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ncsurfer · Jan 31, 2005, 03:23 PM

I am a windows user and have been wanting to switch for awhile. I am a graphic design student and I am going to purchase a mac really soon.

I cannot decide between a:
15" powerbook with an 80gb hdd, 1.5ghz, 512mb ram and a combo drive
17" imac with an 80gb hdd, 1.6g5, 512mb ram and a combo drive
mac mini with an 80gb hdd, 1.42ghz, 512mb ram and a combo drive(and possibly a 20" cinema display)

I do not really need the portability of the powerbook but it would be nice. I am mostly going to use this at home. If I do get the desktop I plan on getting a laptop when I graduate (about a year and half from now).

Does anyone know if apple will release a 17" wide monitor anytime in the future.

Any help with my decision would be greatly appreciated.

Randman · Jan 31, 2005, 03:33 PM

With the PB's bumped, those are for consideration. As a graphic designer, get as big a screen as you can afford while also getting plenty of ram.

I'd opt for the 20-inch iMac or a PowerBook 17.

RoRo · Jan 31, 2005, 03:39 PM

You sound like your in my boat. I would go the mini route and get an aftermarket 1G RAM card. I wouldn't spend $1K on a 20" Mac screen though. Personally, I would get the Dell 20" LCD which you can get for $550 with specials they run every so often.

ncsurfer · Jan 31, 2005, 05:42 PM

that is a good idea, but does the dell screen look as good as the apple? the apple screen with student discount is $899

also, the iMac and mac mini are cheaper options. is it better to get more mac for my money?

nyarlaho · Jan 31, 2005, 08:51 PM

What he ^ said. Get a mini with a big third party screen. Dell, Samsung, Viewsonic. It's far cheaper than any of the other options, and desktop computing is still much more comfortable than using a laptop, in most people's opinions.

Lizard7 · Jan 31, 2005, 08:54 PM

In your position I wouldn't buy a 17" iMac without looking at one in person first. The screen has so-so viewing angles and worse specs than most other displays on the market today.

If you decide to get a desktop, I would check out the deals on the Dell ultrasharp 17" or 19" monitors (somewhere from $270-$400). Those (or even the Dell 20") plus a mac mini might with memory upgrade might be your best bet.

ncsurfer · Jan 31, 2005, 10:10 PM

I have looked at the iMac 17" in the store and it looked really nice. I would still like to have an apple monitor. I was looking at the 19" dell. Is the DVI connection that much better than VGA on a dell monitor.

Does anyone know if there will be a 17" apple display anytime in the near future?

Mafia · Jan 31, 2005, 11:02 PM

Originally posted by Randman:
I'd opt for the 20-inch iMac or a PowerBook 17.

ya, i personally love the 20 inch imac but needed something with a little more power. but i've used photoshop and other graphic apps on it at compusa and it is more then snappy. ya either that or a 15/17 inch powerbook.

Lizard7 · Jan 31, 2005, 11:29 PM

The DVI connection should be better with no image distortion. I setup a dell ultrasharp 17" with DVI this weekend and it looked superb. No pixel issues, great contrast and excellent viewing angles.

I doubt Apple will introduce a new 17" display. You may still be able to find the old 17" Apple Studio Display (ADC connection), but is is inferior to most monitors available these days.

I'm not sure you are considering it, but steer clear of the 23" apple display for now unless you can check it in store before purchasing. People have been reporting all sorts of funky color issues. The 20" seems to be ok though.

Originally posted by ncsurfer:
I have looked at the iMac 17" in the store and it looked really nice. I would still like to have an apple monitor. I was looking at the 19" dell. Is the DVI connection that much better than VGA on a dell monitor.

Does anyone know if there will be a 17" apple display anytime in the near future?