Which iMac should I replace my ancient Macmini ?
Discussion
Hi
I am currently using my Apple Macmini which I bought new in .....2010....! !!!
It has been upgraded since purchase...but will only run Mac OS High Sierra v 10.13.6
It has served me very well, but I need something more recent.
I would like a desktop iMac, because I do not like laptops at all ( been there !)
I am not very tech savvy
I need the computer to do a limited array of tasks.
I don't do gaming at all, I use email via webmail, eBay and an Amazon Firestick for YouTube/Amazon Prime.
I would prefer a decent pre-owned one, and I am considering which model to buy : I know that there are certain models that are better than others, but have no idea about what components are better to have in an iMac
Ideally it would 'future proof' me for a few years...!
I am prepared to spend up to about £700
Any advice very welcome !!
Thanks in advance
I am currently using my Apple Macmini which I bought new in .....2010....! !!!
It has been upgraded since purchase...but will only run Mac OS High Sierra v 10.13.6
It has served me very well, but I need something more recent.
I would like a desktop iMac, because I do not like laptops at all ( been there !)
I am not very tech savvy
I need the computer to do a limited array of tasks.
I don't do gaming at all, I use email via webmail, eBay and an Amazon Firestick for YouTube/Amazon Prime.
I would prefer a decent pre-owned one, and I am considering which model to buy : I know that there are certain models that are better than others, but have no idea about what components are better to have in an iMac
Ideally it would 'future proof' me for a few years...!
I am prepared to spend up to about £700
Any advice very welcome !!
Thanks in advance
A new, base model, Mac Mini.
I recently replaced my 2015 top spec iMac with an M4 Mini. This thing really flies!
The only potential downside is the relatively small "HDD". I solved this by buying an expansion module from Amazon - fits underneath the Mini, has multiple ports and space for a solid state drive (nvme slot). I fitted a 2TB drive, total cost under £200.
I recently replaced my 2015 top spec iMac with an M4 Mini. This thing really flies!
The only potential downside is the relatively small "HDD". I solved this by buying an expansion module from Amazon - fits underneath the Mini, has multiple ports and space for a solid state drive (nvme slot). I fitted a 2TB drive, total cost under £200.
Can't see the point in pre-owned given how cheap Mini's are new.
Base model is £528 brand new on Amazon.
https://www.apple.com/uk/mac-mini/
Job done.
Base model is £528 brand new on Amazon.
https://www.apple.com/uk/mac-mini/
Job done.
Or £509 for a Apple remanufactured device which is as good as new.
https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/mac/mac-...
Leaving some costs to add a screen & keyboard / mouse, not £700 pounds but it will be a significantly better system than a base model 24” imac
https://www.apple.com/uk/shop/refurbished/mac/mac-...
Leaving some costs to add a screen & keyboard / mouse, not £700 pounds but it will be a significantly better system than a base model 24” imac
That too.
If I was Paul S4 I wouldn't overthink it too much as either of those would be a massive step up and should give years of life.
I always liked the iMac idea but personally I could never reconcile the idea of throwing away a perfectly good computer or screen because computer or screen had broken and might not be economical to repair.
I almost see a Mini as £500 every five years (and even that's probably overkill and only if you feel you need to) and job done.
If I was Paul S4 I wouldn't overthink it too much as either of those would be a massive step up and should give years of life.
I always liked the iMac idea but personally I could never reconcile the idea of throwing away a perfectly good computer or screen because computer or screen had broken and might not be economical to repair.
I almost see a Mini as £500 every five years (and even that's probably overkill and only if you feel you need to) and job done.
While I’m not disagreeing with the calls for Mac Mini, for general home use, I’ll make it clear to the OP that the iMac has built in speakers, built in webcam and an Apple Retina colour accurate screen as advantages.
The 27 inch 5k Retina Screens with Apple esq specs are about £750, just for the monitor.
Because how MacOS scales, you want to avoid 4k monitors if you want the best image quality.
For a no brainer solution, I’d still get an iMac. Lots of enthusiasts enthusing here but for a regular Joe who just wants something that works, can watch a film, send emails, do a video call, straight out of the box with no fiddling, iMac is unbeatable.
The 27 inch 5k Retina Screens with Apple esq specs are about £750, just for the monitor.
Because how MacOS scales, you want to avoid 4k monitors if you want the best image quality.
For a no brainer solution, I’d still get an iMac. Lots of enthusiasts enthusing here but for a regular Joe who just wants something that works, can watch a film, send emails, do a video call, straight out of the box with no fiddling, iMac is unbeatable.
Edited by wyson on Friday 15th August 12:03
wyson said:
While I’m not disagreeing with the calls for Mac Mini, for general home use, I’ll make it clear to the OP that the iMac has built in speakers, built in webcam and an Apple Retina colour accurate screen as advantages.
The 27 inch 5k Retina Screens with Apple esq specs are about £750, just for the monitor.
Because how MacOS scales, you want to avoid 4k monitors if you want the best image quality.
For a no brainer solution, I’d still get an iMac. Lots of enthusiasts enthusing here but for a regular Joe who just wants something that works, can watch a film, send emails, do a video call, straight out of the box with no fiddling, iMac is unbeatable.
While I'm not disagreeing with your points, the OP already has a (very old) Mac Mini, so presumably has all the peripherals he wants & needs, so could get a new Mac Mini and upgrade the rest as and when needed/wanted/budget allows.The 27 inch 5k Retina Screens with Apple esq specs are about £750, just for the monitor.
Because how MacOS scales, you want to avoid 4k monitors if you want the best image quality.
For a no brainer solution, I’d still get an iMac. Lots of enthusiasts enthusing here but for a regular Joe who just wants something that works, can watch a film, send emails, do a video call, straight out of the box with no fiddling, iMac is unbeatable.
Edited by wyson on Friday 15th August 12:03
If everything needs a refresh and the OP wants a fresh start, then you really do have a point and an iMac would make sense.
As it happens, we have an ancient iMac (mid 2011 variety) also running High Sierra, and have decided that the next machine will be an M4 Mac Mini, partly so that I can run two monitors off it and they will double up as my wfh set-up.
The M4 Mac Mini does look to be a brilliant buy, but if the OP really does want an iMac, I would agree that he should look for a Silicon chip (M1 to M4) rather than the older Intel chips.
wyson said:
While I’m not disagreeing with the calls for Mac Mini, for general home use, I’ll make it clear to the OP that the iMac has built in speakers, built in webcam and an Apple Retina colour accurate screen as advantages.
The 27 inch 5k Retina Screens with Apple esq specs are about £750, just for the monitor.
Because how MacOS scales, you want to avoid 4k monitors if you want the best image quality.
For a no brainer solution, I’d still get an iMac. Lots of enthusiasts enthusing here but for a regular Joe who just wants something that works, can watch a film, send emails, do a video call, straight out of the box with no fiddling, iMac is unbeatable.
The OP asks for The 27 inch 5k Retina Screens with Apple esq specs are about £750, just for the monitor.
Because how MacOS scales, you want to avoid 4k monitors if you want the best image quality.
For a no brainer solution, I’d still get an iMac. Lots of enthusiasts enthusing here but for a regular Joe who just wants something that works, can watch a film, send emails, do a video call, straight out of the box with no fiddling, iMac is unbeatable.
Edited by wyson on Friday 15th August 12:03
Paul S4 said:
I don't do gaming at all, I use email via webmail, eBay and an Amazon Firestick for YouTube/Amazon Prime.
None of these would be a issue with a 4K screen, I run a 4K 27” Samsung & a old 1080 27” screen & the 4K screen is fine for non creative type tasks.abzmike said:
My venerable iMac from 2013 passed away this week. Today from Amazon for £529 I’ll receive a new Mac Mini, and for £130 a 27” Dell monitor. The Mac is only 256Gb, but I’ll see how that goes and expand externally if necessary.
I've been running an M4 Mac mini base spec with a 27" Dell 1440p monitor since late 2024. I'm amazed at how fast this thing is no matter what I throw at it (including lots of photo editing in Lightroom). I run all my files from a NAS so storage is not an issue. Hopefully you won't be disappointed!clockworks said:
If Apple still made a 27" iMac, I would've bought one, rather than the Mini.
24" is just too small
I feel the same. I need a new home computer soon. 27” iMac for about £1800 would have been a no brainer for me. As it doesn’t exist, I’ll probably just get a Macbook Air 15inch, and use it with my existing monitors. If I get a Mac Mini, I’d have to buy a webcam and speakers, which I can’t be arsed to fiddle with. I did try using my iPhone as a camera, found that fiddly.24" is just too small
Edited by wyson on Friday 15th August 15:38
Thanks to all who have replied...!
I have a lot to consider.
I currently have an old HP 22vx monitor : the size is fine for where I have my computer set up. Maybe a 24" screen would be OK but a 27 would be too big.
I quite like the idea of the iMac and the design etc and the built in speakers etc.
As mentioned I am not a techie but i want something that just 'works'
Many thanks again for all who have posted.
I have a lot to consider.
I currently have an old HP 22vx monitor : the size is fine for where I have my computer set up. Maybe a 24" screen would be OK but a 27 would be too big.
I quite like the idea of the iMac and the design etc and the built in speakers etc.
As mentioned I am not a techie but i want something that just 'works'
Many thanks again for all who have posted.
mjcneat said:
abzmike said:
My venerable iMac from 2013 passed away this week. Today from Amazon for £529 I’ll receive a new Mac Mini, and for £130 a 27” Dell monitor. The Mac is only 256Gb, but I’ll see how that goes and expand externally if necessary.
I've been running an M4 Mac mini base spec with a 27" Dell 1440p monitor since late 2024. I'm amazed at how fast this thing is no matter what I throw at it (including lots of photo editing in Lightroom). I run all my files from a NAS so storage is not an issue. Hopefully you won't be disappointed!Brilliant value for money.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff