iMac 24"? Mac Pro?
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- koi
I'm upgrading at the end of the year when the new OSX comes out. I'm thinking either a 24" iMac or a Mac Pro. Just not sure if the Mac Pro would be overkill for what I do and end up wasting my money. Daily, I build Flash websites using Flash, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. Think the Mac Pro would be overkill?
- D_Dot0
As with any big purchase:
If you can afford the better model, get it. It will last you longer and you will enjoy it more.
- kezza_20
Is there a new imac coming out. Feels like it's due an upgrade?
- design_naked0
I have the 24" iMac and I do a lot of print work besides some web stuff and it handles everything really well. I thought about this same thing when I upgraded and I determined that the Mac Pro is overkill (unless you are doing some serious video work).
I'm actually going to be switching over to a MacBook Pro once the new ones come out this summer since the guts of an iMac are the exact same as the guts of a MacBook Pro.
New iMacs should be out by year's end. If you are buying next Fall then check every rumor site you can before you purchase to make sure that they aren't releasing a new iMac 2 weeks later because I don't think we're going to see an upgrade to the iMac's at the WWDC.
- MediaPimp0
As a Flash Developer, and designer who uses Photoshop, Illustrator, and After Effects, I had this same issue a few months back when I decided it was time for a change. I ended up selling my 20" iMac and MacBook and went the route of a MacBook Pro coupled with a 20" Cinema Display. I decided the day I went to purchase a MacPro to get a MacBook Pro after testing it out and weighing the pros, cons and actual NEEDS.
If you ask me... the MacPro is indeed overkill unless, like design_naked said, you're doing some hardcore video work.
- design_naked0
Yes, you can attach any size monitor you want to the MacBook Pro.
I'm not even running Universal Binary yet and I'm cool with the speed. I did the PS CS3 beta and it was ridiculously fast on my 24" iMac. Plus, you can top out the iMac at 3gigs of RAM...I only have mine at 2 right now and it's great.
- ********0
I too am on the fence about the 24" imac intel core 2 duo. I have a super sweet macpro tower at work, but I think the imac will suit my at home needs just fine. What info do you have about a new model of imac coming out this summer/fall? I don't want to buy this thing then have a 30" come out for the same price in a few months.
- johndiggity0
i read the next rev imac will have a new enclosure and is supposed to be "breathtaking".
- k0na_an0k0
the 24" iMac's bench test scores via macworld are rated at 245 for the 2.16 core 2 duo while the mac pro is rated at 299 for the xeon two dual-core.
you can build the iMac and upgrade to the 2.33 which will of course give you a better performance boost. my next purchase will most definitely be an iMac.
macbooks pro tested out at 226 for the 2.16 so they are actually not as fast as the iMac.
- OSFA0
this might help makin it faster too. I already ordered mine...
- Point50
man, this thread was reading my mind. I'm looking at getting a new machine for home this summer and also was trying to figure out the pros and cons about an iMac vs. a Mac Pro tower.
some good insight in this thread.
- k0na_an0k0
yo p5 in the house!
i'm leaning towards the imac for a few reasons. it's almost as fast as the base model mac pro tower and faster than the macbook pro.
with the mac pro tower i'd need to drop coin for a monitor, the imac's 24" monitor gives me a chubby. with the macbook pro i'd need a monitor as well, but, it's portable.
when all is said and done for what i need it to do the imac is the perfect choice. i do think i'm going to wait a bit for the next model though, i heard rumors too that it's going to be stunning.
- horton0
towers all the way.
- johndiggity0
glossy screens all the way.
horton
(May 10 07, 12:16)
- horton0
i love the guts being so accessible and expandable...
TOWERPOWER!
- koi0
thanks for all of the input. i decided to go with the new MBP & 20" cinema display. it runs everything super fast & i like the flexibility of going between dual screen desktop & standalone notebook. also got this stand and it's great- http://raindesigninc.com/mstand.…
i'm wondering though if leaving the dock visible will cause screen burn-in?
- Momentum20
grats koi... did you get at apple.com?
- ********0
dude, go get a mac classic for $5 and throw an old g3 400mhz board in there and u can run flash and photoshop and os x fine. don't buy into the apple hype. u don't need any of that crap, it's all mental man. photoshop 3 does the same thing has cs3 it's all some marketing scam. a jpegs a jpeg. take control now before they insert the iphone in yer head.
- MSTRPLN0
Would the imac be able to handle large photoshop files and multiple programs open at once?
I'm running a Mac Pro at work, it's completely stable, have a 733mhz G4 Quicksilver at home as my "tower" with a 22" screen ... on the fence between the mac pro just to keep it consistent with the tower format since I already have a screen, or go the way of the imac for $1k less and have an extra screen to fart around
- Seanbot0
The iMac is a pretty amazing machine - make sure you add 4gb of RAM though. Makes it fly.