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Big iMac Decision

jtmx29

jtmx29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 14, 2010
157
0
Connecticut
Recently I built a Windows desktop for gaming and multimedia purposes. While I love the Windows machine my Macbook Pro has been sitting unused unfortunately. I am a college student who commutes and I don't bring it to school as much as I used to (I switched schools). It seems like I don't have time to use it at school for the most part.

The MBP is a late 2010 model. I was thinking about selling the MBP and purchasing and iMac for home use. I am into web design and I like to use things like Rapidweaver and Coda, which are mac only products. The biggest drawback is that the 13' screen is difficult to do many things at once conveniently. Would it be ridiculous for me to make this decision?

Finally, my friends thing that making the switch from the MBP isn't a good idea. Unfortunately, the MBP is really just used for browsing the internet here and there. This isn't what the MBP is intended for hence the reason I am even considering this.

What do you guys think.


Thanks,

-JTMx29
 
Why not get a display for the MBP and use it as desktop replacement, as the MBP you have should more than suffice your stated computational needs.
 
simsaladimbamba said:
Why not get a display for the MBP and use it as desktop replacement, as the MBP you have should more than suffice your stated computational needs.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's another option I was open to. I wouldn't be able to afford an Apple display though. I have a 22' Viewsonic monitor but the colors are not as crisp as I would like.
 
Since you're not using your MBP as a portable device, perhaps you would be better off with a new iMac, especially if you're going to be web designing etc (Bigger screen, more comfortable for long sessions).

If you need something portable later, you could always pick up an iPad for note taking and simple research tasks.

My 2 cents :)
 
Get a dell IPS 23 inch model.
On sale for like 250 every month or so.
I have the keyboard, and trackpad together using something from 12south

I'm doing that right now. It's pretty awesome

But I am waiting for my 27 inch imac to be delivered next week. lol
 
TheNakedMan said:
Get a dell IPS 23 inch model.
On sale for like 250 every month or so.
Click to expand...

Yeah, theres no need for an Apple display.

This is the monitor hes talking about, its excellent:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...=04&sku=320-9270&dgc=SS&cid=52102&lid=1342490

You can run a cable from your Windblows PC to the DVI port and connect your MBP to the Display port with a mini Display Port to Display port cable.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024606

Plug your MBP into the monitor and hit the button to change the "input" and your MBP will show up on the screen. Press it back to DVI and your PC shows up. Dead simple.
 
Badger^2 said:
Yeah, theres no need for an Apple display.

This is the monitor hes talking about, its excellent:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...=04&sku=320-9270&dgc=SS&cid=52102&lid=1342490

You can run a cable from your Windblows PC to the DVI port and connect your MBP to the Display port with a mini Display Port to Display port cable.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024606

Plug your MBP into the monitor and hit the button to change the "input" and your MBP will show up on the screen. Press it back to DVI and your PC shows up. Dead simple.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I already have the DVI adapter. The thing that is pushing me to go iMac is because of the quad core. It'll run Photoshop and other editing programs faster, not to mention Lion is coming out soon (might have higher system specs). I'm going to keep thinking about this though. The Dell monitor is really nice it seems.
 
IMHO, it sounds like you really don't enjoy carrying around a laptop. That being the case, I think you'd be happier getting an iMac. You won't have to worry about performance, and you'll have an excellent machine in the workspace you prefer using anyway - your home.

Nonetheless, if cost is a big concern, buying a monitor can't hurt. Can always use it as a secondary later if you decide to trade in the laptop. And I wouldn't worry about Lion running poorly on your MBP. Apple wouldn't design a new version of their OS that couldn't run on the past several generations of all their Mac OS products relatively smoothly.
 
Whatever makes you happy. It's only money and you're not bankrupting your future or anything remotely close.

That being said might be smart to keep a laptop around for couch surfing, kitchen table computing and then hook up a monitor to it when needed. After all you have a windows desktop rig as it is.
 
Faster is a relative term.

Sure, if you are pushing a ton of 100+ meg PSDs around and not a bunch of crappy little web graphics -- you will prob never see the diff.

Even my lowly C2D can open 50 meg files in 2 seconds. Not sure how opening them in 1 really helps unless thats all I do all day...

You are overthinking it.

When I was in college I hung out on campus checkin out the chicks and drinking beer at the local bars. Video games were not on the radar -- or they were something you did at 2 AM when everyone was asleep.

Get out more.
 
Ah. Just checking in on this thread because I thought it was going to be about a decision related to two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.
 
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