IMac vs. Mac Mini/Thunderbolt Combo

I am replacing a dead iMac too old to repair for Mavericks update. What does the community think of replacing it with a Mac Mini and Thunderbolt Monitor for $100 more than a comparable 27" iMac. I get HDMI output as a plus and separate CPU and Monitor chassis.

You can still get HDMI out on new 27 iMac.
iMac has a discrete GPU instead of an integrated GPU.
The integrated GPU is going to steal RAM from the available physical RAM installed.
The amount of RAM the GPU will steal is a variable based on how GPU intense an application is.
Tthe 27 inch iMacs have desktop standard 7200 RPM hard drives.
Mac Mini uses laptop standard 5400 RPM hard drives.
If you stay with the Mini, strongly suggest that you install the optional 2.6 Ghz i7 ( hyper threaded) quad-core CPU.
While both base model 27 screen iMacs are only quad-core i5 CPUs ( no hyper threading), the low end 27 inch base model still has a faster base CPU at 2.9 Ghz.
If you opt for a 27 inch screen iMac with the 3.2 Ghz quad core i5 CPU, you get a much better 1 GB VRAM graphics processor (GPU).

Similar Messages

Connecting to dial-up internet with imac through mac mini?

I can't quite figure out how to do this. I have a imac g3 and mac mini connected with ethernet crossover. the modem on imac is dead, dial-up connecting though mac mini. i can go through the menus for connecting through internet through ethernet but can't quite get it to connect to the internet on the imac. should I connect to internet on mac mini-then go try to connect over ethernet on imac, or am I missing somthing else in the configuration?
Thanks

Here's Apple's documentation on how to set up your Mac mini so your iMac can share the mini's modem internet connection.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh336.html
Hope that does it.
K.M.
PowerBook G4 (15 FW800); 17 iMac G5; Mac mini 1.42 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Music Production | iMac or Mac Mini, help me make a decision

I've been playing the piano competitively for 12 years, producing classical and electronic music with Cubase SX on PC for 5 years.
Just to put you in proportion, the following specs were enough until recently - my productions became better and more complicated.
Additional 40% performance would completely satisfy my needs, no way I'll need more.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/GbeTech/Compspecs2.gif
I also have a pair of monitors, a LCD screen and a sound card (Juli@: http://www.esi-audio.com/products/julia/) that I would like to use.
- The monitors are obligatory to use.
- The sound card is obligatory _unless there is an option for a sound card with identical or better performance than the Juli@_.
Question: Is it possible to buy a sound card with similar or better performance than the Juli@ with either iMac or Mac Mini?
I can't afford a Mac Pro, as my budget is 2400$ max.
I'm trying to decide between an iMac, or a MacMini;
iMac
20"
2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB HD 7200RPM
Wireless Mouse and Keyboard
1349$
MacMini
2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
320GB hard drive
1049$
iMac
Advantages
• A little better performance than the Mac Mini, but as both have better performance than my sufficient and current PC, I'm OK with either.
• More flexible about upgrading, changing hardware etc...
Disadvantages
• More expensive than the Mini, because the computer is actually a screen, which I don't need
MacMini
Advantages
• Possible to use my LCD screen
• Very cheap
Disadvantages
• Not really possible to upgrade anything significant.
*- Can I install my sound card into the iMac or the Mini?*
*- Is it possible to buy a sound card with the same or better performance than the Juli@?*
I prefer installing my card rather than buying a new one.
Can you help me decide?
Message was edited by: GbeTech

GbeTech,
I think it will come down to which machine you think you will enjoy using. You won't be able to use your Julia Sound Card in either machine.
I had a Core Duo 1.6Ghz Mac Mini with 2MB of Ram. I used both Logic 8 and Garageband on the Mac Mini with a Motu 896 and an external Firewire Drive using the ports on the Mac Screen. I never had any latency issues or crashes and recording was fine.
I play classical guitar and accordingly I need a system which is whisper quiet - the Mini was great in that regard.
I then switched to a 3.06Ghz iMac with 4MB of Ram. The iMac only has one FW 800 port and I was worried about daisychaining the Motu through the external Drive.
As it happened I've had no problems whatsoever using the iMac with the Motu and the External Drive. The iMac is as quiet as the Mac Mini - so for me I got a faster computer with no downside.
Having said that the old Mac Mini was quite adequate for my needs. My recordings are very simple - usually one stereo track and one mono audio track for each recording pass - if I multitrack (rarely now) multiply that by 3 plus a few synth/piano/bass tracks and I'm done. After mixing in Logic bounce as a Sound Designer file and then master using Peak 5. Quick simple process that produces fantastic results given recordings are made at home.
I use the above process for recording classical guitar. One thing though - do be careful in the type of External Drive you use - I had one that would click as it was being written to and my mircophone would pick up the clicks !! Changed to a quieter external drive and all is good.
If i'm messing around on an electric guitar - I use Garageband and plug the electric guitar straight into the back of the iMac using a cheap $2 1/4 to 1/8 jack - get a clean strong guitar signal which is then tweaked in Garageband.
I notice that you play classical piano - how you record may have a bearing on what machine you buy. If you simply use a midi keyboard then most probably either machine would be fine. However if you are using multiple mics around an acoustic piano you might want to look at Motu and the other interfaces out there, which in turn could influence your decision.
Hope the above helps.
Kind Reagrds

Choosing iMAC over Mac Mini.....

Why would people choose iMAC over Mac mini? And why not? How much is the iMAC better than the Mac mini?
Looking for answers ASAP. thank you.

Well as of this writing the low end MM is $600.00 and the low end iMac is $1200.00 so we will use these as a base line, at a $600.00 difference!
The iMac you get a 3GHZ processor, the mini 2.26GHZ.
The iMac you get built in Speakers/microphone/camera/SD slot, the mini A built in speaker.
The iMac you can max memory to 16GB, the mini max memory 4GB.
The iMac comes will 500GB of HDD space, the mini 320GB.
Now the most impressive...
The display:
The iMac comes with a beautiful 21.5" LED IPS display, the mini none!
To purchase a comparable display alone will cost you at least $600.00, and it will not look as good as the iMac display.
Add the display and all the other features that the iMac has over the mini and you just get more bang for you buck with the iMac.
Now does that mean that it is a better deal?
Well not if you iMacs display goes out, with a mini you just get another one.
The great thing about the iMac is if you're new to Mac then you're definitely going to get the full Apple/Mac experience, unless of coarse you get one of these messed up iMacs they have been shipping lately.

Using iMac and Mac Mini together to share screen and data

I may buy a Mac Mini in addition to my iMac 27" (Mid 2011), mostly so that I can use it for slide show presentations via a digital projector. But I don't have a separate monitor (or suitable TV), so I wouldn't be able to use the Mac Mini other than with a projector. Not a good idea. So I backed away a bit.
TDM Mode
Then I found that I could use an iMac screen as a monitor if I connect the two via a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable in Target Display Mode, TDM (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3924). A short cable costs $35.
Then I thought about those times when Photoshop is tying up my computer for hours while I batch process heaps of images (you can't use Photoshop while it is batch processing), and I wondered: why not jump across to the Mac Mini during those times?
I store all my data on external firewire drives. Nothing on the OSX drives. This leads me to a few questions. Assume I have the Mac Mini connected to my iMac in TDM via a Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt cable.
Ques 1
What is the best way of being able to access my data files (on external firewire drives connected to the iMac) via the Mac Mini? A scenario might be:
I've started a batch process on the iMac which ties up Photoshop and much ties up;
I switch the screen to display the Mac Mini;
I want to access my data on the firewire drives, drives that the iMac is already accessing.
Ques 2
Can I use the thunderbolt connection to not only transfer screen data, but ordinary data?
Ques 3
Or should I run an ethernet cable between the two and set up a network?

One question, how does this affect syncing to iTunes? Will it recognise the iPhoto drive on both computers (depending which one has the drive at that time) if I sync photo albums to my iPhone and iPad?
iTunes will always sync with the last iPhoto library that has been used on the computer. If you make sure, that the drive has been connected, before you launch iTunes, it will work, like Old Toad said.
Also, if I do it this way doesn't it become vulnerable due to not being connected at all times to time machine?
if you use the drive with the library the mainly on your iMac, you could exclude it from the TimeMachine backup of your Laptop. Keep it connected to the iMac, when you are not using it on the LapTop.
What would be the process if I only wanted to do this periodically and wanted to keep the main library on the iMac. Could I work on the drive on the macair and then save it back to the iMac? How do I do that without duplicating the files? If I just select copy and paste, will it only overwrite the changed files?
You would have to copy the entire library back and forth again and again, or use iPhoto Library Manager, to merge the changes into the library on the iMac. It would not be an easy workflow.

Compare iMac to Mac Mini

I've been wondering about buying the Mac Mini but would like to know how it compares to the iMac. Would I be happy with it's performance? Can it do all the things the iMac does? Also, the new Mini's use usb 3 and all my equipment uses usb2.

Your best bet is to become familiar with the three main MINI models (each with upgrade configuration
order specs) and the five main iMAC models, most with specs that do not equal the other group. Look
into each of these two main sections for each group, and after you select any one -as if to buy- a list
of additional items or custom specification upgrades may be chosen, at additional cost. That is where
you can see if any one from the MINI group and after the same process, in the iMac group may meet
with your needs. The need based on two years after you buy, since you cannot upgrade RAM in MINI
and other aspects are not user-accessible. And the AppleCare optional extended plan is recommended.
See all models here:
http://www.apple.com/mac/
Compare:
http://www.apple.com/mac/compare/
http://www.apple.com/mac/compare/desktops.html
The Mini may use a variety of displays, including several digital televisions; and some great ones.
Including the 27-inch Thunderbolt display, from Apple. You can have more than two displays with
the Mini depending on the kind & type, and the graphic processor. Adapters to use displays are
available, as the different technology types use specific kinds of adapters... these are optional.
See them in Store page, and note the upgrade options, after clicking on the one(s) for detail:
•Mac MINI:
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/mac-mini
•iMac:
http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/imac
•official Apple refurbished + clearance store pages:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac
{If you choose one of the refurbished/clearance items, there are no configuration options in their
specific area. Accessories not included or offered there should be sought out in the main Store
page online, or considered later from an authorize reseller or an Apple Store.}
There is no direct comparisons between the two main groups. Each has a low-end model, and if you
are looking ahead, I would not consider those. There is one exceptionally higher grade iMac 5K and
it too has a configuration-to-order option sheet in the online store.
The USB3 is faster by a wide margin than USB2.0, the older is slower yet is supported at its native
original speed in the newer USB3. External hard drives of a USB3.0 spec can be helpful if they are
of 7200-RPM spin rate; they may be used via the faster TB data cable via adapter, as available.
Other than the ability to configure your order page (see store, click in item you are thinking about,
then look at the list of options and accessories, processor &/or graphic upgrade, RAM upgrade, etc
these are not upgradable after they ship. - The 27-inch iMac may still offer RAM access; check spec.
An official Apple retail Store, the store online and the main Store number should be able to help
you with specific questions once you are more aware of the options. Those are avenues to ask
and look at products directly. It does help to know the options in the online Store, as they may
not be available in the local Apple retail store or at the authorized independent reseller locations...
You can also look into the specifications at Everymac.com including model histories of most Mac;
and also get & use the MacTracker.ca download specification database to also compare specs.
Hopefully once you detail your expectation of what you hope to do, a year or two after purchase,
that may be helpful in choosing one of these completely different model series configurations.
Good luck & happy computing!

New Mac Mini thunderbolt to DVI adapter issues

Hi there,
I'm working on a new studio installation. We have a new Mac Mini that we're trying to connect up to a 30-inch Cinema HD display with DVI input. We have a Kanex C30 Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter that plugs into the Thunderbolt port and one of the USB ports (for power) on the back of the Mini, but despite our best efforts we aren't getting anything on the display. Going Mac - adapter - display results in about 7/8ths of the screen going white and displaying two green and misshapen Apple logos for about 5 seconds before it goes blank.
Ultimately we want to run it over quite a long DVI cable and currently have an Extron signal booster in place, which works perfectly from the Mac Mini's HDMI output through an HDMI to DVI adapter. However we're already using the HDMI output to feed another monitor.
So two questions really:
1. Can the Mac Mini feed two separate displays of different sizes? The 30-inch over Thunderbolt to DVI and another Apple 24 inch display over HDMI to DVI.
2. Does anybody have any experience with the Kanex or can you recommend an adapter that will work for us?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. This whole process has been a very long headache!
Many thanks,
Josh

Hi Josh,
It should work, but not Mirrored of course, just Extended Display...
Video Card:
HD Graphics 4000
VRAM Type:
Integrated
Details:
This model has an Intel HD Graphics 4000 graphics processor that shares memory with the system. Also see: What type of video system is provided by the Aluminum Mac mini models? Which are integrated and which are dedicated? Can the video be upgraded?
Standard VRAM:
512 MB*
Maximum VRAM:
768 MB*
Display Support:
Dual Displays
Resolution Support:
1920x1200*
2nd Display Support:
Dual/Mirroring*
2nd Max. Resolution:
2560x1600*
Details:
*This model simultaneously supports 1920x1200 on an HDMI or a DVI display (using the included HDMI-to-DVI adapter) and 2560x1600 on a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort display or even a VGA display (with an optional Mini DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter, which is compatible with the Thunderbolt port).
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-i7-2.6-late-2 012-specs.html

Asus vh232h out of range, Mac mini thunderbolt to vga

Hey guys,
Pretty much what the title says.....
Mac mini
Asus vh232h (VGA only, no dvi socket)
Thunderbolt to VGA adapter
VGA cable (I've tried several)
(Benq monitor running fine on the hdmi port)
In short, if I use a VGA cable under 1.8m, there's no problem.
If I use a cable of 3m in length, or two x 1.8m cables, I get a "Out of range" message on the monitor.
(My office is shared space, so I need the Mac mini to be inside a lockable cupboard. That means I need a cable longer than 1.8m)
FYI, I don't seem to be able to set the asus monitor resolution in Mac settings (not sure if it can be done when monitor is 'out of range', but I can see the Asus in Display settings, Arrangement. It looks about half the width and height of the benq.
Is a monitor supposed to connect successfully over a 3 m cable?
Will a thunderbolt to dvi adapter work? (Would have to buy new monitor)
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Darren

Bought a new benq 24" monitor, moshi mini display port to hdmi adapter, and 5m hdmi cable.
Sorted.
Must be an issue with apple mdp to VGA adapter when using VGA cables over 1.8m long.

Daisy chain two display port monitors (Dell U2913WM) to new Mac mini Thunderbolt?

Everything I read said that I could hook up a display port monitor to a Thunderbolt port on the mac mini. I purchased two display port monitors (Dell U2913WM) that can be daisy chained, and hooked them up. All I get is mirroring. Does anyone know how to turn off mirroring with this setup? I did not get the "uncheck mirroring" option in preferences until I hooked up the second via the HDMI port instead of a daisy chain. The problem with that is, I cannot take advantage of the full resolution through the HDMI. It seems I have wasted my money on two monitors.
Looking for advice on:
1) How to daisy chain these two Dell monitors to the mac mini and turn off mirroring and use an extended desktop, or
2) How to take advantage of the full resolution through HDMI port?
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

So re-reading this thread, I now realize you did exactly what I wanted to do but your issue was having a cloned vs. extended desktop. Oops!
I believe your "nothing plugged in" issue is the cable. I'm not sure that TB cables are backwards compatible with DP - I think it's only the ports. Do you see multiple monitors in "System Preferences > Displays" if you hook the monitors up like you described in your OP?
My Dell U2713H arrived today and it works like a charm with the supplied Mini-DP to DP cable. The built-in display on my 13" mid 2009 MBP still works if not in clamshell mode, although I will mostly use mine in my HengeDock. In the OSD of the monitor, you can access "Display Settings > Display Info" and it will show you the DP capability. Mine is only DP 1.1a and I believe to run 2 of these at full resolution you will need the bandwidth in DP 1.2 which includes MST (daisy-chaining). This could be your problem.
Can you access the same menu in your OSD and report back what your DP compatability is?
Thanks!
mgb

Can I use backup from iMac on Mac mini?

My iMac just went into the Apple Store shop today for a new disk drive. I have a cloned backup of it from Super Duper, on an external drive. Is there any way I can boot from that drive on my Mac mini? Thanks.

As long as the version of Mac OS X on the backup drive is the same or newer than what came from the factory installed on the mini it should boot fine.
Dah•veed

Mac mini, thunderbolt and two monitors

Hi all,
I have a late 2012 Mac Mini, and a 27" LED Cinema display. I want to connect two monitors to the mini. I was thinking about buying a 27" Thunderbolt display to connect via the Thunderbolt port, then daisy chaining the LED Cinema (via mini-DP) to the Thunderbolt display. Will this work?
Any other suggestions would be welcomed as well.
Thanks.
John

Does your comment mean that you use the Thunderbolt disk drive inbetween LED cinema display and the Thunderbolt display ie. you plug the MDP cable coming out of the LED display into the TB drive, and then use the other TB port on the drive to plug into the Thunderbolt display?? I assume then into the computers TB port..?
Yes.
A couple of things if I'm getting this right...does this mean the drive is useless as a drive and is rather just acting as a hub?? I'm assuming this because there are no ports left on the drive to actually plug it into the computer
The drive will work. It gets its data connection to the computer through the Thunderbolt display's connection.
2nd I've heard that a thunderbolt port can only support 1 MDP device in it's chain, and it is has to be last in the chain before connection?? Does this not cause a problem? Having said that I have my 24" LED apple display connected through a TB drive and it is the drive that connects last and works fine (after I updated the displays frimware to stop the flicker it caused).
What do you mean by "before connection"? The MDP device is the last in the chain, not the disk drive.

Mac mini thunderbolt port stop working

Good night.
First, I apologize for my English.
I have a mac mini (2011 model). Two days ago there was a power outage and the mac shut down. After turning it on, it failed to recognize my TV connected through the Thunderbolt port (with a adapter THUNDERBOLT -> HDMI).
When I disconnect and connect the adapter into the thunderbolt output, the screen flashes (as if he had recognized the second monitor). However, the monitor does not work.
Some Details:
1) In the monitor settings, only the main, connected by HDMI is detected;
2) On the "System Information" screen, the "Thunderbolt" item appears to state “no device connected";
3) I've done the reset PRAM / SMC.
Can anyone help me? Does my thunderbolt output fried?
Thank you,
Mateus.

I would try a different HDMI cable and then a different Thunderbolt/MiniDisplay Port to HDMI adapter.

Mac mini Thunderbolt port

I'm the proud owner of a new Mac mini.
I'm also the proud owner of a pre-Thunderbolt Cinema Display, which works fine with the mini. However, I'd like to add another Cinema display so I will have dual monitors. As a result, I'm wondering if my current moniror will work in a dual-config with a new Thundrbolt display.
Thanks!

The first and most signifigant question is which Mini
do you have? If it is the Mini with the HD3000 graphics,
you can only use one of those displays, period.
If you have the one with the AMD graphics, it would support
two of the new TB displays but various threads across the net
seem to indicate that mixing the non-TB and TB displays can be
problematic.

IMac vs Mac Mini

I am looking to buy a new desk top, mainly to edit videos. Anyway, which of the two (iMac 17-in/Mini-1.66) would be better for editing? It would be a non-issue if they had the same clock speed/graphics card/etc... but they don't. I am leaning towards the Mini. Budget and space are an issue, which is why I'm not going with the PowerMac.
Thanks in advance, LVC
iMac G3 Mac OS X (10.4.6) iBook G3

I spend a few days in Vegas… I experienced a lot of hospitality … ;-)
I lay my chips on the MacMini, for a simple reason:
the IntelMacs allow natively monitor spanning, meaning, you're able to connect TWO screens… which expands your desktop dramatically!
my scenario:
editing a movie (in iM), but need to "adjust" many stills, so Photoshop is running too… on screen II; simply drag'n drop/swap stills from one screen to another… same with a 3D app, I use for creating... ehm, 3D-things...
aside videowork: I' doing sometimes translations (into German, don't get afraid) - screen I: english, screen II: german…
as I like to say:
If you use the metaphor of a "desktop", it shouldn't have the size of a coffeetable!!
... and I can not afford a 30"......, poor me....
MacMini! if you need later a bigger, wider or more screens - go with that...

Connecting iMac to mac mini

recently purchased a Mac mini since the hard drive on my intel iMac was about to fail. Almost all of my files where saved on firewiredrives but there are a few things to still be transfered from the old computer. I was able to set them up to see each other via bluetooth, but is it possible to transfer data via the ethernet ports?

Hey Drack1cba,
Thanks for the question. There are a few options for accomplishing this goal, some of which are outlined in the following article.
OS X Mavericks: Transfer files between two Mac computers
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14409
Thanks,
Matt M.

IMac vs. Mac Mini/Thunderbolt Combo

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