Imac or Macbook pro

[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.

[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.