mini or imac for graphic designer

[appleman108]

hi

I’m a graphic designer and have been using a mini for about five years.
(1.66 GHz Core Duo. 2gigs memory).

It gets the job done, but it’s high time to upgrade

Should get the new mini or an imac?

I already have a 23” cinema display that would seem a waste to get rid of

I’d hate to go down to a 21” monitor imac and the 27” seems huge, and expensive,
especially considering they’ve been having problems with them.

The new mini would probably suffice (and be way cheaper) but I wonder how it’ll handle C34/5

i'm really in a quandary on this
and would appreciate your thoughts

thanks guys

 

[iLikeMySelf]

Hello,
I think you answered your question yourself.
If you do not have the money/ do not want to use the money, then get a mac mini. I have an iMac and when I bought it I was not sure if I wanted a mac mini instead but the mini just did not feel good enough.
In my case I would buy an iMac. In your case a Mac mini since you already have a good and big display.

 

[AlphaDogg]

I recommend getting a refurb 27" iMac. You can dual-screen with the built-in display and the 23" display that you have.

To save money, sell your mini on craigslist or ebay. A reasonable price (IMHO) would be around $250.

 

[appleman108]

Are the refurbished the ones that have been sent back because they had problems?

Not that I don’t trust the quality – just wondering

My 23” cinema was a refurb and and it’s worked perfectly for 4 years

 

[DoFoT9]

hi

hi

they’ve been having problems with them.

and what problems would that be? im not familiar with any that havent been fixed.

The new mini would probably suffice (and be way cheaper) but I wonder how it’ll handle C34/5

minimally. really, its a dual core - low end - entry machine. its expandability is minimal and its more for home theatres and "switchers" then anything else.

the Mini would serve your needs for a few years, but an iMac would last about 2x as long - given the investment and the fact that the iMacs 27" screen can still be used to connect an external computer (you can use the iMacs screen as a screen for another computer) - i think its a great machine. not to mention that you can still connect your current Cinema Display to the iMac and utilise its desktop space as well.

i say iMac.

edit: the refurbs will have ZERO problems. they are generally refurbs because somebody didnt want it, also if there were minor problems (which are now fixed), there is the chance it will get a slight dint or cosmetic damage, nothing major.

 

[AlphaDogg]

Are the refurbished the ones that have been sent back because they had problems?

Not that I don’t trust the quality – just wondering

My 23” cinema was a refurb and and it’s worked perfectly for 4 years

The refurb ones are the ones that people returned because either they had problems, they didn't like them, or didn't want them. The ones that had problems have been fixed and checked twice. If there is still something wrong with the refurb when you are in possession of it, you still have apple's wonderful one-year warranty. You can even get the extra 3 year applecare.

 

[Munc]

get the mini and another 23" ACD
i am a graphic designer using a 2009 mini 2.0 w/ 4gb ram, 60gb ssd and a 1tb external firewire 800 drive. i will upgrade to 8gb soon. i use cs3 for 9 hours a day w/ dual dell 20" lcds. that mini is really a great little computer. also get a logitech revolution mouse if you can find one and usb overdrive, makes my job a lot easier.

 

[appleman108]

i hear you munc
problem is the imacs are so damn sexy
i'm very tempted
especially after hearing everyones thoughts

we always want the latest and greatest
but do we really need it???

love everyones's input
thanks a ton