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Macbook or iMac?

N

netmata

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 12, 2009
36
0
New York
Guys which you think is better to get, An iMac or Macbook? I usually dont stay long with computer because i am constaly upgrading and i usually end up selling my computer to get whatever is out there. So the question is which one is better an imac or a macbook? Thanks for ur help!:)
 
netmata said:
Guys which you think is better to get, An iMac or Macbook? I usually dont stay long with computer because i am constaly upgrading and i usually end up selling my computer to get whatever is out there. So the question is which one is better an imac or a macbook? Thanks for ur help!:)
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Do you require portability? If yes then get the Macbook. If no, then you can get more computer for your money with an iMac. iMac and Macbook have similar resale, I would actually say that a well cared for iMac might hold more of its value than a notebook.
 
i am just thinking that nowadays we see less computers at home and more laptops around. So when i am ready to sell my imac i want to make sure i can sell it fast..thanks
 
Buy a Refurb macbook and take the money you save and buy a 300 dollar or so 24 inch display, thats an awesome setup, you get all the benefits of a desktop and the portability of a laptop for around the same price of an Imac :D
 
njz1719 said:
Buy a Refurb macbook and take the money you save and buy a 300 dollar or so 24 inch display, thats an awesome setup, you get all the benefits of a desktop and the portability of a laptop for around the same price of an Imac :D
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I wish i would have seen this message before. That was the idea i had at the beginning, but i just bought the best configuration of the imac. Now i am feeling like getting the macbook and the 24th inch monitor with the isight. Any suggestion...
 
Now that you have a killer iMac, an option would be a refurb Rev A Macbook Air. I had the same debate as you and choose the macbook/monitor combo, but I just wasnt satisfied so I went with an iMac and an Air and couldn't be happier. Depending on your computing needs, and Air might be a feasible option for you as well.
 
Hammer97e said:
Now that you have a killer iMac, an option would be a refurb Rev A Macbook Air. I had the same debate as you and choose the macbook/monitor combo, but I just wasnt satisfied so I went with an iMac and an Air and couldn't be happier. Depending on your computing needs, and Air might be a feasible option for you as well.
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ummmm i am not trying to go crazy well i think i am already but i think and imac plus an air is too much money...is over 3k and i don't want to spend money like that. Any other ideassss?
 
jtgotsjets said:
Your iMac is going to be totally killer. Worry not.
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Agreed. To me it seems like a no-brainer:

MacBook = 2.4GHz processor, integrated graphics
iMac = 3.06GHz processor, dedicated NVIDIA graphics card, up to 8GB of RAM.

@ the OP: Enjoy your iMac. :D
 
The iMac is an awesome machine for sure, my parents have one and its really great, but if I were you and you dont mind the return process then I would still want to do the notebook and 24 inch screen combo, I really love having that setup and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But if you have opened your iMac and would have to pay the restocking fee and you dont totally need the portability then stick with your iMac, you'll love it. Another option would be to pick up a cheap Dell Mini 9 and put Leopard on it, thats a really awesome thing a few of my friends have one, its also really cheap and ultra-portable.
 
Hey sorry about this but I didn't read the specs of your machine... Stick with the iMac that computer is a beast your gonna love it. Still I do recommend the Dell Mini 9 you can pick one of those up for 300 bucks and have a nice little mac laptop.
 
njz1719 said:
Hey sorry about this but I didn't read the specs of your machine... Stick with the iMac that computer is a beast your gonna love it. Still I do recommend the Dell Mini 9 you can pick one of those up for 300 bucks and have a nice little mac laptop.
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I have not open it yet. Is coming on Tuesday and i paid about 2500 with the apple care. This is what i am planning to do now. I am planning to return it and get the lowest config of the 24 inch which goes for about 1800 with the apple care. Then get the 700 left on a gift card and wait till June to see if there is a netboot coming up or wait till september to get a back to school deal. Any suggestion? What do you think?
 
You want portability as well as a large screen and would like to stay below $2500 for everything. What confuses me is why would drop that beast of a system for a much inferior version. It raises the eternal question:

What will you be doing on this computer?

If you plan on video editing, 3d work, or playing games stick with the beast. If the computer is primarily for 2d tasks in photoshop, iphoto, making dvd's, internet etc the entry level imac would be more than enough.

If you are considering a netbook, you probably don't need much power on the go, so I would rule out the powerbook idea as you are paying an incredible premium for such a small enclosure. I have the top imac and plan on getting an apple netbook. I use my desktop for video editing, maya, and games but still like being able to hang out on my sofa, or at a cafe, and browse the internet or write.
 
I've had no problem getting rid of old iMacs. I just sold 2 in 3 weeks and got great money for them. I sold another early last year. I do think it's easier to dump a lower-end used iMac than a hi-end one and still get a great price for it.
 
netmata said:
Guys which you think is better to get, An iMac or Macbook? I usually dont stay long with computer because i am constaly upgrading and i usually end up selling my computer to get whatever is out there. So the question is which one is better an imac or a macbook? Thanks for ur help!:)
Click to expand...

I would pick the iMac over the macbook unless you really need the flexibility of being able to move around with it and take it with you places. Otherwise I would go with the awesome iMac.
 
I think your idea is good as long as apple doesn't go the way of Sony and make their netbook $ 900 and to be honest I think there is a good chance it will be around 799$ so if you don't mind that price then do it because I'm sure apples netbook will be awesome. Again you may not want to do the hackintosh thing but as long as you buy leopard then I see no moral dilemma as you have paid for the software and a EULA is not a legal thing it's just what apple wants you to do. OS X is pretty much flawless on a mini 9 because you can install a real copy and do updates and everything. But if you want the real thing then the mini 9 is not even close to what I'm expecting apples netbook to be. So really go with what you want and as long as you don't need a ton of power you'll love the base 24 inch and that will definitely free up some cash for you.

P.S you could always try to pick up a used blackbook for around $800 or so
 
sotov said:
You want portability as well as a large screen and would like to stay below $2500 for everything. What confuses me is why would drop that beast of a system for a much inferior version. It raises the eternal question:

What will you be doing on this computer?

If you plan on video editing, 3d work, or playing games stick with the beast. If the computer is primarily for 2d tasks in photoshop, iphoto, making dvd's, internet etc the entry level imac would be more than enough.

If you are considering a netbook, you probably don't need much power on the go, so I would rule out the powerbook idea as you are paying an incredible premium for such a small enclosure. I have the top imac and plan on getting an apple netbook. I use my desktop for video editing, maya, and games but still like being able to hang out on my sofa, or at a cafe, and browse the internet or write.
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I do not do a lot of editing. I am good with Photosho, dreamweaver and other editing software but is not my priority. I am just trying to get the best out of 2500. Thanks
 
njz1719 said:
I think your idea is good as long as apple doesn't go the way of Sony and make their netbook $ 900 and to be honest I think there is a good chance it will be around 799$ so if you don't mind that price then do it because I'm sure apples netbook will be awesome. Again you may not want to do the hackintosh thing but as long as you buy leopard then I see no moral dilemma as you have paid for the software and a EULA is not a legal thing it's just what apple wants you to do. OS X is pretty much flawless on a mini 9 because you can install a real copy and do updates and everything. But if you want the real thing then the mini 9 is not even close to what I'm expecting apples netbook to be. So really go with what you want and as long as you don't need a ton of power you'll love the base 24 inch and that will definitely free up some cash for you.

P.S you could always try to pick up a used blackbook for around $800 or so
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Thanks for your opinio. I think i'll go for the lowest config on the imac 24 inch and save the 700 for a future netboot
 
You should be very happy with that then, I wish I had money for the apple netbook whatever its going to be... enjoy your new iMac!
 
njz1719 said:
You should be very happy with that then, I wish I had money for the apple netbook whatever its going to be... enjoy your new iMac!
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Thanks... I will let you guys know how did it go. Since i want the wireless keyboard and mouse, now i am worring about getting bluetooth problems with the wireless keyboard and mouse.
 
HazRutter said:
OP made the right choice..

Enjoy your iMac
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I hope i did. I am hoping a netboot soon...i love portable stuff and i dont want to buy a dell mini or anything cuz i am not into PC anymore even if i could load OS X on it. I love the apple logo in the back of the LCD!!! GO APPLE!!
 
njz1719 said:
The iMac is an awesome machine for sure, my parents have one and its really great, but if I were you and you dont mind the return process then I would still want to do the notebook and 24 inch screen combo, I really love having that setup and I wouldn't trade it for anything. But if you have opened your iMac and would have to pay the restocking fee and you dont totally need the portability then stick with your iMac, you'll love it. Another option would be to pick up a cheap Dell Mini 9 and put Leopard on it, thats a really awesome thing a few of my friends have one, its also really cheap and ultra-portable.
Click to expand...

I love portable stuff and i dont want to buy a dell mini or anything cuz i am not into PC anymore even if i could load OS X on it. I love the apple logo in the back of the LCD!!! GO APPLE!!
 
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