iMac VS MacMini

[Hugh]

I was looking at the MacMini...... But with these rumors that the MacMini is dead. I am looking at the iMac now. I know most likely they will be updated for Christmas but, I wouldn't be surprised they drop the Firewire port. Which in the MacBook threads I don't need. I however do need it on a desktop because I use a Firewire drive.

Now that I have told you my life story. I am looking at the iMac 20'' 2.4Ghz, but I see the iMac 20'' 2.66 comes with a better video card. I don't play very many games. I just want to be able to play Command & Conquer 3, WOW and, hopefully Star Craft 2 (I like playing RTS games).

Should I cough up the more $$ to get the 2.66 or will 2.4 be fine? (I know there are other differences then the video card. Like memory and hard drive.)

Hugh

 

[phrehdd]

I was looking at the MacMini...... But with these rumors that the MacMini is dead. I am looking at the iMac now. I know most likely they will be updated for Christmas but, I wouldn't be surprised they drop the Firewire port. Which in the MacBook threads I don't need. I however do need it on a desktop because I use a Firewire drive.

Now that I have told you my life story. I am looking at the iMac 20'' 2.4Ghz, but I see the iMac 20'' 2.66 comes with a better video card. I don't play very many games. I just want to be able to play Command & Conquer 3, WOW and, hopefully Star Craft 2 (I like playing RTS games).

Should I cough up the more $$ to get the 2.66 or will 2.4 be fine? (I know there are other differences then the video card. Like memory and hard drive.)

Hugh

I admit I find it interesting that you look at the Mac Mini then the iMac in the same breath. I say this as the Mac Mini is no where near the video-ability of the iMAC. Nor is the amount of RAM or size of drives.

If the games are a part of your use of a computer then I would suggest that you get that 2.66 you are eyeing. Just be aware that you may want to consider either at the purchase time or later upping your RAM to 4 gigs. The video cards - well that's up to you. Obviously more "horsepower" provides for smoother play at higher resolutions in most cases.

As for Mac Mini, not a good game machine at any level. The integrated video is minimal and best served for some media play and typical apps. It is a nice machine but not a game machine.

As for external drives, I use usb, firewire 400 and 800. The latter being a blessing for me for larger files. I also use a NAS.

- Phrehdd