So I've been putting-off upgrading my system for waaay too long now (considering I am somewhat of a 'power user') and I would love to hear any advice you may have on my situation. I'm basically stuck between the new 17" MBP or a Mac Pro tower (zero clue which one to pick so any config suggestions would be really awesome too!). The following is a brief summary of my typical usage:
- I have a 100/100 fiberoptic internet connection so I tend to transfer a lot of large files (40 gigs per shot) and always need to either compress/decompress these archives (and I hate how long I have to wait right now)
- I tend to dabble in multimedia production but definitely not a heavy user ( I use CS5 for relatively simple tasks on a regular basis, also perhaps once a month I'll need to edit videos occasionally for work related to communications/advertising/PR)
- I will usually have 20-30+ windows open (web-browsers + lots of random stuff varying from Word to Photoshop/Acrobat/Dreamweaver/Spotify)
- I'll typically run a few server daemons on the machine but nothing very processor intensive
- Not a big gamer but with Portal 2, Duke Nukem Forever and Crysis 2 all on the horizon I'd like to be able to run any of these at full-quality, preferably using Parallels or VMWare)
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I have a relatively new Macbook Air and and an iPad so while I don't "need" to have my new computer be portable but it might be nice to have for travel. If the new MBP is powerful-enough for my needs then great, I will enjoy having a powerful portable machine, but if not then I'd much rather have a machine that runs everything I need it to without issues.
Other minor questions:
- if I go with the Mac Pro tower, should I get the minimum amount of RAM from apple and order through Crucial (or similar company) to save a bit of cash?
- any suggestions on alternatives to the 27" ACD? For general-purpose use, is there anything bigger/better that I should consider?
Lastly: I imagine I could buy both machines but I'd rather save some cash and don't really need both so just one really nicely configured new mac should be just fine.
- I have a 100/100 fiberoptic internet connection so I tend to transfer a lot of large files (40 gigs per shot) and always need to either compress/decompress these archives (and I hate how long I have to wait right now)
- I tend to dabble in multimedia production but definitely not a heavy user ( I use CS5 for relatively simple tasks on a regular basis, also perhaps once a month I'll need to edit videos occasionally for work related to communications/advertising/PR)
- I will usually have 20-30+ windows open (web-browsers + lots of random stuff varying from Word to Photoshop/Acrobat/Dreamweaver/Spotify)
- I'll typically run a few server daemons on the machine but nothing very processor intensive
- Not a big gamer but with Portal 2, Duke Nukem Forever and Crysis 2 all on the horizon I'd like to be able to run any of these at full-quality, preferably using Parallels or VMWare)
------------------------------------------------------------
I have a relatively new Macbook Air and and an iPad so while I don't "need" to have my new computer be portable but it might be nice to have for travel. If the new MBP is powerful-enough for my needs then great, I will enjoy having a powerful portable machine, but if not then I'd much rather have a machine that runs everything I need it to without issues.
Other minor questions:
- if I go with the Mac Pro tower, should I get the minimum amount of RAM from apple and order through Crucial (or similar company) to save a bit of cash?
- any suggestions on alternatives to the 27" ACD? For general-purpose use, is there anything bigger/better that I should consider?
Lastly: I imagine I could buy both machines but I'd rather save some cash and don't really need both so just one really nicely configured new mac should be just fine.
