G4 iMac 1.25GHz/1.25 GB RAM vs. Mac mini Core Solo 1.5GHz 512 MB RAM

[pinkoos]

Hi,

I currently have the above referenced G4 iMac and was wondering what kind of performance improvements I would realize with the mini Core Solo with stock 512 MB RAM?

I mainly use Safari, Entourage (for email), iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, MactheRipper, Popcorn, etc.

No Photoshop or any other graphics-type programs.

Is this upgrade worth it? I already have a 17" LCD monitor spanning my G4 iMac and I have an extra keyboard and trackball, so the only cost incurred right now would be the mini itself. Future costs would be a potential RAM upgrade.

Anyway, are there any sites where I can spec my current iMac and potential mini and then compare some benchmarks?

Thanks in advance!

-p

[jardster]

Not sure where you can find benchmarks but here is my feeling...

Emailing and web surfing- you probably won't notice a difference.

iApps- depends on which version you are using. If you haven't gotten iLife '06, then staying with the G4 is probably the best plan so you aren't running through Rosetta. When you do upgrade, then go for the Intel because iLife '06 is optimized for Intels.

[pinkoos]

With the iMac, I'm using iLife '05. However, if I get the mini, I believe it comes with iLife '06 which is optimized for the Intel processor, I think.

[jardster]

oops, forgot that. For iMovie and iDVD, you'll want more than 512 MB RAM, so if you maxed that out, I think the Mini would probably slightly out perform the G4. No benchmarks for you though.

[Seacrest]

I thought the '06 iApps were Universal Binary?

[WHiiP]

I don't think you will notice much performance improvement at all. It might start up faster, but the rest, though faster, will not be noticeable IMHO . . . You will have a "current" machine though

[anonymouse1]

Slower hd on the mini, and it's single processor versus single processor, so I'd guess it's pretty much a wash. Oh, and the mini is a 32 bit processor, if you happen to be dealing with huge amounts of data, the iMac will be better, I think.

[BigGuynRusty]

Seacrest Wrote:
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> I thought the '06 iApps were Universal Binary?

Yes, they are.

BGnR

[pinkoos]

Looks like I should just stick with the iMac or consider a core duo.

Thanks.