Apple iMac vs Mac Mini Comparison : What’s Best For You
You guys already know almost everything about Apple M1 chipset. I have talked about it numerous times in our previous articles. The most common problem for Apple customers these days is which one to buy? It is not a simple question as it looks, and it should be answered with a thorough description. Today, in this article I am going to show you how to choose between Apple iMac M1 24” version and Apple Mac Mini.
I think you already know what iMac and Mac Mini are. For those who do not, iMac is an all-in-one desktop computer (system unit + monitor), and the Mac Mini is a system unit without any peripherals. The latest versions of both items are equipped with Apple’s groundbreaking M1 chipset.
Both these items are huge upgrade from their predecessors. They are quiet user friendly, powerful, and expensive at the same time.
From the above table, you can get a raw idea about the two devices. From the look of it, it is not much different from each, but this does not compare them all. So, we have to look at each and every fact alone.
Mobility — Just forget this table for a moment. When comparing these two before buying device mobility is one of the most important facts we should talk about. As you can see, iMac 24” is a full display with a built-in system unit. You can take it wherever you want inside the house. In the other hand, the Mac Mini M1 is just the System Unit. It is very similar to an Apple TV but bigger. You can take it anywhere if you can find a suitable power source and a display (with keyboard and mouse of course).
Appearance — Well obviously Mac Mini looks like a box — and the M1 version is only available in silver color. The iMac has the most details in its appearance. It comes in seven (7) different colors: Blue, Green, Pink, Silver, Yellow, Orange, and Purple. The iMac design is super cool and professional at the same time. iMac screen has a bezel in the bottom — top and left — right.
Display — As I have mentioned above, the iMac has a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display (4480×2520). It has a 1 billion color range and a 500 bits maximum brightness. If you are not satisfied with the given display. You can connect a 6K 60hz display to your iMac. Unlike the iMac, Mac Mini is compatible with any display. You can set up a 6K 60hz display with the Thunderbolt port or you can set up a 4K 60Hz display using the HDMI 2.0 port. In simple words, you are not stuck with a fixed display — you can use anything that suits you. Yes, you can do the same with the iMac but in here, the cost difference is really something you should look into. It may be cheaper to buy and iMac rather than buying an Mac Mini with a brand new display. Even if you buy a new display for the Mac Mini, it may not have built-in speakers and a webcam (FYI: iMac comes with a 1080p webcam).
Connectivity — Now this may be very important for you. The latest version of the iMac has Two Thunderbolt ports and Two USB Type-C ports while the Mac Mini comes with Two Thunderbolt ports and Two USB Type-A ports and also with a HDMI 2.0 port because it is essential to use a monitor with it. 3.5mm headphone jack is available in both devices. When it comes to the Gigabit Ethernet port, iMac is configurable with it and the Mac Mini has already.
Audio — iMac wins by a mile in this category. It contains three (3) studio grade microphones and a six (6) speaker system that supports Spatial Sounds if you are playing audio with Dolby Atmos3. The music is quite great when comparing with the Mac Mini’s built-in speakers. It may not be the best sound system you can have but it is a great feature when considering the rest of it.
Keyboard and Mouse — When you are buying an iMac you will get a color matching Keyboard with a touch ID (Touch ID depends on the model) and a Apple Magic Mouse. The keyboard doesn’t include a number pad so you will have to buy one separately if it is essential for you. The mouse is quite simple looking Bluetooth mouse (also color matching) that can be charged using a Type-C cable. Most probably you will not depend on that mouse because it kind of fails to meet the lowest expectations of the user and the charging port is located under the mouse. For those people who goes with the Mac Mini will not get the Keyboard or the Mouse, but they can buy them separately for a considerable cost (you can always go for a non-Apple product).
Performance — Both iMac and Mac Mini run on the same M1 processor. It is hard to notice any difference in their performance tests. They take almost equal time to boot up and all the other benchmark tests are quite similar but overall, Mac Mini wins the race by a hair (I won’t bother deciding which one to buy based on their performance though).
So, that is pretty much all the important differences you ought to know before buying one of these. I cannot tell you which one to buy, it totally depends on your preferences. You should first identify your intentions and then should decide which can satisfy your intentions. I think this would be a great help.
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Hope you found something useful via our article and if you have anything more to add please be kind enough to leave a comment.
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