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General discussion

PC user switching to an Intel Mac (Decison time!)

Nov 1, 2007 1:08AM PDT

Hi all, ( I will most likely answer my own questions, by typing it all out by any feedback would be appreciated please)

I have been involved with PCs for the last 5 years and only really recently started to look at Macs since a mate bought an Intel one and I played around on it. However I am in need a new machine and looking to apple for my next machine and first mac.

I have been a power user on my AMD box, Two 20" Wide screen monitors, 4GB of RAM, and decent video Cards. I have recently bought an DSLR and started to getting involved with Photography and digital editing and Web Design and I will no doubt eventually get involved in video editing too.

I am currently on my Toshiba Laptop off one of my 20 Screens (other gear is back with my family) as the wife and I are currently travelling (staying for long periods then moving on.. Hey we are young!!)

My situation is that I am considering an Mac Book Pro or a 20" Imac. I kinda do already have a Mac Laptop (osx86x) but thats not legal unless you are an apple developer, and a 20" screen that can connect to Laptop for a bigger work space.

Issues I am trying to sort out...

The portability is nice, but then I kinda already got that, the Imac is more powerful or close the same on the better models, but on our next move will be annoying to move a 20 WS and 20" Imac, but then I could hook the other 20" WS to the Imac and be set up like back home.. I miss my two screens!

Is the a noticeable performance in the imac to the macbook pro.

Would The Imac prove to be more powerful and easier to work on?

I could hook the laptop up to the widescreen and use the laptop screen as a smaller second screen.

I can take the laptop any were, easier to use, but scrunched up pictures from a 10.7MP camera on the road.

When I get back I could get connect my macbook to my other two 20" screens( i think)

Thanks for reading this far... please tell me your thoughts, if you have any.

Discussion is locked

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From what I read...
Nov 1, 2007 1:24AM PDT

the MBPs have integrated graphics, the iMacs do not. Verify that though, I could be wrong.

Logic board issues with some MBPs is startling.

And an iMac looks nicer.

My next machine will probably be an Apple as well, mainly because I will be able to consolidate my Windows running machine and a Mac into one. Consider bootcamp if you would, or parallels.

The choice is ultimately yours

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thanks for replying mate...
Nov 1, 2007 6:15AM PDT

So i thought they both had dedicated graphics cards, but it was a laptop Video card, which are often small and dont perform as well.

So logic board issues.. thats scary.

I plan on running Parallels with vista and Pc Linux os. So then i have a windows and mac box and dont have to have a osx 86 dual booted with windows...

I get an Edu discount as well, and that gets a three warrannty and plan on keeping it for that long.

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Unless you need the portability...
Nov 1, 2007 7:33AM PDT

Go with the iMac. I myself usually vouch for laptops, but that's because I usually like to move them around and stuff. Still, I recommend the non-portable option to many users in favour of performance.

Again, it's up to you. I'd check up on those graphics cards though - don't just take my word for it.

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Today they made some quiet, minor upgrades to the MacBooks
Nov 1, 2007 8:26AM PDT

and your power craving as you suggest may be sated by a 2.6Ghz MBP. Sigh, mine's only 2.16Ghz, but that's not too much of a difference. But then mine can't have 4GB of RAM (only up to 3GB and I have 2GB), has a smaller HD, different board (pre-Santa Rosa), ATI graphics (not the newer Nvidia cards Sad ), slower wireless I believe... but that's Apple for you. Always making something new every few months. Sucks that I bought my MBP a month before the Santa Rosa models... Man.

I always prefer the mobility of laptops, and though the iMac is great, I just prefer the G5 iMacs than the new ones. Also, the new iMacs have been having some problems (and some even had condensation inside!) though some people have reported no problems. The black+aluminum doesn't appeal to me as much as the all white finish. But I'd like a 2.8Ghz machine, so who cares what the case looks like? LOL. The iMacs have some new ATI cards, while the MBPs have the newer Nvidia cards, so that's a decision there. Personally, I don't think I've used too many Nvidia machines, and ATI cards have always performed well without a hitch, unless the processor can't handle something or the RAM gets filled up, which is hard to do on the new Intel machines one would think.

Don't run OS X on a PC. Not the same experience as a real Mac and definitely not legal or as smooth and streamlined. Like I just said, I prefer laptops just because if you want to move it, you can just pick it up and go. Desktops... not so much unless you like to use them as weights.
Whichever you prefer.
-BMF

You know, I like giving advice to people, but it doesn't matter what I like when it comes to someone else's decision! Their opinions matter, but they can sometimes base them on what many people think. Same case with laptops and desktops. If you feel the need to go with a desktop for ultimate performance, which you could get out of a maxed out MBP, just go ahead with it already. But do what you prefer and makes you happy. You can take my word on that.

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Thanks BeatleMegaFan
Nov 2, 2007 10:59AM PDT

Thanks for your reply BeatleMegaFan, Yeah my decision is ultimatly mine but. I like hearing about what other people have done, and how they found the macs performed and so on. E.G the first 20 imac has a 128mb ati in it and then next model 2.4ghz has a 256MB, i was looking on the net last night, to see if the 2.0ghz to 2.4ghz and 128mb to 256mb made a difference worth spending (au) 400 dollars over, Hd space is not an issue (due to a 2TB NAS)

Mac OS on my Laptop runs great. I know its not the same as running a real mac, but it gives me a portable mac, hence questioning an imac to macbook. I think i am going to stick to a cheaper mac, rather than spending big dollars on macbook pro or high end 24 imac just in case, i am not going to make a definate switch to apple however I think it might as i like open source

I want to be safe than sorry, plus having more power on tap and then the imacs screen and my additional screen seems like an idea. i do like working on my pictures and have other things on the fly at the same time.

Plus what i dont know the advantage of having a santa rosa board, i must look into that!

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Here's a nice link to check out
Nov 2, 2007 11:47AM PDT
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All the current Macs are running Santa Rosa technology now,
Nov 2, 2007 1:54PM PDT

or at least all of them are except for the Pro. That's in a much higher league. I'd go with the new MacBooks considering you can get the 144MB of graphics from the Intel accelerator chip (I think, or something close to that), up to 4GB for future RAM expansion (excellent choice Apple Happy ), and the common decision between 2.0 and 2.2Ghz CPUs. And then HD size may play a role as well as the Combo vs. Super Drive issue.

I know you don't care much for the HD, so looking into a white 2.2Ghz MacBook is worth checking out.
-BMF

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Black Macbook FTW!!!!
Nov 2, 2007 3:04PM PDT

I have since looked up the macbooks and you are right! with a new intel video chip, it is not dedicated ram, but will do me, from reviews that i have read.it is very attractive, and the fact i can upgrade it to 4gb is awesome! the bus speed increase to 800 is great.

i am since going to get the black macbook or the white one below it.

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Glad to have helped you out there. To save money,
Nov 3, 2007 7:58AM PDT

the white one would be better since you have to pay $50 extra for the black model, but I prefer the black myself. Hope you enjoy your MacBook, which is now better than my MBP, "sniff"... sucks for me.
But, Leopard as unleashed my MBP, so until its cracking case falls apart, I'm going to make use of it. For those who remember my MBP's shell and power button were not assembled correctly, I did not take it in as the problems were too minimal for any real change. I have 3 years to go, so unless it gets really bad or I have time, I'll let them look at it. I could really use a 2.6Ghz CPU... and 4GB of RAM with a 250GB HD. I'll see about that.

Again, congrats.
-BMF