[Frx33]

Hello all and happy Thanksgiving!
I decided to give up all those weird messages I got for years on my PC (Xrl45 not found, Check your MF309, etc’)+ another long line of problems and switch to Mac.
I am buying a laptop for me and something else for my daughter (all refurbished).
After spending some hours reading MANY posts I got answers to almost all the questions I originally had but one:
At the beginning I thought about an iMac. Since it is much above her needs and for the difference in $ I am considering a Mini+ a around $150- $200 monitor and using the wireless keyboard+ mouse my other daughter was using before switching to a Mac.
My concern is a “PC-minded” one… : after facing compatibility problems I am hesitating weather spend the extra $ and buy for her the iMac (everything original, no “sewing”) or the Mini configuration will work as well?
Any input will be highly appreciated.
Thanks in advance. Saul

[Macvoid]

I am sure you will get other responses after me.

You will not have any problems going the mini route. The wireless key board, if USB, will work. Since you are buying a monitor, you can make the transition a bit easier by purchasing one with a DVI port. But, even if you did not, you could use an adapter.

[mduell]

The iMac will not solve any compatibility problems that the Mac mini would have. 3rd party DVI/VGA displays and USB keyboards/mice are pretty much 100% compatible.

The real difference between the two machines is the graphics card and the hard drive. The games/programs she uses may run much better on the iMac due to the faster graphics card and hard drive. It really depends what apps she uses and how 'hard' she uses them.

[macforray]

I would go with the Mini. I am still using my 2005 G4 1.42 Ghz model with no problems. It does everything I need it to. I just upgraded the ram to 1 gig. I recommend getting as much ram (after market) as you can. As much as I like the new iMac, when I do upgrade, it will likely be another Mini, and also likely a refurb. I am contemplating upgrading to Leopard by Christmas.

[TyPod]

I would also go with the Mac mini. I am currently using my 2006 Core Duo 1.66GHz mini for everything, and it tends to work just fine. It's definitely not suitable for heavy graphic applications, as I'm sure that's obvious. My mini does seem very slow at times, but I hope the upgrade to Leopard will help. I'm sure my 512MB of RAM doesn't help also.

[Veltliner]

It depends on your budget.

Check out Core 2 Duo 17" iMacs. They should have come down in price, but are still great computers.

The all-in-one solution is practical and beautiful. The iMac has the better graphics card, and you have no cables snaking about your desk. And it is a well designed machine. The 150 - 200 Dollar monitor will very likely not by a match for the iMac monitor, and, above all, it will be PC pot ugly.

Best thing to do: ask your daughter what she likes best, if it is both within your price range. Because both solutions will work.

[Frx33]

Hello all. I wanted to thank you for the time you took. I will check tomorrow, black Friday (Apple advertises -quote- "Big Surprises" online as well as in stores) what will be the difference in prices.

I hope to hear some more, because I am still on the fence, with a slight tendency towards the iMac.
Thank you again, I appreciate your help. Saul

[stuffedmonkey]

Does she have a preference? Personally I would rather have the mini - but I just don't like the all-in-one concept in general as I like a bit more flexibility.

[TyPod]

As I'm sure you've heard before, If you can afford the iMac, get it. If not, the Mac mini will still be great. The iMac seems like such a great computer with the all-in-one design and better specs compared to the Mac mini.

It probably seems like I'm going both ways, which I am. I would easily take an iMac over a Mac mini.

[Cassifire]

As a 14 year old girl I might be able to help

I'd get a mini for sure, I have one and it does everything I need, Internet, instant messaging, music, and even the a game every once in a while.

Plus, I do this all with 512 MB of RAM, the newer ones come equipped with 1 GB.

[Wiskedjak]

How old is your daughter?

[ProfJonathan]

We were going to order a Mac Mini for my 13-year-old son and share hardware with his PC, but in the end were able to go up to the 20" iMac, and hand down his computer to the younger ones. I'm waiting for it to arrive (got a free multifunction printer from Apple after rebate, and $100 off Mac Office yesterday, so good deals all around!) and set it up. {ProfJonathan}

[Frx33]

Thanks to all of you people, who gave me advice. I really appreciate it!
That's it! Yesterday (Friday) I ordered my computers at Apple.com.
For my daughter I bought a refurbished iMac 20-inch 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 1GB memory and 320GB hard drive for $1299 and for myself a refurbished MacBook Pro 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo; 15.4-inch widescreen display; 2GB memory and 120GB hard drive for $1699. I think I bought a great value for my $$$ and I don’t want to hear again from Microsoft. Again, thank you all and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Saul

[Chinasaur]

Good choices and best of luck!

[Frx33]

Thanks Chinasaur!!