Mac Mini 2012 vs iMac 2013

[Greg-H]

Hi;

I am looking to upgrade from my old MacBook Pro, and have two choices I am considering. I'd love your thoughts on where to go. I do a lot of photo, sound and video editing, as well as the usual word processing and powerpoint or other presentations.

I can get a Apple Mac Mini (late 2012) 2.3 GHz, i7 Quad Core, 1TB fusion drive, 4GB RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4000 for $925 US,

or a iMac (late 2013) 21.5", 2.7 GHz i5 quadcore, Intel Iris Pro 1536 MB graphics 8GB RAM for about $600 US.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on where to take this.

Geekbench testing puts them pretty close in most benchmarks, the usually the mini comes out slightly faster, though the benchmark testing was NOT on a Fusion Drive.

Thank you!

Greg

 

[nickyr]

Hi Greg

Welcome to the forums.

Personally I prefer the all in one functionality of the iMac. I use mine principally for photo work and for that reason went for a 27" version. This also gave me the option of upgrading the RAM myself which the 21" model doesn't give you.

The mini will give you the option of getting whatever size and resolution display you want - and is user upgradeable (I think). I know that the forum member Exodist uses a mini for photo and video work. It may be worth PMing him for an opinion - I'm sure he won't mind

Sorry I haven't really helped you much!

Nick

 

[chscag]

Hi Nick:

The new Mini is not user upgradeable. Only the 27" iMac series, Mac Pro, and the non retina 2012 MacBook Pro (still being sold) are user upgradeable. And when you think about upgradeable to include everything from memory to graphics, that leaves just the Mac Pro. Times have changed. ;D

 

[Greg-H]

Thanks for you thoughts, Nick. You are right about the mini being user upgradeable, to 16 G RAM. I am looking at the used market at the moment, and haven't found a decently priced 27" yet, though the 21.5" for $600 feels a good deal.

I will send a note to Exodist as well, thank you for that tip!

Greg

Hi Greg

Welcome to the forums.

Personally I prefer the all in one functionality of the iMac. I use mine principally for photo work and for that reason went for a 27" version. This also gave me the option of upgrading the RAM myself which the 21" model doesn't give you.

The mini will give you the option of getting whatever size and resolution display you want - and is user upgradeable (I think). I know that the forum member Exodist uses a mini for photo and video work. It may be worth PMing him for an opinion - I'm sure he won't mind

Sorry I haven't really helped you much!

Nick

 

[harryb2448]

Greg note the mini is not user upgradeable as there are no memory slots. You order what you require and that is it. If you go the mini route make sure you order the 16GB model.

I would go the extra to a 27" iMac as Nicky did suggest. memory is user upgradeable on that.

 

[nickyr]

Sorry for any mis-info on the mini. was wondering if the model Greg was looking at (late 2012) retained any user upgradeabilty? (is that even a word?!!).

But I would reiterate that for photo work the 27" screen is excellent.

 

[harryb2448]

Oops my bad Nicky. Looked at the current mini. The 2012 is indeed 2 x 8GB modules.