Apple: Desktop or Laptop?

[Localonthe8s]

They're expensive too and are mainly used for commercial/business purposes

[Stephen]

True. If i were to go desktop, an iMac would be more suitable. Just having a really hard time deciding which one to go with. They both have their pro's and con's.

Just get the one that has everything that YOU need. Don't get too much, and don't get too little, either. Get what suits you the best.

[Gil]

That's the problem. They both suit me perfectly. A desktop would be nice, because its not as fragile, not expensive, so theres a less chance of getting damaged or wrecked somehow. the MBP is portable, which is nice, but since I already have an iBook, its not a necessity. The iMac only comes with a glossy finish. The MBP has an option for both glossy and matte.

GRRR the choices!!

[beanboy89]

Have you considered the MacBook over the MacBook Pro? Or a Mac Mini over an iMac or Mac Pro?

[Gil]

No, I won't even consider those choices. This is my one shot to get a a Mac for absolutely nothing, and i want to get the best possible one.

[Stephen]

That's the problem. They both suit me perfectly. A desktop would be nice, because its not as fragile, not expensive, so theres a less chance of getting damaged or wrecked somehow. the MBP is portable, which is nice, but since I already have an iBook, its not a necessity. The iMac only comes with a glossy finish. The MBP has an option for both glossy and matte.

GRRR the choices!!

You already have an iBook, so that takes care of the portability issue. I'd say, go for the iMac. It's in the middle-of-the-line (the Mac mini is low-end, and the Mac Pro is high-end), and it should do what you need it to do really well, without any problems. Yes, the MacBook Pro has a matte finish and the iMac doesn't, but that doesn't really matter. You already have a portable Mac, so there isn't any need for one. And for what you need to do, the iMac should work just fine.

[Localonthe8s]

Is price an issue on what to get?

[Gil]

I agree completely, Stephen. However Apple is really pushing to phase out the PowerPC computers. I want to be running all of the apps that my next computer will be. I'm already pushing the iBook by running Reason 4 (it doesn't even meet the requirements) and Adobe CS3. In a year or 2, it will be useless. That's what i'm most concerned about.

[Stephen]

I agree completely, Stephen. However Apple is really pushing to phase out the PowerPC computers. I want to be running all of the apps that my next computer will be. I'm already pushing the iBook by running Reason 4 (it doesn't even meet the requirements) and Adobe CS3. In a year or 2, it will be useless. That's what i'm most concerned about.

Apple has already phased out the PowerPC computers (that happened almost a year and a half ago). The iMac today runs on Intel chips.

[Gil]

No, that's not what i mean. They are trying to phase out support for them. Many software companies don't even make applications for PowerPC Macs anymore.

[beanboy89]

No, that's not what i mean. They are trying to phase out support for them. Many software companies don't even make applications for PowerPC Macs anymore.

Most apps today are Universal Binaries, meaning they run on both PPC and Intel Macs.

[Gil]

Yes, but in a year or 2 from now, they wont be.

[Stephen]

Let me get this straight, as I'm kinda confused. So, you want to run the same applications on your iBook that you want to run on your iMac?

[Gil]

Well yes and no. If I had an important file that i created on my iMac (if that's what i choose), I would want to be able to use/edit it on my iBook, if i were to travel or something. Technologically speaking, that won't be possible, seeing as my iBook can't run most newer apps.

[Stephen]

Well yes and no. If I had an important file that i created on my iMac (if that's what i choose), I would want to be able to use/edit it on my iBook, if i were to travel or something. Technologically speaking, that won't be possible, seeing as my iBook can't run most newer apps.

Since you want to travel along with your Intel apps and files, then you should go with the MacBook, as it's pretty much the laptop equivalent of the iMac. Or, if you feel like shelling out the extra money, the MacBook Pro. It's up to you.