Mac Mini M1 + Monitor + Kbd/Trackpad vs iMac M1

[saynotosync]

It really depends on what you currently have in your setup, I guess.
For example, I was already using my MBP with a 1080p monitor, external keyboard and mouse at my desk pretty much all the time, so getting the Mini (I lucked into the 512/16 model for $800, so it's a bit of an exception, really - with the laptop trade-in I only paid $450) only incurred the additional cost of buying a webcam (I got a Logitech for $70 and it's perfect for my basic needs - 1080p@30FPS, not 60FPS, but also not 100+ dollars).
One definite benefit of getting an iMac is a guarantee of not having display compatibility issues - my monitor and so many other monitors exhibit weird behavior with the M1 GPU. I'm hoping Apple fixes this with a driver update, but I have no way of knowing when and if that happens.
I'll also supplement this Mac with a Windows PC (I have some gamedev/hobbyist/gaming needs that a Mac doesn't fulfill, but I still need a Mac for Logic and prefer one for everyday computing/software dev activities).

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

What's better value depends entirely on how the set-up is going to be used.

For instance, I intend to purchase an M1 Mac for my business for sales. It's purely going to be an admin machine, so I don't need a P3 screen, webcam (already have a spare) or even speakers. Likewise, the Magic Keyboard and mouse are unnecessary. So I'm going order the M1 Mac mini and hook it up to a nice wired keyboard, Logitech mouse and refurb Ultrafine 4K. It works out a lot cheaper than the iMac!

But for a home set-up where multiple people might use the machine in a family, or in a little office, I can definitely see the appeal of the M1 iMac. I was a little disconcerted by the lack of I/O, but I guess that we're living in an increasingly wireless world and hubs are cheap enough.

 

[deeddawg]

The hard part is someone like me -- I'm very much a power user, but I'm at the age where I don't enjoy fussing too much with connections, cables, compatibility, etc. I just want it to work. Unfortunately, I also want screen real estate, performance, and quality. I'm an academic, so while I don't need massive parallel raw CPU performance for complex simulations, I do need it to be able to handle numerous apps & documents open at the same time, high-quality text and strong color & grayscale performance. Something that can match my Dell UP3216Q for image quality (which I'm expecting the new iMac display to do).

I'm so far more than satisfied with the performance of my 16GB M1 Mac. So, the performance part is settled.

I'm looking forward to hopefully something like a 5.5K 30" iMac.

About 8-10 years ago I told myself I'd never buy another all-in-one because I wanted to upgrade this or replace that.... now I just want something clean, simple and "just works" but that can meet my requirements... things often mutually exclusive.

I'm the worst customer. Or the best since I replace things too frequently.

Yep. The Apple Silicon systems currently released don't seem to be aimed directly at your niche - but as transitions take time I'm not surprised.

Honestly I think it's kind smart for Apple to release first to the less demanding market segments, allowing them to gain feedback and metrics to better tweak/tune a future M1X or M2 or whatever they call the higher tier SOC version yet to be released.

 

[pshufd]

Yep. The Apple Silicon systems currently released don't seem to be aimed directly at your niche - but as transitions take time I'm not surprised.

Honestly I think it's kind smart for Apple to release first to the less demanding market segments, allowing them to gain feedback and metrics to better tweak/tune a future M1X or M2 or whatever they call the higher tier SOC version yet to be released.

The general consumer market has much higher numbers than the pro market. Apple is doing the smart thing in terms of making money, gaining marketshare and showing the marketshare numbers to get software developers to port their software. For those of us that want powerful systems - we can't get them anyways because of the AMD 5900X and 5950X parts shortages and we don't want 250 Watt space heaters from AMD chips. And you can't even get GPUs.

It's frustrating waiting but I have a big Windows 10 rig that I'm using along with my old Macs on the side.

 

[bobcomer]

I take a hybrid approach. Big Windows 10 desktop next to a Mac and tie them with a software KV solution. So I can have my system with a ton of RAM and SSD and the CPU choice (well, M1 changes the game), and macOS.

I do the same. But I also have a hardware KVM too if something's not working.

 

[pshufd]

I do the same. But I also have a hardware KVM too if something's not working.

I tried hardware KVMs about 15 years ago and hated them though they are likely much better now. One big problem was the thickness of the cables. I leave a keyboard and mouse attached to the client machine in case I need to do something locally like rebooting the software KM.

 

[bobcomer]

I tried hardware KVMs about 15 years ago and hated them though they are likely much better now. One big problem was the thickness of the cables. I leave a keyboard and mouse attached to the client machine in case I need to do something locally like rebooting the software KM.

They're MUCH better now. There's still cable, but only a USB and HDMI cable. My KVM even support 4K HDMI. You need 8K HDMI cables though...

 

[xraydoc]

I take a hybrid approach. Big Windows 10 desktop next to a Mac and tie them with a software KV solution. So I can have my system with a ton of RAM and SSD and the CPU choice (well, M1 changes the game), and macOS.

I'm actually doing the same (though without the KVM as I like different keyboards for the Mac and PC), but strongly considering tucking my PC in my network room and accessing it via Remote Desktop when I need it instead.

 

[pshufd]

I'm actually doing the same (though without the KVM as I like different keyboards for the Mac and PC), but strongly considering tucking my PC in my network room and accessing it via Remote Desktop when I need it instead.

My current setup is a big Windows 10 system and it has a Mojave Virtual Machine and a Windows 10 Virtual machine running on it. It's next to an old iMac and they are connected to Synergy. I also VNC into a 2015 MacBook Pro 15. So I can run virtual machines, KV and VNC but the best performance is KV. VMs suffer from emulated graphics and VNC suffers from sending a lot of data over the network to do screen redraw. I think that VNC would work reasonably well over 2.5 GB Ethernet. The other thing is that Synergy supports cut and paste a lot better than VNC.

 

[telo123]

My brother's set up is as follows:

1. Refurbished Mac Mini M1 8/256 = $759
2. LG 27'' QHD Ergo IPS Monitor with USB Type-C™ that has built-in speakers = $650
3. Magic Keyboard = $119
4. Logitech MX Master 3 = $70 (b/c of a sale)
5. Logitech 720p Webcam = $35

Brother's setup altogether = ~$1845 with taxes.

I use:
1. M1 Air 256/8 = $1169 (Student Discount)
2. LG 4k UltraFine 24" from Apple = I won this from a work contest, so it was free
3. Magic Keyboard = $119
4. Logitech MX Master 3 (not sale) = $129
5. Logitech 720p Webcam = $35

Altogether: ~$1640 with taxes.

All prices are Canadian.

The iMac that he or I would get would be the middle configuration because of the added ports and touch ID keyboard. Even with the student discount, it would be more pricey = $1965 with taxes.

 

[JMacHack]

you can build yourself something much cheaper but with better specs, i.e., larger monitor.

In any other market you might have a point, but given the current parts cluster****, you’re gonna have a difficult time building a better pc for less.

 

[ADGrant]

I did the math earlier today.

The new iMac is nearly $400 CAD cheaper than the equivalent M1 Mac Mini + 24” LG 4K Ultrafine + Magic keyboard + Magic mouse.

This is in Canada using the student discount.

In the US buying the 24” LG 4K Ultrafine from Amazon, the M1 Mac mini configuration was $100 cheaper than the mid-range iMac when I did the Math. Which iMac are you comparing, the base one or the next one up.

 

[ADGrant]

A typical 27-inch 4K IPS monitor is larger. But it has lower pixel density compared to that of 24-inch 4.5k and it would require one to be running "fractional scaling". I'm typing with 32-inch 4K IPS right now but it was not a money saver.

Or you can buy a 5k 27" LG Ultra-fine (the one in the 27" iMac) or a 24" LG Ultra-fine. I believe those monitors even have a webcam.

 

[macsound1]

They're MUCH better now. There's still cable, but only a USB and HDMI cable. My KVM even support 4K HDMI. You need 8K HDMI cables though...

Try Synergy https://symless.com/synergy
It's software that works across mac and PC so you can have one keyboard and mouse work on 2 different machines.
I used to use it when I had a Mac Pro and an iMac on my desk, mouse just slides across the screens as if its a single machine.

 

[Admiral]

Cost aside, I think it comes down to whether you can live with 24 inches, which is the only integrated screen size available at this time. I have no doubt that the Apple screen will be top notch.

Me, I'm hoping Apple brings out color-matched 4.5K monitors to go with the new iMac. I'd spring for up to US$799 for one of those.

 

[pshufd]

Try Synergy https://symless.com/synergy
It's software that works across mac and PC so you can have one keyboard and mouse work on 2 different machines.
I used to use it when I had a Mac Pro and an iMac on my desk, mouse just slides across the screens as if its a single machine.

That's what I'm using right now. The server is a i7-10700 with 64 GB of RAM, 5 TB of SSD hooked up to 3x4k monitors next to a Late 2009 iMac 27. So four 27 inch monitors at my desk. It gives me macOS for Mail, Reminders, iCal, Notes and watching videos and web browsing and the Windows system for my professional programs.

 

[jdb8167]

In the US buying the 24” LG 4K Ultrafine from Amazon, the M1 Mac mini configuration was $100 cheaper than the mid-range iMac when I did the Math. Which iMac are you comparing, the base one or the next one up.

Price for a 16GB/512GB mini and the peripherals from the US Apple Store is $1976.95. Likely price for an equivalent 24” iMac is $1899.00.

With the mini you get some flexibility at the expense of a more cluttered desk, no touchId, and a better monitor on the iMac.

I can’t find the LG Thunderbolt UltraFine 24” on Amazon as new just refurbished for $170 off the price at the Apple Store. You can take another $15 off for the magic keyboard and mouse purchased on Amazon.

 

[pshufd]

Price for a 16GB/512GB mini and the peripherals from the US Apple Store is $1976.95. Likely price for an equivalent 24” iMac is $1899.00.

With the mini you get some flexibility at the expense of a more cluttered desk, no touchId, and a better monitor on the iMac.

I can’t find the LG Thunderbolt UltraFine 24” on Amazon as new just refurbished for $170 off the price at the Apple Store. You can take another $15 off for the magic keyboard and mouse purchased on Amazon.

Monitor prices on Amazon are insane right now which may make the iMac look better. It's like the current iMac 27 - you can get pretty good video cards by ordering an iMac - and those video cards would otherwise be very difficult to get and you may not have a good read on the reliability of the seller.

 

[sanfrancisofont1984]

Or you can buy a 5k 27" LG Ultra-fine (the one in the 27" iMac) or a 24" LG Ultra-fine. I believe those monitors even have a webcam.

24” does not have a webcam. 27” has. It has an MSRP of 1.3k though.

 

[Robospungo]

In the US buying the 24” LG 4K Ultrafine from Amazon, the M1 Mac mini configuration was $100 cheaper than the mid-range iMac when I did the Math. Which iMac are you comparing, the base one or the next one up.

I compared the base model iMac vs. the base model Mac Mini.

Is the LG Ultrafine refurbished on Amazon?

 

[bobcomer]

Try Synergy https://symless.com/synergy
It's software that works across mac and PC so you can have one keyboard and mouse work on 2 different machines.
I used to use it when I had a Mac Pro and an iMac on my desk, mouse just slides across the screens as if its a single machine.

I only use 1 monitor.

 

[GiantKiwi]

You can still order a 27" iMac in Intel.

But you would have to be a complete numpty to do so.

I have the most recent Intel 27" iMac at work in the highest configuration apart from storage, my m1 Air eats it for breakfast in just about every single application (VM's are the only case, but that's purely by physical limitations).

 

[deeddawg]

But you would have to be a complete numpty to do so.

I have the most recent Intel 27" iMac at work in the highest configuration apart from storage, my m1 Air eats it for breakfast in just about every single application (VM's are the only case, but that's purely by physical limitations).

My point was more that the 27" iMac models haven't yet transitioned to Apple Silicon and if one prefers the larger display or needs a higher spec, then probably better to wait for that transition rather than buy the smaller display size model.

 

[GiantKiwi]

My point was more that the 27" iMac models haven't yet transitioned to Apple Silicon and if one prefers the larger display or needs a higher spec, then probably better to wait for that transition rather than buy the smaller display size model.

If someone needs a bigger screen they're better off getting a bigger screen to go with the Mac Mini. Or just wait until it transitions, I had no choice in the matter as our tendered supplier for Apple Products doesn't stock M1 and policies prevent us from buying direct.

If you've got a choice, my point still stands, you would have to be a complete numpty to buy the 27" at the moment.

 

[pshufd]

If someone needs a bigger screen they're better off getting a bigger screen to go with the Mac Mini. Or just wait until it transitions, I had no choice in the matter as our tendered supplier for Apple Products doesn't stock M1 and policies prevent us from buying direct.

If you've got a choice, my point still stands, you would have to be a complete numpty to buy the 27" at the moment.

My setup is three 4k monitors and 1 QHD monitor in an iMac 27. The three 4k monitors are 27 inches as well. I like the consistency in size.