iMac or Mac Mini + Apple Display

tRoN

tRoN

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Hi Guys

I am seriously considering getting me some apple candy

I don't need a notebook but rather a desktop solution.

Which is better to get the iMac or the Mac mini and the apple thunderbolt display.
Is this better for upgrading later on?

Is there any other suggestions to go with the Mac mini instead of that gorgeous 27 inch glory??
 
Might be more worth while going mac mini+apple display as this gives u the option to upgrade the mac mini in 2 years without having to buy another display...
 
I guess the question to ask is, what do you intend to do with it? The Mac Mini is a fabulous machine - I've had one - but it does make some performance compromises to be that small.
 
koffiejunkie said:
I guess the question to ask is, what do you intend to do with it? The Mac Mini is a fabulous machine - I've had one - but it does make some performance compromises to be that small.
Click to expand...

Just general home computing....Internet, gaming and the odd PowerPoint/keynote presentation.

What are the performance limitations?

Also are they any other brand monitors that will compete with the apply display?
 
Lower end CPUs (dual core vs quad core), lower end graphics (Intel vs Radeon). You mentioned gaming so this will have an impact.

Yes, there are other IPS based monitors, but none with the Thunderbolt connector (that I know of) and they tend to be around the same price.
 
Mac Mini. There's a limit to the performance you can squeeze into the back of a monitor as well, so I'd take the one where you don't "lose" your monitor when you upgrade your computer.

A quick look at the specs indicate that there's not a major difference between the Mini and the iMac.
 
Get one of these instead of an Apple monitor: Dell Ultrasharp 30 inch U3011 It has DisplayPort and DVI/HDMI. I have a friend who has one and it is a fantastic monitor!!! WQXGA resolution is just amazing too. OH and its an IPS panel as well ;)
 
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I don't want to be that guy but I can almost buy two of the Appple Thunderbolt monitors for the price of the Dell :D
 
koffiejunkie said:
I don't want to be that guy but I can almost buy two of the Appple Thunderbolt monitors for the price of the Dell :D
Click to expand...

:P that guy can buy stuff in the uk :D OK so the 30inch Dell isn't available online in SA... but the 27inch is and it retails at ~R7500 whereas the Applie 27inch cinema display retails at R10499.... take your pic I guess. Gonna be hard to match that hard black edged Dell to a svelte mac mini ;)
 
I won't argue. CORE is taking you guys for a ride, as usual. I had the price wrong too - thought the Apple was £699, it's actually £899. The Dell goes for £1299 here, so a fair bit short of two Apples. :o
 
You really should be more specific. The iMac comes in about 4 variations at the moment (processor, screen size, RAM) and the mini isn't a single product either.

Performance-wise, the mini with an optional SSD walks all over the bottom-of-the-line iMac. But the top-of-the-line iMac encroaches on Mac Pro territory.

I seriously considered a mini about a year ago, then changed my mind and went with the iMac. With the speed bump the mini has received since then, it is less clear that I would do the same thing again.

Are aesthetics part of the equation? iMac. Fewer wires.

Does the TV come into the equation? Mini. HDMI connection.

Here is an article on how to save some money if you do go the mini way.
 
iMac can last you at least 5 years. macmini will last at most 5 years.

Apple displays are tops.
 
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