macbook vs. imac

i know that this is a notebook forum and this sounds silly, but i'm still gonna ask the question. i will going to college at the end of this month. i am deciding between the macbook and the imac because they're almost the same price with the imac having much better specs. i will be using the mac for word processing, internet, and maybe some light gaming. now i know the imac isn't portable, but i could use my old heavy laptop(compaq) for bringing to the library or whatever. however, it is kind of heavy and the macbook would be nice to have around. what do you guys think i should buy?


**thanks for everyone's input! i ended up buying the 2.4ghz 20" iMac today. the macbook just seemed to plasticy for its price. **

 

I personally would get an iMac and use the Compaq for mobile use (if you can consider it mobile ). You can leave most of your tasks to do on the iMac and note-taking on the Compaq.

 

I made the switch from desktop user to notebook user last year and don't regret it. Get the Macbook!

 

It really depends on what you'll be using it for mostly. If you think you'll be taking notes with your computer then get the macbook. I personally can't take notes with a computer, so I use pen and paper then if I need the notes on my computer I copy them later. I needed a notebook because I'm a computer science major, so I need to have my computer with me as often as possible(school computers work well, but have deep freeze installed so I have to install compilers every day).

Unless you're in a major that requires you to have a notebook, then I'd get the iMac. You'll be less tempted to take your computer with you everywhere, and henceforth you'll have a better social life.

 

Or you'll get glued to your Imac, and will never leave your room, heh.

I would get a macbook, sell the compaq and pick up an external monitor for your room if you need a larger screen. If not, use that cash to accessorize your macbook, buy a game system, or beer. You can watch movies in bed with a macbook, and play non-demanding games. I have also heard that it has a chick magnet .

If you get an Imac, two computers will seem like a hassle, and you will begin to hate your compaq. Macs do this thing to your brain that makes ugly computers look even more ugly

 

hahah, interesting question, I think I would get both lol. It really depends on what you will be doing. In my case, I really need to take notes in class and then take my laptop to the office, etc. At home I use it everywhere... in my room, in the living room, in the toilet (lol). So yes, I guess if you will trek between classes and dorm room and have a spare laptop around then it would be ok to get an imac, but i think it's a decision you will regret. Nobody wants to use an old piece of junk when you have a brand spanking new computer.

Get the macbook. It has enough power for what you need. Unless your idea of light gaming is Oblivion, then you need the iMac, or a mbp.

 

get the macbook.

 

I suggest u go for macbook. It will be much better to have a good portable around. I am sure lugging heavy notebook will be a trouble sooner than u think. Plus, working on two different computers is no fun. Gotta keep on doing data transfer and etc. Maintaining both at the same time will also be difficult, if not time-consuming. Just go for macbook!

 

oh man...i have no idea what to buy and the poll is a dead split. hahaha

 

What's your major? I haven't voted yet, and knowing what you'll be doing will help me decide.

 

i'll be majoring in chemistry

 

Do you have the budget for a MacBook Pro? You get the advantages of both; performance of the iMac, mobility of the MacBook, but it costs a bit more- $1800 instead of $1400.

Otherwise, you could try for a used/refurb MBP, but the idea of a used computer may not appeal to you. The problem with the iMac is that you will end up tied to your desk a lot, even if you have another laptop. It certainly happened to me, even though my laptop was relatively new as well. And the problem with the MacBook is that its absolutely worthless for gaming, and its outdated technology already that will only become more outdated as time goes on, although for macs this doesn't seem to matter as much as with PCs, seeing as you can run OSX 10.4 on 5+ year old G4 PowerBook Ti's and such.

 

I voted iMac. I'm with Vivek, if you can afford a MacBook Pro, get one.

Which MacBook and which iMac are you considering? What is your budget? I didn't read everyone's posts (sorry), so I don't know if anyone else mentioned that as a college student you are likely eligible for discounts through the Apple Store for Education.

 

i'm considering the white 2.16ghz Macbook or the 20" 2.4ghz iMac. thanks for pointing out the education discount even though i already knew about it

 

For me, I'd go for the iMac. It's almost a plug-in and play kind of thing. it's slim, has pretty good specs, and it's neat(not cluttered with wires)! ^_^

Screen is like 3"-7" bigger than the macbook Pros.

 

Yea, but you can *move* the MacBook Pros, which is why they need to be smaller.

And now I think the iMac GPU is better than the MBP; before they used to use the same GPU (Mobility Radeon X1600).

But if you can't afford an MBP, I guess the iMac is your better option.

 

I think the main thing is whether you'd like to haul the thing with you or not. IMO carrying around a small, light laptop is much more enjoyable than carrying around something heavy. If I had to choose for one of the other, I'd go MacBook.

 

Actually, based on benchmarks I've seen on the interwebs (including NBR), the m8600 GT beats out the HD 2600 Pro hands down.

 

Get the notebook. There are days where u are gonna be tired and dont want to sit up and type. Not to mention you could have an external display/mouse/keyboard for the desktop-like setup.

 

Haha, back to square one: tie again

Better think of this: why would you want the better specs of the iMac for? Do you have something in mind that would require extra power? If not, I'd get a notebook over a desktop, since you can carry it around with you anywhere, and that is especially desirable for school and business.

If you don't need the extra specs, I'd go for the MacBook. If you play games or something else that may be intensive or if you really wouldn't benefit much from having a computer with you at all times (at school or work), then go for the iMac.

 

Yeaps, I saw the original poster noted "light gaming", so I recommended the iMac over a MacBook. I don't know about him, but Starcraft II is too tempting to resist , and the iMac will handle that much better than a MacBook would.

 

Even notebookreview can't even muster up a solid majority for the Macbook... sheesh.

 

Hmm, I assumed that since it was a desktop card, it would be better than the mobile one. Evidently I was mistaken; ATI really needs to get a move on, otherwise nvidia will eclipse them like Intel has done to AMD.

Thanks for the info.

 

well i like to have the latest and greatest things. the imac just came out and its looks so sleek. i look at the imac as "futureproofing" my computer. on the otherhand, the macbook fits my needs, but its kind of outdated and if it is updated very soon, i would have buyer's remorse.

 

One thing: there is no such thing as "future-proofing" a computer. Not to self-promote, but check this comment I wrote.

 

Okay, I just voted for the macbook. Reason being that you WILL be using that in labs, and you'll definitely have a crappy schedule, where you'll have 30 minute to an hour to sit around and you may not want to run back to the dorm to do some homework/browsing.

If you can hold off until October(I think you should be able to manage a month of classes with no new computer), then the macbooks will almost definitely be upgraded.

 

I voted for Macbook, but i thouhgt you were talking about MBP.

Either get MBP or iMac.
Macbook and iMac are not comparable atleast not in terms of specs. If mobility is not an issue get iMac.

 

i don't really know if the macbook pro is in my price range. its is significantly more expensive than the macbook and imac.

 

Since I have a Subnotebook I would toatally go for the sexy new iMac!

 

if i get an imac, how easy will it be to transfer things between windows and osx?

 

Files transfer is fine. You can transfer by flash drive, CD, hard drive, whatever. All the common file formats, like .jpg, .doc, .mp3, etc. are all supported on OS X. The only ones that aren't are WMV and WMA (because they're Microsoft formats) but there are add-ons you can easily download that allow them to run on OS X.

 

sam said it you just go into the other partion and look for the files