MiniMac or iMac

I'm trying to figure out what I want to do as far as using the free sites to get a new computer. After having built PCs since I was 14, I would like to give Apple a try. I don't really do any gaming anymore; just mostly use the computer for the web, music, Photoshop, and Office applications for school. I'm an engineering student, but I think everything I need a computer for, an Apple should be able to handle.

Now, being that I'm a student, I don't really want to go out and spend a lot on a new computer. I figure that with the free sites and Apple's return policy for store credit; I should be able to get a good computer without spending a ton of cash. Here is what I am trying to decide between a Mac mini w/ SuperDrive (gusto network claims to be offering one soon) and a 20-inch Cinema display, or a 20-inch iMac.

To get the Mac mini and Cinema display, I would have to complete the gusto network site and the Gratis Mac mini site. I would then trade in the Gratis mini ($599) and $100 of my own for the Cinema display ($699 w/ discount). That is somewhere around 20 referrals, maybe a bit more.

The iMac would obviously take more work, but it also has much more included. It comes with the 20-inch widescreen display, 2GHz G5, 512MB RAM, 250GB Hard Drive, 8x SuperDrive, and Bluetooth + Airport. To get the iMac mostly free, I would have to complete two Mac mini sites, as well as a 60GB iPod Photo website. That would be around 30 referrals, which should give me $1647 in store credit. The iMac is $1699 with the discount, so I would only have to throw in an extra $50.

Any opinions on what I should do? That iMac has some nice specs; I'm just not sure if it's worth all the extra work.

Well, the Mac Mini [as I have heard] is slower than the iMac.

The Cinema Display is better than the screen that the iMac comes with.

The iMac has quite a bit more things with it though.

If I were you, I would probably go in the middle of both, and go for a 12-inch or 15-inch powerbook.

powerbook -)

Ahh...so many options!

I really do like the PowerBooks. The only bad thing about them though is the price, $2099 for the 15-inch w/ SuperDrive isn't too cheap.

I dunno...it's a tough choice. I don't know how much I would actually need the mobility of a laptop, but the option is of course nice. That Cinema display is one hell of a nice monitor, I have to admit I like the sleekness of Apple's products.

I didn't realize that the Cinema was a step up from the screen in the iMac, I just figured they used the same screen for both. I'm also not sure if I really need the extra computing power of the iMac, since I wouldn't really be doing much gaming on it or anything. I think I just like the idea that more is better, gotta keep myself grounded sometimes...

powerbook for sure, portable ness.....

You said you were going to be using Photoshop. I would want an iMac over the Mini for that.