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i cant choose!!!??!?

A

afornander

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 5, 2006
286
0
ok, for a wile i have wanted a macbook:). but now im having second thoughts. with the macbook i wanted a 13" 2.00ghz white, 1gb of ram, 80gb of hdd. now, i see that i can get a 17" imac 1.83ghz, 160gb hdd, 1gb ram... for less.

i wanted the macbook for portability, but now i want the imac for power and size. i know the 1.83ghz vs 2.00ghz isnt going to make a big diff, and i can still get a free 2gb ipod nano, so please help me make a choice. also what are the chances of a speed boost in the proccesor during/after wwdc.

Thanks:)
 
It all comes down to portability. If you need a portable computer, get the MacBook. If power is more important, and you don't need to move it, get the iMac.

The largest difference between the MacBook and iMac is graphics. The MacBook uses 64 MB shared RAM, and the iMac has 128 or 256 MB dedicated graphics RAM.
 
I would always go with the MB, the imac is getting a upgrade soon, so if you are considering buying one, I would wait another month. 17” is too small for me anyways. And the imac isn’t really more powerful then the imac, at least not by a big margin.
 
Get portability if you know you need it. Don't get it if you think it'd be nice for traveling, or for abnormal circumstances.

Seeing as you're getting the nano, I'm assuming that you're a college student. If that's the case, definitely get the laptop.

(1) You are going to be moving in and out of your dorm/apartment every year, and moving around a heavy desktop is a real pain, especially if you're like me and have to take a plane.
(2) When a bunch of people gather to study, it's not uncommon for everyone to bring out their laptops. Being able to word process on the go, and tap into campus wifi is very nice. Add in new software like Writely where people can dynamically edit a communal document, and you're going to want to have a computer with you.
(3) You get more places to study. Roommate wants to bring friends over in the afternoon, and you want to study? You can bring your laptop to a Starbucks and work there.

I'm assuming that you don't have a monstrous music library either, since you're going for a 2GB nano. In that case, you probably won't see too much benefit of having 160GB vs. 80GB.
 
Doesn't starbucks charge you for their wireless internet though?
But yeah I mostly work from home (I also got a desktop though for games), but it's nice to be able to bring my laptop with me when I'm visiting my parents in the weekends. And during the 1-2 months a year I spend abroad it's nice to have a laptop with you with all the wireless networks available now. I actually bought the one I have now in Santa Monica (gotta love the exchange rate) last year, and was amazed at how nice it was to have around.

Don't get me wrong though I'm not the type of person that always brings it with him to the faculty, but just get the laptop with a extra tft screen, and maybe later on a external harddrive, you won't regret it!
 
afornander said:
ok, for a wile i have wanted a macbook:). but now im having second thoughts. with the macbook i wanted a 13" 2.00ghz white, 1gb of ram, 80gb of hdd. now, i see that i can get a 17" imac 1.83ghz, 160gb hdd, 1gb ram... for less.

i wanted the macbook for portability, but now i want the imac for power and size. i know the 1.83ghz vs 2.00ghz isnt going to make a big diff, and i can still get a free 2gb ipod nano, so please help me make a choice. also what are the chances of a speed boost in the proccesor during/after wwdc.

Thanks:)
Click to expand...

The difference between processors while not be very noticeable. As far as the iMac being faster than the MacBook, it will be, but not by a whole lot. The only area that the iMac should be a lot faster than the MacBook is when gaming (or other graphic intensive tasks). For other tasks, the two computers should be pretty similar in speed.

So if you want/need a mobile system, don't have any qualms about going with the 2GHz MacBook. :)
 
Personally I would choose the MB. Laptops are the best. Yes the iMac may be a little better but you can't use it on the couch or in bed and you can't take it with you to school or work etc.

It really depends on your needs though. If you want to game or do more intensive things and are quite happy to do it in the same position, then go for the iMac. Good luck with the decision. ;)
 
Get the MacBook

If you don't absolutely need the extra power and size of the iMac, go with the notebook. When I bought my computer I needed it for audio recording and editing, so I bought a PowerMac. Since then I went back to school and have had the same computer. It is only a dual 1 Gig G4, but it is far more power than I have ever needed in school, and it could probably last another 4 or 5 years without a problem. Unfortunately, there are so many times that I wish I had the portable option to go somewhere else and work, like a friends house or a cafe, or to take it to class for a presentation or to take notes.

Anyway, I plan to buy a new MacBook Pro when the Rev B is introduced. My PowerMac will probably become a nice backup computer to save important stuff.
 
I cannot go back to the desk top computer any more now that I have been using notebook computers exclusively for more than 6 years. I like the compactness of the notebook computer compared the desk top unit. I don't want to keep kicking the heavy large desktop unit underneath the desk every time I swivel on my computer chair.

Also, the notebook computers come in handy when:
1. you need to move
2. you tend to travel often and need to take the computer with you
3. you want to use the desk space efficiently
4. you need to pack and move quickly (such as when there is a fire, other household disasters, or an event in which you need to do a quick get-away)
5. you want the machine to be clean (it is easy to clean the notebook)

However, when I were going to be home-bound, I would get the desk top simply because of more computing power.
 
That's a hard decision. I own a macbook pro and a 20" G5 iMac. I still like having the desktop for routine things. But I could never live without my macbook Pro. I have to have a laptop. Much of the time even in the house I use my laptop. When I sit in front of the tv with my wife on my laptop, she thinks I'm spending time with her :) If I'm back in the office I'm "ignoring her." The laptop saves relationships. :D

afornander said:
ok, for a wile i have wanted a macbook:). but now im having second thoughts. with the macbook i wanted a 13" 2.00ghz white, 1gb of ram, 80gb of hdd. now, i see that i can get a 17" imac 1.83ghz, 160gb hdd, 1gb ram... for less.

i wanted the macbook for portability, but now i want the imac for power and size. i know the 1.83ghz vs 2.00ghz isnt going to make a big diff, and i can still get a free 2gb ipod nano, so please help me make a choice. also what are the chances of a speed boost in the proccesor during/after wwdc.

Thanks:)
Click to expand...
 
Personally I hate the iMac, butt stupid design that..

1) has a zillion points of failure in one cramped little case
2) unupgradeable
3) basically a PeeCee that looks nice
4) try using it as a laptop, really.. the chicks dig it.. your biceps that is.

Considering that the iMac isn't significantly cheaper than the Macbook, the only reason why I'd recommend it is..

1) you genuinely want a desktop (ie: granny, not working, can't afford to go to cafe and chat with guys, can't have sex either!) only
2) the bigger screen is a plus, if (1) applies
3) the ability to game is obviously a plus too together with (2), only if (1) applies.

If you need a laptop too, I'd just bugger "gaming" and get the Macbook, and perhaps a PeeCee too to go in conjunction with that. If you are a PeeCee user before more often than not you'd already have some parts sitting around. With some of them as well as a couple hundred bucks a computer (the real kind) can be assembled.

Unlike Macs which come with special Big Brother chips that Proles like us have no access to.
 
Just get both if you can.

otherwise just get the MacBook and buy a new LCD monitor with a bluetooth keyboard and mouse, pair it with the MacBook, Close the macbook and hide it and there ya go a desktop computer. easy as that.

To tell you the truth: I had a iBook G4 1.33, great computer but it was kind slow sometimes. I bought a 17" intel imac and the thing was awesome -still is - love the extra screen space, bigger HD, speakers etc. But, there are times i wish i had my iBook still ( i ended up selling it on eBay, for a very good deal to buy a Macbook)

I think I'm still going to get the macbook, but im not "in need" of a laptop - just in "want" of a laptop. But I mean both def. come in handy.

So if you can only get 1 computer, maybe get a MacBook Pro (basically a portable iMac spec wise) and use it as a laptop or desktop setup.

Hope that helps
 
The power aspect seems to be overrated if you ask me... Size is something you could take into consideration though.

But just buy the macbook + a tft and you wont regret it.. You know you want too
 
jadekitty24 said:
MacBook definitely. Portability is a wonderful thing. :)
Click to expand...


I agree, portability truly is a wonderful thing- I love being able to take my 2GHz MacBook Pro with me everywhere that I want to go. :)
 
ok... first, no im not a college student (im in highschool), if you go to the page that tells you about the free ipod deal (here) then you will see that there is no rule saying you have to be a college student.

next, no i dont need portability, that would just be an added bonus with the macbook. i was looking at the imac for power and size because i play hl2 once or twice a week. but i have seen it play well on the macbook at youtube.com.

last, i need a new computer to last me through highschool, i do a fair amount of coding programs (im kind of a geek). i also do a bit of media work, music, videos, pictures.:D
 
Definitely MacBook.

I have a MacBook Pro which has COMPLETELY replaced my Dell desktop. It works a treat. I can take EVERYTHING (ALL my music and photos, plus a portable office, oh yeah and internet and games etc...) with me wherever I want! It has completely changed the way I work!

The MacBook may not have the most groundbreaking graphics card this world has seen, but it's good enough for most games! I've seen Unreal Tournament running on a MacBook and it looked pretty outstanding!!

MacBook ALL THE WAY! IMO, it's not like it's not powerful enough! It's a beast of a laptop!
 
Based on your last post, I'd recommend the iMac esp. because you want to play games occasionally and do video. Otherwise, I'd stick with the macbook.

afornander said:
ok... first, no im not a college student (im in highschool), if you go to the page that tells you about the free ipod deal (here) then you will see that there is no rule saying you have to be a college student.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately that's not correct. The iPod deal (and educational discount) is for those deemed "Apple Education Individuals." Follow your link above or read on...

apple rebate coupon said:
Terms and Conditions
You must purchase qualifying products with Apple’s Education Individual discount from June 5, 2006, through September 16, 2006. You must be a qualified Apple Education Individual enduser purchaser, and not a reseller, to obtain this promotional offer. Products must be purchased from the online Apple Store for Education Individuals, a retail Apple Store, Apple Telesales, or an Apple Authorized Campus Reseller located in the United States or District of Columbia.
EDUCATION INDIVIDUAL PURCHASE QUALIFICATIONS: Faculty and staff of higher education institutions and students attending or accepted into a higher education institution are eligible. Any employee of a public or private K-12 institution in the United States or District of Columbia is eligible. School board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members are eligible. PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers are eligible.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but I didn't want you to purchase both and find out you're not getting reimbursed.
 
If you're in high school, you probably won't need the portability. It's nice to be able to do work on the couch, but you're probably not going to use the portability much. (Well, pends on what year you are in HS. If you're going to college next year and plan to keep your computer, then definitely the MacBook.)

If you're doing coding and graphics, the MacBook might not be a good choice. Same goes for games. I'm on a 1.5gHz 12'' PB with 64MB (dedicated? i don't remember) memory, and games like WoW run all right but not superbly. For coding, you'll probably enjoy a bigger screen.

And yeah - "Higher Education" = college and above.
 
afornander said:
ok... first, no im not a college student (im in highschool), if you go to the page that tells you about the free ipod deal (here) then you will see that there is no rule saying you have to be a college student.

next, no i dont need portability, that would just be an added bonus with the macbook. i was looking at the imac for power and size because i play hl2 once or twice a week. but i have seen it play well on the macbook at youtube.com.

last, i need a new computer to last me through highschool, i do a fair amount of coding programs (im kind of a geek). i also do a bit of media work, music, videos, pictures.:D
Click to expand...
Based on this additional info, I would recommend an iMac.

Why? Many reasons. Here are some key ones:

- Better screen position. When using on a desk, I prefer the iMac for head/eye position over my PB15.

- Bigger HD. Sure you can add external ones. But having a nice big internal HD is nice.

- Full sized keyboard and mouse

- Better speakers. Of course you can always add external ones to either the iMac or MB/MBP.

- Cheaper!

Also, they have cases for about $100 that you can tote your iMac with you from location to location should the need arise. I would recommend the 17 inch version if you are going to do this. The 20 seems a bit large/heavy to do this.
 
Definitely the MacBook, you may not think it now but the portability will be something you can't live without :)

Being in College I couldn't do without my MB.
 
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