buying a new mac
- Started
- Last post
- 14 Responses
- ilovesamwich
I have a refurb MacBook Pro that I purchased in Dec 2008 (2.4 GHz Intel Core Duo, 2GB 667 MHz SDRAM, 186 GB drive) that I use for work. It's the model right before the black keyboard model.
My boss is now purchasing a new Mac for me, that will be my property, not the company's. I decide what I want/need. Money is not an issue. Conundrum: Do I upgrade to a new Macbook Pro, or get an iMac?
My current computer does the job, however lately I have been working on some huge posters that kill my memory and often times freeze the computer and force me to shut down and reboot. I also just have the 15" display, no external monitor. This hasn't presented itself to be a problem for me, but of course one of those massive iMac screens would be nice.
I'm not super tech savvy when it comes to buying the latest and greatest or planning ahead, nor am I good at making decisions when presented with lots of numbers and options. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
- brandelec0
27" i7 16g ram
- fyoucher10
Money is not an issue? That should be pretty obvious.
Top-of-the-line MacPro, suped up. 100 GBs of Ram.
All SSD drives.
Dual 27" LED ACD's (the new ones that just came out).
And an iPad just to use as a calculator
- georgesIII0
How do you someone has a mac....
- ilovesamwich0
ok, I should have mentioned, I'm not going to go the MacPro route...it's mostly unnecessary at this point. It's between an iMac or MacBook Pro.
- moniker0
this is the greatest thing in the history of the world
- robulation0
I would get a new Unibody Mac Book Pro 15". They're portable, practical, and pretty damn quick for anything including 3D work. I would then ask for a bigger screen and a video-out lead so then you're sorted. The screen wouldn't even have to be a Mac cinema screen, just a Formac screen, to keep costs down. Then you've basically got the best of both worlds... a portable lightning quick apple mac, and a big display for home!
- nb0
I have the same MBP as you and I'm currently going through the same debate (except I'll be paying for mine.)
Since installing CS5, this MPB isn't cutting it, so I've ordered 6GB of RAM to see if that helps, but I'm thinking an iMac is the way to go.
Faster processer, bigger screen, and most importantly: the ability to put 16GB of RAM in the iMac.
Portability is nice, and sometimes necessary, but I can keep this MBP around for when I need it.
- desmo0
Tell your boss to get you 2 27" iMac's and then send one them to me :)
- jetSkii0
You already have a laptop, get a desktop(iMac). All you need now is the iPhone and iPad to completenthe circle.
- hektor9110
que presumido vato
- ItalianStallion0
If you need a laptop 17" is not the right choice, take the top-of-the-line MacPro 15".
- ilovesamwich0
maybe another thing to consider...we have a new graphic designer starting, whom we are buying a computer for as well. But that one will be company property. I also choose what she gets.
I'm leaning towards iMac for her and new laptop for me. We can easily switch if needed. But I like it feel like it may be stupid to get another laptop for myself. I could sell my current and put the money towards car payments...? Anyone know how much these early '08 MBP go for?
- nb0
My 6GB of RAM arrived today. Ran a quick and unscientific speed test.
Opened Photoshop and InDesign:
No change in the time it took open apps.With Photoshop and InDesign running, I did the following:
1. Open a 500MB file. The file is 16bit, plenty of layers and effects and such.
With 2GB of RAM, it took 3 minutes and 26 seconds!
With 6GB of RAM, it took only 41 seconds!2. Run a 150px Gaussian blur on the background layer of that image.
2GB: about 7 seconds.
6GB: less than a second. Too fast to measure.That's not bad for $155 plus shipping.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/m…I'm satisfied for now, but I'll still get an iMac soon enough.
- coolmonospaced
- I quit InDesign, and relaunched, the relaunch that used to take 40 seconds takes about 5, now. Computer is useable again!nb
- useable again!nb
- awesome, thanks for sharingilovesamwich
- skelly_b0
I'd say macbook pro or mac mini with an big display. As nice as the iMacs are, displays last longer than computers, better to keep separate.