Mac Mini or iMac 21.5”

[danb1979]

I’m getting a bit indecisive here re whether to go for a 21.5” iMac (don’t want 27” as tried that before and it was just too big for the desk I work from) or whether to go for a decent spec Mac Mini and then sort my own 24” monitor

I run my business from home; but simple emails/web browsing, PDFs etc and want it to manage my iTunes account also.

But I like to buy best bang for buck; so do I go for a higher spec’d iMac from the refurbished store (or brand new maybe) or buy the Mac Mini (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and then buy a good 4K monitor on the back of that (Dell etc)?

Or, to throw in a curve ball, stick with a 2012 Mac Mini i5 with 500GB SSD/16GB RAM and get a decent monitor and save my money?!

Sorry for the awkward questions; just feel like I’ve done too much research and got myself into a bit of a tiz now!

Thanks

 

[mikehalloran]

If the 2012 still has its original HHD, it will give you problems down the road—if not already, These run very hot and that takes its toll. An excellent 2TB SSD runs under $300 including parts, tools and tape kit if you want to do it yourself. Around here, labor would run $75 or so to have it done. Have the battery replaced — it’s time. The speed boost on any disk intensive task will be huge. A new iMac or Mini will be even faster.

We should know soon if the 2012 will be supported in OS 10.15 — that announcement should come down in a few weeks.

Otherwise, if you have an SSD in there, it should give you a few more years. If you like it, no reason not to keep it in service. Not trying to talk you put of a new Mac however.

Of the new Macs, I’d go with the Mini over the 21.5” iMac. You can get an excellent 4K monitor under $300 to plug into the Mini’s HDMI port (I just paid $279 ea. for a pair of killer 27” LGs). I don’t know the price on the new 23.75” 5K — that’s not been announced though it’s showing up in stores. 4K is really nice and better than your 2012.

For what you are doing, I don’t think there’s a bad choice among the Minis. I would go with the largest SSD the budget allows—the only to add more later is with an external such as the Samsung X5. Get at least 16GB RAM. If you’re handy, you can buy the minimum RAM and add more but it’s not quick and easy.

The Refurb Store has a few. I like this i3 with 16GB RAM and 1TB on board. You should, too.
https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/p...c5abe11d45b0bf80b7793248ed1092df9fbfb3e3cbbaf
Or you can go high end. Every once in awhile, a nicely tricked out one shows up. The only BTO option this doesn’t have is 10G Ethernet. Is this overkill for your stated use? Oh hell yea but if you decide later you want to try your hand at video it intensive photo editing, this will be ready for you for under $3K. Who knows what you’ll be doing in a few years?
https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop/p...c5abe11d45b0bf80b7793248ed1092df9fbfb3e3cbbaf

The differences among the i3/5/7 are seen in complex files such as audio, video, graphics, photos. These files will render faster. There will be no difference in browsing web sites, email, most Office tasks (Excel and PowerPoint excepted).

Hope this helps.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"do I go for a higher spec’d iMac from the refurbished store (or brand new maybe) or buy the Mac Mini (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) and then buy a good 4K monitor on the back of that (Dell etc)?"

^^^^^^^
Correct answer !!