Please help--I can't take it.

Question

I apologize for bringing this up again. Many of you gave me very sound advice when I asked about this before. But now, I have additional information (and experience) that is helpful yet confusing. I also apologize for the long post. Should any of you be kind enough to read this and offer suggestions, I would really appreciate it. This dilemma is becoming very difficult.
I am sitting here with 2 new Macs: a Mini Core Duo (1 GB RAM, 100 MB HD) and an iMac Core Duo (1.83,1 GB RAM, 17"). I need to return one, and I can't figure out what to do. I've had the iMac longer, so the 14-day window for returns is closing fast. Now, this iMac seems like a very fine machine--very fast, smooth and very, very,VERY quiet. (I am very sensitive to noise, especially since I work late at night when it's extremely quiet.) So, why don't I just keep the iMac and be done with it? Well, this will sound ridiculous to many (all?) of you, but, put simply, the screen is too high for me. I am of average height (5'8"). That's not problem. I wear bifocals and view computer screens through the bottom lens. This means that, when viewing the iMac screen, I most often have to tilt my head back quite far, which creates considerable pain in my neck--not a pleasant experience. I could put it on lower table, get glasses with reading lenses only, invest in an adjustable chair, etc. But, if I can avoid it, I would prefer not to have to make all these adjustments just to use a computer. Also, I'm not sure any of that will make a difference.
So, why not just keep the Mini? Well, as soon as I started using my Mini (which works great), I noticed a high-pitched buzzing noise. It isn't extremely annoying, but it doesn't sound "right." Apple Tech Support had me reset the PRAM. (Didn't help.) Then, I did some test whereby I unplugged everything, waited 10 seconds, pressed the power button, plugged in the power cord (with button depressed). When I restarted, the fan came on full blast and wouldn't slow down. The tech said that I definitely have a fan issue and that the buzzing noise is most likely related to that. I was told to take it to a certified Apple tech for examination. Now, I'm reluctant to go with a Mini. It seems like a hit or miss thing. Some people get perfectly fine machines, others don't. I could exchange this Mini and hope for one that works well. Or, I could get a factory-refurbished one--which, I assume, will likely have problems worked out.
But even, if I do that, I am still concerned about longevity. I need my computer to last for at least 4 years, ideally longer. (My iMac DV lasted 6 years without any problems at all. Actually, it still works fine--just slow quite outdated.) It looks to me like Apple is trying to put too much in too small a space; and that makes me anticipate problems. I do wish Apple would be a little less obsessed with visual appearance and more concerned about functionality.
Thank you for helping,
Carl

Answer 1

In my opinion you should keep the iMac. Investing in
a lower table and/or an adjustable chair would be a
very smart investment for which you should take very
great care and get the perfect table/chair combo.
People will tend to buy the best/fastest computer
they can afford, and often neglect ergonomy, which is
at least as important, since it can affect your
health. And try to keep as much distance as you can
between you and your display (I know you're wearing
glasses, so it might be more difficult).
Yes, this does make sense, especially since the iMac is such a fine computer. On the other hand, I believe I'm getting more and more annoyed about even having to think about all this. I have been using Macs for years (at least 20) and never had to be concerned about such things. At least with the Mini, I can get a monitor that is much lower.
BTW a high-pitched noise is not good for your health
either, and it seems a safer bet to invest in a good,
comfortable chair than exchange your Mini and hope
that the newer one will be quiet (although mine is
definitely very silent).
So, what do you think about buying a factory-refurbished Mini? Couldn't one assume that it would have gone through more stringent testing and received any needed repairs? It would seem that this is less risky than buying a new one and hoping it's OK. Is this naive?
Mac Mini Core Duo, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB HD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  
Mac Mini Core Duo, 1 GB RAM, 100 GB HD   Mac OS X (10.4.6)