[brokenjago]

Hey guys, just joined, getting ready to switch to the Mac. Maybe a quick little story should be told first:

I've always liked Macs. I remember when I was a wee lad, in elementary: the Macs always had the best graphics for the games, and the IBMs sucked. Period. In my senior year in high school, I was on an eMac in my digital imagery class: they were the only computers that would successfully connect to the internet, and the only ones that would connect to the aging Windows NT box we had as a server, and they did so flawlessly. (Compared to windows 98... I... won't go into it.) Anyway, I was content enough with my Windows box at home, so I didn't pay much thought to it. (I don't really ever get virsues, and nor do I get spyware or adware.)

Anyway, I kept on using my Windows PC, never investigating Macs as thuroughly as I should have.

Then I got an iPod photo for my birthday. I decided that I wanted to go look at the advertisement pages that Apple has for them, and was inevitably drawn to the iMac page... and the PowerMac page... and the PowerBook page... etc. (I guess I'm living proof of the iPod halo effect, eh? )

I've become completely enfatuated and obsessed with everything Apple. This doesn't mean I worship them, but I do enjoy their computers... perhaps a little too much. I've spent the last 5 months or so saving every single penny I have to buy myself a Mac... but now I am torn between the PowerBook 17" and the iMac 20". My ideal iMac would cost me about $2400 (1 stick 1 GB RAM, 400GB HD, Mighty Mouse, iSight)* and my ideal PowerBook 17" would cost me $3,330 (1 stick 1 GB RAM, AppleCare)*. I'm torn because:

1) I don't really care about the switch over to Intel proccessors, but I do care about the mobile offerings with Intel CPUs... but I've also really fallen in love with the PowerBook's design. It's also about $1000 more expensive than the iMac, and it's also far less powerful... but it's also a laptop, and a ****ing sexy one at that. The thing is, I wouldn't be able to do 4 way video conferenceing, or be able to use some advanced features of Final Cut Studio, which I plan to also get in the future (the iMac is fine enough for my needs in this area).

2) The iMac is just... amazing. I bought one for a friend of mine and offered to "configure" it for a week or so (lol). And my god, going back to windows almost made me cry. I want one. I WANT ONE.

Every time I see a PowerBook I start to lean towards that.... but then every time I see an iMac I start to lean towards that as well. If I had my happiest I'd buy both... but I simply can't afford it. There is power afforded with the imac, but the PowerBook is sleek mobility... I can't decide. Any advice? Anyone who can tell me what they think would be best? I consider myself a power user, and I'd be using Flash, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Final Cut Studio (when I can afford it) Extensively. Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot!!

*The only specs listed are the ones that differ from the standard configuration for that model

[screamingFit]

Get the iMac. The Powerbook tech is way long in the tooth nowadays. UNLESS you really need the mobility and you need a Mac now and not when they ship with Intel.

I've got a 2Ghz iMac (2GB RAM) and use it with FCP, DVD Studio and Motion - nothing highend, mind you, but I've no qualms. I also use it with Ableton Live in the studio and narry a problem there, either.

Kinda silly but if you sometimes need mobility, the 17" iMac isn't that big of a deal to carry around and cases can be had for just that sorta thing.

[effgee]

If you have a Windows box, you already have a monitor - if you don't need the mobility, get a refurbished PowerMac G5 (dual 2GHz) instead. Faster from the get go, better "upgradability" (graphics, esp.) at exactly the same price ($1,799.00).

my $0.02




(P.S. I just got a 17" PB a little over a week ago and I love it to death. Handles everything I've thrown at it so far but wouldn't recommend doing serious video work on it)

[mojo2]

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Get the iMac. The Powerbook tech is way long in the tooth nowadays. UNLESS you really need the mobility and you need a Mac now and not when they ship with Intel.

I've got a 2Ghz iMac (2GB RAM) and use it with FCP, DVD Studio and Motion - nothing highend, mind you, but I've no qualms. I also use it with Ableton Live in the studio and narry a problem there, either.

Kinda silly but if you sometimes need mobility, the 17" iMac isn't that big of a deal to carry around and cases can be had for just that sorta thing.

www.luggerbags.com/ Prices start at about $119.00! Hmmm. Anyone with a portable power supply that will fit in the luggerbag? If so, you've got the fastest portable computer, with the G-5 technology and a huge display at a fraction of the price of the laptop you were considering.

A 35 lb/20" G-5 laptop?

[Apple Pro Underwear]

i find it weird now that i think about it that people care so much for "Apple" and not just their personal computer


it happened to me too. when i first got my tibook i was really into it.

[sworthy]

why not go for the imac, and with the cash you save, buy an ibook? Portability and power - all for the same price as the Al book.

[angelmb]

I think I would preffer the iMac 20" but I would suggest to check both systems in real life (Apple Store near you?) and then make a choice.

[brokenjago]

I've checked out both systems in real life. I have an Apple store within walking distance of my house, so.. yeah . As for your suggestion effgee, that's a great idea! Except that My monitor is somewhere around 12 years old, the color is all off and it's really dark . I also am in love with the space-savingness of the iMac. My current monitor/computer take up my entire desk without any room left over for like... homework. Also, sworthy, your idea is a good one, and I hadn't thought of it that way. The only thing that puts me off on the iBooks is their screen resolution. 1024x768 only? ew. Although I'll have to go check them out sfitrst before I make a final comparison.

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

[FulcrumPilot]

Oh! No!! Not another fanboy!!

Originally Posted by brokenjago

I've become completely enfatuated and obsessed with everything Apple.

Infatuated.

[RAILhead]

iMac now.
Save.
PowerBook when they switch to Intel.

That is all.
Maury

[brokenjago]

JESUS CHRIST. i can't believe I made that error.

INFATUATED.

I blame it on extreme lack of sleep.

I'm not a fanboy. I like Apple things, but I know when and where to criticize them. Not everything they do is law or something.

[jaydon34]

Originally Posted by RAILhead

iMac now.
Save.
PowerBook when they switch to Intel.

That is all.
Maury

Agreed... I picked up an ibook just till the switch is made. Then I plan to purchase whatever is the first line to go intel.

[brokenjago]

Oh! No!! Not another fanboy!!

That is offensive and I demand that you publicly apologize!!! I am trying to have a serious conversation and you are ignoring me, etc etc.

(for those who think I'm serious, I'm just mocking james9490 because... he's stupid )

[kmkkid]

I'd just wait for the intel macs, they're supposed to be out early to mid next year aren't they? Hopefully they'll be cheaper.

[jaydon34]

Originally Posted by kmkkid

I'd just wait for the intel macs, they're supposed to be out early to mid next year aren't they? Hopefully they'll be cheaper.

if macs become cheaper its officially over for windows.

[kmkkid]

Originally Posted by jaydon34

if macs become cheaper its officially over for windows.

Well not really. What I meant is cheaper than current macs. If they become cheaper than current wintels (which they wont because they'll be using the same parts + apples design premium) then maybe they'd have a chance at targeting windows market share.

[historylme]

I'm with the Imac. If you will be a traveling for extended bits of time... then the 17.

However, being a poweruser means sitting infront of the screen for extended periods of time. I say go for the larger screen and fasster everything (and cheaper model).

[brokenjago]

I think that if macs became cheaper it'd be a huge blow to the windows Community.

I still think they won't be, however. They'll just keep them at the same price and enlarge their profit margins. Dual Dual Core Pentium Ds are not gonna be cheap .

[brokenjago]

Yeah, I think i've made up my mind on an iMac, and an iBook to hold me over for the new Intel-based PowerBooks. (Which will no doubt be incredibly sweet... I want a dual-core one ) Thanks a lot for the advice! I am soon going to be in digital heaven

[jaydon34]

Yeah that seems to be the smartest move.