MacBook Pro or iMac

Hi!

I am very new to Mac's and wanted to buy one for the holidays. The only problem is that I have no clue which one I want. I am starting to get very interested in video editing (nothing "big" as I am a teen) and was intrigued by a iMac (24 inch). Since I am used to a laptop, I'd want to get a MacBook Pro (15.4 inch). I will be working with Final Cut Studio. My major problem is the lack of upgrading in laptops. I heard that upgrading a iMac is possible. Here are my questions:

* Which one would you buy?
* How is the performance in a MacBook Pro? (Running intense programs or games)
* Which one is best for me?

Thanks for answering!!

**NOTE : I lean towards the laptop side more because I like being portable.
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On another note, what is the difference between the graphics card of a iMac and a MBP?

 

I'd go with the 17" Macbook Pro with 4gb of RAM. It's just as powerful as a desktop iMac, save for a slightly slower precessor.

It will run any game on the market well, although you might not get 40 FPS on Crysis at medium, and you might also struggle for 30 on low, but Crysis was built for top of the line gaming beasts. Just get Windows installed through Boot Camp and you're good to go game-wise.

I got a 17" MBP and I'm happy with it. Only downside is playing games makes it a little uncomfortabe to have on your lap because of heat.



EDIT: The graphics cards on both are the same: nVidia GeForce 8600 GT with 256mb VRAM

 

Thanks for your response! Do you happen to know the difference in graphics cards between the iMac and the MacBook Pro?

 

To my knowledge they both use the same cards.

 

Get an iMac. I was in the same situation as you last week, stuck whether to get a MBP or the new iMac. I'm a Windows user and wanted a to convert to Mac.

I was almost certain or getting a MBP until i went to the Apple store and seen the iMac in person, its absolutely STUNNING! beautiful !

So i ordered a 24" one (500HD, 2.8 Ghz, 2GB Ram)

The ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics in the iMac is equivalent to the GeForce one's in the iMac.

 

The MBP uses a NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT while the iMac has a ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO

 

Yeah I just double checked, my bad. They are both 256mb cards, so if there is a difference at all, it's very insignificant.

 

GeePee, thanks for your response.

I went into the Apple Store yesterday to check out how the MBP worked and I loved it! Now that I know the graphics cards are the same, I can make a better choice now.

My only concern is the use. Will I get more use out of the iMac or the MBP? I feel like I'll get more use out of the laptop because it's a perfect combo of a great graphics card and being portable.

 

No need to say sorry!

Thanks for your response!

 

Well, it comes down to personal preference right. The MBP is nearly as powerful, but you're definatley paying more for portabilty, and of course you have to take care of it much more, and worry about battery charge. You MIGHT be able to pull 2.5 hours while gaming, but normal web browsing and messaging through wireless internet will get you about 5 hours. You also need to take into account you will eventually need to buy a replacement battery, and external mouse. So the MBP will cost you much more, but if you feel it's worth it for portability, I say go for it.

iMac however, has a beautiful screen, and is much bigger. It will give you better visual experience because of that. You get a little more precessor speed, although in your case you won't need it. You also, however, get a much larger hard drive, and considering games these days are quite big (Gears of War = 12GB) it's definatley something to take into consideration. If you don't have a 360 or PS3 and plan to use PC as your gaming machine, you might have to go back and uninstall older games for space on a MBP. You also don't have to worry about dropping your iMac or it's battey supply/health.

So basically, it all comes down to which features you prefer more, and if you're willing to spend some more cash and sacrifice disc space for a portable.




EDIT: Forgot to mention. If you're really worried about upgrades and such, take a look at the Mac Pro. It's the most versatile of the bunch.... but it's a bit pricey.

 

Also, a new MacBook Pro is rumored to be announced at MacWorld in January. So hold out until then if you can if you do decide to pick the laptop over the desktop.

 

Thanks!

I'm mainly going to use this Mac for video editing. And based on the benchmarks
( http://www.barefeats.com/imacal.html) the MacBook Pro only lacks in a few frames.

 

Maybe OOT,
Is it fairly easy to DIY to change (add) RAM on iMac? If so then I'd get iMac to save some $.
Unless you are looking for mobility then I'd stay w/ iMac.

 

It is also easy to change the RAM on the MBP. I'm just surprised that the graphics card on the iMac really isn't that great.

 

I would say just get a MBP...the iMac has a larger display, but the MacBook Pro also has its advantages, the most important one being it is just about as powerful as the iMac, while it is easily portable and can be taken around everywhere. Most of the time, the MBP or iMac will probably be on a desk, but when it comes a time when you suddenly need it outside of your home or office or whatever, the MBP will really come in convenient then.

But if you have a second notebook, say like a PC notebook already, then I'd say get an iMac, and for those times where you need a notebook, just use that one.

And really, most notebooks are not that upgradeable aside from RAM and hard drives and such.

 

Thanks everyone for your opinions!

 

Yo Dark I am looking into getting a mac soon also and I really recommend just holding out a it until at least macworld in Jan 2008, until the new MB is unveiled. It may be better than what you are looking for and more pleasing, thats my recommendation.

 

Its probably an ultraportable MacBook Pro, and not a new MacBook . The MacBook was just updated in November, Apple most likely wouldn't do something so quickly after the last update.

 

Well, my personal feeling is that apple will update the macbook CPU, but not much about macbook pro. If you bought in January, then the next rumor will be the WWDC08, which they will upgrade the mac computer again. My point is that you buy it when you need it, unless there is a major upgrade, it is not wise to be waiting for another upgrade.
If you want to get a macbook, then wait till January, if you want a macbook pro, get it now.
The above is just my 2 cents opinion.

 

Wha??

The MacBook was just last updated in November (last month), while the MacBook Pro was last updated in June...plus, the MBP gets new hardware first, so I don't see any reason why the MBP would be left out and the MacBook would be updated just two months after it was last updated.

I think the MBP will be updated in early 2008, and the MacBook won't be updated for at least a few months, say April or later .

 

Macbook pro vs. Imac... hmm...

well if you are serious about video editing, you would want the highest resolution possible. Get the imac for video editing purposes.

You aren't going to be able to upgrade your mac very much- neither desktop nor laptop, except that you can add ram to both.

for gaming, get the macbook pro because its portable and portable gaming machine is sweet, but you will need to be plugged in to play any intensive game, period. No 2 1/2 hours of gaming unplugged. Not even 4 minutes. Not that big a deal i guess... get a gameboy for that.

 

exactly ^^

But since the laptop has nearly the same specs it's worth it even if it is a little bit more money

 

Go with the Pro Dude ... and wait till at least mid Jan. I think that is the best you can do.

 

The portability of a macbook pro is priceless. It's probably one of the best 15.4'' laptop out there at the moment. Dont get the 17'' unless you really want the larger screen. I recommend you to get the 15.4'' one with the 256mb card and upgrade it. 15.4'' really makes this computer more portable. But if you really think this laptop wont move from your desk just go with the 17''.