I guess what I am trying to say is that the iMac is an awesome machine, 2.8Ghz Extreme, crazy fast. I need a computer to do graphic design work (Adobe CS3 (Illustrator/Photoshop), Dreamweaver, Flash, music, and possible small movies down the road, etc.). What is making this tough for me is that I spent $2500 for this great machine and I am wondering if there is going to be a Pro machine (either MacPro or MBP) for less or the same price but faster and better for design work. I have always used laptops and also used Dual Processor G5s desktops at where I taught. That is why it is tough for me to make a decision. I could just keep my iMac and purchase a MacBook down the road but I wonder if there is going to be a super fast something and won't need to buy anything else. I hope I cleared up what I am trying to say. Obviously it's been a while since I bought a new mac.
Oh man, now your talking.... I didn't know that you wanted to do the high-end stuff as well. Now that you have mentioned that, things will get more confusing.
Okay. You have two choices if you want to get a fast machine that won't choke up on graphics and media. The Dual 2.8GHz iMac, or the base line Mac Pro (that you should wait until Jan. to get). Honestly it's up to how you feel about the lack of expandability but great price and space saving design of the iMac, and how you feel about the unlimited expandability and power, but high price tag of the Mac Pro.
I am in the same boat since my friend got the 24" 2.8GHz iMac and it is wicked fast. Much faster than any MacBook Pro that I have used, and much much faster than the Power Mac G5 Quad in my honest opinion. When running Intel apps the thing is truly a beast, and will be that way until Apple and Intel create a Dual Core 3GHz laptop processor for it. Now the price is heafty compared to other tower PCs with the same specs, but it's an iMac made by Apple running OS X. And, the only thing you can expand and not break the warranty is the memory. Once the machine is old enough you can expand on the Hard Disk Drive but that's not that big of a deal anyway.
With the MacPro, you can spend your $3000 (since you will wait two months until January and save $500+) on a mid range MacPro, or even the low end Mac Pro that may just be the Quad 2.66 GHz model. And take the rest of your cash and grab a nice Dell/HP/Samsung monitor; or if you want a well built monitor (and if Apple updates them) you can get the Apple Cinema Display.
The choice is definitely yours and one that you and only you can make.
I wonder what the new entry level MacBook Pro will be, could it be a 2.8Ghz? I wonder if they are going to start at $1999. Will it be what the 24" iMac 2.8Ghz computer is now, just portable? If it looks that way then you get the best of both worlds with a MBP and any additional displays right?. I just hope that these new computers that are coming out soon are not going to make the iMac of now look weak. Am I way off on this? I guess the real question for me is, do I want a desktop or a laptop? I just don't know if I am ever going to leave the house if I get an iMac! LOL
Plus people who own the laptops say they can't put them down. But it would be nice to own a work horse and an iMac with a MacBook later might be a good choice too.
The low end MacBook Pro (MBP) will get either a 2.4 GHz chip or a 2.6 GHz chip. The high end may get the 2.8GHz as BTO like the iMac. It won't be that much faster than the iMac especially if you get the slower HDD, and the GFX card will most likely be comparable but a tad bit under clocked to keep the power consumption and heat down, I truly don't know. I do know that the chips will be up to 2.8 GHz if only as BTO (Built - To - Order).
You will get best of both worlds with a 15" high end MBP and a 23" ACD or new ACDs released at MacWorld. I am a "have best of both worlds in fact" kinda guy, so I still stand by getting both machines. Like my friend, who has the iMac and is getting a BlackBook, I will have both a desktop and a laptop no matter what. The big issue with me is that you will never know what will happen to that laptop that you carry around, but most chances are that your heavy desktop will stay just where it is. So if my MBP where to ever get stolen from me, or dropped, or wet, or damaged in anyway (which has happened to both my MBP and G5 tower) I have a spare machine.
If you can happily get both.... get both.... either an iMac and MacBook, iMac and 15" MacBook Pro, or if you care to go the route a Mac Pro and MacBook Pro (my dream setup) and get the comfort of having everything you need at your disposal to do any task that you or your job may throw at you wherever you feel free to complete them. Or you can make the decision you need to purchase the type of machine you want when you want.
In the end, it's all up to you.
