From people with experience on each one, which one is better, Im planning on getting one of these, still not sure which one is best, Im preparing for when iTv comes out, So which one would really be the best choice for that too? I'm leaning more on to the mini side as I want to use it as my dvd player, music player, etc....
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MacMini or iMac?
- Thread starter SFVCyclone
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Well we don't know what iTV will be so the mini is probably a safer bet because it's cheaper. You're not paying for the inbuilt monitor. Having said that, I find the iMac to be a far superior machine. It's just that if iTV requires you to buy a separate box then you'll kinda be wasting the iMac. 
i would say go with the Mac Mini if your going to use it as a media center. If not, i would get an iMac. In my opinion, i think the iMac is a better deal.
The Mac Mini is not well priced for what you get, so I wouldn't go that route unless you're planning on using it as a media center box.
I'm torn about this too. I have a couple of teenagers that seriously need computers, and I thought a couple of mac minis, on the recommendation of a great friend, might be a good start for both. As teens (13 & 15), the media center aspect would be great...I'm sure they'd enjoy that. But in the end, I'll end up having to buy at least one monitor and will likely end up having to get keyboards and mice (for the 'coolness' aspect). Though I'd rather see them end up using it for school and probably itunes and ripping cds, they'll probably put a lot of other things on it as well (yahoo, IM stuff, ICQ, etc.) on it too.
And with iTV (I'm not exactly sure what this would mean..) I'd want it to at least last a couple of years. Any last insights & words of wisdom before I buy?
Thanks!
And with iTV (I'm not exactly sure what this would mean..) I'd want it to at least last a couple of years. Any last insights & words of wisdom before I buy?
Thanks!
POH ... If you have to get two, I would get one mini and one PC--then you have one of each and the strengths/weaknesses of each for each to share ... but, the big deal would be to convince them they are "sharing" them ... which might be difficult for a couple of young teenagers. As long as the 'fun' apps are available on each (AIM, etc), you might be able to sell this... but don't take a *geek's* advice, I am sure you'll figure it out after you think it through!
POH ... If you have to get two, I would get one mini and one PC--then you have one of each and the strengths/weaknesses of each for each to share ... but don't take a *geek's* advice
I'm kind-of partial to advice from geeks!
Thanks...that's actually a pretty great idea.
My recommendation would be a couple of 17in iMacs.. refurb, you can get 1.83 CD for $949 (512MB RAM/160GB HD/Dedicated graphics, so if they play games..), that also includes a KB and mouse in the price, so that's one less expense, as well as the obvious built-in screen, so no need to buy that, either.I'm torn about this too. I have a couple of teenagers that seriously need computers, and I thought a couple of mac minis, on the recommendation of a great friend, might be a good start for both. As teens (13 & 15), the media center aspect would be great...I'm sure they'd enjoy that. But in the end, I'll end up having to buy at least one monitor and will likely end up having to get keyboards and mice (for the 'coolness' aspect). Though I'd rather see them end up using it for school and probably itunes and ripping cds, they'll probably put a lot of other things on it as well (yahoo, IM stuff, ICQ, etc.) on it too.
And with iTV (I'm not exactly sure what this would mean..) I'd want it to at least last a couple of years. Any last insights & words of wisdom before I buy?
Thanks!
The mac mini is a lesser processor, less HD space (if they're into movies and music, the 60gb that comes standard will go quick), no dedicated video card (which is really only a downside if they play games), no KB or mouse.. on top of that, you'd also have to buy a monitor for each, which, depending on what you get is an extra $200 or so for each one. Add that to the cost of the KB and mouse, and you're at or close to the cost of the iMac, which is a better machine that will last longer.
The mac mini would be a better choice if they brought back the old pricing, but at $600 for the low-end, it's just not a very good deal.
If you're planning on buying an iTV, which will 100% security have 802.11n builtin, I would bet on the iMac, since it also has an N chip inside. OS X will most likely be upgraded to support it around Christmas.
As someone who just got a Mini, I think it is great, but I would suggest the iMac. I was going to get a 24" iMac but decided to put that off till Leopard, iLife '07 and iTV come out, sell the Mini and then get the 24" with Leopard preloaded + an iTV. I don't think the Mini is a good idea for iTV because they don't currently have the pre 802.11n like the iMacs and notebooks. The Mini is great if you plan on hooking it up to a TV directly, using the remote and wireless mouse and keyboard to make it a media center. The other thing to remember about the Mini is the smaller slower hard drive. The iMac is better performance and better specs for the dollar.