Which is a better Idea: ATD 27" + MPB (6750m) or iMac 27" (2.7Ghz)

My Dell U2711 screen has gone kaput and its not under warranty anymore I have sent it to get repaired dont know if it will live. If it does not i want to look at the Apple options since i already have a MBP (6750m) and am kinda like the quality and workmanship.

So there are three options for me:

1. Buy a Apple Thunderbolt Display 27" and hook it up to my MBP via Thunderbold.

2. Buy a iMac 27" 2.7Ghz "The 3.1ghz not in stock "

3. Buy a Apple Thunderbolt Display 27" and hook it up to some run of the mill cheap SNB laptop via HDMI "Not sure if HDMI can handle max resolution will have to look in that"

 

If you were going to wait for the 3.1GHz iMac, I'd say CTO the CPU up to the 3.4 GHz i7 and grab the iMac for the better GPU. Otherwise, the Apple external should suffice for most purposes (unless you need two computers that is).

Also depends on how often you decide to refresh your laptop and whether the desktop iMac can replace some of your laptop needs. For example, the cost of replacing both a MBP and an iMac every year is more expensive than replacing the MBP and display every year. However, if because you have the iMac you no longer need a top of the line laptop, then you could instead get a cheaper laptop (such as a MBA) with the iMac. The annual cost of replacing a MBA + iMac is fairly comparable to the annual replacement cost of a MBP + Apple display.

 

if you just want a display it's bit cheaper and a personal favorite. wont match your MBP though

HP ZR2740w 27-inch LED Backlit IPS Monitor overview - HP Small & Medium Business products

or

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en/sm/WF05a/382087-382087-64283-72270-3884471-4194577.html

if you want a desktop I agree go for the CTO and get the bigger GPU/CPU but please remember iMacs use a mobile GPU and not desktop.

 

given the dock properties of the new atd, I would strongly suggest that.

or as taelrak said, go with a cheaper and more mobile laptop and get a good screen, the atd is still a good option, but in terms of quality that HP has a slight edge.

 

Do you use Lion and Windows? ... the atd does not work with windows and bootcamp (.. and I still don't get why)...

 

Really? Ouch.

I don't have the new Apple Thunderbolt Display, but the previous model (non-TB) works fine with Windows 7 in Boot Camp.

 

I dont plan to buy a new Macbook every year but want to sync up the buys with Intel tock's processors.

Dam really that's just a dream crusher i use bootcamp. I hope we will get a workaround soon till then can i use a third party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI converter About Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapters ?

 

It may be a problem specific to that user. A quick search on Google reveals no such widespread problem. See., e.g., Apple Thunderbolt Display Review - Monitors ("thankfully, it will work with Macs running Windows through Boot Camp. (Note that the Thunderbolt Display doesn't support hot swapping to a Mac running Windows in Boot Camp.) The computer must be restarted while already connected to the display to work properly."). While I have no comment on the reliability of CNET reviews, they probably would have flagged a problem if it failed to run Windows altogether.

 

Well there are pros and cons:
1) Get imac27 and enjoy the super powerfull machine while still having your notebook lying around.
2) buy another monitor for your mbp (i would buy u27). It wont be that fast but its a) cheaper b) more convenient since you have everything in one place (which is your notebook hdd) for me thats ultimate advantage -- not needing to sync things is awesome.

TLDR if you dont absolutely need more powerful computer i would go with buying another monitor to hook it to mbp.
Alternatively, if you are a millionaire you can buy both and use one depending on your mood. And / or use imac27 exclusively for playing games (not much point getting that powerful pc if you are not gaming anyway).

 

I don't know your usage model, but I would never ever again go without a laptop... and since your main objective is to get a big screen and already have a Thunderbolt-equipped Mac, I don't know why you would choose anything other than the ATD.

 

I wish they had a 24" Thunderbolt for like $400 to $500. I don't need a 27" but I would like a 24". Plus I don't think an ATi 6750m can really game on a 1660p monitor.

 

My MBP (6750m) games fine on the 27" Apple external (not TB, but otherwise same specs). It of course depends on the games you play and the settings (but I never lower the res below 2560x1440).

27" isn't actually that much bigger than a 24". It's surprising how quickly you get used to 27" and begin to find even that size inadequate for certain purposes.

 

Asked the Apple Genius people they say that TB works with Win7... They can be wrong i dont trust them a lot.

Now the other thing is that i dont need really need two computers but i am also comfortable sharing HDD's over my wifi network if i get two computers.

So far i like the idea of ATD 27" with MBP but a lot of string are attached like the TB compatibility with bootcamp.

 

Everything I've read about using the display with Bootcamp just says that you can't simply hotplug the display... it needs to be plugged in already upon boot in order to work. It's an annoyance for sure, but I don't know about a dealbreaker..

 

i would choose a refurbished imac personally. you can get the quad 2.7 ghz for 1400 refurbished. your going to spend at least a thousand dollars either way. for 400 more your basically getting a whole kick machine. 1000 on one hand just a display, 1400 in the other a display and a full sweet computer inside.