Looking at getting a new Mac

I would like some help deciding on my next mac.

I currently have a 1.5GHz Power PC Mac Mini with 1GB PC2700 Ram running OS X 10.4, iLife 08, and Adobe CS2, I am wanting to upgrade to an intel mac and be able to run both windows and OS X on it I know that i want to wait till Leopard comes out to buy it but i am torn between getting a 2.0GHZ or a 2.16GHz MacBook or a 2.0GHz iMac.

I to travel to locations for some shoots and i sometimes like to do some base editing on location I currently use a 1.4GHz P4 Windows laptop for my on location things (though it is getting to the point of needing to be replaced due to problems it is having) and transfer the files to my mac mini to do the editing on a 22 in. LCD.

I know that the new MacBooks can be adapted to use a external LCD and i like the idea of having everything on one portable unit but i am worried that at some point my Video files will increase and i am not sure that the MacBook will be able to handle all of the needs i want to use the computer for over the next couple of years, and the iMac does have a much better video card in it ( not sure if it is able to be upgraded in the future ).

I will still use my older mac mini from time to time but it is not able to take full advantage of some of my software i.e. ( iLife 08 "not able to run iMovie" and not able to run Aperture, No Front Row or iSight ).

Any help i can get would be greatly appreciated

#469278

Keeping current with technology will be a problem no matter what computer you end up with.

If the video card frightens you too much, have you thought about the MacBook Pro? Sure, it's more expensive, but it would solve the problems you have, minus any money issues.

Since you are waiting for Leopard, I will almost guarantee you that the hardware on both computers will be upgraded by then. Apple is banking on Leopard's release, much more than they did for the iPhone, they wouldn't miss the opportunity to make a little more money to try getting new hardware sales.

At this point, if you had to make your decision right now, I would say the iMac. If you do get the MacBook and what you predict does happen and your computer starts to run sluggish, you have no other computer to run to and you are stuck.

That's my opinion, and I hope it helped.

#469290

I would suggest get the MacBook that has a Superdrive (White or Black your choice) and with Leopard installed when Leopard comes out.

#469292

The MacBook Pro would be a great option but if i am going to spend that kind of money i might as well look at the 2.8GHz Extreme iMac or the Mac Pro due to its upgrade ability I am looking more for a machine that will meet my current needs with a plan like other to look into upgrading or replacing one of my other computers within a couple of years.

I try to replace at least one computer every 18 months to 2 years. As my needs and uses change as well I would like to get one now and the next replacement in the next year or so with the other style.

I am just tired of having 2 or 3 machines on my desk and trying to remember what or were i have put things not to mention having to keep upgrading software for both windows and Mac.

I would like to eliminate some of the clutter and have only on machine ( at least for now ) on my desk. Most of the people at the Apple Store that i talked to say that since i am not working with HD video at this time that the MacBook is a great option but I should make sure that i max out the Ram to 2GHz and i should go for the 2.16GHz MacBook and max out the HD to like 120GB or 160GB. I currently use an external HD to keep most of my work files on ( i do move files to the Computers internal HD for editing if i have more then a few files to edit at time. but once i make the changes i save them back to the external HD for storage as well at making a DVD back up of them that way i not only have the original unedited files but I have a edited copy as well in 2 or more places ( to ensure that if all else fails i have at lest one copy in another place.)

Am I just looking too hard at the specs and thinking too many moves in advance or am i looking at real world problems that i will be back at the Apple Store looking for my next option.

Knowing that i will build a new gaming rig in the near future is another matter all together but for the most part i can still use my current Dell machine for most of what i want to do for gaming.

I guess that what i am wondering is will i be happy with the MacBook at least till i get a new iMac or Mac Pro.

Thanks for all of your input.

#469336

unless you really need mobility then get a new iMac!

their specs are better.

go to your local apple store and fall in love with one today. I have a Macbook Pro (rev A) and I went to check out the new imac and I was hooked.

By its looks, beauty, glossy screen, size... and most of all its speeed!

iLife is so much easier to use now, specially iphoto. Has some really neat time saving and better organisational features.

trust me, try out a new imac.

#469344

I do like the new iMac's and have looked at them in the store, I would like to have a laptop but i can still use my old laptop for a while longer, if i go with the iMac i am not sure if i want to go with the 24 in 2.4GHz or the 2.8GHz model, since i have a 22 in LCD if i upgrade to a new computer i think that i should go for the 24 in model, or is it worth just getting the 20 in model and using the extra money for larger HD and more RAM.

#469427

hmm well....as u say, the decision is this;

faster processor and larger screen

vs.

more ram and larger hard disk.

... so which do u want? theres really not much to it....go into your apple store, if you can bare the smaller screen size, I think it would be better to get the smaller one- because 1GB of ram is going to make your computer a LOT faster than a 400mhz faster processor.

I saw the 20 inch and to me they are a nice size.... but the 24 inch do really look magnificent...

decisions decisions.

#469886