MAC MINI vs. new G5 iMac

Question

any ideas or recommendations...??
I trust your opnions.

Answer 1

I think Pos gave exactly the right advice - to first consider what you are going to use it for, to then consider what equipment you already have that you may or may not be able to use to help keep the cost of a new system down, and third to then consider your budget.
In reality, the Mac mini and imacs are not intended to meet the same needs and suit the same users doing the same things. They are widely different systems which have the similarity of the same operating system, but where almost every other aspect of the system is different. The mini is a low cost, moderately good performance system that is designed to be 'closed' by nature (meaning that you can't open it up to upgrade components). It is intended to meet the needs of users who are not attempting professional level work but who simply want a computer to do a range of routine tasks, and who may need to also do work up to moderate level video editing or hobbyist photo collection. The mini is also intended to allow the use of previously owned peripherals such as displays, keyboards and mice.
The iMac on the other hand is a far more powerful system intended for those with heavier demands and needs (or those who may develop heavy demands or needs). It's all-in-one design is intended to appeal to those who have limited space or want minimum fuss and setup time, and by the nature of that design it precludes the reuse of other displays etc. It's intended to meet the needs of users with semi-professional interests. The new model also comes with a few extras that other systems don't have: a built in iSight camera for video conferencing/chat, applications to mimic a photo booth and to control media, and a simple remote control.
It's important to remember that you get what you pay for - that the mini is good, but the iMac is better. But at the same time it's also important to remember that they are not in any sense in the same price range. A system based on a mini would typically cost maybe $800-$850 allowing for the system, a reasonably good LCD display and keyboard and mouse. An iMac on the other hand will cost no less than $1300. If the budget is tight, and since both these systems do largely the same thing, a mini would make a viable system that would certainly meet most users' needs. If the budget has more room and there's a possibility you may need the greater power and speed of an iMac, then that would be the one to go for.