Time for an upgrade

[Melch]

I currently have an iMac from 2006 that is starting to play up so it is time to bite the bullet I think. I have always used Macs right from the days of the 2ci. I used to use them in my line of work and used to know quite a lot about them. Since a change of career over 10 years ago I have completely lost touch to be honest. The old 'use it or lose it' thing.

I intend to stick with the Macs as it is what I know and I like 'em. However what grates about getting another iMac is it all being in one i.e. having to replace both the CPU and monitor. I have no need nowadays for the G5, 6, or whatever they are now up to as I don't need that capacity.

I was wondering whether to get a Mac Mini and a (possibly Samsung 27") monitor instead of the iMac 27". My thinking being at least long term it may save some money not having to replace the monitor. I suppose I can't really complain as my current Mac is 7/8 years old so in computing terms is ancient. However £1500 is a lot of wedge to shell out to talk bollocks on an internet forum dedicated to overweight Bavarian motorcycles.

Any opinions?

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

used macbook air - bargain prices around - format and put windows 7 on

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

Mac mini is a fantastic option. Kaisters option isn't bad either!

 

[Melch]

used macbook air - bargain prices around - format and put windows 7 on

I don't really want a laptop (at least not as a main computer). I can't really see the point unless taking it out. I like the Mac OS and really, really don't want a Windows OS. I've gotten used to a large screen. I used to do a lot of retouching/image manipulation at work and we had the largest screens possible and sometimes 2 monitors to work on. As a result of getting used to that (spoilt) I now hate using a smaller monitor. It feels like decorating the hall through the letterbox.

 

[cookie]

i sometimes consider getting a mac mini + an apple cinema display. trouble is, the mini is still quite a bit underpowered compared to an imac.

i can't imagine why anyone would put windows on a mac unless they absolutely had to

 

[ianf]

Sort of depends on use. The video/CPU are a bit 'last year' as the issue with a mini. If you aren't a gamer or doing maths/video it'll be fine.

Get an ssd based one, and up the ram from a 3rd party like crucial. Fine for general use...

It's got hdmi and thunderbolt so you probably could hook up a second telly via hdmi on the tbolt port. Check though.

 

[tuftywhite]

Mac Mini is a great option, every time you upgrade, you only have to change the Mac and not the display and keyboard.

I recommended one to my mum, she has it connected to a TV which doubles as a monitor, so she gets an extra tv in house, and a monitor on the computer.

Good luck with whatever you go for.

 

[Melch]

Mac Mini is a great option, every time you upgrade, you only have to change the Mac and not the display and keyboard.

I recommended one to my mum, she has it connected to a TV which doubles as a monitor, so she gets an extra tv in house, and a monitor on the computer.

Good luck with whatever you go for.

That's what I was thinking but as Cookie said, they seem a bit less powerful than an iMac. I like to buy the more powerful generally as I hope that would make it a little more future proof for longer. Decisions decisions.

 

[shay]

If you are buying new, check Apple's refurb store: http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

Same guarantee as new, boxed for a couple of hundred £ less than new price. I've bought an iMac (for parents) and my laptop & Macpro from the refurb store. Zero complaints.

They are out of iMacs atm but check back regularly.

 

[Melch]

If you are buying new, check Apple's refurb store: http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

Same guarantee as new, boxed for a couple of hundred £ less than new price. I've bought an iMac (for parents) and my laptop & Macpro from the refurb store. Zero complaints.

They are out of iMacs atm but check back regularly.

Thanks Shay.

 

[ymfb]

I just took windows off my iMac, should never had used it on there. I only had Windows so I could use AutoCAD. Now I have LT for Mac, happy days.