New iMac or Mac Mini?

[katyoshi]

Ok guys, I cancelled my order because it was going to be too much and I had second thoughts. Should I get the base 27" iMac or the 2.53 Ghz mac mini (not server)? Remember I am new to macs since this July with my 15" 2.66 GHz MBP which my sister has the same exact MBP. However, only I have the 24" ACD, bluetooth keyboard & mighty mouse. Given my accessories and ACD, should I get the new iMac and give these accessories to my sister, or should I just get the mac mini 2.53 (not CTO) with the new magic mouse?

I was thinking this because I realized I could buy an adapter and use the iMac as a external display if I wanted to but I probably won't be .

Remember I'm just a graduate nursing student at a University and my younger sister is still doing her undergrad in nursing as well. So no graphics work here.

 

[MacFanUK]

I think the 27" is too big. I will be going straight to the Apple store after uni tomorrow to check them out, but I suspect they will be far too big for my desk (I currently have 2 x 24" screens; 1 Dell and 1 Samsung) and was waiting for the new iMacs before plunging for a better screen, but I don't think I could cope with 2 x 27" displays lol.

Personally, I think the new Mac Mini is a fantastic spec. Really, it depends what you need though. The iMac would be better if you're video editing, etc, but I imagine there's not much that the Mini couldn't do now (if you go for the 2.53GHz one).

 

[js81]

Uhhh.... why not just keep what you have? You have awesome hardware. Leave it be. And if you still can't figure out what to do, I'll make you a trade - my iMac and PowerBook for your MBP.

(I currently have 2 x 24" screens; 1 Dell and 1 Samsung)

Dude, if you have TWO 24" screens, why would even consider the iMac? Get a 2.66GHz Mini (the upgraded processor) or a Mac Pro. Done.

 

[katyoshi]

Hmm...what are the pros and cons of owning both a iMac and a MBP?

 

[MacFanUK]

Dude, if you have TWO 24" screens, why would even consider the iMac? Get a 2.66GHz Mini (the upgraded processor) or a Mac Pro. Done.

Because my two 24" screens are both TN panels and I really can't get the settings to a satisfactory state, so I was looking to get better displays but was waiting to see what the new imac offered first.

I will however, be opting for the Mac Mini but wouldn't pay £120 for an extra 113MHz.

 

[MacFanUK]

Hmm...what are the pros and cons of owning both a iMac and a MBP?

I think that's something you'd have to figure out for yourself, as my pro's may be different to yours. However, it's not that easy/helpful having your work split across 2 computers. I have a Hackintosh and a MBP and I find I hardly use my MBP at all.

 

[js81]

Because my two 24" screens are both TN panels and I really can't get the settings to a satisfactory state, so I was looking to get better displays but was waiting to see what the new imac offered first.

I will however, be opting for the Mac Mini but wouldn't pay £120 for an extra 113MHz.

Got it... if you have TNs and do color work, they're not so great. Doesn't affect me much, though, so I tend to forget about it.

And you got me again - I didn't even look at the Mini processor upgrade price.

My apologies...

 

[MacFanUK]

Got it... if you have TNs and do color work, they're not so great. Doesn't affect me much, though, so I tend to forget about it.

And you got me again - I didn't even look at the Mini processor upgrade price.

My apologies...

I don't really do colour work, but my Samsung 23" was great (maybe I'd just got used to it lol), but the Dell and Samsung I have now aren't great...maybe I just need to calibrate them properly which is beyond my ability

But hey, no worries I value any comments on here... it's these forums that make me love my Mac so much hehe.

 

[katyoshi]

I don't really do colour work, but my Samsung 23" was great (maybe I'd just got used to it lol), but the Dell and Samsung I have now aren't great...maybe I just need to calibrate them properly which is beyond my ability

But hey, no worries I value any comments on here... it's these forums that make me love my Mac so much hehe.

Same here. I'm so into macs now. I am going to the applestore today to take a look at these babies. I've heard it's difficult working with two macs? I have mobileme, does that help? Well I was going to use the iMac for home, and my MBP when I go to school (about 1-3X a week for a full day) and starbucks (1-2X/week for a little more than 2 hours).

 

[MacFanUK]

Same here. I'm so into macs now. I am going to the applestore today to take a look at these babies. I've heard it's difficult working with two macs? I have mobileme, does that help? Well I was going to use the iMac for home, and my MBP when I go to school (about 1-3X a week for a full day) and starbucks (1-2X/week for a little more than 2 hours).

I think using iDisk in MobileMe will make it easier, just as long as you remember to put the files you need into the iDisk folder

 

[katyoshi]

I went to the apple store just now. They won't be getting in any of the new stuff till 4 days later...I was thinking, may the 27" be too big for me to study with and read PDF readings? I mostly do basic stuff and no intense graphics. Maybe I'll stick toy 24" ACD and just get a mac mini and the magic mouse?

 

[Serif]

I was thinking this because I realized I could buy an adapter and use the iMac as a external display if I wanted to but I probably won't be .

Um, if you're suggesting what I think you are here, then I'm afraid that won't work. The iMac can drive another external display but can't be used as an external display itself. With the kit you've already got I'd be looking at getting the high end (non-server) Mac Mini and you'll have a very nice desktop setup.

 

[MacFanUK]

Um, if you're suggesting what I think you are here, then I'm afraid that won't work. The iMac can drive another external display but can't be used as an external display itself. With the kit you've already got I'd be looking at getting the high end (non-server) Mac Mini and you'll have a very nice desktop setup.

Actually, the new 27" iMac's have a Mini Display Port IN and therefore CAN be used as an external display.

 

[Serif]

Actually, the new 27" iMac's have a Mini Display Port IN and therefore CAN be used as an external display.

Oh right!

Sorry for pushing bad info without checking, I was just trying to avoid someone else making a false assumption a friend of mine made about the previous aluminium iMacs. That's actually a really useful feature for me. Another plus for the iMac.

 

[katyoshi]

Alright guys, can you see this pic? What do you think will fit into a nice setup? the new 27" iMac or the high end mac mini? If the 27" iMac base model, I was going to give the ACD, keyboard and mouse to my sister who has the same exact MBP as me. If mac mini, I will get the high end one and the magic mouse.

 

[macchiato2009]

seriously

with this crappy video chipset (nvidia 9400) inside, i will never buy a mac mini until it gets a decent video card

damn it, all the machines get new hardware every year

is it so difficult to put even a GT120 inside ????

damn Apple, with the purchasing power they have over their suppliers i can't imagine that this is a cost issue

we are just some idiot buyers for Apple or what ?

 

[katyoshi]

seriously

with this crappy video chipset (nvidia 9400) inside, i will never buy a mac mini until it gets a decent video card

damn it, all the machines get new hardware every year

is it so difficult to put even a GT120 inside ????

damn Apple, with the purchasing power they have over their suppliers i can't imagine that this is a cost issue

we are just some idiot buyers for Apple or what ?

yeah I've heard they're crappy but who knows whats going on? Btw, you sir, didn't answer my recent post with my desktop pic!

 

[zedsdead]

Alright guys, can you see this pic? What do you think will fit into a nice setup? the new 27" iMac or the high end mac mini? If the 27" iMac base model, I was going to give the ACD, keyboard and mouse to my sister who has the same exact MBP as me. If mac mini, I will get the high end one and the magic mouse.

Since your Macbook Pro is more powerful than the Mini, I would get the upper end Quad-Core iMac. Then you will have a nice powerful desktop to accompany your laptop.

 

[macchiato2009]

yeah I've heard they're crappy but who knows whats going on? Btw, you sir, didn't answer my recent post with my desktop pic!

well, honestly i don't know myself

i'm currently selling my new MBP13 to buy an iMac

which one i don't know

my fear is that 27" would be too big

21.5" too small

24" on refurb would be nice but it seems like their video cards suck too (compared to the new Ati equipping the new imacs)

well, tough decision...

i need to see the new models in real to see by myself how big they are

try the new mouse...


i will not order anything before seeing it


too bad the mac mini still sucks with its 9400M otherwise i would go for it with the 24" ACD

 

[MacFanUK]

too bad the mac mini still sucks with its 9400M otherwise i would go for it with the 24" ACD

I think too many people put too much emphasis on the graphics card. The current integrated graphics are far better than previous versions and, yes, ok, they're not brilliant, but for the target market, they're ok. These machines are not made for gamers, etc, so I don't really see the issue.

 

[dyn]

Hmm...what are the pros and cons of owning both a iMac and a MBP?

It's more the pros/cons of owning a desktop and a laptop. Quite simply: if you hate to plug and unplug all of your usb, firewire, display, etc. get a desktop and use the laptop when you want to work elsewhere (outside, friends house, school, etc.). For me the constant plugging and unplugging was getting annoying. I could not grab my laptop quickly when I needed it because I first had to unmount the external disks and than unplug everything. Working with a 30" monitor attached to a MBP was not really something I liked. Due to all the plugging/unplugging the Mac sometimes was doing some crazy stuff to the colorprofile.

I decided in March that the early 2009 Mac mini was everything I needed (already got everything and it was powerful enough) so I bought it. It works really nicely with the 30" monitor and the colorprofile problems disappeared (unfortunately due to a bug in Snow Leopard I now have colorprofile problems again which seem te be fixed in 10.6.2 when it'll be released). At first there weren't any cable to hook up DisplayPort monitors to the Macs mini DisplayPort so I used the notorious and buggy dual link dvi adapter for that. I later replaced it with a mDP-DP cable from Circuit Assembly (one word of advice: get a monitor with DisplayPort and the mDP-DP cable from CA, don't try the dual link dvi adapter unless you like a gamble). I use the mini quite often and when I want to work elsewhere or for some other reason need my laptop I'll use that. Added advantage: I can leave stuff I don't particularly need on my laptop at home on the mini, saves me some diskspace.

The 9400m is one hell of a graphics card; it drives the 30" monitor without any problems and I can even play things like C&C RA3 (not in native resolution, my MBP doesn't quite like that game being played on its native resolution either). It's not a card for people who do a lot more gaming or play games that need more graphical power. I wouldn't call the 9400m crappy. It's a great card but it has its limitations but so does every other graphics card Most people use the Mac mini as a mediacenter and the 9400m can do this job perfectly.

There are 2 simple things to decide between an iMac or a Mac mini: if you hate glossy/glassy screens than the iMac is most definitely a no go (get a Mac mini or, when power is necessary, a Mac Pro instead); if you need a better graphics card for something like gaming and/or more memory/cpu power and don't mind the glossy/glassy screen than go iMac (else go Mac Pro). However, before you even decide on getting a desktop machine first decide if you even want one or if you want just 1 machine you can carry with you.

 

[katyoshi]

@dyn,
That was a great real life situation you posted. I enjoyed reading it as it was specific and detailed to a real life situation. I agree that the nVidia 9400 graphics card isn't a card to play hardcore games requiring every bit of power. I usually play games like call of duty, sims, and hopefully starcraft 2 when it comes out. I wish company of heroes was out for mac though. O well. Aside from that, I don't really play much games while in grad school since I'm busy and I will only play games to relieve stress. Well actually, since I went from a mac to pc, I have never played games on my MBP. Only web surfing, itunes music and movies, using handbrake, doing homework, chatting etc..the basics in ilife and iwork/office 2008 and of course, mail.

I like to the thought of having a desktop for home in my room and my laptop to take it to starbucks and school and if i wanted to sit in my living room couch. I will look into the mac mini since I have the setup available for it and I won't need quad-core. Although the imacs look nice and seem more powerful, maybe a mac mini 2.53 GHz is good for me. I keep getting into this dillemma...especially since the new macs came out.

 

[katyoshi]

Btw, I guess hooking up the MBP to my ACD isn't that much of a hassle but it is still extra steps. As i have to wait for the display to turn on after connecting, and I would have to put my MBP to sleep before I disconnect everything to take it around. Also, it feels like there seems to be more wear and tear in some technical aspects that i may not be aware of at all. So I will get a new mac desktop to complement my laptop as syncing shouldn't be much of a problem as I keep all my files in the documents folder and now I copied everything into my mobileme iDisk. I also have two external harddrives that i use for backup; mainly the seagate 500gb notebook HD for Mac is backing up hourly whenever hooked up, and I backup my stuff just once daily with my 320gb western digital HD.

I may look into a time capsule as it is more seamless to use for wireless backup at home than using my current airport extreme with a external harddrive attached to it, which I've had syncing and connection problems when i had my 320gb Wester digital HD connected to my local wireless network.

 

[panzer06]

Hmm...what are the pros and cons of owning both a iMac and a MBP?

I use my uMBP at the office and when I travel. If you need computing power outside the home there's really no substitute for a good laptop.

I have an early 2009 mini at home and use dropbox to keep all my files sync'd across both Macs and my PC gaming laptop.

I am seriously considering the new 27" to replace the mini and my Samsung 24. I t need to find buyers for the old stuff to offset some of the costs for the new.

I've always wanted an iMac but with 24" 21.5" and 20" monitors at home I just thought it was overkill to have that highend iMac screen. Now that the 27" uses these new panels I really and considering upgrading.

Cheers,

 

[katyoshi]

yeah i'm in the process of selling my samsung flat screen monitors to offset some costs. These monitors are late 2008/ early 2009 models.