MacBook or iMac? HELP

[Drew144]

Im very limited on money and pretty much got one shot at picking the right computer. my limit was 1400 but has soomehow grown to 1800 *sigh*. I cant decide between these two:

MacBook
2.0 GHz Intel
1 GB RAM
100 GB hd
Wireless mouse
$1730ish(tax included)

iMac
2.16 GHz Intel
2 GB RAM
250 GB hd
$1770ish(tax included)

The main purpose of this computer is to edit and make videos in iLife06. Im not going to be getting any other kind of editing software, mostly because i wont have the money to. I REALY like the idea of a laptop: being able to cary it around the house, on vacations, ect. But if the iMac will outperform the MacBook by a lot and its definately worth it to go with the iMac for video editing, ill do that. ANY help would be appreciated. This is driving me CRAZY.

Drew

 

[Drew144]

any help? did i post this in the wrong section??

 

[ChickenSwartz]

You really have to decide if you need the portability of the MacBook.

But remember,
*The iMac has a much bigger screen.
*The iMac has a better video card.

If I had to choose which I would rather do video editing on, it would be the iMac.

 

[TigerPRO]

You are facing the same challenging decision I have. Only I'm in a quandary between the MacBook Pro and a 24 inch iMac. It basically comes down to "portability" vs. better "graphics/hard drive/screen size." You've got to decide which is more valuable in your scenario.

You can rationalize a few things though. Hard disk space isn't that big of a deal, because you can always attach an external drive. And with screen size you aren't entirely limited either; adding an external display is as easy as one two three. The biggest issue is really change in graphics performance. You're going too see a huge speed up in applications using OpenGL with the iMac. But even then, the video card in the MacBook isn't anything outdated, it's just not the granddaddy (relative term) you'll have in the iMac.

There is sure to be some minor differences in CPU performance as well. But we're not talking about anything great enough to win the debate.

I hope that helps.

 

[jkelling]

Get the iMac. For what you spend on a MacBook Pro or a MacBook, you can get a 20" or a 24" iMac. It's faster. It's already been upgraded to the new core2 processors. And even better, it doesn't have the problems like the MacBook has like:

the buzzing screen
the mooing fans
the defective battery that makes your computer shut off with no warning
the incredible heat that makes it too hot to put in your lap
the random reboots

Oh, and don't forget that if you plan on getting AppleCare, it costs double to get it for a MacBook Pro over a iMac.

I have the MacBook Pro, and I would switch to an iMac in an instant if I could, given the current state of both products. If the MacBook Pro didn't have all the problems, it might be a harder choice. But get the iMac. Heck, my business parter has a 20" original imac core duo (not the core2 duo), and it runs windows faster then his 2.4GHZ pc. The iMac is a good computer and you won't go wrong with it. And of course, OSX screams on it as well.

This is just my opinion, and I'm not a happy MacBook Pro owner, so be sure you get input from other Mac owner. Don't get me wrong, I like Macs, just not the MacBook.

 

[Drew144]

what about the RAM? would i notice a huge difference between 1GB and 2GB??

 

[jkelling]

what about the RAM? would i notice a huge difference between 1GB and 2GB??

Yes, for video editing 2GB will help a lot. Thats also another reason to get the iMac over the MacBook. The iMac already has a 7200rpm drive which REALLY helps when video editing from the 5400rpm drive the macbook has.

 

[Drew144]

thanks guys... everytime i try and order one of them i freak out and quit. its such a hard decision!!!

 

[ShadowHunter]

Get a refurbished might save some bucks...

 

[TigerPRO]

what about the RAM? would i notice a huge difference between 1GB and 2GB??

While 2GB of Ram is insanely cool, 1GB is more than adequate for video editing. I run a Final Cut Studio setup on my G4 iMac with 768MB of Ram and I don't miss a beat. The question really isn't about the "slower" vs. the "faster" system, it's about the "fast" vs. the "faster" system. Both the iMac and the MacBook will give you a degree of blazing fast performance; don't be fooled.

My advice: forget about the differnces in specifications for now. Just decide whether you want portability or not and go for it. Remember, you'll probably be really happy either way. It's still going to be a new Mac!!! And Macs are cool.

 

[Drew144]

*The iMac has a much bigger screen.

ill have the 15" screen im workin with right now to hook up so im not REAL worried about the small screen.

 

[zap2]

You need to look at being able to take with vs spec


The iMac is faster..cheaper for the speed..but thats how laptop vs desktop works. No on here can say "You need to be able to move around with you computer or You need this speed.

The MacBook will be iLife win, but iMac would do it even better.

 

[Drew144]

ill probably end up gettin the iMac because its obviously the smarter decision, but im goin to the apple store sunday just to make sure

 

[miles01110]

If you're going to be doing lots of editing in iLife, definitely get the iMac. The fact that you can't take it with you means you can go outside and be free of computer for a while!

 

[Drew144]

would ilife work good with the macbook and 1GB ram or would it be kindof choppy?

 

[bossass]

would ilife work good with the macbook and 1GB ram or would it be kindof choppy?

ilife would work fine.

I say the imac. More bang for your buck. Unless you absolutely need to be mobile. I got an iMac after realizing that after i got cable internet in my place, my iBook didn't leave the house for months at a time.

 

[joooollie]

imac

Honestly, i would say go with the macbook, but this is from a student perspective. If i forget to pick up a paper from my printer i still have it with me. I LOVE MY MACBOOK

 

[Drew144]

another option... Couldnt i get a refurbished 2.0GHz Macbook and buy 2GB of ram and install it myself for well under 1800?? That would provide plenty of power for ilife wouldnt it? The only problem then would be the small and slow hd... i think.

Do any of you have any videos made in ilife? I would realy like to see what all you can do in it.

THANKS

 

[generik]

another option... Couldnt i get a refurbished 2.0GHz Macbook and buy 2GB of ram and install it myself for well under 1800?? That would provide plenty of power for ilife wouldnt it? The only problem then would be the small and slow hd... i think.

Do any of you have any videos made in ilife? I would realy like to see what all you can do in it.

THANKS

Strictly speaking the Macbook should be quite perfect for iLife as there's not much need for that hardware graphics chip that the iMac and MBP has. If you are using Aperture/FCP, then having an chipset graphics chip might prove to be the limiting factor.

 

[Drew144]

IF i got the refurbished MacBook... what ram should i buy for it? what about upgrading the hd? i was just looking at school discounts on their website... It said i could "make a proposal". What inzactly does that mean?