Mac mini vs. imac

Okay looking for some advice. I'm sure this has been discussed previously, for that I apologize. Need to replace my main computer ( currently a imac g5 ppc) because the screen went dark and its just old anyway. I have loved this imac so top on my list was to check out the brand new iMacs, which look amazing to me! (Especially with the 27" screen). A friend of mine who has a MBP was trying to convince me that desktops are becoming extinct and that the MBPs are every bit as capable of a machine as any IMac. I think it's an interesting discussion. However, once I started to price either option ( a nicely loaded 27" iMac vs. a MBP) I soon realized that I may have to rethink my options. Trying to more fiscally responsible this year ( a resolution) I had to look honestly about my computing habits. Our family has 2 iPads and 3 iPhones. If I'm truly honest about what I really need a computer for its very little. Mainly just basic computing needs as well as controlling a huge music library (300 GB). Since I got my ipad 2 I'm using it 80% of the time! Enter the idea of the new Mac mini. My first thought was that it was a cheap way to get by until I could save the funds to get a REAL machine! (MBP or 27" iMac) Obviously I have a compensation problem regarding this because I can't help but want the big bad machines! But I know it's overkill for me ( hard to admit but true!). So with level headed ness I'm trying to determine which Mac mini is right for me. Hear it goes. This will be a family's main computer. None of us do anything particularly advanced however, would like some future flexibility regarding this as I have 2 teens of which 1 is starting to get into photography. The rest is playing videos and managing our big music library but would like to get into some basic video editing as well. That's it. I have all the gaming systems ( spoiled teens!) as well as a separate small home theater for watching movies so I have those areas covered. When I start pricing the Mac minis I'm interested in the $799 base model but when I add the features that interest me, namely the fusion drive and faster processor it prices out at $1049 with no monitor! Well for $1299 I can get a base IMac! So this is a real long story (I'm so sorry!) to really just ask this question. Which is the better buy for me? $799 Mac mini with add ons? Or a base model Imac @ $1299? I really want hear personal experiences and discussions regarding this. I want to solve my computing needs for the next 6 years or so. (Is that realistic?) and even though the higher end machines are probably out of reach for now (ever?) I would like thoughts on the whole MacBook Pro vs. loaded 27" iMac thing as well. Sorry again for the lengthy post. I just didn't want questions thrown back at me so hopefully I gave all the pertinent information. Thanks in advance!!!

Hello, my thoughts...
Mac Mini will outdo your G5 iMac by miles & likely do what you want, but I hate the fact it has no real Video card & will likely be one of the 1st ones dropped in some future update of the OS if history repeats itself.
MBPs, while fast, are short term fast, not really meant to be run all the time at full speed, are too expensive to upkeep & repair.
2012 iMacs, seem like disposable computers to me, if getting the 21" model you must upgrade the RAM to max at purchase, 27" can upgrade the RAM later, but both are nearly impossible otherwise to even do a simple thing like replace the PRAM Battery.
No matter which you get, be sure to factor in & get the 3 year exyended AppleCare, & expect the new Mac not to last near as long as your G5 iMac did.
Have you cconsidered a newer yet older Mac?
The Aluminum or up here...
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_IM_I4?p=2
21.5"...
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_IM_I1
27"...
http://www.powermax.com/parts/code/PM_CU_IM_I8

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Welcome to Apple Support Communities
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Can I connect Mac mini to iMac monitor

Can I connect a Mac mini to iMac monitor ? To view Mac mini files

Hi Ricemail,
You *may* be able to do so, depending on the specific models of your iMac and Mac Mini, using a feature known as Target Display Mode. You may find the following article helpful:
Target Display Mode: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3924
Regards,
- Brenden

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http://www.macmaps.com/frayguide.html
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http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

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Greetings,
Just made the move from pc to apple world. First time poster. Please feel free to suggest if this topic is better suited in another area.
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kenreau wrote:
It would be extremely difficult to provide ethernet to their rooms.
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here's an interesting read on the subject.
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Given the specific reference to an iMacG4 20" machine, which clearly
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Can I startup with Leopard from Mac Mini using iMac G5 as display?

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Does anyone agree that Apple needs to add another model between the Mac Mini and the iMac? I think they need something like a Mac Mini Plus. Two models, one with the 1.83GHz Core Duo and one with the 2.0GHz Core Duo. The unit itself would be slightly larger than the standard Mini and include a PCI Express slot with several video card options and a faster (7200RPM) hard drive. Personally, I hesitate to buy an iMac because of the built in monitor. I would prefer to buy a separate LCD flat panel monitor that I could keep for years and use with different Mac models as I upgrade. As for the current Mac Mini, it's video and processor options are on the low end, albeit perfect for the casual user, but for someone that wants to do some gaming or video editing, they don't quite cut it.
Don't get me wrong here, I love the elegant design of the iMac, but I think Apple needs to offer something that allows us to have the iMac equivalent computing power without the built in monitor and without having spend a thousand more on a PowerMac.
Athlon XP 1800+ Windows XP Pro

Yes, I'd love something in the form of a Mac Mini that was closer in spec to the iMac.
Honestly, the only reason I won't buy an iMac CoreDuo is the built-in monitor.
And, the only reason I won't buy a new Mac Mini is that they are underpowered.
I have owned two iMac G5 systems, and both had serious faults with their built-in LCD panel.
The first would permanently etch in anything on the screen for every hour of intensive use.
It wouldn't etch it in in normal use. But, if I did any of my audio work, it would heat up the system so hot that the image on the screen would literally cook into the LCD panels plastic surface.
It literally looked like you took a razor blade, and precisely carved the exact image into the surface of the screen. Pretty nasty looking. Nothing would get rid of it, and it would happen every time I did my audio editing / processing work for an hour.
Naturally, the more work I did, the worse it got. I only got two editing sessions out of an LCD panel before having it replaced.
After going through that for a while, I sold the system after having a fresh panel installed under warranty.
I got tired of damaging the screen after every hour of work.
The second iMac G5 was purchased a year later. That one also suffered permanent damage to it's LCD panel. But, not quite as noticeable.
I know that there are a bunch of people getting ready to hit me with the "Image Persistence" explanation. But, trust me, I know about Image Persistence, and this wasn't it.
I was seeing actual permanent screen burn-in (which is not supposed to happen on LCD panels).
The service tech was absolutely amazed at the appearance of my screen. And, yes we verified it was the actual panel that was damaged. He wouldn't replace it without verifying that it was the panel itself.
Anyway, I called to arrange service on the second system again, and before I could get it in there, the backlight started flickering. And, I had already had tons of other stuff fixed on the machine. So, I sold it and bailed-out.
Now, after all the problems I've had with the built-in screens on the iMac G5 systems, I don't want another Apple product with a built-in screen. I want to use my own LCD panel.
I have an LCD panel that I'm using now. It's about 3 years old, and only cost me $200. And, it doesn't have even the slightest indication of image burn-in or image persistence. I use it every day, and use it just like I did the iMacs.
So, what I want now, is a machine comparable to the iMac CoreDuo, but without the built-in screen.
The current Mac Mini's cost way too much for their very low specifications.
I already have a Mac Mini G4. It's underpowered as well. But, no worse-off than the current Mac Minis.
Now, if Apple produced a Mac Mini with identical specs to the iMac, I'd gladly buy it.
Even better for them, I'd pay the same price as the current iMac to get it without the built-in monitor.
Yes, that's right, I'd pay the full price of the iMac to get a Mac Mini without a monitor if it was of the same specifications otherwise.
The current Mac Mini is obviously stripped-down to prevent competition with the iMac. But, I think they'd find that they would simply expand their user base if they offered a better Mini.
With their product line as it is, the current Mac Mini is not a compelling machine, and the iMac is not an option because of it's built-in monitor.
Get me a high-end Mac Mini and you've got a sale.

Mac mini vs. imac

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