My late 2012 iMac display just died and Apple EOL parts for it after 6 years. There are no Authorized repair shops within cooee of me unfortunately, and I'm not convinced I'm able to replace the display myself or even find the display for sale in Japan. So...
I've decided to get a Mac Mini instead of another iMac in the case I head back home in the next few years and/or because it seems a little cheaper for my needs.
I have a MacBook Pro for work and heavy lifting - editing video, Graphical and musical intensive Keynotes and document creation. None of that needs doing on my home computer. In fact, my home computer only does the following...
1. Watch movies
2. Internet
3. Email
4. Youtube
5. live streaming of sports (Cricket and Rugby League)
6. keep photos
7. music collection
That is pretty much it. I don't have the chance to game on my computer, so that isn't a factor.
I've done a heap of reading and research, but I'm a little lost in terms of what I actually need.
I'll be watching movies and live sports not at my computer desk, but from around 2-2.5 metres away from the screen most of the time. The rest is done at the computer.
I have enjoyed having a 27inch iMac and the screen was big enough to enjoy from 2-2.5 metres away, so I was thinking to get...
Mac Mini i5 16gig ram and 1TB HD + LG 27ul850 - W/27
Mac mini -
*I won't upgrade the ram myself. I could save maybe 80-100 dollars, but it's not worth it to me to void the warranty or take a chance stuffing it up. I will pay the Apple Tax and not think about it again.
* Do I need the i5 or will the i3 be enough to last me 4-6 years?
* I've got over 500gig worth of photos and music that needs storing on the computer. I prefer to keep this stuff on the computer and not on an external. So that's why 1TB HD. Or is it easy to just get an external to keep it on? It's another thing I need on the desk though...
LG Monitor -
* It's an IPS screen which I've heard is important if I'm going to be watching movies on from a distance. My wife will also watch them, so it won't be just me sat directly in front of the screen. IPS is definitely more expensive than VA though.
* I've looked for other brands, but there doesn't seem to be anything that hits the sweet spot of size, IPS and USB C connections available.
* Is there a better brand I should be looking at? This monitor has a 3 year warranty (in Japan) and the price seems decent for what it does, although I did expect to only have to pay around 500 bucks, not 700.
Is it better to connect the mac mini via USB C or HDMI 2? Does it make a difference?
Thanks,
SM.
PS. I'd actually prefer a 32 inch monitor, but they seem crazy expensive in IPS
I've decided to get a Mac Mini instead of another iMac in the case I head back home in the next few years and/or because it seems a little cheaper for my needs.
I have a MacBook Pro for work and heavy lifting - editing video, Graphical and musical intensive Keynotes and document creation. None of that needs doing on my home computer. In fact, my home computer only does the following...
1. Watch movies
2. Internet
3. Email
4. Youtube
5. live streaming of sports (Cricket and Rugby League)
6. keep photos
7. music collection
That is pretty much it. I don't have the chance to game on my computer, so that isn't a factor.
I've done a heap of reading and research, but I'm a little lost in terms of what I actually need.
I'll be watching movies and live sports not at my computer desk, but from around 2-2.5 metres away from the screen most of the time. The rest is done at the computer.
I have enjoyed having a 27inch iMac and the screen was big enough to enjoy from 2-2.5 metres away, so I was thinking to get...
Mac Mini i5 16gig ram and 1TB HD + LG 27ul850 - W/27
Mac mini -
*I won't upgrade the ram myself. I could save maybe 80-100 dollars, but it's not worth it to me to void the warranty or take a chance stuffing it up. I will pay the Apple Tax and not think about it again.
* Do I need the i5 or will the i3 be enough to last me 4-6 years?
* I've got over 500gig worth of photos and music that needs storing on the computer. I prefer to keep this stuff on the computer and not on an external. So that's why 1TB HD. Or is it easy to just get an external to keep it on? It's another thing I need on the desk though...
LG Monitor -
* It's an IPS screen which I've heard is important if I'm going to be watching movies on from a distance. My wife will also watch them, so it won't be just me sat directly in front of the screen. IPS is definitely more expensive than VA though.
* I've looked for other brands, but there doesn't seem to be anything that hits the sweet spot of size, IPS and USB C connections available.
* Is there a better brand I should be looking at? This monitor has a 3 year warranty (in Japan) and the price seems decent for what it does, although I did expect to only have to pay around 500 bucks, not 700.
Is it better to connect the mac mini via USB C or HDMI 2? Does it make a difference?
Thanks,
SM.
PS. I'd actually prefer a 32 inch monitor, but they seem crazy expensive in IPS
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