Mac mini vs iMac

[Axeltech]

Hello friends,
I'm in the market for a new computer. I have used both mac and PC and I like both. Right now I'm considering an apple computer for music production, mainly using virtual instruments with Cubase (EW libraries, VSL, Kontakt player, etc).
I currently have an iMac that I've used for 10 years. Most reliable machine I ever had. Streaming VSTis from external SSD no problem. So I'm currently considering a new iMac, or a Mac mini, although I have no experience with the minis. If I get the Mac mini, it would be this model:

$1399
M4 chip, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
32GB unified memory
1TB SSD storage
Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port, two USB‑C ports.

The iMac looks like this:

$2299
M4 chip, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
32GB unified memory
1TB SSD storage
Four Thunderbolt 4 ports.

So similar specs (except for the ports), although the iMac is significantly more expensive.
Here's another alternative for the iMac:

$1899
M4 chip, 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU
24GB unified memory
512TB SSD storage
Four Thunderbolt 4 ports.

Any thoughts or hints?
Thank you!

[Michael L]

The difference is the screen.
With a mini you get to choose the screen size and pixel density, which is important if you have older software without scalable GUIs. The high pixel density on iMacs makes those GUIs small.
Also, get the 10GB ethernet. When you upgrade to a new mini, the old one can be a slave for storing files with its own CPU.

[Axeltech]

Alright, thanks so much!

[Axeltech]

Also, by the way, alternatively, I have a computer technician who can build me a PC system. I don't think he has experience building machines for music, I know he has built plenty of gaming computers. Here's his quote:
$1475
Intel i9-11th gen CPU
64GB DDR4 Ram
1TB SSD main drive
2TB SSD for samples
Plenty of USB port connectivity and HDMI of course

In this case, I don't even know how the different components within the machine can affect the quality and reliability of a music computer. I imagine that's a thing but I've no experience building anything so I wouldn't know. This technician knows I need a music computer, and I at least requested the SSD's need to be NVMe drives. I know at least that much

[Axeltech]

The difference is the screen.
With a mini you get to choose the screen size and pixel density, which is important if you have older software without scalable GUIs. The high pixel density on iMacs makes those GUIs small.
Also, get the 10GB ethernet. When you upgrade to a new mini, the old one can be a slave for storing files with its own CPU.

Thank you! Also, I'm interested in running EW Hollywood strings on this machine. That's the only library I'm not currently using (although I have it), because my current iMac doesn't have ports that are fast enough. Have you used this one successfully from an external SSD? This is the only factor that would make me lean towards a PC with an internal SSD...

[Michael L]

When you setup your new mini, if your internal SSD cannot fit all your libraries then put the ones that are streamed on your internal drive, and others that are loaded as needed like Kontakt on an external SSD with fast-enough read speeds linked through a thunderbolt port.
If you don't want to do that, just choose a mini with a big internal drive. Yes, it will cost a bit either way, but in the long term external drives add a layer of complexity.
Don't get too fixated on price because you will keep your mini for a long time, too.
I suggest getting rid of ALL your unused files on your old machine BEFORE doing a Migration Assistant. Audio Plugin Uninstaller, Daisy Disk and EtreCheck are very good.
Take your time getting to know your computer!

[PAK]

For the money you’re looking at spending either go with the base M4 Pro Mac Mini, if budget is the main concern, or get the base M4 Max Studio otherwise. An M4 Max will run rings around an 11th Gen Intel processor.

The Mini M4 Pro does cut the base config to 24GB Memory, and storage to 512GB. But the additional performance cores are going to matter more if the main intended use is for virtual instruments.Pro and Max M4 chips are Thunderbolt 5, which means external storage can be (just about) as fast as the internal.

The Studio is just a nicer machine than what they’re currently including on the iMac and displays are getting pretty good lately. There’s a bunch of variables but the easiest thing to look for is anything offering close to 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut coverage. If you wanted to replicate the 5k retina aspect then it will shove up the cost quite a bit, but native 1440p is fine IMO, and things like colour gamut, nit brightness, and panel uniformity matter more.

Remember stores like Best Buy, Costco, or Amazon can often save you about 10% on Apple’s pricing. The base m4 Max is $1949 on Costco USA atm.

[DrGonzo]

The latest MacMinis are extremely powerful. I don't think I ever been so amazed by the new M chips. Crazy good.

[kvotchin]

That PC build looks awful. For music production, go with a current gen or previous gen AMD CPU with at least 8 cores (and therefore at least 16 threads), and definitely DDR5 over DDR4. Mind you, either of those is hellishly expensive right now, and not likely to come down any time soon.

In the current economic climate, along with your unfamiliarity with computer hardware, OP (no shade, just seems that way), I’d personally suggest going with either a Mac Mini with M4 Pro, or Mac Studio with M4 Max. 32GB absolute minimum RAM, and - in my opinion - 1TB minimum SSD, plus externals as required.

[uOpt]

I have multiple friends right now on old iMacs who curse the fact that they have to throw out a perfectly fine screen as they have to update the Mac.

Also, when one component breaks you have to give the whole machine into repair.

[DrGonzo]

I have multiple friends right now on old iMacs who curse the fact that they have to throw out a perfectly fine screen as they have to update the Mac.

Also, when one component breaks you have to give the whole machine into repair.

This is the major problem with the iMacs. I had an older iMac where the GPU died and rendered it completely useless. Apple repaired it though as it was a known problem. But I think - not 100% sure though - that you can use iMacs as a screen these days?

[uOpt]

I have multiple friends right now on old iMacs who curse the fact that they have to throw out a perfectly fine screen as they have to update the Mac.

Also, when one component breaks you have to give the whole machine into repair.

This is the major problem with the iMacs. I had an older iMac where the GPU died and rendered it completely useless. Apple repaired it though as it was a known problem. But I think - not 100% sure though - that you can use iMacs as a screen these days?

There is some thunderbolt game you can play, but it didn't work for one of my friends. I don't have one so I don't know details.

[Michael L]

you can use old iMacs as a screen these days?

Yes use Target Display mode with older iMacs but depends on compatibility.
Google it.

[DrGonzo]

you can use old iMacs as a screen these days?

Yes use Target Display mode with older iMacs but depends on compatibility.
Google it.

Hey! Don't put in things in a quote I didn't say. I didn't talk about older iMacs - I meant modern iMacs. I remember you could use old Intel iMacs as a screen but it required a bit of work and if my memory serves me right it was a bit unstable as well. I think I read somewhere that this has improved on modern iMacs, but I'm not sure.

[Michael L]

you can use iMacs as a screen these days?

Yes use Target Display mode with older iMacs but depends on compatibility.
Google it.

Hey! Don't put in things in a quote I didn't say. I didn't talk about older iMacs - I meant modern iMacs.

The OP has an old iMac so I thought he might still be able to chain or as a screen these days?