I am seriously starting to consider the iMac. It is a major hit in the wallet, so I will need it to last for at least 5 years.
Oops! 5 Years is, well, forever in computer terms. With Apple moving to Intel, you will want to upgrade in about 3 years if not sooner.
Will the iMac “last” that long? Sure. It will still work and do everything it ever did on the day that you bought it. But that’s not what you mean by “last” is it?
The difference between the Mac Mini and the iMac is speed. That’s it. What’s your time worth to you compared to your desire to be “current”?
You can buy 2 Minis for the price of an iMac. Would that let you upgrade in 3 years rather than 5?
I do heavy Photoshop work on a 1 ghz Powerbook with a 12” monitor. It’s pretty fast. A G5 iMac is a lot faster, but I don’t really care because this computer doesn’t make me money. I get nothing back for my time. Video stuff (especially rendering) is pokey, so if you want to pump out movies faster than overnight (or over dinner if they’re short), a faster processor and more RAM will help a LOT.
I think your desire to have a 5 year computer is optimistic at best. If you get the top of the line today (Quad-core G5 with all the trimmings), it will still seem pretty solid in 5 years, but for not being on Intel. If you get the low end (iMac or Mini), you’re already two years down the line compared to today’s max.
