Mac recommendation

[~J~]

Can't believe I'm actually thinking about this, so here goes:

Looking to invest in a Mac at the end of this week and would like a few pointers on which would be the better option based on my requirements.

PLEASE don't give me any PC v Mac arguments, I've been a PC user for nearly 30 years, it's my work, need it for my work and the Mac is purely to meet the following criteria:

• An additional computer to browse the internet,
• A computer to pick up emails BUT *only* if I can 'sync' them with my PC. Don't want emails scattered across machines,
• A place for photos to be stored and a more easier way of looking, editing, organising them,
• Work would 'like' me to look at porting some stuff over onto the iPhone/iPod so would be nice to have a little machine to do a bit of programming, but NOT essential.

Have been looking at both the Mac Mini and iMac (the high end Mac Mini, and low end iMac).

Mac Mini seems ideal because I've already got a 24" Dell with DVI input, so no need for another monitor, but the iMac may have that bit more for future proof.

Any major pro's / con's regarding the two that I should be aware of?

Would the purchase of a Mac Mini + Keyboard + Mouse (nearly £500) be better spent in purchasing the iMac at about £200 more?

 

[~J~]

OK, thanks for that Slogan.

Any ideas of when the upgrade will be, are we talking weeks or months?

 

[~J~]

I'm a big fan of the laptops over the Mini or iMac.

Use them in lid-closed mode with with an external display/mouse/keyboard and they're effectively desktops, and obviously double as a portable when that is useful.

Now that I didn't know (lid-closed mode) That may be of value!

Thanks for that.