Mac Mini or iMac - Page 2

iLifexxx · #9 January 26th, 2009, 01:34 PM

Yes, I am definitely not going doing down the PowerPC route again. I did consider a PowerMac G5, but the quicksilver is just to old.

ElDiabloConCaca · #10 January 26th, 2009, 02:09 PM

At this point in Apple's platform strategy, unless you're partial to PowerPC or have some love for resurrecting older Mac computers, I would highly recommend never purchasing anything from Apple without an Intel-based Core 2 Duo processor (or any subsequent processor release, as in the Xeon in the Mac Pros, etc.).

It is rumored (but not confirmed) that Apple will be dropping software support for the PowerPC platform in the near future. If this happens, that means that if you purchase a Mac mini with a PowerPC processor in it, bring it completely up-to-date with the latest version of OS X and applications, then that's as far as you're going to go with it.

iLifexxx · #11 January 26th, 2009, 02:20 PM

That is why I want to drop my PowerMac G4 and I would buy a Mac Mini as new

**fryke** · #12 January 26th, 2009, 03:53 PM

It's not just _rumoured_ that Apple's dropping PPC support. Current Snow Leopard development releases are intel-only. And it would be *very* strange of Apple to "add PPC support later".

You've mentioned the Mac mini and the iMac and want to work with CS3. I'd say get an iMac. One reason for a Mac mini would be that if it's new, you get warranty and the feeling of knowing exactly what's been done to the machine. However: Currently, the Mac mini quite clearly has been around a veeeeeeeery long time. I'd wait for tomorrow. Apple just might release new Mac minis and iMacs one of these Tuesdays, and I'd guess you'd find good deals on the then-old machines that still are new as of Monday.

iLifexxx · #13 January 26th, 2009, 03:58 PM

But a problem I foresee is that the average time of an iMac being considered 'up-to-date' is under 3 years. What happens when CS5 comes out and I have to upgrade again? I know the same problem of not being able to upgrade is inherent in the Mac Mini, so it's a bit hard to choose.

iLifexxx · #14 January 26th, 2009, 04:01 PM

I decided there and then, I've just ordered a 20" 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac, the last white one. Let's see how it goes.

**fryke** · #15 January 26th, 2009, 04:25 PM

And tomorrow, people will start selling their "old" aluminum iMacs at lowered prices... (I'm just saying: An iMac release was rumoured for MWSF, and I don't think it can be too far away now.)

iLifexxx · #16 January 26th, 2009, 04:28 PM

and about 2 years later people will be selling those. i need a computer and I need it now, so mores' law can bite me.
Plus the aluminium iMacs are ugly, and I don't want a computer made of glass.