Imac M1 v Mac Mini M2

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mortonman

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#303834 13-Mar-2023 10:54

Partner wants to replace her Imac with a new one. She has a macbook pro but it has died on her twice when she was in the middle of a job. She has it hooked up to ta big tablet screen thingy.

I was about to order an imac but see that the new mini has been relased with better specs. The Imac hasnt been updated since 2021.

Only drawback with the mini is need to buy monitor , keyboard mouse etc and it wont look as neat and tiny.

Any recommendations on monitors so i can put together a wee comparison for her to consider.

Thanks

Dynamic

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#3049490 13-Mar-2023 11:16

Your post feels a little meandering to me, so I'm not 100% sure what you are asking for help with.

Thoughts:

- If she needs portability but wants a big screen, how about a new and in theory more reliable MacBook plus a big screen so she has the best of both worlds?

- iMacs are great machines and very tidy on the desk. It bothers me that when the iMac computer is no longer up to the task, you can't use it's screen as an external monitor for a different computer. A modern LCD monitor should last two computer lifetimes IMHO.

- Mac Mini's are great for everyday tasks. Any monitor will do. You've not advised how she uses the computer. For everyday office tasks any basic monitor will be fine. If she does design work, consider a 4K IPS screen. Apple sell their own monitors as well. Very nice screens, and you pay for the quality (plus a bit for the brand).

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

mortonman

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#3049512 13-Mar-2023 11:48

Dynamic:

Your post feels a little meandering to me, so I'm not 100% sure what you are asking for help with.

Thoughts:

- If she needs portability but wants a big screen, how about a new and in theory more reliable MacBook plus a big screen so she has the best of both worlds?

- iMacs are great machines and very tidy on the desk. It bothers me that when the iMac computer is no longer up to the task, you can't use it's screen as an external monitor for a different computer. A modern LCD monitor should last two computer lifetimes IMHO.

- Mac Mini's are great for everyday tasks. Any monitor will do. You've not advised how she uses the computer. For everyday office tasks any basic monitor will be fine. If she does design work, consider a 4K IPS screen. Apple sell their own monitors as well. Very nice screens, and you pay for the quality (plus a bit for the brand).

Her macbook is only 2 years old -last of the intels. After 2 issues (something to do with the motherboard) she now doesn't trust it to do her work on. Work is mainly graphics stuff using adobe suite. She has set her mind on a desktop ( imac) as these have been reliable for her in the past.

She wants an Imac but it irks me to pay $3000 for 2021 tech. If I can propose a good monitor / mac mini combo for similar or less $$ then she might go for it. The imac screen looks great. The apple monitor is way too expensive.

Looking for monitor suggestions that would give similar performance and aesthetic to the imac.

kobiak

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#3049535 13-Mar-2023 12:26

If you already have decent monitor, I'd go for mac mini. and with 16GB RAM. This would save almost $1k and would give better performance.

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Dynamic

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#3050160 14-Mar-2023 16:42

mortonman:

Her macbook is only 2 years old -last of the intels. After 2 issues (something to do with the motherboard) she now doesn't trust it to do her work on. Work is mainly graphics stuff using adobe suite. She has set her mind on a desktop ( imac) as these have been reliable for her in the past.

If it was not purchased on a business account, you should be able to have this repaired under the CGA. Consumer Guarantees Act | Consumer Protection

Interesting the iMac is not getting an M2 chip in a hurry.

“Don't believe anything you read on the net. Except this. Well, including this, I suppose.” Douglas Adams

michaelmurfy

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#3050169 14-Mar-2023 17:35

Just wait for now with the iMac - https://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iMac

Else, the Mac Mini or Mac Studio will be better if the Adobe Suite is used. You'd want 16gb of ram or more.

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mike

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#3050206 14-Mar-2023 20:55

Happily using this 4k 27" monitor with a M2 Mac mini

https://www.dell.com/en-nz/shop/dell-27-4k-uhd-usb-c-monitor-s2722qc/apd/210-bccw/monitors-monitor-accessories

The accessories can add up if you let them... $270 for a Touch ID Magic Keyboard etc but like the monitor should outlast the Mac mini.

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mortonman

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#3050385 15-Mar-2023 12:36

thanks all

Ended up buying an M2 Mini. Will wait till it arrives before settling on a decent monitor.