I really didn't want it to come to posting a thread like this, but alas, here we go!
I've been contemplating the purchase of a new mac since mid April (when I sold my 2.16 Ghz white iMac w. 7600 GT).
Here are the two options I'm considering:
Refurbished Mac Pro with One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor
2GB (2 x 1GB) of 800MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200-rpm hard drive
16x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (two dual-link DVI ports)
$2099.00 Canadian
New 24" iMac with 3.06 Ghz Core 2 Duo
2GB (2 x 1GB) of 800 Mhz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
500GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm-hard drive
8x Superdrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Nvidia 8800 GS 256MB Video Card
$2099.00 Canadian (student discount)
Obviously the major considerations are what I'll use the computer for, and the lack of screen.
I will be using the computer at home, in my room, for multiple purposes.
First, the screen. Obviously one huge drawback of the Mac Pro is the lack of 24" H-IPS display. I use my computer almost every day for watching multimedia content (television via elgato, movies, downloaded television shows). However, I do already own a 22" glossy TN display, which while not ideal, is sufficient for most purposes. I had been using it as a dual display with my iMac, and had planned to do so again, but could settle for using it as my primary display.
However, watching mutimedia brings up my second qualm with the Mac Pro...no Apple Remote. I have a wireless keyboard, and have been using it to watch video from accross the room for the last 6 weeks...but it does leave something to be desired, compared to the Apple Remote.
Third, the noise. The computer will live in my bedroom. I generally put the computer to sleep at night, so this point might be moot, but I like my computers quiet. From what I hear though, the Mac Pro is fairly quiet.
Finally, intended usage:
I game moderately (World of Warcraft, Guitar Hero III, planning on playing Starcraft2). In some ways, the video card is more important than other aspects of performance. My understanding is that the iMac would most likely perform better in these games. Has anyone played Guitar Hero III on the 3.06 iMac?
I also have a Canon TX1 camera, which I use to record 720p video. I'd occasionally like to be able to edit this video. I think both computers will be more than up to the light editing I'll throw at them.
I'll also be encoding video using VisualHub, for my iPhone (hopefully to be purchased on July 11!) and my girlfriend's iPod touch. I expect the Mac Pro will particularly excel at this.
I'd like to start scheduling recordings with the eyeTV, and then have the application encode them to H.264 and add them to my iTunes library. I'd prefer if my computer was still usable for gaming, browsing, etc. during this time, although I don't expect it to be a problem because I have the Eyetv 250 Plus, which I understand takes most of the recording/encoding load off the processor.
Sorry for the novel. What do you guys think?
EDIT: I guess the other thing to consider is the iPod touch I would get on rebate if I went with the iMac.
I've been contemplating the purchase of a new mac since mid April (when I sold my 2.16 Ghz white iMac w. 7600 GT).
Here are the two options I'm considering:
Refurbished Mac Pro with One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor
2GB (2 x 1GB) of 800MHz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
320GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7200-rpm hard drive
16x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB (two dual-link DVI ports)
$2099.00 Canadian
New 24" iMac with 3.06 Ghz Core 2 Duo
2GB (2 x 1GB) of 800 Mhz DDR2 ECC fully buffered DIMM
500GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm-hard drive
8x Superdrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Nvidia 8800 GS 256MB Video Card
$2099.00 Canadian (student discount)
Obviously the major considerations are what I'll use the computer for, and the lack of screen.
I will be using the computer at home, in my room, for multiple purposes.
First, the screen. Obviously one huge drawback of the Mac Pro is the lack of 24" H-IPS display. I use my computer almost every day for watching multimedia content (television via elgato, movies, downloaded television shows). However, I do already own a 22" glossy TN display, which while not ideal, is sufficient for most purposes. I had been using it as a dual display with my iMac, and had planned to do so again, but could settle for using it as my primary display.
However, watching mutimedia brings up my second qualm with the Mac Pro...no Apple Remote. I have a wireless keyboard, and have been using it to watch video from accross the room for the last 6 weeks...but it does leave something to be desired, compared to the Apple Remote.
Third, the noise. The computer will live in my bedroom. I generally put the computer to sleep at night, so this point might be moot, but I like my computers quiet. From what I hear though, the Mac Pro is fairly quiet.
Finally, intended usage:
I game moderately (World of Warcraft, Guitar Hero III, planning on playing Starcraft2). In some ways, the video card is more important than other aspects of performance. My understanding is that the iMac would most likely perform better in these games. Has anyone played Guitar Hero III on the 3.06 iMac?
I also have a Canon TX1 camera, which I use to record 720p video. I'd occasionally like to be able to edit this video. I think both computers will be more than up to the light editing I'll throw at them.
I'll also be encoding video using VisualHub, for my iPhone (hopefully to be purchased on July 11!) and my girlfriend's iPod touch. I expect the Mac Pro will particularly excel at this.
I'd like to start scheduling recordings with the eyeTV, and then have the application encode them to H.264 and add them to my iTunes library. I'd prefer if my computer was still usable for gaming, browsing, etc. during this time, although I don't expect it to be a problem because I have the Eyetv 250 Plus, which I understand takes most of the recording/encoding load off the processor.
Sorry for the novel. What do you guys think?
EDIT: I guess the other thing to consider is the iPod touch I would get on rebate if I went with the iMac.
