upgrade 3.5 year old imac to a new mini?

[meat popsicle]

I have a mid 2006 white imac, 2.0ghz duo core, 2gb ram, and the ATI radeon x1600 graphic card with 256mb.
I think the computer is starting to show it's age, especially with Aperture. I am considering upgrading to the new $799 mac mini. 2.53ghz, 4gb ram, and the Nvidia 9400m integrated graphics card with 256mb shared memory.
I already own a second monitor, keyboard and mouse. So I would only have to buy the mini and no other accessories. I would sell the imac to help finance the purchase of the upgrade.
My questions: How much of an increase in computing power would I see? minimal? or more like a significant amount?

Anyone have first hand use of a mac mini with Aperture?

I also welcome any insight that would help. Bottom line I am just trying to find out how much faster the mini would be in comparison to the imac. I have looked at geekbench scores but I want to know more about real usage rather than a score.
thanks in advance

 

[gjw4u]

The mini would definatly be an upgrade to the old iMac, but can you compare that 2nd screen of yours to that of the new iMac?

 

[No ice please]

I'd get the mac mini. It would be a upgrade in speed. you would just need a nice monitor.

 

[meat popsicle]

The mini would definatly be an upgrade to the old iMac, but can you compare that 2nd screen of yours to that of the new iMac?

Missing the second monitor is the biggest loss. But I already have a 24" dell widescreen and feel that is plenty. If I miss the second monitor then I figure I will buy a cheap 20" monitor. I wouldn't need anything too great or worry about calibration if the second screen just displays tool pallets.

 

[Badger^2]

$800 seems like a lot of cash for a mini

i know thats what they cost... but if i was in your shoes, i would just wait, save some more money and buy a newer imac with a dedicated video card

aperture relies heavy on the video card, so any faster video will really help your cause

the 21" iMac ($1070 base model) would give you a serious kick over your current iMac and even over the 2.5 mini -- with the faster drives, faster and more ram -- it leaves both in the dust

but with the with the 4670 -- you would give yourself the best bang for the buck long run -- i fully understand $1400 is a bit much -- but with its dedicated video it should really make aperture sing...

 

[meat popsicle]

i know thats what they cost... but if i was in your shoes, i would just wait, save some more money and buy a newer imac with a dedicated video card

aperture relies heavy on the video card, so any faster video will really help your cause

the 21" iMac ($1070 base model) would give you a serious kick over your current iMac and even over the 2.5 mini -- with the faster drives, faster and more ram -- it leaves both in the dust

but with the with the 4670 -- you would give yourself the best bang for the buck long run -- i fully understand $1400 is a bit much -- but with its dedicated video it should really make aperture sing...

I have thought about that quite a bit and honestly haven't totally decided against it. My thinking goes along the line of--spend the least and get a good bang for the buck computer that is a good improvement over what I have now, down the road I can upgrade when finances are better and use the mini as a htpc. When I look at spending closer to $2k on a computer, I look at the mac pro more than the imac. I really do not prefer the glass screen.

 

[Paul S]

I also have a late 2006 model and I've been contemplating upgrading. It's been a great machine for the past 3 years. If I were to upgrade, I'd spend the extra $200 and get a new iMac. If you ever do decide to get another screen, that's your price difference right there anyway. I say go for the iMac.

Hopefully, a good recession incentive sale will give me a kick in the pants to get a new one. And hope my wife won't beat me too bad.