Imac or Macbook pro

[3DinAK]

So I'm debating on or if I should get one of these. My PC seems to be taking a dump. I have a sony laptop.This would basically be for home use. Just wondering what would be the pros and cons. It wouldn't be for gaming(maybe minecraft the kids play). But would be for photos, videos and music. Thanks.

[roar]

Originally Posted by 3DinAK

So I'm debating on or if I should get one of these. My PC seems to be taking a dump. I have a sony laptop.This would basically be for home use. Just wondering what would be the pros and cons. It wouldn't be for gaming(maybe minecraft the kids play). But would be for photos, videos and music. Thanks.

I think your dollar will go much further in the PC realm... that being said I'm writing this post from an iMac .

My family moved from a laptop to the iMac a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. What I found was that the laptop hadn't moved from its spot on the counter in the kitchen for years so when it came time to replace it I couldn't justify the 'convenience' of a laptop when I never moved the darn thing.

In the end I landed on the 27" iMac and we love it. I installed VirtualBox on it the day I got the Mac because I was certain I couldn't live without some of my PC applications but truth be told I haven't launched that application in over a year. I do still have a Windows box in the theatre for my HTPC and I use a Windows Laptop for work... but for family the iMac does the trick.

[3DinAK]

Originally Posted by roar

I think your dollar will go much further in the PC realm... that being said I'm writing this post from an iMac .

My family moved from a laptop to the iMac a couple of years ago and haven't looked back. What I found was that the laptop hadn't moved from its spot on the counter in the kitchen for years so when it came time to replace it I couldn't justify the 'convenience' of a laptop when I never moved the darn thing.

In the end I landed on the 27" iMac and we love it. I installed VirtualBox on it the day I got the Mac because I was certain I couldn't live without some of my PC applications but truth be told I haven't launched that application in over a year. I do still have a Windows box in the theatre for my HTPC and I use a Windows Laptop for work... but for family the iMac does the trick.

Thanks for the feedback. I notice the new Imac does not come with a disc drive. Is that the one you have?

[roar]

Originally Posted by 3DinAK

Thanks for the feedback. I notice the new Imac does not come with a disc drive. Is that the one you have?

No, mine is a couple of years old now and still has a drive. The new ones are considerably thinner. If a drive is required you could always use an external one. Not ideal but it's an option. We borrow a lot of movies from the library and play those on the iMac so we do get a lot of use out of optical drive. Twelve South makes some great Apple products and they make a 'Backpack' you could set the drive on potentially.

http://twelvesouth.com/products/backpack/

[Stridulent]

Just curious as why you would prefer to fork over the extra cash for an iMac if it will just be used for very common activities? I am no homer towards either brand, but it would just seem like that money might be better spent elsewhere. We're talking differences of $500 - $1000 for what you are looking to do.

[roar]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

Just curious as why you would prefer to fork over the extra cash for an iMac if it will just be used for very common activities? I am no homer towards either brand, but it would just seem like that money might be better spent elsewhere. We're talking differences of $500 - $1000 for what you are looking to do.

Going Mac was a very easy decision for me to make. I think they make the 'best' systems money can buy. From form factor and aesthetics to ease of use and maintainability.

Does your dollar go further with a PC? Without any doubt... but when I went looking for an all-in-one 27" system it was really a one horse race. Nothing HP, Dell or Acer had to offer really stood out to me.

Full disclosure, my HTPC is Windows, my work laptop is Windows, I spend a good portion of my day on numerous flavors of Linux on a command prompt so when I go home at the end of the day I want something simple that just works and my iMac meets that need.

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by 3DinAK

So I'm debating on or if I should get one of these. My PC seems to be taking a dump. I have a sony laptop. This would basically be for home use. Just wondering what would be the pros and cons. It wouldn't be for gaming(maybe minecraft the kids play). But would be for photos, videos and music. Thanks.

I went over the same issue recently for my brother. However, he's building a small music studio. I told him to get the iMac, which he did but I was not impressed with any of the hardware specs. In fact, it made me cringe how much money he blew on so little, compared to what you can do with building your own desktop.

It depends which is more suited to your needs. Do you want the portability of a laptop or the convenience of a compact, almost-all-in-one desktop? In other words.....do you really want to become an Apple hipster?

Honestly, for that kind of money you could build a very nice desktop. I know you probably don't want to hear that, but oh well.

[3DinAK]

Originally Posted by Stridulent

Just curious as why you would prefer to fork over the extra cash for an iMac if it will just be used for very common activities? I am no homer towards either brand, but it would just seem like that money might be better spent elsewhere. We're talking differences of $500 - $1000 for what you are looking to do.

I will admit I'm no genius with a computer. I've used the "dell" brand since 1998.Now it runs slow and is probably outdated. And I've only heard good things about Imac.

[3DinAK]

Originally Posted by Offender_Mullet

I went over the same issue recently for my brother. However, he's building a small music studio. I told him to get the iMac, which he did but I was not impressed with any of the hardware specs. In fact, it made me cringe how much money he blew on so little, compared to what you can do with building your own desktop.

It depends which is more suited to your needs. Do you want the portability of a laptop or the convenience of a compact, almost-all-in-one desktop? In other words.....do you really want to become an Apple hipster?

Honestly, for that kind of money you could build a very nice desktop. I know you probably don't want to hear that, but oh well.

that's one thing I wouldn't mind is the portability. But I do have a sony vaio laptop.So i guess I just need a desk top. I guess I'm just done with Dell computers though. And maybe there's something out there better then both Dell and Imac's.

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by 3DinAK

that's one thing I wouldn't mind is the portability. But I do have a sony vaio laptop.So i guess I just need a desk top. I guess I'm just done with Dell computers though. And maybe there's something out there better then both Dell and Imac's.

My first and only branded computer was a Dell desktop, bought back when I knew nothing about computers. It ended up being a huge waste of money and the entire headache motivated my to learn about computers.

I strongly suggest building your own desktop, instead of dumping $xxxx on another pre-built desktop or (at least) $1,300 on an iMac. They are actually very easily to put together. Let me know if you want me to give you some ideas on hardware.

[ZoetMB]

A computer isn't only about chips and specifications. What the iMac gives you is the App store with a few hundred thousand apps and almost perfect integration with iPhones and iPads. You don't get that with a PC, built by yourself or otherwise.

I've used both PCs and Macs (actually Apple IIs before the Mac) since the beginning of personal computing and I've always preferred the Mac. Although the Macs aren't built quite as well as they were some years ago (the old G4 towers were probably the best Macs ever built), my PC laptops generally haven't lasted more than a few years each. I bought a Dell laptop for my mother a few years ago and the thing barely works.

I'm typing this on a 2008 MacBook Pro that is still "perfect". I replaced the hard disk drive with a bigger drive, but that's the only change I've made to the machine. I used that Mac G4 tower for about eight years (with memory and hard disk upgrades) and the only reason to get rid of it was that it wasn't quite fast enough to do video editing, but it was still perfect in every other respect.

While the iMac no longer includes a built-in DVD drive (and I think Apple was wrong for eliminating it), you can buy an external one and plug it in.

Windows 8 does have some nice features to it, so before making a final decision, you should probably check it out in a store. I found it "interesting", but strangely non-intuitive.

As for laptop vs. iMac, just think as to whether you're ever going to want to carry the machine with you or whether there are times when you want to "hide it". If that's the case, buy the laptop. If not, buy the iMac. Overall, the iMac is a lot less expensive and a better buy than the Mac laptops.

One other note: Three of the seven MacBook Pros now have a Retina display, which displays with much higher dot density. Retina displays are the future, but they're expensive. The iMac is not yet Retina but the next round of models will probably be. Having said that, the iMac displays still look damned good.

If you go Mac, look for sales. It's unusual for Macs to be discounted, but lately they have been. With so many people moving to iPads, computer sales are down.

[King Troll]

Pc

[sk33tr]

i've said this many times.....and now i'll say it again.

the next computer i buy will hopefully be a macbook pro. i say hopefully because i don't want my current desktop pc to take a crap before i can buy the mac.

i will always have a desktop pc because i play games every day and for me there is nothing better for that than a custom-built (be me) pc. i know what's in it and it's capabilities even before i turn it on for the first time.

but i want a macbook pro to use for audio/video-type stuff as well as web stuff. plus it will be much better integration with my iphone and ipad. another plus is that i can take it with me wherever i go; kinda difficult to do that with a desktop. it's not impossible, just improbable and difficult.

[Offender_Mullet]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

A computer isn't only about chips and specifications. What the iMac gives you is the App store with a few hundred thousand apps and almost perfect integration with iPhones and iPads. You don't get that with a PC, built by yourself or otherwise.

Judging by his short wishlist below, it doesn't seem like 3DinAK would need all those bells and whistles...hence my suggestion.

Originally Posted by 3DinAK

This would basically be for home use. Just wondering what would be the pros and cons. It wouldn't be for gaming (maybe minecraft the kids play). But would be for photos, videos and music. Thanks.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by sk33tr

i've said this many times.....and now i'll say it again.

the next computer i buy will hopefully be a macbook pro. i say hopefully because i don't want my current desktop pc to take a crap before i can buy the mac.

i will always have a desktop pc because i play games every day and for me there is nothing better for that than a custom-built (be me) pc. i know what's in it and it's capabilities even before i turn it on for the first time.

but i want a macbook pro to use for audio/video-type stuff as well as web stuff. plus it will be much better integration with my iphone and ipad. another plus is that i can take it with me wherever i go; kinda difficult to do that with a desktop. it's not impossible, just improbable and difficult.

What type of audio/video stuff? Are you talking ProTools and music construction, or are you talking about video viewing and music listening? My current PC serves as my prepro and all around source in my current HT (and yes...its a custom job). I sold my Onkyo HT-RC180 (Onkyo 807) and replaced it with my PC altogether!

[Solaris]

Originally Posted by 3DinAK

So I'm debating on or if I should get one of these. My PC seems to be taking a dump. I have a sony laptop.This would basically be for home use. Just wondering what would be the pros and cons. It wouldn't be for gaming(maybe minecraft the kids play). But would be for photos, videos and music. Thanks.

Macbook pro is overkill for those uses. Imac or Macbook Air would do just fine.

[roar]

Originally Posted by prerich

What type of audio/video stuff? Are you talking ProTools and music construction, or are you talking about video viewing and music listening? My current PC serves as my prepro and all around source in my current HT (and yes...its a custom job). I sold my Onkyo HT-RC180 (Onkyo 807) and replaced it with my PC altogether!

Do you have analog outs going into an amp?

[lolarocks]

So literally, just last Friday, I got a 13 inch MacBook Pro (non- Retina display), and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience. After being a long time Windows user and then seeing the horrific (personal experience with my mother's new laptop) Windows 8, I decided to save up for a MacBook Pro. Personally, I am an avid user of the DVD slot, and I didn't see much point in spending $500 more for the Retina display, and this has been the best computing experience I've ever had. The set- up was a breeze and it downloads perfectly fast.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by roar

Do you have analog outs going into an amp?

Yes sir, I have my power amps going onto my Asus Essence ST + H6 soundcard and daughter card via RCA analog outs. . A preamp that I can repair myself, or just build a new one - I can't beat that option!!!!

[roar]

Originally Posted by prerich

Yes sir, I have my power amps going onto my Asus Essence ST + H6 soundcard and daughter card via RCA analog outs. . A preamp that I can repair myself, or just build a new one - I can't beat that option!!!!

Very cool... Appealing setup. I have an integra processor that I recently had to send to the repair shop as you can't so much work on those yourself. Being a dedicated unit it does offer some flexibility I don't imagine a pc solution would offer as easily... Multi-zone, HDMI switching, a phono stage and balanced outputs but I can still see the appeal to the pc as a pre/pro. Are you happy with your sound card? I may need to do some reading up on it.