Is it different from last time I did it?

I dig the Beethoven doodle.

I've got about a day and a half to decide whether or not to replace my mac mini.

I don't really want a laptop and want to get away as inexpensively as possible...but I'm done buying used computers.

I have loved the mini but my current one is so fiendishly slow and crashy, it makes me frantic some times.

The imac 27" in attractive, but I hate the idea of an all-in-one, cuz if one goes all elements go.

On the other hand, the mini line seems to be diminished, which makes me worry that it will be discontinued soon.

Can the mac folks, ND, Daniel, etc weigh in on my best bet between the two (and the best configuration) especially for longevity?

I own close to 50 Mac minis and they have all been workhorses. Don't buy the cheapest one, but one notch up. Better processor and better video card on that one.

I also have three of the 27" Retina iMacs that are amazing machines as well as iMacs going back to a 24" from 2009. I have never had the monitor section fail in one so I don't consider the all in one aspect a problem.

Thanks, ND.

I was considering the middle or highest end mini.

Do you think there is a substantive difference between the i5 (imac) vs i7(mini) processor?

It's a deceptive comparison. If my memory is correct the i7 in the Mini is a dual core processor and the i5 in the iMac is a quad core. There are also substantive differences in the video processing between the two systems.

This is where my brain cramps.

I'm assuming that means the imac is 'stronger' but I don't know that I necessarily need that.

I run a bunch of applications at once, but I'm not using high end graphics or anything. I stream a LOT, but have only every used about half the memory on my current mini.

I just don't know what I actually need.

have only every used about half the memory on my current mini.

When you say "memory", do you mean hard drive or RAM? It usually means the latter, but people often confuse the two.

Hard drive, Jon.

Just now, I ran Disk Inventory, which tells me I have 4 gigs and I'm using 2.2.

Still, the system runs like molasses and stuff crashes all the time.

I've run all sorts of cleaners but nothing seems to help.

Just now, I ran Disk Inventory, which tells me I have 4 gigs and I'm using 2.2.

That's RAM. Hard Drives these days typically have (at least) hundreds of gigs of space.

I'm not a Mac expert, but it's important to get your terms right so that someone who is can properly help.

Ugh. I'm so bleary.

Of course that is right.

I took the box to the geniuses a few months ago and they ran diagnostics and said that nothing is wrong, but that does not help when switching from one program to another can take 20-30 seconds...not to mention having to force quit out of nearly everything when the system hangs up.

It's super frustrating because I'd rather NOT upgrade if there is a way to get more life from existing tech.