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Mac Mini w/ LED Display or iMac for Office Computer...

D

dsa420

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 23, 2007
440
14
After many years of working from home it appears that I am moving to a traditional office to manage a team more closely. Presently I have a Mac Pro with 30" cinema display as my "home" office computer and a 13" MBP for travel/lounging around the house.

I want to keep my Mac Pro at home thus I am seeking a desktop to leave at the office. Either machine is plenty capable of the tasks I will be performing, light CS4 Flash production work, etc.

Really having trouble trying to decide between iMac or Mini with LED display. Any suggestions based on my insight? More than likely I will be purchasing in the secondary market, no need for a brand new machine in this case.
 
I would get iMac. You get more power for about the same price and get the 24". If you searching for used one, I recommend 2.8GHz 24" iMac
 
I agree with the others, if you're happy with the imac screen go for the imac. Sure both computers might be powerful enough for what you do, but the imac is still way faster and you will notice the difference when everything goes smoother (dare I say snappier? ;)) on the imac.
 
Mini all the way. No doubt about it:

1) CPU not permanently chained to a monitor.
2) Can upgrade monitor any time and as display technology advances.
3) Monitor failure doesn't bring the machine to a grinding halt.
4) LED monitor perfect for the Mini (no such option with iMac).
5) Freedom of display choice now and into the future.

With the latest 2.0 and 2.26 Intel Minis, not much processing difference with iMac that you'd ever notice or need. And if I want in future, I can make the Mini my HTPC and connect it to my 40" LED TV... not possible with the iMac.

To tell you the truth, I never liked the idea of processor parts sandwiched into the back of a warm display. The heat buildup caused many of the early (G5) all-in-one flatpanel iMacs to fail (including my neighbor's).
 
iMac...

Coupled with a Wireless Router, Keyboard and Mouse, you only have the power cable going to the monitor. You'll appreciate the lack of clutter.

By the time you need a new monitor, you'll need a new computer.

BTW, I own both, iMac all the way.
 
Jackintosh said:
Mini all the way. No doubt about it:

1) CPU not permanently chained to a monitor.
2) Can upgrade monitor any time and as display technology advances.
3) Monitor failure doesn't bring the machine to a grinding halt.
4) LED monitor perfect for the Mini (no such option with iMac).
5) Freedom of display choice now and into the future.

With the latest 2.0 and 2.26 Intel Minis, not much processing difference with iMac that you'd ever notice or need. And if I want in future, I can make the Mini my HTPC and connect it to my 40" LED TV... not possible with the iMac.

To tell you the truth, I never liked the idea of processor parts sandwiched into the back of a warm display. The heat buildup caused many of the early (G5) all-in-one flatpanel iMacs to fail (including my neighbor's).
Click to expand...

The only thing you are saying above is that with Mini, you have a choice to choose display.. Nothing more.

1. Does it matter?
2. People aren't buying monitors every time new model comes out and technology doesn't advance that fast.
3. Does it matter?
4. And more expensive too. LED is great but it's overkiller for most people
5. You can always use secondary display in iMac if you want to

I have my iMac connected to my 32" Sony and it works flawlessly.
 
Hellhammer said:
The only thing you are saying above is that with Mini, you have a choice to choose display.. Nothing more.

1. Does it matter?
2. People aren't buying monitors every time new model comes out and technology doesn't advance that fast.
3. Does it matter?
4. And more expensive too. LED is great but it's overkiller for most people
5. You can always use secondary display in iMac if you want to
Click to expand...

Yes it does matter. The lifetime of a good monitor is 5-8 years before it gets "obsolete".. My 24" LED will easily last me 10 years. Most computers are obsolete in 2-3 years. I'd rather upgrade a Mini in a couple of years, than having to replace the entire "all-in-one" system.

So personally, I prefer the modularity and flexibility of Mini + ACD screen.. It's a better bang for the buck.

Go Mini.
 
The difficulty involved with upgrading the iMac is my concerned. I like to tinker around with my computers frequently, and it seems like a real chore to crack open the iMac and get to all of the components.

Would there be any way to add a LCD Cinema display to an iMac? The LCD only has a mini display output.
 
dsa420 said:
The difficulty involved with upgrading the iMac is my concerned. I like to tinker around with my computers frequently, and it seems like a real chore to crack open the iMac and get to all of the components.

Would there be any way to add a LCD Cinema display to an iMac? The LCD only has a mini display output.
Click to expand...

Yes. Current iMacs have Mini Display Port
 
Another vote for a Mini.

If you're sneaky and can pick them both up at refurb prices you should be able to get a Mini for $499, 24" display for $599 then add your KB/mouse. Granted you'll be looking at a 2ghz proc & 1gb ram vs a 2.66 & 2gb ram but at the end of the day you've got a monitor you can use almost indefinitely and a Mini that can be pressed into service for an HTPC.

Both choices are great!
 
srexy said:
Another vote for a Mini.

If you're sneaky and can pick them both up at refurb prices you should be able to get a Mini for $499, 24" display for $599 then add your KB/mouse. Granted you'll be looking at a 2ghz proc & 1gb ram vs a 2.66 & 2gb ram but at the end of the day you've got a monitor you can use almost indefinitely and a Mini that can be pressed into service for an HTPC.

Both choices are great!
Click to expand...

And you can tinker with the mini, upgrading the HDD and Memory.
 
Go with an iMac with the ATI card, it will last far longer than the Mini will.

The 24" screen is on par with the LED, in fact, the iMac's screen is actually a little brighter. The specs in the iMac are far better, and it is easy to upgrade the RAM.
 
I am really not feelin the look of the iMac. For some reason it just looks visually unappealing, especially compared to other Apple products.

Check out this guys iMac + Cinema display setup, for some reason I feel like the iMac looks cheesy, and it's not because the two monitors are not the same height.
 
And of course for the best look, you can keep the mini hidden under the desk and just have the LED display.
 
The mini is portable. If you travel to do presentations, much easier to carry (but not as good as a laptop).
 
or hows this. which is my plan. mac mini with a non mac display!!!

yeah, i'm cheap. the led apple display is a sexy beast, but guess what, i'll get over not having one in 2 seconds.
 
Ended up buying a Mac Pro, I just couldn't bring myself to buy an iMac. Long term the Mac Pro is a solid investment as they retain their value incredibly well.

My 2008 Mac Pro that is still worth about 90% of what I paid, I can't say the same about iMac's.
 
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