Display+MacPro or MacBook Pro+Display

[daneoni]

So i just bought a refurb MBP for my sister, totally maxed out and its very fast. As i was using i started thinking "maybe i should get one for myself". Thing is i own a PowerBook already which i love to bits and was thinking on getting a MacPro instead for uni.

My parents have promised to buy me a computer for school.....last one they bought for me was a Dell in 2003, i have been buying other things (including my first mac) on my own since. Now they want to help out again.

If i choose a MacPro that means i have to completely spring for the Display on my own. However if i choose a MBP then the display will be somewhat included. The budget is £1799.99 (dont ask how i got them to agree to that)

Candidates are a 2.66 GHz/ATI X1900XT/2GB/BT+AE MacPro or a 2.33/2.16/2GB/100GB 7200RPM MBP +Dell/Apple Display.

Im thinking go with the MacPro since i already have a PoweBook for all my portable needs. Plus to be honest im not really trusting the stability of the latest portable offerings from Apple. Buying this also mean i dont have to upgrade for a while as i can simply upgrade the Processor & Graphics card & Memory.

However buying a portable means i have to upgrade on average every 18 months since there are no expandability options.

I'll be using this computer for Garageband/Logic/Photoshop/FCP/Gaming/Word/Internet & to run imaging software my college uses.

Any thoughts?

 

[miniConvert]

It has to be the Mac Pro.

Your PowerBook is still good for a while yet I'd imagine, and the Mac Pro will really let you do all those tasks you mention blisteringly fast. Plus you've got the expandability to cover you for your future needs.

 

[bigandy]

agreed.

mac pro. say it with me... maaac prro

 

[cwtnospam]

Maybe its just because I'm old enough to remember my 1 mhz Apple II+, but I really don't think you're going to need to upgrade any of the current Macbooks or the Mac Pro with anything other than RAM in the next few years. Sure there will be faster processors, but unless you're going to be doing some seriously processor intensive computing (HD video, scientific research), I doubt you'll ever really push the limits other than by running multiple applications.

I'd get the Macbook (Pro or not) and sell the Powerbook after a few weeks with the Macbook.

 

[orangezorki]

I'd definitely get the Mac Pro.

The Mac Pro is way faster now, and has far more ability to update video card, HD space, RAM, even the processors. It'll last at least twice the time.

David

 

[daneoni]

Hmm i guess you're im only bummed about them not including frontrow or photobooth or the ability to run them in future (no IR remote/receiver) but i can deal.

 

[FFTT]

Since you already have a perfectly good PowerBook, the Mac Pro would give you
alll the power you need for your heavy work.

If you decide that you still need a newer notebook later, wait till Apple releases
the Santa Rosa/Leopard MBP's

 

[tuartboy]

If you think you PB will pull hard enough, go for the mac pro. However, I guarantee you will do far more work outside your dorm than you think and it might be nice to have a mobile powerhouse.