Mac Mini or iMac

[stevo86]

i'm stuck... which should i get?

here's what i plan to do with it.... some light video editing, internet/email stuff, nothin very hardcore... but i also plan to use boot camp and install xp to play games. i'd rather get the mini, but if it won't be able to handle my games i don't think i'll buy it. games include half life 2, call of duty, nfs most wanted, far cry, etc...

i know the iMac will do everything, but i like the mini because i can get a different monitor. I'm also a college student and i like how easy it is to carry around from residence to home over long weekends.... any help?

 

[generik]

Your games (HL2, CoF, NFS) won't be remotely stellar on your iMac either, so a PeeCee remains the best option.

Alternatively wait for Apple to release the Mac Pros because based on someone convoluted vision only "Pro" users are supposed to upgrade their machines (incidentally people who do work in design houses probably knows nothing about computers)

 

[xPismo]

Your games (HL2, CoF, NFS) won't be remotely stellar on your iMac either, so a PeeCee remains the best option....

Remotely stellar? I donno' I sure think the iMac has a decent quality GPU & system bus. I'd say thats the killer for the mini as well. Take a look at Barefeats.com and their comparasons between the iMac & the mini's.

Its a bit of a slaughter, especially in games.

Since your going to be spending nearly as much (-+$250 or so) and you get so much more with the iMac to boot (HDD, GPU, LCD screen, iSight) I'd say the choice is easy.

Get a DELL. <ducks>

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

iMac no question.

 

[dr_lha]

i'm stuck... which should i get?

here's what i plan to do with it.... some light video editing, internet/email stuff, nothin very hardcore... but i also plan to use boot camp and install xp to play games. i'd rather get the mini, but if it won't be able to handle my games i don't think i'll buy it. games include half life 2, call of duty, nfs most wanted, far cry, etc...

i know the iMac will do everything, but i like the mini because i can get a different monitor. I'm also a college student and i like how easy it is to carry around from residence to home over long weekends.... any help?

Get the iMac. Video editing and high end video games won't work that well on the mini. The mini is a brilliant little computer, but only if you don't care about games.

 

[dmw007]

Go with the iMac stevo86.

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

For what you said you would use it for, iMac.

No question.

Rich.

 

[stevo86]

thanks, you guys made this real easy for me .

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

Imac, Mini doesnt have a videocard or Gpu, just cheapo freebie Integrated graphics. Worst performing graphics that you can buy.

 

[Peyton]

thanks, you guys made this real easy for me .

and make sure you put a review back on these threads

 

[sam10685]

i'd go with the imac mainly because it has a built-in monitor and comes with a keyboard and mouse but if u want a mini, get the high-end 1.66 ghz core-duo model. better gaming.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

i'd go with the imac mainly because it has a built-in monitor and comes with a keyboard and mouse but if u want a mini, get the high-end 1.66 ghz core-duo model. better gaming.

I don't think it would be that big of a difference - the graphics would still be pretty bad, I mean there integrated, so that's not not to be expected.

 

[generik]

Remotely stellar? I donno' I sure think the iMac has a decent quality GPU & system bus. I'd say thats the killer for the mini as well. Take a look at Barefeats.com and their comparasons between the iMac & the mini's.

Except you forgot to mention that neither HL2, CoD, or what's the other one come in MacOS native binaries. Which means the OP will have to dual boot Windows to do it. Since you are dual booting why not just buy a Mini and a el cheapo PC? My guess is he probably has a PC to start with (since he is already playing these PC only games)

Right now my mini is very happily hooked up with my old PC and connected to one set of keyboard/mouse and display using a KVM switch. Works great, and I can actually keep my MacOS apps like Mail and Adium running in the background while i game!

The x1300 GPU in the iMac? Forget it, pretend it didn't exist. We are talking about games like HL2 here!

 

[DrStrangelove]

Imac, Mini doesnt have a videocard or Gpu, just cheapo freebie Integrated graphics. Worst performing graphics that you can buy.

Do you think the mini should support those kiddies games though? Like Dora and that Learning 1,2,3 stuff? They don't look very video intensive- as a matter of fact- they're kinda lame from that perspective.

My daughter isn't going to be playing WoW but she will be doing the sub 5 year old video games.

 

[stevo86]

Except you forgot to mention that neither HL2, CoD, or what's the other one come in MacOS native binaries. Which means the OP will have to dual boot Windows to do it. Since you are dual booting why not just buy a Mini and a el cheapo PC? My guess is he probably has a PC to start with (since he is already playing these PC only games)

Right now my mini is very happily hooked up with my old PC and connected to one set of keyboard/mouse and display using a KVM switch. Works great, and I can actually keep my MacOS apps like Mail and Adium running in the background while i game!

The x1300 GPU in the iMac? Forget it, pretend it didn't exist. We are talking about games like HL2 here!

Yes, i do have a PC right now. But when i make the switch i'll be handing this dell lappy off to my sister. So, i will be dual booting but ONLY for games (i really hate windows.) With my current hardware my PC can run these games OK, but the iMac is a fair step up from my hardware right now (P4 3.20, 1.25GB RAM, 64mb GeForce Go nVidia). I understood that the mini is a step down from this in hardware terms, but i didn't want to believe it because Gateway has a 21" monitor that i'm in love with... i really wish there was a headless between the mini and the powermac (the PM's a little out of my price range .)

but yeah, i'll pick up the iMac for sure. Not quite yet tho, not until school starts again. Heres hoping they have an update by then .

 

[frome]

Yes, i do have a PC right now. But when i make the switch i'll be handing this dell lappy off to my sister. So, i will be dual booting but ONLY for games (i really hate windows.) With my current hardware my PC can run these games OK, but the iMac is a fair step up from my hardware right now (P4 3.20, 1.25GB RAM, 64mb GeForce Go nVidia). I understood that the mini is a step down from this in hardware terms, but i didn't want to believe it because Gateway has a 21" monitor that i'm in love with... i really wish there was a headless between the mini and the powermac (the PM's a little out of my price range .)

but yeah, i'll pick up the iMac for sure. Not quite yet tho, not until school starts again. Heres hoping they have an update by then .

You should be able to plug your 21" monitor into the imac.

 

[generik]

You should be able to plug your 21" monitor into the imac.

Except it is quite strange to have a big monitor and one smaller monitor cum computer outfit on your desk

I really hate these all in one thingys for a reason

I'd still go with the Mini and perhaps put the difference towards a crapular Dell.

 

[QCassidy352]

The x1300 GPU in the iMac? Forget it, pretend it didn't exist. We are talking about games like HL2 here!

it's an x1600 and it's not half bad. have you seen benchmarks?

 

[jwp1964]

No brainer...

Get the iMac. I did a lot of research...loved the mini, but iMac appears to me to be the better value.

 

[ghernagon]

no matter...

no matter what model of mac do you choose.. the answer is very simple.. MAC IS A MAC.. I have both macs and each is amazing.. the mac mini for her size, it's really small.. and the iMac.. wwwwhhaaaaoooo.. 20" display.. G5 2.1.. Front Row... it's really amazing... Don't think very much... if you need space buy a mac mini but if the space don't care.. buy an iMac..

remember.. come what may... mac is a mac

 

[stevo86]

so hang on a minute... will the iMac, dual booting with Boot Camp, run games as intensive as HL2 under XP??

i'd assume with the hardware (edit: i'll be getting the 20" with the vRAM upgrade) that's in there it shouldn't really have problems, probably not have everything on the highest setting, but it should run it, right?

and getting the extra monitor isn't an option right now, it's like another $800CND.

oh well, i'm getting the iMac. and i don't mean for that to sound like i'm disappointed... i'm freaking psyched!!! can't wait to get my hands on that puppy!!!

 

[FFTT]

The advantages of the Core Duo iMac are faster processors, larger HD space with 7200 RPM HD's vs. 5400 RPM in the mini. VRAM specs. RAM upgrade options and an outstanding display.

The larger and faster HD's are especially important when considering dual boot partitioning options. The faster 7200 RPM HD and 128MB VRAM of the iMac will also greatly improve gaming performance.