Purchasing advice for a soon to be new mac owner
I have been a pc user my entire life. I am a web developer, and I always thought pc was the way to go, until I began working on a mac at work this summer. As a developer, certain software such as textmate and coda, as well as they overall increased degree of control I have working in a Unix-based environment has convinced me to ditch my pc. I have an idea of which direction I want to go in, and I was hoping you all could give any advice and share your personal experiences.
As I said, I am a web developer, so I spend a good deal of time in Adobe Creative Suite, as well Textmate and sometimes Coda, which aren't nearly as resource heavy as CS. However, I am more programmer than designer, so I spend the majority of my time alt-tabbing between textmate and the browser. All that said, here's what I'm considering:
- A new 20" iMac (hopefully on Tuesday!) OR
- A 13" Macbook w/ a cinema display either from Apple or the Dell 24"
- Either option would have 2gb of ram.
The reason I am considering the macbook is because I am about to graduate college and I'm not sure where I'm going to be 6 months to a year from now. Obviously, it would be much more convenient to just pick up and go with the macbook rather than lug around the iMac (though I suppose the Cinema ain't exactly small). However, I have heard that the Macbooks (not the Macbook Pro) tend to suffer in processes that require a lot of video memory. Can anyone speak to this?
Sorry for the long post and thanks for any advice!
As I said, I am a web developer, so I spend a good deal of time in Adobe Creative Suite, as well Textmate and sometimes Coda, which aren't nearly as resource heavy as CS. However, I am more programmer than designer, so I spend the majority of my time alt-tabbing between textmate and the browser. All that said, here's what I'm considering:
- A new 20" iMac (hopefully on Tuesday!) OR
- A 13" Macbook w/ a cinema display either from Apple or the Dell 24"
- Either option would have 2gb of ram.
The reason I am considering the macbook is because I am about to graduate college and I'm not sure where I'm going to be 6 months to a year from now. Obviously, it would be much more convenient to just pick up and go with the macbook rather than lug around the iMac (though I suppose the Cinema ain't exactly small). However, I have heard that the Macbooks (not the Macbook Pro) tend to suffer in processes that require a lot of video memory. Can anyone speak to this?
Sorry for the long post and thanks for any advice!
Comments
I have been a pc user my entire life. I am a web developer, and I always thought pc was the way to go, until I began working on a mac at work this summer. As a developer, certain software such as textmate and coda, as well as they overall increased degree of control I have working in a Unix-based environment has convinced me to ditch my pc. I have an idea of which direction I want to go in, and I was hoping you all could give any advice and share your personal experiences.
As I said, I am a web developer, so I spend a good deal of time in Adobe Creative Suite, as well Textmate and sometimes Coda, which aren't nearly as resource heavy as CS. However, I am more programmer than designer, so I spend the majority of my time alt-tabbing between textmate and the browser. All that said, here's what I'm considering:
- A new 20" iMac (hopefully on Tuesday!) OR
- A 13" Macbook w/ a cinema display either from Apple or the Dell 24"
- Either option would have 2gb of ram.
The reason I am considering the macbook is because I am about to graduate college and I'm not sure where I'm going to be 6 months to a year from now. Obviously, it would be much more convenient to just pick up and go with the macbook rather than lug around the iMac (though I suppose the Cinema ain't exactly small). However, I have heard that the Macbooks (not the Macbook Pro) tend to suffer in processes that require a lot of video memory. Can anyone speak to this?
Sorry for the long post and thanks for any advice!
I don't think your question can be answered until Tuesday.
There is a high probability that the iMacs will be updated or even redesigned with major changes.
However you need to decide whether you need a desktop or laptop. Once you decide this, the decision will become simple as there few Mac models and there is pretty good 'separation' between the models.
As well, the Mac mini might be a good choice if Apple will update this line with more powerful processors. It also would be easy to move later on if you change locations.
PS Welcome to AI. This is a great place to come for Mac users.
I don't think your question can be answered until Tuesday.
There is a high probability that the iMacs will be updated or even redesigned with major changes.
However you need to decide whether you need a desktop or laptop. Once you decide this, the decision will become simple as there few Mac models and there is pretty good 'separation' between the models.
As well, the Mac mini might be a good choice if Apple will update this line with more powerful processors. It also would be easy to move later on if you change locations.
PS Welcome to AI. This is a great place to come for Mac users.
Thanks for the reply. I have looked into the mini, but i have read around these parts that Apple may be discontinuing it. Other than that, I actually use an older mini at work, and it seems to work just fine.
my gut reaction to your post is that the imac is the machine you want. The cost would be lower and for what you are doing, I think, a better option. BUT... a laptop is nice.
It is true that the macbooks have an integrated video card and therefore don't have the processing power of a standalone video card. Only the cheapest imac has an integrated card.
I don't know, but my gut says new imac. (take advantage of your student discount or look at the refurbs for additional savings)
The new iMacs come in a fairly compact box that is great for lugging the machine around; I carried mine to a presentation not long ago. While not exactly a laptop, you get more bang for your buck and can add a laptop a little later when money allows. The iMac also runs cooler and is more ergonomic so it won't break your bones as quick.
However, wait until Tuesday... the announcement is all Mac so something is coming; Steve does not call an event just for a modest update.
Steve does not call an event just for a modest update.
Ummm. . . not exactly true. I'm sure we all remember this little number:
http://www.macobserver.com/gallery/feb2006mediaevent
All kidding aside however, this event, considering the limited number of Mac announcements over the last year or so and also considering the approaching launch of Leopard, the new iLife suite, and the holiday shopping season all kind of indicate that this should be a noteworthy date.
You always seem to get more bang for the buck with a desktop computer, unless you count "portability" as a "bang" of its own.
Good luck with your decision.