Mac Mini or iMac

iLifexxx · #1 January 25th, 2009, 01:28 PM

Hello,

I'm upgrading my PowerMac G4 AGP to an intel mac.

I can afford a Mac Mini or a second hand iMac. I need it to run CS3 efficiently. The lack of display in the mini is not a problem as I will be switching the display from my PowerMac.

Put it simply, Which is Better?

nixgeek · #2 January 25th, 2009, 01:35 PM

Personally, I would say the iMac, especially if you're looking at using CS3.

iLifexxx · #3 January 25th, 2009, 01:37 PM

Thanks for the quick response, but the thing is that I can afford to buy a Mac Mini new, so
that's sort of swaying me.

SGilbert · #4 January 25th, 2009, 02:41 PM

If you find a good iMac, the specs, depending upon how new, will likely be better than a Mac Mini. Look for fastest processor & most RAM. Which graphics card helps also.

I vote for the iMac with above recommendations.

icemanjc · #5 January 25th, 2009, 10:10 PM

Well, for things like Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign and so on that use the graphics card, I would recommend the iMac. Especially if you are ever going to upgrade to CS4 which the Mac Mini can't do the 3D rendering. The Mac Mini has shared VRAM while the iMac has its own separate graphics card. An iMac is a win win situation and isn't much more expensive than an iMac. Check for some refurbished iMacs on Apple's website.

**chevy** · #6 January 26th, 2009, 05:50 AM

Go for the iMac as long as it is a Core 2 Duo model.

CharlieJ · #7 January 26th, 2009, 07:17 AM

What about a nice quicksilver G4??
I'm using a 933Mhz G4 now. I've used 2x 1ghz Quicksilver mac's with CS4, They run pretty nicely and are far more reliable than a iMac or a Mini Mac.

Hope this helps,
CJ

nixgeek · #8 January 26th, 2009, 11:21 AM

I imagine the original poster would want something that's got some longevity in it with future versions of OS X. This is not to say that a Power Macintosh G4 isn't useful, but really, the days of the PPC Mac being supported are numbered.