mac mini upgrade though. The recent 2x base storage "update" suggests nothing to come for this year.

I know I should wait and not buy an iMac right now, but I don’t have a computer (no Mac and the Windows laptop just broke).

I will wait if necessary though (if the iMac could be a better choice) if it’s only until WWDC. If nothing has come before then, I may not want to wait any longer.

Should I buy the base model Mac mini if the iMac don’t receive an update within a month? Is it better or not than the current iMac (if I upgrade it to 256 GB SSD)?

 

[NewUsername]

Both basically have the same processor, the Mac mini is $799 and the iMac is $1499 (with 256GB RAM). The iMac has better graphics, but the benefit of that will be minimal with your workload.

However, the Mac mini doesn't have a display, keyboard and mouse, so you'll have to see how much that would cost you.

At this moment, I would say the Mac mini is a better deal. However, there is a good chance we'll see a new iMac by WWDC (given the current shipping times, something seems to be going on). No guarantee, of course.

 

[The Macless]

Both basically have the same processor, the Mac mini is $799 and the iMac is $1499 (with 256GB RAM). The iMac has better graphics, but the benefit of that will be minimal with your workload.

However, the Mac mini doesn't have a display, keyboard and mouse, so you'll have to see how much that would cost you.

At this moment, I would say the Mac mini is a better deal. However, there is a good chance we'll see a new iMac by WWDC (given the current shipping times, something seems to be going on). No guarantee, of course.

Even if both will work for me I don’t mind better graphics. I also realize that there isn’t any screen similar to iMac. The closest would be the LG UltraFine 24” 4K display which is very expensive. So I might as well buy iMac with better graphics if I can’t go for a less expensive display. The price must be less with Mac mini to feel more appealing.

I hate having to wait but I guess it’s worth it to not pay more for less.

 

[CWallace]

I would get the iMac since you get a Retina 4K display and when LG used to sell those third-party, they were $699 (you can still find them for around $599) so by the time you added that display, an Apple Keyboard and an Apple Mouse to a Mac mini you are probably close to the same price and you get a better GPU.

If you want to use a different display and peripherals, then Mac mini gives you that option.

 

[The Macless]

I would get the iMac since you get a Retina 4K display and when LG used to sell those third-party, they were $699 (you can still find them for around $599) so by the time you added that display, an Apple Keyboard and an Apple Mouse to a Mac mini you are probably close to the same price and you get a better GPU.

If you want to use a different display and peripherals, then Mac mini gives you that option.

After some more research I will not be buying the LG UltraFine 4K display. If I go with Mac mini I want the benefit of being able to connect a Windows machine in the future. The LG UltraFine 4K display is not well optimized for Windows.

I have to think about it. If I value the versatility of the Mac mini or the better graphics in the iMac.

I don’t like the iMac stand and would probably buy the VESA model to be able to pick up a height adjustable stand (ergonomics is very important for me).

 

[pldelisle]

Go with a Dell display. They make VESA capable monitors (the Ultrasharp) and look very nice.

With only one monitor, the Mac mini should be fine. Would definitively take 16 GB of RAM in it thought.

 

[The Macless]

Go with a Dell display. They make VESA capable monitors (the Ultrasharp) and look very nice.

With only one monitor, the Mac mini should be fine. Would definitively take 16 GB of RAM in it thought.

I don’t even need the VESA mount with Dell and other monitors that already is height adjustable.

Yes, I only use one monitor. Not sure if it would be wise to not wait and see if Apple updates the iMac though. I have realized that I would still pay the same as for the base model iMac 4K (even with 256 GB SSD ).

 

[pldelisle]

Sure, I would wait too.

 

[Amsterdamned]

Also, don’t forget about screen size. The iMac 4K screen is pin sharp but, at 21.5”, also on the small side. WWDC may well bring a screen size bump too.

 

[The Macless]

Also, don’t forget about screen size. The iMac 4K screen is pin sharp but, at 21.5”, also on the small side. WWDC may well bring a screen size bump too.

Yes, the iMac 4K has great resolution for its size. Don’t know any monitor that small with that high resolution. I bet it look really good.

I know it’s on the smaller side but coming from a laptop it’s still quite huge. I don’t mind a bigger screen but not sure if I want to pay that much more for the iMac 5K. I have to see when Apple updates the iMac.

I can’t wait, the waiting is painful when you don’t have any backup computer.