Your opinion: iMac vs Mac Mini

[Poki]

So, now we know what's going to be the current Macs in the next months. After we know most things, what are you going to get and why?

In my books, it's too bad there are no relatively cheap SSD options like in the MacBook Pros in both machines, and as the Mini has no dedicated graphics card, it's useless even to the least extreme gamers out there. I don't game much, but if I can't play a round Starcraft now and then on 1440p, I'm not gonna be happy.

And the display seems to be better than the external thunderbolt display, as it reflects 75% less. Heck, even the design of the iMac looks now better, and the performance is without question.

But then again, I hate the all-in-one concept, so I'm completely undecided. What's your opinion?

 

[blanka]

I really don't like the design choices for the new iMac. The razor sharp pregnant woman approach with beard clearly stinks. And I bet it is going to be a model with problems (heat, stuck pixels, dust in the screen etc.). I would wait half a year first to know this pregnant lady first before you take her home.

And the mini's. Boring update, I bought a mid-model at current base model price from the 2011 line, so for me no regrets. But for power users, a decent quad at 799 is kind of interesting. It will match (within 20% difference) top of the line iMac speed (except GPU speed).

 

[Poki]

Well, the CPU in the Mini is even faster than the 2,9 GHz i5 used in some iMacs, but the fact there's no GPU is a real bummer. And I'd love to see a thinner Thunderbolt display. I'm sure I'll regret getting one now if a slimmer, less reflective one comes out anytime soon. So really nothing I can buy now without regrets, though I need a new, faster Mac asap.

 

[TrollToddington]

Would consider the quad-core mini. Would also wait until they update the Thunderbolt display. But no, I'm not going to buy anything, I do not need a new computer. I just stated what I'd have done if I'd needed new hardware.

BTW you could use a cheap monitor until they update the TBD

 

[Poki]

BTW you could use a cheap monitor until they update the TBD

I could, but I don't think my eyes or my photos would forgive me this ... Oh, and did I mention I sold ALL my monitors some months ago anticipating the new Minis?

 

[fig]

In my books, it's too bad there are no relatively cheap SSD options like in the MacBook Pros in both machines, and as the Mini has no dedicated graphics card, it's useless even to the least extreme gamers out there. I don't game much, but if I can't play a round Starcraft now and then on 1440p, I'm not gonna be happy.

Um, it's like $200 cheaper to get the Apple-installed SSD in the mini than it is to get one in a MBP.

 

[Poki]

Um, it's like $200 cheaper to get the Apple-installed SSD in the mini than it is to get one in a MBP.

If you look at the 13" MBP with the 750GB hard drive, a 128 GB SSD costs only about 100 bucks BTO.

 

[fig]

If you look at the 13" MBP with the 750GB hard drive, a 128 GB SSD costs only about 100 bucks BTO.

True now that I look, but I'd think most folks will want more storage than that. I'm curious about the superturbohyperdrive myself.

 

[Poki]

True now that I look, but I'd think most folks will want more storage than that. I'm curious about the superturbohyperdrive myself.

I already deleted everything on my hard drive and got below 100 GB. The thing is, you can have all data on external drives and use the SSD only for the OS and programs on a desktop.

 

[fig]

I already deleted everything on my hard drive and got below 100 GB. The thing is, you can have all data on external drives and use the SSD only for the OS and programs on a desktop.

I've actually got a 128gb SSD in my current iMac and would probably do the same were I keeping it.

 

[blanka]

Oh, and did I mention I sold ALL my monitors some months ago anticipating the new Minis?

Get the Mini 2.6Ghz BTO for 899 and buy a NEC PA271W monitor, and forget about the TB displays forever.
The NEC has the same panel, but adds decent adjustment, AdobeRGB and sRGB calibrated presets, 10bit/chanel, 24fps native video playback, Pivot for those crazy infographics you see lately, a KVM switch to use your Wacom and keyboard on both your Mini and MBAir, 5 years warranty, matte display.
Total money is less than the iMac 27 inch that is both not available for 2 monts and will score lower on Geekbench.

 

[Poki]

Get the Mini 2.6Ghz BTO for 899 and buy a NEC PA271W monitor, and forget about the TB displays forever.
The NEC has the same panel, but adds decent adjustment, AdobeRGB and sRGB calibrated presets, 10bit/chanel, 24fps native video playback, Pivot for those crazy infographics you see lately, a KVM switch to use your Wacom and keyboard on both your Mini and MBAir, 5 years warranty, matte display.
Total money is less than the iMac 27 inch that is both not available for 2 monts and will score lower on Geekbench.

While I love NEC displays for color critic work, I can't get around the TBD design. I don't know how much many I spent in my life just to get the best design every time, but its worth it imo. So I'll probably just buy the current TBD ...

 

[parestailor]

some one help me out, but how does the mac mini compare to the new imac's?

i know the gpu kinda fail the mini slightly if your thinking about gaming?

 

[Poki]

some one help me out, but how does the mac mini compare to the new imac's?

i know the gpu kinda fail the mini slightly if your thinking about gaming?

If you want gaming, get iMac. (It hurts to say this as I want gaming and I want the Mini ...)

The CPU's in the Mini are awesome and comparable to these in the iMacs.

 

[parestailor]

If you want gaming, get iMac. (It hurts to say this as I want gaming and I want the Mini ...)

The CPU's in the Mini are awesome and comparable to these in the iMacs.

i really am not much of a gamer, maybe time to time i play the odd one or two, i currently have TB 27".

main use:

Movies (HD)
Streaming Video content (bbc iplayer, 4od, netflixs)
Coding (Dreamweaver, Coda)
Graphics (Firework, Photoshop, Illustrator)
iMovie (sometimes...)

but generally my mini is currently just used for production, the usb 3 is just absolutely gain for me!

are the CPU being using in the current mini same as the new iMac or is this unknown? i hear the new imacs are actually using the same form factor as the mini's?

 

[iamthedudeman]

So, now we know what's going to be the current Macs in the next months. After we know most things, what are you going to get and why?

In my books, it's too bad there are no relatively cheap SSD options like in the MacBook Pros in both machines, and as the Mini has no dedicated graphics card, it's useless even to the least extreme gamers out there. I don't game much, but if I can't play a round Starcraft now and then on 1440p, I'm not gonna be happy.

And the display seems to be better than the external thunderbolt display, as it reflects 75% less. Heck, even the design of the iMac looks now better, and the performance is without question.

But then again, I hate the all-in-one concept, so I'm completely undecided. What's your opinion?

Bang for your buck, the Mini wins, hands down.

You can upgrade the Mini with a Apple branded SSD for just $300. That is almost the same price as retail. The Mini has a better processor than the stock imac. GPU is worse. That is the only down side.

Add your own ram, and you have a machine that will be on par with a retina MBP. Other than the GPU. All for 1200. That sir is a good deal. The best going apple offers.

A thunderbolt display will be the same as the imacs, will be due shortly.

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Get the Mini 2.6Ghz BTO for 899 and buy a NEC PA271W monitor, and forget about the TB displays forever.
The NEC has the same panel, but adds decent adjustment, AdobeRGB and sRGB calibrated presets, 10bit/chanel, 24fps native video playback, Pivot for those crazy infographics you see lately, a KVM switch to use your Wacom and keyboard on both your Mini and MBAir, 5 years warranty, matte display.
Total money is less than the iMac 27 inch that is both not available for 2 monts and will score lower on Geekbench.

Agreed. +1