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iMac vs Mac Mini

MacFanUK

MacFanUK

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 29, 2009
546
0
UK
Hi,
This is my first post although I have been browsing the forums for some time.

I am looking for my first Mac and unsure of what to go for. I currently use a 2.8GHz Celeron PC which is on it's knees so the time has come to replace it...with a Mac.

Would I be better getting a Mac Mini or an iMac for my first Mac? I already have a 19" screen which I love, so wouldn't need to buy a new one.

What I use my pc for? A little Web Development, and general work related tasks such as spreadsheets, word docs, etc.

I have been offered a 2GHz G5 iMac for £300 but I am wondering if I'd be better off getting a 2GHz Intel Mac Mini from the HE store for £435.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
There's an old saying "piss or get off the pot" - was that President Truman?

Depending upon your use, go the 24" iMac - a much more powerful and useful machine.
 
don't go with the older iMac G5. definitely go with something on the intel side. a core duo or a core 2 duo should be fine.. but keep in mind - the older the computer is the faster it will be outdated.

it doesn't make sense to upgrade your outdated computer to another outdated computer.
 
Don't buy the G5, buy an Intel-based Mac.

£435 from the HE store sounds like a bargain for your first Mac and would allow you to continue using your screen, upgrade it to at least 2Gb RAM though.

I moved from a PC to a 2.0 Ghz Mac Mini two years ago and haven't looked back :)
 
oxfan said:
Don't buy the G5, buy an Intel-based Mac.

£435 from the HE store sounds like a bargain for your first Mac and would allow you to continue using your screen, upgrade it to at least 2Gb RAM though.

I moved from a PC to a 2.0 Ghz Mac Mini two years ago and haven't looked back :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. Just looked on the HE store and it's actually £450 so I was a little out :). Just out of interest, are you still using that Mac Mini or have you moved onto something else?
 
Well... consider that if you get the iMac, you're stuck to Leopard. And if Snow Leopard does not convince you, how about OS 11? :)
 
michael.lauden said:
don't go with the older iMac G5. definitely go with something on the intel side. a core duo or a core 2 duo should be fine.. but keep in mind - the older the computer is the faster it will be outdated.

it doesn't make sense to upgrade your outdated computer to another outdated computer.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Apple is really good at supporting older models, but the next OS is Intel only, so the writing is on the wall.

I've got two G4s that run very happily on OS 10.4 now, but how they will run with the software and browsers of the next few years is a moot point.

I don't know much about Mac Minis, but perhaps if you do a bit of web development an iMac might be better. IIRC a weakness of the Mini is the graphics card.
 
Out of those, I would go for the Mac Mini. As you said you already have a monitor that you want to use, and with the mac mini you can even upgrade to another screen at a later date if you wish. It is a capable little machine and the 9400m is really quite good, so it will handle the occasional game if you wish to do so. I have a 24" iMac but at times I wish I had got the mini as then I could use a screen of my choice (which ideally would have an input for my PS3 as well).
signature_silverapple.jpg
 
Get the Mini, you already have a monitor and it will suit your needs as I'm more than happy to use mines for college this fall.

The GFX card isn't bad, it just depends on what you need it for. Of course, anything extreme may not be to the best results, but it doesnt seem like you need anything that requires a 1GB nVIDIA X208GTX-eFORCE or whatever.
 
iMac vs Mini

We have both the mini and the iMac (both 2009 models). I love the iMac but I am most impressed with the mini. It is fast enough for everything but video editing and as it is very energy efficient it also helps a bit in CO2 reduction. For your first Mac I would get the mini.
 
I disagree. Go with the iMac. By the time you add peripherals and the like, the price difference is not that drastic and you get much more computer with an iMac. The processor, ram, and hard drive are all better on the 20", and the screen is great (plus the unit is all in one).

Don't get the G5, largely because Apple is no longer supporting the PowerPC Processors on the Software side. You want a machine that will work their new software, especially Snow Leopard. Go Intel.

Also, make sure you do not buy any used Mac with Intel Integrated Graphics. The old Mini if vastly inferior to the new one because of the NVIDIA 9400M.
 
Don't get the G5 iMac, they are prone to failure. If its free, go ahead though :). The Mac Mini C2D CPU will surely out perform that old 2.8 Celeron. I have the new iMac and my girlfriend has the new Mini, both are excellent performers and I recommend either.
 
MacFanUK said:
Thanks for your reply. Just looked on the HE store and it's actually £450 so I was a little out :). Just out of interest, are you still using that Mac Mini or have you moved onto something else?
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm still using it, I've upgraded it to 4Gb RAM and a WD Scorpio Black 320Gb HDD though. I've no plans to replace it for a while- it does everything I need well, I've even had MS Exchange 2010 running on it in VMWare Fusion although it struggled a bit with that.
 
Get a mini ($600) and put in 4gig ($60)... then use your existing monitor. Thats what I did :)
 
Get the Mini, just try an upgrade it to 2GB RAM if you can afford it. The iMac is basically the same core components with a monitor attached and a bit more RAM and HDD.
 
zedsdead said:
I disagree. Go with the iMac. By the time you add peripherals and the like, the price difference is not that drastic and you get much more computer with an iMac. The processor, ram, and hard drive are all better on the 20", and the screen is great (plus the unit is all in one).

Don't get the G5, largely because Apple is no longer supporting the PowerPC Processors on the Software side. You want a machine that will work their new software, especially Snow Leopard. Go Intel.

Also, make sure you do not buy any used Mac with Intel Integrated Graphics. The old Mini if vastly inferior to the new one because of the NVIDIA 9400M.
Click to expand...
Why don't you guys take the time to read carefully AT LEAST THE FIRST POST. If the OP states clearly that the iMac is a G5 (and, being given the price, I doubt he affords an Intel machine), why would you disagree and post something like this?
 
Not Available said:
Why don't you guys take the time to read carefully AT LEAST THE FIRST POST. If the OP states clearly that the iMac is a G5 (and, being given the price, I doubt he affords an Intel machine), why would you disagree and post something like this?
Click to expand...

Yes, my bad too.

Agree with others - get the Mac Mini.
 
In defense of the G5 iMac . . . as said in that memorable scene from "The Holy Grail" . . . it's not quite dead, yet. With 2GB of very cheap PC3200 ram, it runs Leopard and iLife '09 very well along with tons of other software. 300 quid is probably too much, though. An iSight model should sell for under 250.
 
The current minis are made of win; they're fast, they're quiet, and they're tiny. I love mine to death, even though it's nowhere near my first Mac. You would be well pleased with it :)

Do upgrade the RAM in it though, you'll be much happier.
 
Yep, the minis are really nice, small, and quiet. I just received mine today from amazon. Going to perform some surgery on it once my memory sticks get here in the mail.
 

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