Graphic designers and mac people weigh in please! Need to choose.

[grace0418]

Do I get a souped up iMac or a souped up MacBook Pro? My old MacBook pro is just too slow these days. I'll keep it for surfing and backup, but need to get a work computer that is fast. Since I'll have a laptop to take places I don't necessarily need another laptop, but I sure love laptops. I do print design, often large scale so I need a fair amount of power.

Any thoughts?

[struggle4progress]

1. I'd compare prices for buying souped-up versus DIY upgrading

[grace0418]

2. I'm not much of a DIYer. I know I should be but I'm not.

A few days ago I wasn't even considering anything but a 15" MacBook Pro. But then my husband pointed out that I still have a MBP that I can take with me on trips or to meetings, what I need is a workhorse computer at my desk. So now I'm torn.

[TommyO]

10. My brother just bought a 15" i7 based MacBook Pro and it's a great machine

I got to set it up for him, it's his first Mac, and I've had mine for over five years now.

Since you already have a portable machine, the new iMacs are really, really nice. If I had to get a new machine today, it would be the i7 based 27" iMac, though my existing MacPro should serve me well for quite a few more years.

[grace0418]

11. My MacPro is four years old, not ancient but definitely getting up there. And I work

like a dog so it's always running. The optical drive is dead and the machine heats up a lot, and runs slow when I'm working. I'm pretty sure it's on verge of having something essential go out, and I'm so busy I don't have time to be without a working computer.

So I'm thinking I will get the new computer (now definitely leaning towards the iMac), then take my Pro in to be cleaned up. I don't think I'll bother getting the optical drive replaced (it's expensive!) but I'd like to get it to the point that I can use it for several more years as a secondary computer and something to take on the road. It'll be nice to have a backup so I don't have to worry if something happens to my computer in the middle of a big job.

Overall though, I have been incredibly impressed with my Pro. I had a G4 desktop before that and swore I'd never go back to a desktop model. Now here I am looking seriously at the iMac.

[jmowreader]

3. Up to you, really...

I was first thinking "MacBook Pro, because you can plug a second monitor into it and two monitors are three times as good as one" but I looked at the back of the iMac we've got here, and it's got a monitor port on it too. So, since you've got a laptop I'd probably get the iMac, but you can go either way.

[grace0418]

4. That's where I'm leaning. I currently have a second monitor and a wacom tablet

hooked up to my MBP. But I might give the monitor to my husband (or I could use it myself) and I'm pretty sure I can still hook the tablet up to the iMac.

[grace0418]

5. morning kick

Thanks for your help everyone!

[NV Whino]

6. An alternative suggestion

Mac mini and a kick ass screen – 32" or so.

I do graphics on a Mac (Mini) and even with the 21" Cinema, it's great.

[grace0418]

8. No, no, I need help making this decision easier not harder!

;) I looked at the mini. I think for a couple of reasons I decided to narrow the choice to the two I mentioned, but I'll look again.

[mikeytherat]

12. Mac mini with 42" monitor checking in here!

It's awesome.

mikey_the_rat

[jmowreader]

14. What kind of 42" monitor are you using?

And what resolution are you getting? I've seen the TVs in stores that have "PC inputs" but they all seem to be 1024x768--which would be great in a boardroom, but if you want to put a whole 22"-high page up on the screen at the same time like I do and see it in some sort of detail, it won't work.

[bikebloke]

7. Imacs just had their mid-summer upgrades.

I finally needed to replace my steam powered eMac. Since I've gotten into video editing, I went for the better processors. I've been waiting for the weekend to do the dreaded file transfers from one to the other.

[Call Me Wesley]

9. iMac 27".

You can't do wrong. Get lots of RAM, though.

[grace0418]

13. I think I'm going with the iMac. Thanks all!

Now I have to decide on the configuration.

[RedXIII]

15. Well for gaming i would ...

recommend a thousand dollar Mac,because a $400 dollar Laptop will not cut it.

[RedXIII]

16. Well for gaming i would ...

recommend a thousand dollar Mac,because a $400 dollar Laptop will not cut it.