For Christmas I like to put together a system for Mom & Dad. I'm thinking Dell 20 widescreen monitor and a Mac Mini. My wife is a teacher so an education discount is an option. What is the best route for the best deal. They won't be playing Doom on it, but they also won't be replacing it anytime soon. Help me put together a good system for them at the best price. What's best? Amazon? Apple? I found this deal at dealmac on a 20" Dell Widescreen monitor
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OK, slight hitch on the monitor...I can't seem to get the thing into my cart. Dell won't let me buy it...

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dell definitely plays games on price so keep an eye on dealmac.

go for a refurb mini.

don't forget to add some ram.

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or consider a 17" imac.

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Why not just get a refurb 20" iMac? The cost ends up being pretty close. It is more future proof even if you are stuck with the LCD tied to the hardware.

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In tha 360. MRF User Map

I just might get them Doom for Christmas.

Is there an issue with adding RAM to an Intel Mini as an end-user? Do I remember correctly that it is something Apple requires an authorized servicer to do?

Quote
ztirffritz
OK, slight hitch on the monitor...I can't seem to get the thing into my cart. Dell won't let me buy it...

Meh. Their site is illin'.
Just call.

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new minis are very hard to crack open to add ram... and you want at least 1 gig

oh, and u might want to wait -- i would bet the minis get a core 2 duo chip soon, much faster

dells are nice, but samsungs are nicer...same price

a 20" iMac -- refurb or not ($150 rebates at amazon, no tax) -- is much more mac for the $

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

Yeah, I leaning towards iMac now. Built in webcam piqued my interest.

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I'll echo what others are saying, ztirffritz: go the iMac route method. It'll never be a problem to "hook up" for your parents, less cables, easy to add RAM to, built-in iSight, easier to cart around. And if you go open box, the price won't be much different.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2006 08:09AM by tuqqer.

I bought a refurb mini for mom. Am I best with the DVI HannasG 17" that is around for $80 AR or is it worth waiting for a better deal for the same size.?
Nearest thing currently is an analog Viewsonic with 8ms response instead of 12ms.
Both 3 years warranty (FWIW)
Don't think 85 year old moms eyes are moving that fast.

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I just bought a refurb mini for my 74 year old Dad. He's been running a G4-466 DA for years. I was leaning toward an iMac, but I already bought him a 19" Hann-g during the summer when his Apple Studio Display finally died. If you don't have an investment in a monitor, I'd go with the iMac.

I went with the mini+monitor route for my 70 y.o. Mom. The 19" monitors have the same pixel count as the 17s, and the larger pixels are a consideration for older eyes.

Without that, I probably would have gone with the iMac.

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Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

iMac 20"
Easy RAM upgrade/
Easy/Cheaper/Faster HD upgrade. Remember, HD in mini is a notebook drive.
Dual monitor capable.
iSight
You can mount the iMac on a VESA mount monitor arm, looks cool as hell.

BGnR

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"Near the day of Purification, there will be cobwebs spun back and forth in the sky."
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and then I thought about it and just arranged for a return before the mini arrived.
I'll get mom a 17" iMac.

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proofraed by OwEn the c@t.