Apple’s desktop line is far simpler than its notebook one, but there are still many considerations to make before purchasing something like a Mac mini or iMac. The company sells far more laptops than desktops, but for many companies, schools and stay-at-home workers, a desktop can make a lot more sense.
Mac mini
Apple’s smallest desktop machine, the Mac mini, is often heralded by the company as the perfect machine for a first-time Mac owner — it’s designed to be able to drop in to an existing setup of screen, keyboard and mouse and just go.
The base $499 model is the cheapest Mac by $400, and while not the fastest thing on the market, handles OS X Yosemite without any issues.
If you do want more power, the Mac mini is more than capable for even a veteran OS X user, with lots of nice build-to-order options, including a dual-core Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and up to a 1TB SSD. A fully loaded Mac mini can cost over $2,000, but sometimes the size (and headless operation) can come in handy.
What’s Hot:
- Small size and quiet operation
- Flexibility in setup options
What’s Not:
- No quad-core option for pro users
Who is it for?
Anyone looking for a quiet, capable Mac to replace a PC. The Mac mini also shows up in data centers, media centers and more, due to its small size.
iMac
In my mind, the iMac is the default answer for most anyone looking for a desktop Mac. With a 21.5-inch or 27-inch built-in display, the iMac is the all-in-one for the masses. Thanks to Bluetooth accessories and wireless networking, most users will only need to plug in the power cable to get up and running.
Like the Mac mini, the iMac is very customizable, with near-endless options for RAM and storage options. Generally, the smaller of the two models isn’t as powerful, but like with most Macs, even the base model is more than enough computer for an average user.
What’s Hot:
- Neat and tidy all-in-one form factor
What’s Not:
- Screen can’t be reused by another system once the iMac is out of comission
- The $1,099 model is limited to 8GB of on-board RAM
- Only the 27-inch model can have its RAM upgraded later
Who is it for?
The iMac is for the masses. It’s comfortable at home, in the classroom and at the office. While the upgradability of these machines in the long-term means being careful what you order, most users will find it a worthwhile trade-off for the iMac’s thin, clean design.
iMac with Retina 5K display
The poorly-named iMac with Retina 5K display is basically a high-end 27-inch iMac with a much better screen. In the future, all iMacs will have such amazing display panels, but for now, the cost of entry starts at $2,499.00.
For that, however, the base Retina iMac comes with a fast CPU and 8GB RAM, which can be upgraded to a mind-blowing 32GB RAM, a quad-core Intel Core i7 processor and a 1TB SSD.
The Retina display isn’t a necessity, but for creative professionals, it gives a level of detail and quality that the other iMacs just can’t deliver.
What’s Hot:
- That Retina display
- Everything else that’s great about the iMac
What’s Not:
- Steep price of entry
Who is it for?
Any creative professional who cares about screen and color quality above all else.
Mac Pro
The Mac Pro sits a the top of the Mac line, putting performance above everything else. It’s a rocket in a world of airplanes; a desert speeder in the land of family sedans.
Starting at $2,999, the Mac Pro can be configured up to $9,599 with these specs:
- 2.7GHz 12-core with 30MB of L3 cache
- 64GB (4x16GB) of 1866MHz DDR3 ECC
- 1TB PCIe-based flash storage
- Dual AMD FirePro D700 GPUs with 6GB of GDDR5 VRAM each
This isn’t a computer for the living room or home office; it’s a world-class workhorse for audio and video editing.
What’s Hot:
- Power
- Power
- Power
What’s Not:
- Thunderbolt is still weird in places
- No external Retina displays … yet
Who is it for?
Video and audio professionals who need as much power as is available from an Apple product.