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General discussion

desktop and notebook

Jul 19, 2006 11:12AM PDT

Any thoughts on a desktop notebook combo. The macbook pro is just as powerful as the imac. Now a days, can a notebook be a users only computer. Years ago I would never have gone without a desktop. I am thinking about getting a new macbook pro and selling my old desktop. The alt is a macbook pro and imac combo.

Discussion is locked

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I would think so
Jul 19, 2006 11:30AM PDT

As you say, the new Macbook Pro machines are easily on a par with an iMac.
If you don't mind the funky keyboard then there should be no problem.

I note that the alternative is BOTH! Now that's the way to go! Happy

P

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desktop replacement
Jul 19, 2006 12:48PM PDT

With desktop replacement notebooks are desktops lossing popularity. 3 yrs ago I would not be without a desktop

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I don't think so
Jul 19, 2006 11:34PM PDT

but there has certainly been an upswing in the sales of Laptops.
I prefer a "real" keyboard and mouse but that is easy to add to a laptop.

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Upgrades
Jul 27, 2006 11:40PM PDT

The major difference that I see these days between desktops and desktop replacement laptops, like the Mac Book Pro, is the ability to upgrade. With a desktop it's very easy to upgrade components like video cards and add multiple hard drives that are far less expensive than the 2.5" SATA hard drives used by the new line of Mac laptops; the iMac is an exception to this general rule because of it's all-in-one design that makes multiple internal hard drives not an option.

Though some will argue that you can get an external hard drive that's just as fast as an internal, I think you'll be hard pressed to find a quality external drive for the same price as an internal drive of equal capacity. Also, I've heard mixed opinions on external drives and whether or not you should leave them on continuously, as you probably would if you were using your laptop as a desktop.

But with the availability of 120-160 GB internal notebook hard drives, a Mac Book Pro with the 256 MB video card option would make a nice desktop replacement. The only time you'll probably need more storage before higher capacity notebook hard drives arrive, is if you do a lot of high quality digital photography or video editing.

I do agree that having both is still better. You could buy a Mac Book and a 20" refurb iMac for about the same price as a 17" Mac Book pro with ram and hard drive upgrades, or a 15" with upgrades and an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.

I'd still wait a few weeks on making a purchase though because the WWDC is coming up, and Apple always has new goodies to show off there. Rumors are around that Apple will upgrade the chip in the Mac Book Pro to Intel's Core Duo 2 mobile processor, which would make the Mac Book Pro more powerful than the current Core Duo iMac. This introduction could also cause a price drop in Core Duo models. We'll have to wait and see though.

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One addition...
Jul 28, 2006 3:18AM PDT

The only thing I would add to the comment about external hard drives is that if someone is doing video editing, their best bet would be to have an external drive anyway. An external scratch disk helps reduce the load on the internal system drive the OS and other tasks put on it because all your media transfer for the video editing comes from the other drive.

My two cents for what it's worth. Happy

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And always use a Firewire
Aug 19, 2006 11:37PM PDT

external drive which puts very little overhead on the processor and is therefore faster than USB2.0
The USB2.0 speed is practically unobtainable while the Firewire speed is always close to it.


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Dsktop Advantage
Jul 28, 2006 4:32AM PDT

The main advantage a "real" desktop computer has (and I don't think this includes minis and all-in-ones (iMacs),)is their flexibility in upgrades.

Whereas CPU upgrades become available for dektops, as soon as a new microprocessor comes out, there is no way (I know of) to upgrade the CPU on a notebook. Same for the possibility of adding varous plug-in cards.

Yet personally, I would never buy another desktop, because I need to be able to carry my files with me.

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Laptop vs. Desktop
Jul 28, 2006 5:09AM PDT

After going through the same questioning two years ago, I wound up buying a PowerBook, and am very happy with that decision. I use it on my desk with a regular desktop keyboard and mouse, a second monitor (pallets go on the laptop screen, graphics on the larger, separate one) and a couple of external FireWire 2 HDs which work just fine.

When I need to travel, I just unplug it and go.

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mac book pro
Aug 19, 2006 3:37AM PDT

yeah sure dude but how is the price?
and how much easier is it 2 steal a laptop than a desktop?????
adam eriksson

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macbook
May 14, 2007 6:17AM PDT

may pick up a macbook