iMac G5 or Mac Mini G4?....

[slick]

I'm just tired of my PC and bad habits of upgrading for a few extra FPS in games, plus the fact that I hate Windows.
I was planning on buying the new $700 Mac Mini with SuperDrive, but played with the iMac at CompUSA and gave it a thought.
Its obvious that the overall specs of the iMac are better than the Mini's, but thats reflected in the cost.
I also have a Dell 2005FPW widescreen LCD, so if I went with the iMac, I would have to sell the Dell since I would have no use for it (though it would be hard to get rid of).
What do you guys think, Mac Mini 1.42GHz G4 with SuperDrive + USB Hub + Keyobard + Mouse or iMac 17" 2.0GHz G5 with SuperDrive (comes with a keyboard and mouse from what I understand).

If it helps, I have a 15" 1.67GHz PowerBook and love it, the speed is enough for being a portable.

 

[Fallooza]

you could screen span ur imac to the 2005 dell . i do to a 2405 dell and it works great. so if ya got the imac you can still use the monitor.

 

[slick]

hmmm...never thought about that. thats pretty neat. maybe i should consider the 20" iMac, atleast the monitors will be the same size then.
thanks for the info and the pics Fallooza.

 

[zap2]

if yor think ur PowerBook G$ 1.67 is only enougth for a protable a mac mini with 1.42ghz G4 would be slower, unless the Ram was like 256 mb PB to 1 gb in the mini. I think your would like the iMac G5 more and if you have the $$$ and don't need it( NEED like for Bills ,ect) go get an iMac G5.

 

[slick]

The iMac G5 at CompUSA felt really fast, especially when I went nuts and launched 6 applications at the same time, I guess it will be better.
Money is not an issue, the problem is that I have other hobbies and such and putting more money into a computer means less on other stuff, but I can manage.

 

[mynameis]

Get iMac, then keep you Dell monitor and PC in case you want to game...

 

[slick]

I haven't touched my PC in months, literally. I had some good offers for the machine so I decided to sell it. The only gaming I have done is on my PSP. I have an XBOX 360 on order, I can game on the PSP until then. I'd rather get rid of the PC now before its totally worthless.
Back on the Mac note, I shifted back over to the Mac Mini. All this Intel talk is bugging me. I'd rather spend $600 on a Mini and dump it to music server duty or something in a year rather than spend $1500+ on something that will become a music server or something. Darn, why can't these decisions be made easy? I upgrade all the time, I spend too much on my hobbies, but I don't like buying things that I won't get my dollars worth out of.
You guys have been helpful so far, I know you will help me in this, thanks again.

 

[zap2]

The intel mac mini is coming out sooner then the iMac, the mini will likely be the first
desktop to becom intel( in 06 before X-mas i would guess) the iMac will likely be the 2 nd to last Mac to become intel( some time in 07 by guess) 2nd to PowerMac.

 

[Biturbo V12 AMG]

I have a 1.67ghz powerbook also along with a mac mini they are a perfect combination together. i use my mini as server to print a store stuff and just basic surf the internet on the TV anything esle but internet music small load apps are great on it but if you want to run more intensive programs get the imac with the G5 in it.

 

[slick]

i dont think i need the power of the G5, i'm mainly going to use it for simple things, so i think the smart choice will be to go for the mac mini (i waste money on things i dont need, i can start managing that now with the purchase of the mini).
i think i will get the 1.42ghz mini with superdrive and apple wireless keyboard/mouse. i'll see how that runs with the 512mb ram. i might upgrade the ram to 1gb, but i think i will do a hard drive upgrade first. get rid of that 4200rpm drive for either a 5400rpm or 7200rpm drive (100gb 5400rpm most likely).

 

[rs2sensen]

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21613

 

[pistooli]

I've recently changed my mini to an iMac 2GHz and I love the speed increase I got...

cheers - pistooli

 

[Trev the great]

get the imac, i have used an imac in my art room at college, and a mac mini in the library, and the mac mini is good for just the internet and stuff, but it doesnt handle big apps well.

oh, and by the way, if u really are despereate to get rid of ur old display, ill take it! i have a crappy biege 17" crt...

 

[slick]

i'm going back to compusa tomorrow to check both out again, but i think that i will just save some cash and go with the mini, its more sensible.
Trev the great, i will let you know if i want to sell my 2005fpw.

 

[Trev the great]

yea, right, id probably pay twice as much for the P&P than it itself! lol thanks anywhoo.

 

[Jammers]

Just bought an iMac G5 2ghz - delighted with purchase.

 

[slick]

well, i bought a mac mini. went back to compusa, tried out the imac again, and while it was faster, i just didnt see myself using it that much and justifying the cost.
they had the new mini's in stock so i picked up a 1.42ghz with superdrive and apple BT keyboard and mouse.
i have a problem though. i turned it on, setup the keyboard and mouse, and did an update. it updated a bunch of stuff. when it was done, it told me to restart, so i did. now its not going back into the mac os. its on this blue screen and it has that circular progress indicator on it. its hanging, its been like this for almost 20 minutes now. any ideas?

 

[slick]

oh well, i just did a format and re install, lol. what a trip, doing a full re install on a brand new box. atleast i have some of that shareware stuff that i would delete anyways.

 

[rman]

Slick something it can take a little time, in your case more that twenty minutes to optimize the system. You might see it happen again.

 

[slick]

the system optimizes at start up?