What Mac should I get ?

[Zanaty]

Hello guys, I’ve used windows all my life but with no professional programs or anything just web browsing and YouTube, recently I Started editing some videos for my YouTube channel using iMovie for iOS and it was my first time editing and found that app to be so easy and sufficient for my needs but I’m starting to believe that it would be better if I use it on Mac.
Now the question is what Mac ?
I prefer desktops but I’m on a budget that’s not very large so what do you think guys I should buy ?

 

[casperes1996]

Well could you elaborate on that budget? Are we looking at the used market or new?
You generally get better computers for the same money looking at desktops actually so being on a budget would just make me suggest a desktop even more, if portability isn't a concern; But of course not a Mac Pro.
Do you already have peripherals you like? A Mac mini might do then. Otherwise, wait till WWDC there'll be a new iMac (maybe) and at that point you have a golden opportunity looking at a refurb 2019 27" iMac.

 

[Zanaty]

My budget is around 400 to 500 usd but sadly in my country we have no physical or even online Apple stores so unfortunately refurbs are out of the question.
As for the peripherals I own a screen mouse and a keyboard.

 

[casperes1996]

My budget is around 400 to 500 usd but sadly in my country we have no physical or even online Apple stores so unfortunately refurbs are out of the question.
As for the peripherals I own a screen mouse and a keyboard.

I see; Same here in Denmark, so yeah.

That budget is very tight for a Mac though. I don't know about pricing in Egypt, but even in the US you can't get any Mac new for that price. The lowest being $800 for the base Mac mini. If you're a student you can get a small student discount, but it's not much. So I'd go to the used market if you don't expect you can grow that budget by waiting a bit.

Seeing as new iMacs might be inbound, it's likely that used iMacs will drop in price when the new ones hit, so wait a bit, WWDC is just around the corner (22nd). I very much doubt that even after that you'll be able to find a good iMac within that budget but it's worth waiting and seeing I think. Perhaps the prices will drop more than I expect.

But for the budget I'd say look to used 2018 Mac mini.

 

[Zanaty]

yes I’m convinced that I can’t buy new and to be honest I don’t want to either as I’ve never used macs before so I don’t want to save up and pay for something that I may or may not like.
Thank you for your suggestion man and I’ll start looking for used Mac mini’s on eBay.

 

[casperes1996]

yes I’m convinced that I can’t buy new and to be honest I don’t want to either as I’ve never used macs before so I don’t want to save up and pay for something that I may or may not like.
Thank you for your suggestion man and I’ll start looking for used Mac mini’s on eBay.

No problem. PS. Make sure it's not a 2014 model. You want a 2018 model, or heck, even a 2012. The 2014 model was actually a downgrade from the 2012 in many ways. Less upgradable and dual core CPUs instead of quad cores.

 

[ctjack]

If you are buying Mac only for video edits then go for used 2018-2019 Ipad Pro 11 inch. Since you've already done editing in IOS with iMovie, then Lumafusion in iPad OS will be much better than any Macbook. Only MBP 16 is better for video editing.

 

[Zanaty]

As I said earlier I work with a tight budget and can’t afford the ipp.besides,my video editing needs are very light so 16 mbp is a massive overkill.

 

[ctjack]

As I said earlier I work with a tight budget and can’t afford the ipp.

As you said you need video editing, then 2018 IPP 10.5-11'' in used condition should be in your budget.
Because any used Macbook in your budget will be very bad for video editing.