Finally, someone actually talking about the cost breakdown of all of the peripheries. I've been searching for people breaking it down, and all of these RUclipsrs just assume we have $1500 monitors lying around...
You could also, just buy a used 1440p monitor for $50. A used keyboard and mouse is virtually free. So it all depends on what display quality you need.
You are so correct. I really wanted to go the route of the Mac mini, but since I would be upgrading from an older iMac, I would need to buy ALL of the extras and to get quality that approaches the iMac would be more costly. IF I had the extra money, I would definitely get the mini and buy the extras, but sadly that is not in my budget. But man, the M4 Pro mini with a studio monitor would be sweet!!
Agreed. The need for the peripherals is a crucial part of the buying decision. If only my 27inch 2017 iMac could work with the Mac mini, I might consider getting it. I don't think Apple's Target Display works with that generation of the iMac.
There is one more advantage to the iMac: cables. On the Mac mini, there is power cable going to the Mac, one power cable going to the monitor, one HDMI or USB cable from the Mac to the monitor. With the iMac, there is only one cable. Period.
Imac u will need to spend like 30$ for ethernet port on base model and only 2 ports TB4. To be reliable use of external storages and everything u kind fuck it, to use at the same time
i bought the mac mini, then a few days later the imac because I had to be sure. The imac screen is better than my LG 27 inch 4k screen and honestly, the less screen space is hardly noticeable. I returned the mac mini and kept the imac. The screen is just too good.
All sensible advice for using a single desktop set up coming from scratch. My daughter bought the M1 512GB and loves it. I then gave her my old MBP13 (the 2015 version with retina screen) to carry around mainly for work research in libraries etc. as a hospital doctor. She asked me how does she connect it to the iMac screen. It doesn’t, so she then needs to duplicate files on OneDrive or iCloud and licence 2 sets of software. Back in 2021 (U.K. lockdown) I invested in an Apple nano Studio display for my study at home, as my work very kindly bought me an MBP13 M1 16/512 which I can carry in and out of my office. I’m an engineering lecturer at a university and make AV recordings etc. That set up also needs a third party docking station to drive two large monitors so the uni paid for that too. Then I bought a refurbished M1 Mac mini 16/256 to keep at home and allowed the university to have its security set up added onto that. That mini drives the nano studio display and an older Dell P2715Q display (4K, colour calibrated, matt screen) with ease and they work really well together. Add on a pair of HomePod minis at either end of the desk and it’s great for listening to classical using whilst working too. Hence for me, using an education discount.. a new M4, even the base model, is a steal and will work really well with my monitors as well as my Logitech M series keyboard and mouse. I can either trade in my M1, sell it for a reasonable price or pass it on to another family member. The iMac screen and speakers are nice, the studio display mics and speakers are superb and probably the best integrated set up on the market. The studio display is built to last a decade, based on my son’s experience with his last one. So in a few years an iMac will need a trade up and all the screen etc loses value. A little Mac mini costs far less and so loses far less value. Finally having 3 TB ports and 2 USBs plus HDMI gives the mini far more versatility than an iMac. Therefore a iMac is great for say 3 yrs, a studio display is great for say 8 to 10 yrs, so in some ways offers better value with a Mac mini set up. Just look at how many people are stuck with 27in intel iMacs wanting an M series chip.
Your video is so informative! I loved how you explained the Mac Mini's versatility with multiple monitors and how it compares to the iMac's all-in-one design. Your attention to detail is exceptional, especially in terms of long-term value and repairability. Thanks for such a clear, thoughtful review!
I have the M4 mini. I like that I can pick & choose my peripherals. For instance, I have a 40inch monitor. You cannot do that with the iMac as it is only 24 inch. Thanks for the video. 👏🏽
I'm a photographer and use a MacBook Pro in the field but use a vintage (nice way of saying mid 2015) iMac as my desktop/main editing machine. Trying to decide between the new M4 iMac, The M4pro Mac Mini w Studio Display or the new (mid year?) mac Studio w StudioDisplay. All would be minimum of 24G RAM and 1 TB SSD ... 99% of editing is with Lightroom Classic and all images are on mirrored 8TB RAID drives w a second set for backups ... price is a consideration but not the deciding point ... value is. Thoughts?
With the iMac, you have to consider the integrated lifespan of both the computer inside + the LED... and most probably they will not croak at the same time. My Intel iMac's LED gave up even as the internal computer is still working. I had to hook up a spare monitor to work with it (as I wait for my M3 iMac to arrive) so my desk looked like I had one monitor in front of the other. 😂 OR if the internals gave out, you need to lug the whole kit and caboodle to the repair shop, cuz you can't just take the computer part out of iMac separately. I still went with the iMac though because of price and time considerations... I don't have extra webcam and speakers on hand and my KB&M setup was quite old and janky. 😝
I’m a hobbyist photographer and I’ve just bought a Mac mini with Studio Display. I always got irritated when my MacBook Pros were life limited by the internals and the display was always fine when I needed to upgrade. That’s why I didn’t get an iMac - it’s a really good machine but I’d end up needing to replace the whole lot eventually. Having a Mac mini lets me change the computer and monitor on different timescales. I’ve never needed to work with my photo files in the field so not having a laptop is fine - an iPad is good enough.
Great video. The problem with the mac mini is that while you technically CAN use any monitor, it really does not look great unless it's a 5k monitor. This is because of the scaling limitations of macOS. Unfortunately, 5k monitos are really expensive and thats why imo the mac mini is overrated.
Yes and no. Ideally yes, a 27” 5k or 32” 6K (Pro Display XDR) are the best choices but you’re telling me a nice 4K 27” display doesn’t look with a Mac? Not perfect like 5K but still pretty good.
@@L0p3s Yep. I have a 28" UHD Samsung display connected to my base model M4 Mac mini and it looks great. And at $230 (on sale) I can live with less than perfect since both items fit into my budget very nicely.
I have chosen mac mini m4 base version, I'm windows user whole my life. My main software is Luminar NEO and Capture one, the files I'm working with are huge raw's from Sony a7r IV. I'm really pleased with this baby computer, definitely not regretting the purchase.
Great video thanks! I'm considering either the mac mini ($800CDN) with my current Dell 2721QS (4k, 60hz, 158ppi) 27" monitor or getting an iMac (mostly to get the 4.5K display, higher PPI and speakers) for $1700 CDN (or $1900 CDN for the mid range iMac that actually matches the processor/core specs of the mini) and I have 2 questions for you: I do really basic video editing in Movavi for a RUclips channel, vids just filmed with an iPhone. I play in a band, and may start taking home recording more seriously in Garageband (maybe Logic Pro one day). The videos aren't action shots or anything, just reviews on music & recording gear etc. Do you think I will notice/benefit from the better monitor & speakers enough to justify the $$$ (I could probably sell my Dell monitor to ease the pain) Or am I better off sticking with my Dell monitor, and getting a MINI (maybe bump up the SSD to 512 and still only be out $1049 CDN) and still saving almost $1000? Would appreciate your thoughts!
Nice video - be great to see a comparison between the base M4 iMac and higher end models. Also be good to see a comparison of the iMac with the texture glass and without (wondering whether it really makes much of a difference if you don't use it in a super bright room)
One thing that Tim Cook did for Apple was to change its marketing strategy to introduce “competing products”, such as shown in this video. Ironically, no matter what you choose, you end up with an Apple product, which adds to the bottom line. On the other hand, Steve Jobs would introduce a new product and pull the old and often popular and successful product from the product line, which created a sense of urgency to buy the new product. While this worked well in increasing the interest in new Apple products, it wasn’t as successful in growing the company. I remember the introduction of the iPod Nano, which fit in the little pocket inside your jeans pocket. I remember Steve Jobs introducing it by saying that Apple would be replacing its most popular iPod with the new one. It was a gamble and it worked to create enthusiasm about the new Nano. Tim Cook would have retained the older model and then given it updates along the way. BTW - nice video Tausif. For me, I went with the new Mac Mini since I had the monitor, keyboard and mouse and cables and was replacing an again Intel Mac Mini. The power-savings and performance of the new Mac Mini is incredible compared to the Intel class Mini.
Is it possible to use the m1 or m2 imac as a monitor for the new m4 mac mini using some cable (not sure what works)? I want to get the imac but i want to also know if it is possible use the display in the future for a mac mini.
I had an old iMac 27 inch and now it's old. I purchased a mac mini in 2018 because I already had the keyboard mouse and trackpad, and didn't need to pay for a whole new iMac for a huge price. While it was a very cost effective solution, it's just very annoying and finicky to use (especially with the monitor). I am quite inclined to buy an iMac because the experience is much better, my only issue is with upgrading it in the future (like my old iMac) and the size as it's not 27 inches. The M4 chip is very capable and I believe that this would last over 15 years (I'm still using my old iMac to this day for simple tasks), so I don't really know what's best for me to buy. I'll probably wait for the next M Series iMac and then purchase, because I'm fine with my old mac mini for now, it's just annoying to use with all external 3rd party accessories.
Just picked up the new Mac Mini M4 (512GB SSD, 24GB RAM), and still have an older M1 (2020), the Studio Display, and three MacBook Airs (2013, 2022, & 2024). Great video and comparison! I’ve owned many other Macs over the years, including a couple of iMacs, but I let those go a while back. Oh, and I still have my dead 2010 Mac Pro lying around.
@@TausifHussainBeen using Mac Mini for years, This is my 3rd one (killed the logic board on my first one) and still have the 2nd one [M1] acting as a server, so I gotta say my new M4 MM is the 💣
I’m the type of person that keeps her computer for 10 years plus. How is the lifespan of the Nano texture glass compared to the standard glass?? I heard it can lose its effectiveness overtime???
My thoughts exactly, I’m leaning towards iMac, though I am still waiting for black friday, maybe some Studio Display discounts… Also, I am torn if I want nano texture or not for photo editing. Problem is, I have window opposite my desk, but colours and clarity are important to me.
I was able to get a top 27” 2K lg screen for my mac mini, the imac mini will not be running in 4.5k resolution on that small screen, so a great 2K monitor with a MAc mini makes it a better buy. Plus paired with a custom keyboard and choice of mouse still come in cheaper.
Cheaper with the sacrifice of display quality. Is that a better buy? I have to agree with Tausif, this is subjective to your context. But the 4.5k is going to look way better than a 27" 4K and there's just no escape from that fact. Which means way way way better than a 27" 2K monitor. On the other hand it can be argued different use cases. Like all you do is code all day and you spent the extra money on the chip with more cores, loaded more RAM, etc. The final score is truly a draw that swings hard for one or the other depending on your budget and uses.
Along with doing the new vid for iPad-as-monitor, how about to do a test also and see if headsets like Quest 3 can be the only ‘monitor’ for the Mac mini🤔? Probably not very use-case-ful but at least sounds interesting right?😆
question , i have the studio display and the camera is so bad looks 480 p resolution. Do you have that issues as u have one too? My imac 2012 hs better clear camera then my studio monitor?
Yup, i went for the iMac because of these very cost comparisons, and i have to make more decisions for what speakers and webcam to pair with the MacMini... I just wished my old intel iMac had conked out just a few more months later than it did. Got my spec'd out M3 iMac last July! 😊 Oh wait, i do freelance hraphic design and the 24gb/1tb M3 iMac was plenty powerful for me! 👍
Only if you have to have the BEST monitor out there. A good 24-27” monitor is betweeen $2 and $500. Keyboard/mouse combo for under $100, speakers for under $100 and same with a web cam. The reality is a really good setup with significantly more flexibility is around $1k-1.2k with the mac mini vs a non flexible but all contained in one unit is more with the iMac. Benefits = all in one and beautiful/simple. Cons = no using the iMac as a monitor for other devices, when one component dies, it all dies, screen size is too small, price is greater, etc
@@Eph_2_8-9 tbh they’re both future proof. I still use my Late 2019 MBP 16” and Silver M1 iMac for PS2 Emulation and Affinity Designer for a fleet of layers to be prep for print production jobs I get. Video editing is done primarily on my iPhone 15 Pro & 16 via CapCut. One shot deal would be the iMac which is the one I’m learning towards: I was initially in favor of the Mac Mini but I also don’t wanna split up my purchases or do the research to create my perfect Frankenstein
@@Eph_2_8-9 Yeah, that's the thing with the iMac. I still use the older design, but it has a 5k 27" screen which, when you use it for creative work, is a big deal. I also have a 2nd screen 27" 4k Dell too, so a Mac mini - currently $500 for Black Friday - is tempting to replace my iMac.
Interesting. Good comparison between two products. I think mac24 my favourite because I love colours and simplicity of use straight out of the box plus in many ways it’s more tidy that mini. Less flafing around. Although if you enjoy multiple monitors for editing or possibly gaming although Apple not best option for most gamers mini maybe best purchase especially as those who enjoy gaming/ editing film etc probably already have a lot of peripherals that state of the art. Disappointed as to why Apple choose to give such low amounts of storage I believe that hasn’t helped their sales over last 12 years or customer retention. I love my iPhone/s my iPad Pro and I even enjoy my iPods etc although not super impressed with iPod mini I have 3 dotted around house and I end up shouting at them in frustration because they respond in bizarre ways or not at all so Apple need to focus on making their existing line up the best it can be plus Apple need to design more stuff that people want/ need rather than overpriced (out of most peoples price range) products like £3500 3D headsets . An iMac 27 would be a good start in a rainbow of fab colours at a sensible price point with a decent amount of storage onboard
11/20/24 I wish Apple sold the 24" iMac without the keyboard and mouse as I have had 3 Apple wireless keyboards die on me from use, where I have an older Apple wired white click keyboard with usb ports that still works great with a wired mouse plugged into the keyboard. I like the features of the 24" monitor but do wish it came with added ports along with an SSD card slot reader, plus having a DVD drive to watch movies and install older Apple programs would be nice. I like that it does come like you said "it's family friendly" as a fast no muse setup, but I can see adding a multiport addon with SSD upgrade to make a more useable computer. The iMac mini also looks good but for me the base model would be the iMac Mini Pro with 512GB of storage and either 16 GB-24 GB memory where I do have the keyboard and mouse to add but do like the features of the 1Mac 24" m-4 display with all it features. I too am waiting for Black Friday & Cyber Monday hoping Apple adds some saving to motivate my purchase since what I now own is a 2010 21" iMac with Intel processor.
The 'given' reason for the USB charging on the bottom of the Magic Mouse was so you couldn't use the mouse while charging. If you had an immediate need, the mouse does charge to a usable level in a few minutes... Sounds like a 'justification... not approved by Steve Jobs!
I laughed at the comment "just have a portable monitor with you' when travelling to use the Mac mini! Who casually carries a 20-inch plus monitor with them when travelling?
Me! :-) I have been doing the digital nomad thing for the last 2 years - currently in Mexico City - and have a 27" Dell monitor to connect to my MacBook.
My case, have keyboards (a magic keyboard bough on 2019 and a mechanical one with red switches) a mouse , a brio 4k and a quadcast mic . Just not a monitor, aiming to a 27 1440p at least and speakers for not using all time headphones or if want to laying down on bed
M4 iMac finally caught up with my M1 Pro MBP, so I might buy the next iMac 😂 it will be my desktop PC that I wanted to get back since switching to Mac.
I will advise everyone - not to buy iMac at all - purely from value for money point of view. Mac Mini M4 Base Model - paired with a decent keyboard/mouse/monitor - will save you hundreds of dollars; than use iMac. From mobility pov - there is no comparison.
I asked Microsoft's BING about this. Here's the reply: The new Mac Mini M4 can indeed use an iMac as a target screen, but there are some limitations to be aware of. The traditional Target Display Mode is only supported on certain older iMac models (2009-2014) and requires macOS High Sierra or earlier1. This mode allows you to connect the iMac to another Mac using a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable. For newer iMacs or those running more recent macOS versions, you can use third-party solutions like Luna Display or AirPlay to achieve similar functionality. Luna Display offers both wired and wireless options, while AirPlay provides a convenient wireless method for screen sharing or extending your workspace.
@@TausifHussainYou can, with that same Luna red plug you're willing to revisit. Some people are even buying used 5k 27-inch old iMac for a few hundred and use them as cheaper Studio Display.
mac mini:) small cute and powerful great video bro love your content and don't forget I wanna be your tech dustbin 😂 😂 there is a photo of steve jobs holding an apple computer I don't apple ii or something let me share that pic with you to recreate
Yeah, sure, if you ONLY want to drop the ultimate high end super premium peripherals, you can make that Mini cost like $5k. LOL Humans buying a base Mini who don't make RUclips content are going to get a $20 keyboard and mouse from Walmart and attach it to some old monitor they already have or their 75" TV. These are the people who look at you like you grew a 3rd head when you say you spent $250 on a mechanical keyboard because it's 'clicky'. Seriously though .. if you have a Studio Display, why the heck are you even LOOKING at a Mini?? If you're dropping coin like that, you're at least getting a loaded M4 Pro Mini, but more likely a MBP or Mac Studio. You're missing the market.
The iMac is weaker than the mini!!!! Why are you lying ?? And the front white color on screen is very ugly!! It should be black!!! Mini is much more better…. Have you tried to fix an iMac in a lab??? Don’t buy pc inside a monitor
I had an iMac that was outdated, first I added RAM and replaced the SSD. Despite all the additions, it was outdated, and now the system was unable to be upgraded. All of this led me to buy a Mac mini and a studio monitor.
I'm down with your conspiracy theory re: Apple making design choices specifically to create "buzz." It works every time! The Mac mini has always been the very best value in desktop computers and now it is even more so. If you look at both of these computers, you already know which one you want to get. They're both ideal for rather specific but quite different use cases. I myself don't have the desk space for either of these computers so I'll stick with my M1 MacBook Air that I bought last year because it was the very last MacBook Air to actually LOOK like a MacBook Air and I'm convinced it's the pinnacle of the design. Maybe I'll upgrade… Later. Maybe when the M6 is released.
Haha great observation. I think you’re spot on about the laptop desk setup though. That’s what I personally use as well. It’s much more flexible! Thanks for watching!
Android and Windows PC guy myself, but the Mac mini is the only Apple product I like. Too much value to overlook, especially at $600. SSD write speeds are mediocre, but that still doesn't offset enough of the pros.
Finally, someone actually talking about the cost breakdown of all of the peripheries. I've been searching for people breaking it down, and all of these RUclipsrs just assume we have $1500 monitors lying around...
You could also, just buy a used 1440p monitor for $50. A used keyboard and mouse is virtually free. So it all depends on what display quality you need.
You are so correct. I really wanted to go the route of the Mac mini, but since I would be upgrading from an older iMac, I would need to buy ALL of the extras and to get quality that approaches the iMac would be more costly. IF I had the extra money, I would definitely get the mini and buy the extras, but sadly that is not in my budget. But man, the M4 Pro mini with a studio monitor would be sweet!!
@@jimj2683 Of course, but then you wouldn't be comparing apples to apples then.
@@joyaclub That is true, but for many people the imac display is overkill when their income is very limited.
Agreed. The need for the peripherals is a crucial part of the buying decision. If only my 27inch 2017 iMac could work with the Mac mini, I might consider getting it. I don't think Apple's Target Display works with that generation of the iMac.
There is one more advantage to the iMac: cables.
On the Mac mini, there is power cable going to the Mac, one power cable going to the monitor, one HDMI or USB cable from the Mac to the monitor.
With the iMac, there is only one cable. Period.
Lol
And then it gets cancelled out by all the external drives and wired peripherals attached.
Imac u will need to spend like 30$ for ethernet port on base model and only 2 ports TB4. To be reliable use of external storages and everything u kind fuck it, to use at the same time
i bought the mac mini, then a few days later the imac because I had to be sure. The imac screen is better than my LG 27 inch 4k screen and honestly, the less screen space is hardly noticeable. I returned the mac mini and kept the imac. The screen is just too good.
All sensible advice for using a single desktop set up coming from scratch.
My daughter bought the M1 512GB and loves it. I then gave her my old MBP13 (the 2015 version with retina screen) to carry around mainly for work research in libraries etc. as a hospital doctor.
She asked me how does she connect it to the iMac screen. It doesn’t, so she then needs to duplicate files on OneDrive or iCloud and licence 2 sets of software.
Back in 2021 (U.K. lockdown) I invested in an Apple nano Studio display for my study at home, as my work very kindly bought me an MBP13 M1 16/512 which I can carry in and out of my office. I’m an engineering lecturer at a university and make AV recordings etc. That set up also needs a third party docking station to drive two large monitors so the uni paid for that too.
Then I bought a refurbished M1 Mac mini 16/256 to keep at home and allowed the university to have its security set up added onto that. That mini drives the nano studio display and an older Dell P2715Q display (4K, colour calibrated, matt screen) with ease and they work really well together. Add on a pair of HomePod minis at either end of the desk and it’s great for listening to classical using whilst working too.
Hence for me, using an education discount.. a new M4, even the base model, is a steal and will work really well with my monitors as well as my Logitech M series keyboard and mouse. I can either trade in my M1, sell it for a reasonable price or pass it on to another family member.
The iMac screen and speakers are nice, the studio display mics and speakers are superb and probably the best integrated set up on the market. The studio display is built to last a decade, based on my son’s experience with his last one.
So in a few years an iMac will need a trade up and all the screen etc loses value. A little Mac mini costs far less and so loses far less value. Finally having 3 TB ports and 2 USBs plus HDMI gives the mini far more versatility than an iMac.
Therefore a iMac is great for say 3 yrs, a studio display is great for say 8 to 10 yrs, so in some ways offers better value with a Mac mini set up. Just look at how many people are stuck with 27in intel iMacs wanting an M series chip.
Your video is so informative! I loved how you explained the Mac Mini's versatility with multiple monitors and how it compares to the iMac's all-in-one design. Your attention to detail is exceptional, especially in terms of long-term value and repairability. Thanks for such a clear, thoughtful review!
I seriously love the vibe of this video can't wait to watch more
I have the M4 mini. I like that I can pick & choose my peripherals. For instance, I have a 40inch monitor. You cannot do that with the iMac as it is only 24 inch. Thanks for the video. 👏🏽
You pretty much confirmed what iv'e been thinking, I'd get the MAC mini if I had a 4k display, but I have a 1080p Asus lol.. IMAC it is
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
😂😂😂😂
I'm a photographer and use a MacBook Pro in the field but use a vintage (nice way of saying mid 2015) iMac as my desktop/main editing machine. Trying to decide between the new M4 iMac, The M4pro Mac Mini w Studio Display or the new (mid year?) mac Studio w StudioDisplay. All would be minimum of 24G RAM and 1 TB SSD ... 99% of editing is with Lightroom Classic and all images are on mirrored 8TB RAID drives w a second set for backups ... price is a consideration but not the deciding point ... value is. Thoughts?
With the iMac, you have to consider the integrated lifespan of both the computer inside + the LED... and most probably they will not croak at the same time. My Intel iMac's LED gave up even as the internal computer is still working. I had to hook up a spare monitor to work with it (as I wait for my M3 iMac to arrive) so my desk looked like I had one monitor in front of the other. 😂
OR if the internals gave out, you need to lug the whole kit and caboodle to the repair shop, cuz you can't just take the computer part out of iMac separately.
I still went with the iMac though because of price and time considerations... I don't have extra webcam and speakers on hand and my KB&M setup was quite old and janky. 😝
I’m a hobbyist photographer and I’ve just bought a Mac mini with Studio Display. I always got irritated when my MacBook Pros were life limited by the internals and the display was always fine when I needed to upgrade. That’s why I didn’t get an iMac - it’s a really good machine but I’d end up needing to replace the whole lot eventually. Having a Mac mini lets me change the computer and monitor on different timescales. I’ve never needed to work with my photo files in the field so not having a laptop is fine - an iPad is good enough.
Great video.
The problem with the mac mini is that while you technically CAN use any monitor, it really does not look great unless it's a 5k monitor. This is because of the scaling limitations of macOS. Unfortunately, 5k monitos are really expensive and thats why imo the mac mini is overrated.
Really eh? Thanks for bringing this up. I’m gonna try pairing it with a uhd monitor to see how it looks.
Yes and no. Ideally yes, a 27” 5k or 32” 6K (Pro Display XDR) are the best choices but you’re telling me a nice 4K 27” display doesn’t look with a Mac? Not perfect like 5K but still pretty good.
Wait I’m confused. I’m about to get a Dell 2k monitor to pair with the mini ($600 cheaper). Will the Mac mini run the 2k? Someone please help
@@cactuschattyes and it will look great.
@@L0p3s Yep. I have a 28" UHD Samsung display connected to my base model M4 Mac mini and it looks great. And at $230 (on sale) I can live with less than perfect since both items fit into my budget very nicely.
Being a photographer and having a Mac that's about 5 years old......which do you recommend ?
I need more info than that, do you have a monitor etc, are you particular about monitor size or keyboard and mice ? What’s your setup like b
Mac mini.
I have chosen mac mini m4 base version, I'm windows user whole my life.
My main software is Luminar NEO and Capture one, the files I'm working with are huge raw's from Sony a7r IV. I'm really pleased with this baby computer, definitely not regretting the purchase.
Great video thanks! I'm considering either the mac mini ($800CDN) with my current Dell 2721QS (4k, 60hz, 158ppi) 27" monitor or getting an iMac (mostly to get the 4.5K display, higher PPI and speakers) for $1700 CDN (or $1900 CDN for the mid range iMac that actually matches the processor/core specs of the mini) and I have 2 questions for you:
I do really basic video editing in Movavi for a RUclips channel, vids just filmed with an iPhone. I play in a band, and may start taking home recording more seriously in Garageband (maybe Logic Pro one day). The videos aren't action shots or anything, just reviews on music & recording gear etc. Do you think I will notice/benefit from the better monitor & speakers enough to justify the $$$ (I could probably sell my Dell monitor to ease the pain) Or am I better off sticking with my Dell monitor, and getting a MINI (maybe bump up the SSD to 512 and still only be out $1049 CDN) and still saving almost $1000?
Would appreciate your thoughts!
Nice video - be great to see a comparison between the base M4 iMac and higher end models. Also be good to see a comparison of the iMac with the texture glass and without (wondering whether it really makes much of a difference if you don't use it in a super bright room)
One thing that Tim Cook did for Apple was to change its marketing strategy to introduce “competing products”, such as shown in this video. Ironically, no matter what you choose, you end up with an Apple product, which adds to the bottom line. On the other hand, Steve Jobs would introduce a new product and pull the old and often popular and successful product from the product line, which created a sense of urgency to buy the new product. While this worked well in increasing the interest in new Apple products, it wasn’t as successful in growing the company. I remember the introduction of the iPod Nano, which fit in the little pocket inside your jeans pocket. I remember Steve Jobs introducing it by saying that Apple would be replacing its most popular iPod with the new one. It was a gamble and it worked to create enthusiasm about the new Nano. Tim Cook would have retained the older model and then given it updates along the way. BTW - nice video Tausif. For me, I went with the new Mac Mini since I had the monitor, keyboard and mouse and cables and was replacing an again Intel Mac Mini. The power-savings and performance of the new Mac Mini is incredible compared to the Intel class Mini.
@guycortesi I also went with the new M4 Mac Mini :) Also hi! 👋🏼
Is it possible to use the m1 or m2 imac as a monitor for the new m4 mac mini using some cable (not sure what works)? I want to get the imac but i want to also know if it is possible use the display in the future for a mac mini.
I had an old iMac 27 inch and now it's old. I purchased a mac mini in 2018 because I already had the keyboard mouse and trackpad, and didn't need to pay for a whole new iMac for a huge price. While it was a very cost effective solution, it's just very annoying and finicky to use (especially with the monitor). I am quite inclined to buy an iMac because the experience is much better, my only issue is with upgrading it in the future (like my old iMac) and the size as it's not 27 inches. The M4 chip is very capable and I believe that this would last over 15 years (I'm still using my old iMac to this day for simple tasks), so I don't really know what's best for me to buy. I'll probably wait for the next M Series iMac and then purchase, because I'm fine with my old mac mini for now, it's just annoying to use with all external 3rd party accessories.
you can try hooking up the new mac mini to your old 27" inch iMac and use it as a display.. google, " Luna Display by Astropad"
Here is mine conspiracy theory: the typo in Display is on purpose. A proper Apple review LOL 😂
LMAO I legit had no idea 😂😂😂
Made my day 😘
I don’t get why iMac can’t get the m4 pro chip. Or why they dont update the Mac Studio now with the m4 max chip .
Just picked up the new Mac Mini M4 (512GB SSD, 24GB RAM), and still have an older M1 (2020), the Studio Display, and three MacBook Airs (2013, 2022, & 2024). Great video and comparison! I’ve owned many other Macs over the years, including a couple of iMacs, but I let those go a while back. Oh, and I still have my dead 2010 Mac Pro lying around.
lol oh man you have your own Apple Store going haha!! Love it ! Which one’s your favourite?
@@TausifHussainBeen using Mac Mini for years, This is my 3rd one (killed the logic board on my first one) and still have the 2nd one [M1] acting as a server, so I gotta say my new M4 MM is the 💣
I’m the type of person that keeps her computer for 10 years plus. How is the lifespan of the Nano texture glass compared to the standard glass?? I heard it can lose its effectiveness overtime???
wish u had kinks for all the accessories in ur page..lots interesting like your ring light and mouse wrist supports..
What is that 'wrist aid' that glides when you use your mouse?
Thank you, I am still in dilemma and this is exactly kind of stuff and advice I need to decide between Mini and iMac
I’m glad this helped! It’s a tough decision. But hope things made sense!
@ definitely 💯
I watched this and I am now talking myself into buying a MacBook Pro for $1600. 🤠
"We dont turn those things off" Yes, yes we do turn them off. Power button on bottom is ridiculouse!
I rarely turn mine off, there is no need.
Such a clown worry. Zero production is coming out on your side, so keep it moving.
What about system performance? Eg, is there a pro version of the imac?
My thoughts exactly, I’m leaning towards iMac, though I am still waiting for black friday, maybe some Studio Display discounts…
Also, I am torn if I want nano texture or not for photo editing. Problem is, I have window opposite my desk, but colours and clarity are important to me.
LOL, did you misspell the title for the Display section to get us to talk about it? Seriously, thanks for this comparison video!
Sounds like a conspiracy theory 🧐😏
You need to make a follow up to your “portable Mac Mini” video… but with the M4 version. 👀
ayo, MKBHD conspiracy theory
Damn he mentioned it too lmao?
Please bring Mac mini m4 portable setup soon❤❤
I'm Eagerly waiting for it.
YESSS
I was able to get a top 27” 2K lg screen for my mac mini, the imac mini will not be running in 4.5k resolution on that small screen, so a great 2K monitor with a MAc mini makes it a better buy. Plus paired with a custom keyboard and choice of mouse still come in cheaper.
Cheaper with the sacrifice of display quality. Is that a better buy? I have to agree with Tausif, this is subjective to your context. But the 4.5k is going to look way better than a 27" 4K and there's just no escape from that fact. Which means way way way better than a 27" 2K monitor.
On the other hand it can be argued different use cases. Like all you do is code all day and you spent the extra money on the chip with more cores, loaded more RAM, etc.
The final score is truly a draw that swings hard for one or the other depending on your budget and uses.
Along with doing the new vid for iPad-as-monitor, how about to do a test also and see if headsets like Quest 3 can be the only ‘monitor’ for the Mac mini🤔? Probably not very use-case-ful but at least sounds interesting right?😆
question , i have the studio display and the camera is so bad looks 480 p resolution. Do you have that issues as u have one too? My imac 2012 hs better clear camera then my studio monitor?
Yup, i went for the iMac because of these very cost comparisons, and i have to make more decisions for what speakers and webcam to pair with the MacMini... I just wished my old intel iMac had conked out just a few more months later than it did. Got my spec'd out M3 iMac last July! 😊
Oh wait, i do freelance hraphic design and the 24gb/1tb M3 iMac was plenty powerful for me! 👍
3:24 Spelling mistake “DISPAY”
😱😱😱
Fantastic comparison video1 Anyone would be very happy with both! Great devices!
I'd still pick the M4 Mac Mini. I'll take a lighter desktop, customized accessories, and customized monitor anyday.
Fair enough! I would prob do the same if it was for me. Like I mentioned in the conclusion.
performance test comparison pls
The iMac is a better buy if you don't have any of the peripherals tbh. Mac Mini end cost will surpass the iMac easily.
Exactly
Only if you have to have the BEST monitor out there. A good 24-27” monitor is betweeen $2 and $500. Keyboard/mouse combo for under $100, speakers for under $100 and same with a web cam. The reality is a really good setup with significantly more flexibility is around $1k-1.2k with the mac mini vs a non flexible but all contained in one unit is more with the iMac. Benefits = all in one and beautiful/simple. Cons = no using the iMac as a monitor for other devices, when one component dies, it all dies, screen size is too small, price is greater, etc
@@Eph_2_8-9 tbh they’re both future proof. I still use my Late 2019 MBP 16” and Silver M1 iMac for PS2 Emulation and Affinity Designer for a fleet of layers to be prep for print production jobs I get. Video editing is done primarily on my iPhone 15 Pro & 16 via CapCut. One shot deal would be the iMac which is the one I’m learning towards: I was initially in favor of the Mac Mini but I also don’t wanna split up my purchases or do the research to create my perfect Frankenstein
@@Eph_2_8-9 Yeah, that's the thing with the iMac. I still use the older design, but it has a 5k 27" screen which, when you use it for creative work, is a big deal. I also have a 2nd screen 27" 4k Dell too, so a Mac mini - currently $500 for Black Friday - is tempting to replace my iMac.
Interesting. Good comparison between two products. I think mac24 my favourite because I love colours and simplicity of use straight out of the box plus in many ways it’s more tidy that mini. Less flafing around. Although if you enjoy multiple monitors for editing or possibly gaming although Apple not best option for most gamers mini maybe best purchase especially as those who enjoy gaming/ editing film etc probably already have a lot of peripherals that state of the art.
Disappointed as to why Apple choose to give such low amounts of storage I believe that hasn’t helped their sales over last 12 years or customer retention.
I love my iPhone/s my iPad Pro and I even enjoy my iPods etc although not super impressed with iPod mini I have 3 dotted around house and I end up shouting at them in frustration because they respond in bizarre ways or not at all so Apple need to focus on making their existing line up the best it can be plus Apple need to design more stuff that people want/ need rather than overpriced (out of most peoples price range) products like £3500 3D headsets .
An iMac 27 would be a good start in a rainbow of fab colours at a sensible price point with a decent amount of storage onboard
The Apple screens are considerably nicer than most on the market. The M4 iMac also comes with keyboard and mouse. It’s much better value overall
Bought a mini and a cimema display, best combo ever
11/20/24 I wish Apple sold the 24" iMac without the keyboard and mouse as I have had 3 Apple wireless keyboards die on me from use, where I have an older Apple wired white click keyboard with usb ports that still works great with a wired mouse plugged into the keyboard. I like the features of the 24" monitor but do wish it came with added ports along with an SSD card slot reader, plus having a DVD drive to watch movies and install older Apple programs would be nice. I like that it does come like you said "it's family friendly" as a fast no muse setup, but I can see adding a multiport addon with SSD upgrade to make a more useable computer. The iMac mini also looks good but for me the base model would be the iMac Mini Pro with 512GB of storage and either 16 GB-24 GB memory where I do have the keyboard and mouse to add but do like the features of the 1Mac 24" m-4 display with all it features. I too am waiting for Black Friday & Cyber Monday hoping Apple adds some saving to motivate my purchase since what I now own is a 2010 21" iMac with Intel processor.
Was hoping you dropped both the iMac and mini. Next time try it blindfolded for shits and giggles
The 'given' reason for the USB charging on the bottom of the Magic Mouse was so you couldn't use the mouse while charging. If you had an immediate need, the mouse does charge to a usable level in a few minutes... Sounds like a 'justification... not approved by Steve Jobs!
Bring out the cops! 👮
I laughed at the comment "just have a portable monitor with you' when travelling to use the Mac mini! Who casually carries a 20-inch plus monitor with them when travelling?
Me! :-) I have been doing the digital nomad thing for the last 2 years - currently in Mexico City - and have a 27" Dell monitor to connect to my MacBook.
There is only 1 extra port in Mac Mini compared to iMac which is the HDMI port
My case, have keyboards (a magic keyboard bough on 2019 and a mechanical one with red switches) a mouse , a brio 4k and a quadcast mic . Just not a monitor, aiming to a 27 1440p at least and speakers for not using all time headphones or if want to laying down on bed
MacBook Pro is already my main machine for power, so I will get the iMac over the Mini
M4 iMac finally caught up with my M1 Pro MBP, so I might buy the next iMac 😂 it will be my desktop PC that I wanted to get back since switching to Mac.
I will advise everyone - not to buy iMac at all - purely from value for money point of view.
Mac Mini M4 Base Model - paired with a decent keyboard/mouse/monitor - will save you hundreds of dollars; than use iMac.
From mobility pov - there is no comparison.
Idea suggestion : use iMac as the screen for the Mac mini
You can’t lmao. I wishhhhh.
@@TausifHussainused to be able to with Target display - Apple should bring it back
I asked Microsoft's BING about this. Here's the reply:
The new Mac Mini M4 can indeed use an iMac as a target screen, but there are some limitations to be aware of. The traditional Target Display Mode is only supported on certain older iMac models (2009-2014) and requires macOS High Sierra or earlier1. This mode allows you to connect the iMac to another Mac using a Thunderbolt or Mini DisplayPort cable.
For newer iMacs or those running more recent macOS versions, you can use third-party solutions like Luna Display or AirPlay to achieve similar functionality. Luna Display offers both wired and wireless options, while AirPlay provides a convenient wireless method for screen sharing or extending your workspace.
@@TausifHussainYou can, with that same Luna red plug you're willing to revisit.
Some people are even buying used 5k 27-inch old iMac for a few hundred and use them as cheaper Studio Display.
Originally the mini was aimed at "pc users," who already had a keyboard, monitor etc. Buying all that new, you didn't save much.
Did anyone else notice you spelled DISPLAY wrong?
Let count how many time he called iMac - mac mini
Put a M4 Pro cpu, same as the mini with the same option package, in an iMac and I will buy it. Otherwise, NO!
wrong comparison !! you are basically comparing a laptop(imac) to a cpu(mac mini). The longevity of CPU is always much much more than a laptop!!
Apple Studio a 900$?! Where?
Apple studio what?
Cam pair with iPad air m2
Picture of the murdered squirrel peanut....classy
mac mini:) small cute and powerful
great video bro love your content and don't forget I wanna be your tech dustbin 😂 😂
there is a photo of steve jobs holding an apple computer I don't apple ii or something let me share that pic with you to recreate
I’d love to see that pic! 😄lol. And noted lol. Thanks for watching!
@@TausifHussain I've shared it on ig
@@TausifHussain I've shared on ig
Why can't they just make an iMac Pro. WHY....
Honestly. iMac's are kinda useless because nowadays it's just a Mac Mini sticked to a screen.
Yeah, sure, if you ONLY want to drop the ultimate high end super premium peripherals, you can make that Mini cost like $5k. LOL Humans buying a base Mini who don't make RUclips content are going to get a $20 keyboard and mouse from Walmart and attach it to some old monitor they already have or their 75" TV. These are the people who look at you like you grew a 3rd head when you say you spent $250 on a mechanical keyboard because it's 'clicky'.
Seriously though .. if you have a Studio Display, why the heck are you even LOOKING at a Mini?? If you're dropping coin like that, you're at least getting a loaded M4 Pro Mini, but more likely a MBP or Mac Studio. You're missing the market.
Are you by any chance Bangladeshi?
No haha. Indian.
I have the peripherals already.
But if I didn’t, I’d get a green iMac in a heartbeat.
or just use your TV as the monitor
Loool
The power button being on the bottom is a big deal, stop that bias bullshit.
I don't get this video. Too much water. Nothing new
3:23 Dispay... 😅
150 bucks for keyboard and mouse !
The iMac is weaker than the mini!!!! Why are you lying ?? And the front white color on screen is very ugly!! It should be black!!! Mini is much more better…. Have you tried to fix an iMac in a lab??? Don’t buy pc inside a monitor
I had an iMac that was outdated, first I added RAM and replaced the SSD. Despite all the additions, it was outdated, and now the system was unable to be upgraded. All of this led me to buy a Mac mini and a studio monitor.
Did you copy Marquez’s conspiracy theory video? Lol
Dispay? Whoops! LOL!
What?
OMG I just caught it 😂
The display slide says dispay instead.
@ yeah I just caught it 😂💀
@@TausifHussainAll good. It got me to drop a comment. 😊
Solution for the powerbutton: ruclips.net/user/shortsdr7iICignoc
low production value, mkbhd conspiracy and dispay? display
Are you copying... MKBHD's Review !
What lmao? How and where and why?
Why you think so?! As far as I know Tausif stays original
I'm down with your conspiracy theory re: Apple making design choices specifically to create "buzz." It works every time!
The Mac mini has always been the very best value in desktop computers and now it is even more so.
If you look at both of these computers, you already know which one you want to get.
They're both ideal for rather specific but quite different use cases.
I myself don't have the desk space for either of these computers so I'll stick with my M1 MacBook Air that I bought last year because it was the very last MacBook Air to actually LOOK like a MacBook Air and I'm convinced it's the pinnacle of the design.
Maybe I'll upgrade… Later.
Maybe when the M6 is released.
Haha great observation. I think you’re spot on about the laptop desk setup though. That’s what I personally use as well. It’s much more flexible! Thanks for watching!
Android and Windows PC guy myself, but the Mac mini is the only Apple product I like. Too much value to overlook, especially at $600.
SSD write speeds are mediocre, but that still doesn't offset enough of the pros.