06-30-2010, 05:26 AM

It all started with an iPhone 3GS. iPhone led to iPad, iPad has led to a desire to abandon my MS heritage and complete my transformation to the Dark Side with an Apple Desktop machine.

I'm a bit stuck on choices though.

On the one hand, I occasionally put together HD home movies of the kids, Christmas, vacations etc, and the rendering times with my current quad core wintel desktop lead me to thinking I do need a beast for my main home system. On the other hand, the machine will be used far more frequently for browsing, email, photo processing - far less intensive uses.

So I'm wondering whether I should save some cash and get a Mac Mini, or whether the video work would be so painfully slow that if I do that I will wish I had gone for a higher spec iMac. Then looking at the iMac I see that if I want a quad core system I have to go for the 27" format - which seems a bit strange and is a LOT more dough that a Mac Mini... so any advice?

06-30-2010, 06:13 AM

Technically, since Apple has white products, Apple would be considered the light side

06-30-2010, 09:48 AM

Welcome to the White side. If you need real power then Mac Pro (8 core) or iMac (4 cores) will cost. If you want to surf then the Mini will do just fine. Look at a refreshed iMac (dual cores) as another solution. If I have to render I set it up in the evening and let it go all night. I have an Aluminum iMac and it is more than most will need.

Lots of very good options here. We just bought a laptop from the Refurb store.

Refurbished Mac - Apple Store (U.S.)