MINI better than IMAC?

[ckesten]

Hello,

Been reading the forums for a while. I am a windows user since I started (and hate it) and will finally make the jump to mac.

I have researched all mac models except for the mini, pretty much for the reason that the mini didn't interest me.

I fell in love with the imac and am waiting for the update. I've waiting 26 years for a mac, I can way a little longer until the update comes out.

My question is, what is the appeal with the mini and obviously there is because I see more posts about people excited over the new mini over the new imac.

Can someone explain to me why this is?

Thanks!

 

[richardsim7]

I suppose it makes a good living room computer, but I'm waiting for an iMac also

-Rich-

 

[PNW]

Some people just like the mini for what it is. Others (myself included) aren't particularly enamored with all-in-ones and / or glossy screens so we default to the mini as Apple's only other choice for a consumer desktop. The recent gradient problems with many (if not most) iMacs definitely highlights the downsides of all-in-ones thus creating greater interest in the mini. All in all the reason you're seeing more posts about the mini is most likely because it's the computer in Apple's line up in most need of a major refresh or better yet complete overhaul.

 

[za9ra22]

My question is, what is the appeal with the mini and obviously there is because I see more posts about people excited over the new mini over the new imac.

The mini is much cheaper, allowing those who want to get into the MacOS experience but who have a limited budget, to get a system at competitive cost. It also allows existing keyboard, mouse and screen to be sued, thus saving some users a fair bit of money, and gives users a choice of screens to use instead of being stuck with the 20" or 24" glossy screens of the current iMacs.

Since mini's are not intended to compete with iMacs, and iMacs have better performance, not least due to 7200rpm internal hard drive and 40Gb maximum RAM, the mini is really intended for a different segment of the market.

 

[ckesten]

Thanks for the responses. That makes sense. However, what's the cheapest monitor someone can get? So doesn't it pretty much amount to the cost of the lowest model imac?

 

[design-is]

Indeed, if you don't need much power and already have a monitor & USB mouse & keyboard (though you can buy these, but you may as well get an iMac with these included), the mini is perfect.

Need a new monitor? Need some 'oomph'? Need a dedicated graphics card? Then the iMac is for you.

Depends on what sort of customer you are...

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I picked up my 19" widescreen monitor around christmas for $150.

Best Buy had smaller LCD monitors for $120.

 

[mcavjame]

Hello,
My question is, what is the appeal with the mini and obviously there is because I see more posts about people excited over the new mini over the new imac.

Can someone explain to me why this is?

Thanks!

We've had all manner of Macs in our house except the Pro/Powermac. The Mini is great if you already have a good screen that you want to use and don't like the idea of an all in one. I just sold an iMac G5 2.0 and an older Mini PPC 1.42 and bought two refurb Mini Intel 1.83s. Here are some notes:
- with 3GB of RAM these units far outperform my G5. Using Handbrake for video encoding I would get anywhere from 10 FPS to 20 FPS (sometimes lower) depending on the source file. With the minis, I consistently get 50-65 FPS. Takes about an hour to encode a two hour movie. With the G5, I would let it run before I went to bed and it would often still be encoding in the morning (two pass encoding).
- because of the size, I can take the Mini with me if necessary and connect to a data projector.
- great unit to hook up to a big screen HDTV.
- we don't play a lot of games with these units, we have a PS3 and game cube for that. Don't expect a 3D rendering monster.
- they are difficult to upgrade, although I did put the RAM in both units and upgraded to a 7200 RPM drive in my unit.
- it runs final cut express great for me. I use express and pro at work and the mini is definitely decent enough for home use.
- if you are looking at the combined price of all the mini parts vs what comes with an iMac, the price does get really close. The benefit comes when you already have a good monitor or want the flexibility to select your own or want some kind of portability without it being a laptop.
- I bought a complete system for my parents a couple years ago and kicked myself later because, for the price, they would have been better off with the low end iMac. It's not for everyone and for their needs, they will probably only own one computer, won't want to upgrade, and don't need the flexibility of size and portability.