iMac vs Mac Pro

[gazfocus]

I'm in the market for a desktop Mac and can't decide whether to go for the iMac or the Mac Pro.

The iMac I would be going for would be the 24" 2.8GHz model with 750GB Hard Drive.

The Mac Pro would be the single processor 2.8GHz quad core, base spec (although possible upgrade to 8800GT).

If I bought the iMac, I would be upgrading the hard drive to 750GB so it would work out roughly the same price as the Mac Pro with the 8800GT.

I use my computer a lot (I'm currently a Windows user), and I do some video editing, some music production, but mainly just general tasks, and web design/image editing with Dreamweaver and Photoshop.

What would you guys suggest?

My reservation over the iMac is that my Windows PC is a 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo and it's just over a year old now, so I kinda feel that buying the 2.8GHz iMac (apart from the OS), wouldn't give me any improvements over my current system.

However, if I buy the Mac Pro, at some point I would buy an ACD because I'd want them to match but at the moment I have a HP 22" monitor that I can use for the time being.

My main reason for considering the Mac Pro is for the quad core (or even 8 core if I can save the extra cash), and the ability to add more/bigger hard drives.

Can someone please give me suggestions because I really am stuck with this decision.

 

[dbam987]

First off, my condolences for your dead Powerbook.

From what you described, going for an iMac is not a good idea. You say you already have a desktop PC with similar components also. Therefore, going for a Mac Pro would be the right course of action.

That said, the choice now boils down to how many processors you want loaded in the Mac Pro. That is a toughy as in my view a single quad-core would be awesome to begin with. How much intensive video editing do you do? Does your current hardware tell you that you need more processors to perform the editing? One one note, you could stick with a single quad-core processor and use the saved cash for an Apple Cinema Display.

 

[gazfocus]

First off, my condolences for your dead Powerbook.

From what you described, going for an iMac is not a good idea. You say you already have a desktop PC with similar components also. Therefore, going for a Mac Pro would be the right course of action.

That said, the choice now boils down to how many processors you want loaded in the Mac Pro. That is a toughy as in my view a single quad-core would be awesome to begin with. How much intensive video editing do you do? Does your current hardware tell you that you need more processors to perform the editing? One one note, you could stick with a single quad-core processor and use the saved cash for an Apple Cinema Display.

Thanks for your reply... I am gutted about my Powerbook but will be getting a MBP to replace it when they're updated

I currently have a 22" HP Widescreen which I'm happy to use while I save for an ACD (I think they're kinda over priced at the moment, so I'm waiting for them to become more realistically priced).

My current hardware is a core2duo 2.4GHz and it's fine for what I do (but it's windoze!!!)

To be honest, I don't do loads of anything, other than web design. When I do web design, I work in Fireworks, Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and have the internet browser open to preview my work so thats 3 fairly intense programs and one not so intense.

My main concerns with the iMac I think is the limitation of having to buy the hard drive from Apple. (I will be buying a NAS enclosure anyway so I can use my files anywhere), but software wise, I have Final Cut Studio, Logic Studio, and CS3 Master Collection, and these 3 alone take 225GB for full installs.

I'm not too bothered about the number of cores. 8 cores would be nice but it's a £320 price increase (although I think it's only about £250ish with HE discount). My main aim would be to make the computer as resaleable as possible for the future (I like changing me computers about every year or so, but I'm hoping that will change when I change to Mac )

 

[a1016neo]

I'm an apple expert... For the same price it's a "no brainier"

Get the MacPro

 

[gazfocus]

I'm an apple expert... For the same price it's a "no brainier"

Get the MacPro

Would you pay the extra price for the 8 cores?

 

[vansouza]

I always advise to buy what you can afford... I wish I could afford a Mac Pro... for now it is just a dream.

 

[gazfocus]

I always advise to buy what you can afford... I wish I could afford a Mac Pro... for now it is just a dream.

I have saved a long time for this day... May have to substitute the idea of buying a MBP with buying a Macbook instead to afford a Mac Pro though.

 

[dimme]

They are both good machines. As far as horsepower goes we know the MacPro has more. As far as how much computer you need well that is a hard one for us to answer, the iMac will not let you down nor the Mc Pro. I read some people say get the macpro it's "future proof" will last years longer that the imac. I personally like to get a new machine every 2.5 to 3 years. They is always a new something and the Pros are expandable but not easy upgradable. It's a tough choice! Good Luck Please let us know your decision any why.