imac vs. macbook pro

[patstome]

hi, i need some tips!

i want to buy me a mac. either a 20" imac (maybe a 17" with faster cpu) or a 15.4" macbook pro.

since four years i'm a notebook user and not sure to miss this freedom,

but the imac has some other advantages i think!

so help me out to see more clear, please

[Nonny]

It really depends on whether you absolutely need it to be portable.

The specs are near identical and the iMac is like a thousand dollars cheaper. I think the iMac is a far better value personally. Plus the iMac doesn't really have any known issues.

[patstome]

thanks for your opinion. it's good to know there aren't any issues with the imac. only one thing i want to add... the price difference here is just about 100-200 dollars!

[dreamsINdigital]

If you decide to go with the MBP, I suggest you wait at least until WWDC next month, because they may announce the new upgrades. It will probably have a new case, better processors (with 64 bit), and hopefully bugs fixed like the heat issue.

[patstome]

okay, but the price will be change by apple as well, right?

[dreamsINdigital]

Usually they don't change the price when they update stuff.

[patstome]

good to know!

[styrizo]

Just 100-200$ difference? That's amazing!! Are you sure you are comparing with MacBook Pro, because everywhere I look there's a huge difference.

Answering to your question, I have a 17" iMac and have no complain I would say that it's definitely the best option if you're not to miss portability. Larger HDD, screen and (at least here in Spain) a lot cheaper than the MBP, plus if you want to move it from time to time it's not very heavy and you just have to unplug it and take it on one hand and take the keyboard and mouse on the other.

[patstome]

well, i've found a shop that offers the macbook pro for about 1700 € (about 2100 $). and the 20" imac i desire is about 1550 €...

but thank's for your pro and cons (well there only were pros for the imac)

[lukevink]

correct me if im wrong, but doesnt the fact that a mac book pros graphics card is dedicated mean that it can render faster and stuff? or is the imac also dedicated. Oh and a 17 inch yea has more video memory.

[duyvan82]

both of them (imac and mbp) have dedicated graphics, and the one on iMac should be faster since MBP's graphics has been underclocked to prevent heat and stuff.

[ShadyApple]

since their both identical in specs ask yourself this, do you want a desktop or a laptop, do you perfer to surf online staying stationary or mobile instead? like dreamsINdigital said wait until the new versions come out and then make your final decision. personally i think ill get the mbp, id rather go to any room in my house and surf the web or take it with me to a park or cafe and surf the web freely. one advantage the imac does have is one bigger screen and two that you can upgrade its cpu so if you see yourself upgrading it in the near future like when intel releases their core 3 duo lol processor then get imac instead.

[patstome]

thank's all for your comments.

and shadyapple this is the bad situation i'm in. like i said, i'm using laptops since four years and would miss it. so it seems a good idea to wait for the updated mbp version! but time will tell.

[dreamsINdigital]

The MacBook Pro and the iMac both have a Mobility ATI Radeon x1600, and both are underclocked. However, the MacBook Pro has the option for a 256 MB x1600, while the iMac only has the 128 MB.

[patstome]

well, here you can choose the 256 mb ati version as well for the imac...

# edit... it's just for the 20" version

[deiphobus]

Just ask yourself this: "Do I still want mobility?" That's the only question you should answer. Both the machines are awesome. Besides, you didn't really say that you care about the price.

[patstome]

yes, you are right, so i wait for the update to make the decision. that should be enough time ...

thank's

[jordansystem]

hey. you guys have a few things wrong on your posts. The mbp has better stats (well the hard drive is smaller but is upgradeable to 160 gb 5400 rpm for only 82$). The mbp has a nivida g force graphics card whereas the imac only has a ati raedon card (significantly less powerful). The mbp also has a 2.2 Ghz processor which is higher than the factory setting on the imac of only 2.0 Ghz (even with the upgrade it is still only 2.16 Ghz)*. Another plus for the mbp is it has 2 gb of ram ( two 1 gb modules) where the imac has only 1. You need to decide not only wether you want something portable but wether or not you will be doing anything heavy such as music production or photography applications. I suggest looking into buying a refurbished 15.4" Mbp as a compromise.

* Assuming you are referring to the higher model 17"

[iGo]

@jordansystem : Do you realize that you are replying a thread almost an year old ???

So their posts, are quite correct for that time.

Although I would like to welcome you to Aqua-Soft.... but your first post (full of ignorance), bumping an old thread doesn't look like a great start.

[patstome]

in a kind i was thinking the same

[Mac Intosh]

What did you end up doing?

[patstome]

i've choosen the 20" imac. and yesterday i've found out the new imac will be saled right now. and the 1199$ version has almost the same config like mine, but it's 500$ cheaper than mine. arghh... i want this new imac with this very cool new keyboard : )

[Levi- The perfectionist]

now that the imac specs have been updated its now a question of;

imac- big screen, graphics card

vs

Macbook- portabe, lack graphics card, comparable price tag to imac.

vs

Macbook Pro -portability, graphics card, larger price tag.

...which ever suits your need more really.