imac vs. macbook pro

[vjjohnson3]

ok, I'm ready to buy one of these computers.
I have heard that they are basically the same thing, except one is a "desktop" and one is a "laptop".

I am trying to really figure out what the differences are between the two.
For example, I have been told that the imac has digital audio out but not in. For a professional musician should I be worried about getting digital audio into the computer? Apparently, the macbook pro does have digital in? Also, does this affect the home theater/tv thing in any way?

Also, I have been told that it is hard to dim the screen on the imac or to shut it off while you are watching a movie on an external projector? Is this a big problem or is there a way to fix it? Can you close the lid on the macbookpro while you are viewing an external monitor/projector??

I really want to get the right computer. So close...

So far I am leaning towards the imac as it should perform better for my uses and I don't plan on traveling with this "mostly at home computer" much.

Any and all thoughts are welcome,
Thanks,
Vincent

 

[Danksi]

ok, I'm ready to buy one of these computers.
I have heard that they are basically the same thing, except one is a "desktop" and one is a "laptop".

I am trying to really figure out what the differences are between the two.
For example, I have been told that the imac has digital audio out but not in. For a professional musician should I be worried about getting digital audio into the computer? Apparently, the macbook pro does have digital in? Also, does this affect the home theater/tv thing in any way?

Also, I have been told that it is hard to dim the screen on the imac or to shut it off while you are watching a movie on an external projector? Is this a big problem or is there a way to fix it? Can you close the lid on the macbookpro while you are viewing an external monitor/projector??

I really want to get the right computer. So close...

So far I am leaning towards the imac as it should perform better for my uses and I don't plan on traveling with this "mostly at home computer" much.

Any and all thoughts are welcome,
Thanks,
Vincent

The iMac is basically a laptop on a stand. The one important addition a MBP has is the ExpressCard slot. In time you should be able to buy adapters that will allow for additional eSATA, Firewire, USB, video cards etc...

... in comparison, the iMac is a sealed box.

 

[Scenicroadways]

You will still get faster performance with the iMac because it has a 7200 rpm desktop drive, and it is also larger (250gb) for the 20". Of course you could upgrade the mpb drive to 7200rpm, but it is still smaller capacity.