So I am a freelance web designer/developer and have been using a 20" imac 2.16 c2d for the past 8 months with zero problems whatsoever - things have been running flawlessly. I am now about to sell my imac to get a new MPB, but am somewhat leary of doing so. I really want the portability, but I am a bit worried because this will be my only machine and if I experience any issues with it, and it's out of service, my business may suffer. Ugh... not sure about it...
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replacing imac with MBP... wise?
- Thread starter myke323
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i'd say do it. the MBPs are sweet!
if you have a little extra money, get a mini or a refurb MB for $1k to have a backup
if you have a little extra money, get a mini or a refurb MB for $1k to have a backup
Don't bother
Wait until the new iMacs come out. These new MBP's have been having ALOT of problems and I have not heard Apple calling for a refund even though there have been corrupted screens, superdrives, and heat issues.
Wait until the new iMacs come out. These new MBP's have been having ALOT of problems and I have not heard Apple calling for a refund even though there have been corrupted screens, superdrives, and heat issues.
If your business is so tight you are in trouble anyway 
Just buy a Mini or something to use as a backup.
Just buy a Mini or something to use as a backup.
This guy doesn't really know what he is talking about. MBP would be an awesome machine for you. I would recommend like others have said to just get a simple machine for backup.
Yup, this guy doesn't know what he's talking about, and you should ignore him.
If you are really worried about it, why can't you buy the MBP, get it, check it out, and then sell the iMac when you know there's nothing wrong with the MBP?
And might I add, if you're afraid of selling the iMac and buying a MBP incase it then has problems, and you go out of business: That suggests to me that you don't have any kind of backup hardware. If all it takes is a computer failure to put you out on the street... iMacs can fail too, you know. It's not just notebooks...
Businesses need redundancy. You're really going to have to seriously consider keeping the iMac and buying the Macbook Pro.
You wont regret the extra expense, though - portability is worth it.
You wont regret the extra expense, though - portability is worth it.
Although the necessity for redundancy is highly dependent upon the business you have an excellent point.
My recommendation would be to keep the iMac as a backup machine and use the new MBP as your primary machine.
In terms of risk to your business because of a possible failure of the MBP, the chances of a catastrophic failure are probably no greater than what you face currently with your single iMac.
Aside from some cosmetic issues with the MBP (I would be referring to the various screen tint complaints here) I think you will find that the MBP are just as reliable as your iMac. I use a PB G4 exclusively for my business (4 years now) and I haven't had any problems with it that have caused me to loose business.
I'd say go for it!
Sopranino
Well, thanks everyone for the input; some good points overall.
To your point about keeping the imac for a bit while checking out the mbp, i just figured i could get a bit more for the imac now before the new ones come out.
Also, good points about the backup hardware. At this point all I have is the imac (i do back up work files), which i use everyday, if it died for a few days i'd have to probably scramble and buy something quick!
i guess i probably should just buy the mbp as well as keep the imac, for the foreseeable future anyway... of course if i'm doing that, i can always make the argument for using the imac mainly and getting a mb for portability...but i'd rather get the mbp...
Yup, this guy doesn't know what he's talking about, and you should ignore him.
If you are really worried about it, why can't you buy the MBP, get it, check it out, and then sell the iMac when you know there's nothing wrong with the MBP?
And might I add, if you're afraid of selling the iMac and buying a MBP incase it then has problems, and you go out of business: That suggests to me that you don't have any kind of backup hardware. If all it takes is a computer failure to put you out on the street... iMacs can fail too, you know. It's not just notebooks...
Actually I do know what I am talking about and don't start saying that I don't when you most likely did not read the post and just saw the part about him debating between a new computer or old.. I think the machine is great but like he said if it is his ONLY machine and he is relying on a laptop that is NOT wise whatsoever regardless of Windows or Mac. Problems always arise with laptops moreso than dekstops. It's also easier to store large amounts of data on an iMac which is probably a requirement for his buisness. So he should probably keep the iMac and wait for the new ones in a couple months.
Buying on impulse is not smart and is what you are condoning. Instead of trying to con every person into buying a machine they probably don't need then you should think about the profession he has. A backup laptop would be fine for portability but I would wait with all the problems the MBP's have been having. Whether you want to accept it or not they have had obvious problems.
I agree about redundancy and backups.
I'm in a pickle right now b/c my MBP's hard drive up and died after owning it for 3 months. Who'da thunk that it would die after such little use.
I also wanted the MBP for portability (I also do design work and want to occasionally show my clients on-site) but 80%+ or more it sits on my desk. Which is also why I was so bummed the drive died...seeing as it was sitting still on the desk, not out and about when it happened.
If you don't keep your iMac, I would DEFINITELY get yourself a firewire ext hd and some good backup plans. Lesson learned the hard way.
I'm in a pickle right now b/c my MBP's hard drive up and died after owning it for 3 months. Who'da thunk that it would die after such little use.
I also wanted the MBP for portability (I also do design work and want to occasionally show my clients on-site) but 80%+ or more it sits on my desk. Which is also why I was so bummed the drive died...seeing as it was sitting still on the desk, not out and about when it happened.
If you don't keep your iMac, I would DEFINITELY get yourself a firewire ext hd and some good backup plans. Lesson learned the hard way.
Valid.
The only thing is, I kind of need the portability quite soon. I have access to a vacation house near the beach for the summer, so I can spend a lot more time there if I can work there as well...