iMac's and Macbooks

.:HM:. · 8th March 2009, 2:25 PM

Hey guys,

What are your viewpoints and opinions on the new iMacs and Macbook?

Pros and Cons?

I was thinking of getting the 20inch 2.66ghz one or the Macbook aluminum 13-inch:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...c?mco=MjI4OTY2

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...ok?mco=MTIyMTM

ATM im just looking for less clutter space overall. Both will only be used for general homework typing etc, mostly music and ocassional movies.

With that i was leaning towards the iMac. But need opinions and viewpoints on both.

SLATYE · 8th March 2009, 2:44 PM

For a home system, get a desktop (the iMac). There's no point having a laptop if it's just going to sit on the desk all day. The iMac is also cheaper, it's faster, it's got a much bigger screen, and it's got twice as much HDD space.

Are you in Australia? If so, those prices aren't particularly relevant, because that's the Apple US website. The equivalent iMac here is $1999.

Dragonfly · 8th March 2009, 2:55 PM

I have a 24" iMac (last years gen) and it's pretty sweet. The best thing with a mac is you can use bootcamp to run windows as well as OSX. So you really have the best of both worlds.

The current iMac's look pretty good with the ATI 4850 video card option. The only real problem with the mac is it has a glass screen which can be pretty reflective. The reflections aren't much when you don't have a bright lightsource on the screen like a window.

McbLt · 8th March 2009, 3:37 PM

You'll always get the argument that you're paying extra for Mac's for similar specs. Although in terms of iMacs, you won't really find any Windows based PC that has the same styling (similar goes for the Macbooks).

The biggest plus for me with Macs is the software that comes bundled with OSX. Creating basic media presentations with programs like iPhoto and iDVD beats whatever you get with Windows. If you're interested in all at recording muisc, Garageband is absolutely awesome too, I'd almost get a Mac just for Garageband.

vindicator · 8th March 2009, 3:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McbLt

You'll always get the argument that you're paying extra for Mac's for similar specs. Although in terms of iMacs, you won't really find any Windows based PC that has the same styling (similar goes for the Macbooks).

Or build quality.

Mr. Bump! · 8th March 2009, 3:55 PM

It depends what you want really, as others have said you won't find another PC in the same form factor as an iMac or with the style of a MacBook. If that's not what you're looking for as one of the deciding factors then you should possibly look at buying a PC. However you've also got to consider the OS X factor which is an OS that makes your life that much easier then Windows while having similar functionality to a windows based PC and if it doesn't well then you can install boot camp.

As far as MacBooks vs iMacs it really comes down to a few things, how portable do you need it to be?

I love my MacBook, but if I didn't need the portability i'd be leaning towards an iMac for the simple fact that they're cheaper and easier to upgrade, they have more ports, and they come with a nice big screen you don't get with the MacBook.

On the flip side you can plug a MacBook in to a monitor when you're at home, you can even get a keyboard and mouse but you don't get firewire and you only get 2 usb ports, the former leaves you without the ability to connect digital cameras and etc to your computer that use firewire, the later can be worked around with a couple of 8 port USB hubs however it can be a pain in the backside if you're on the go and need more then a couple of USB devices. The other issue is RAM and HDD space a MacBook uses expensive DDR3 SO-DIMM's an iMac uses standard DDR3 a MacBook uses 2.5" HDD's an Imac uses standard 3.5" HDD's. RAM can be hard an expensive to get for the new MacBooks and for hard drives you're stuck with generally slower and lower capacity 2.5" disks unless you want to fork out for an SSD

Zzapped · 11th March 2009, 8:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Bump!

but you don't get firewire

My 13" macbook has 2 USB and 1 firewire port on it

Cheers

Z

akashra · 11th March 2009, 9:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zzapped

My 13" macbook has 2 USB and 1 firewire port on it

Cheers

Z

That's nice, but the current Macbooks still don't have a firewire port.

pipsqeek · 11th March 2009, 2:36 PM

Though in all fairness regarding the firewire port, you can still get the white MacBook new from Apple.

Zzapped · 11th March 2009, 5:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akashra

That's nice, but the current Macbooks still don't have a firewire port.

Yes they do, its the macbook Air that doesnt, the current Macbook white does

Cheers

Z

Mr. Bump! · 13th March 2009, 6:57 PM

No they don't only the white macbooks have firewire, the current unibody MacBooks like every other unibody such as the air and MacBook excepting the MacBook Pro do not have firewire.

You can get around it, USB2 is fast enough for most tasks, and they have gigabit ethernet it's just a pain in the arse if you were wanting to connect a video camera that requires firewire 800, but if you're requiring a video camera that uses firewire 800 then you wont be using a MacBook or an Air

.:HM:. · 15th March 2009, 11:57 AM

ok ok thanks guys.

I think im gonna go with the macbook as it will be better if i needed for the protability.

Anyone with opinion on weather to get now? and which shop to get it from to get a good best price for? i was thinking JB-hi..

Mifferz · 15th March 2009, 12:05 PM

And if you're a student or has a friend that is, it's cheaper

.:HM:. · 15th March 2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mifferz

And if you're a student or has a friend that is, it's cheaper

yeh i am a student.. Do i have to mention it to jb-hi if i purchase it something?

Mr. Bump! · 16th March 2009, 4:05 PM

Most of the time places like JB Hifi/myers, etc won't do student discounts... you'll have to go to apple store or shop online to get student discount.

The MacBooks are a good unit, if you need firewire then your only option is the 2ghz white macbook. The plus side is that DDR2 SO-Dimm's are a lot cheaper, but the downside is that it makes the 9400m even more decidedly average then what it is with the slow RAM.

If you pick yourself a USB powered hub and you don't need firewire then you wont notice the short comings of the MacBook and when you're at home you can plug it into a large monitor like a desktop.

8th March 2009, 2:25 PM	#1
.:HM:. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 889	iMac's and Macbooks Hey guys, What are your viewpoints and opinions on the new iMacs and Macbook? Pros and Cons? I was thinking of getting the 20inch 2.66ghz one or the Macbook aluminum 13-inch: http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...c?mco=MjI4OTY2 http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...ok?mco=MTIyMTM ATM im just looking for less clutter space overall. Both will only be used for general homework typing etc, mostly music and ocassional movies. With that i was leaning towards the iMac. But need opinions and viewpoints on both.

8th March 2009, 2:44 PM	#2
SLATYE SLATYE, not SLAYTE Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Canberra Posts: 21,040	For a home system, get a desktop (the iMac). There's no point having a laptop if it's just going to sit on the desk all day. The iMac is also cheaper, it's faster, it's got a much bigger screen, and it's got twice as much HDD space. Are you in Australia? If so, those prices aren't particularly relevant, because that's the Apple US website. The equivalent iMac here is $1999. __________________ Main system: Pentium-D 805 \| 1GB (2x 512MB) PQI DDR400 \| Gigabyte 8I865GMK-775 \| Xtreama Radeon 9800Pro with Zalman ZM-80HP-D \| 320GB WD SATA HDD \| Antec SmartPower 2.0 500w Laptop: Compal EL80 \| C2D T7200 \| 320GB Fujistu HDD \| 2GB DDR2-667 \| GF Go 7600

11th March 2009, 2:36 PM	#9
pipsqeek Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 578	Though in all fairness regarding the firewire port, you can still get the white MacBook new from Apple. __________________ Now with Awesome Bar!

15th March 2009, 12:05 PM	#13
Mifferz Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 551	And if you're a student or has a friend that is, it's cheaper __________________ NINTENDO™ DS Lite Owners Club Member #0086 Member #31 of the Nintendo Owner's Club Member #57 of the Sony Ericsson Owner's Club

8th March 2009, 2:55 PM	#3
Dragonfly Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,002	I have a 24" iMac (last years gen) and it's pretty sweet. The best thing with a mac is you can use bootcamp to run windows as well as OSX. So you really have the best of both worlds. The current iMac's look pretty good with the ATI 4850 video card option. The only real problem with the mac is it has a glass screen which can be pretty reflective. The reflections aren't much when you don't have a bright lightsource on the screen like a window.

8th March 2009, 3:37 PM	#4
McbLt Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Adelaide, SA 5000 Posts: 1,102	You'll always get the argument that you're paying extra for Mac's for similar specs. Although in terms of iMacs, you won't really find any Windows based PC that has the same styling (similar goes for the Macbooks). The biggest plus for me with Macs is the software that comes bundled with OSX. Creating basic media presentations with programs like iPhoto and iDVD beats whatever you get with Windows. If you're interested in all at recording muisc, Garageband is absolutely awesome too, I'd almost get a Mac just for Garageband.

8th March 2009, 3:55 PM	#6
Mr. Bump! (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: QLD Posts: 3,645	It depends what you want really, as others have said you won't find another PC in the same form factor as an iMac or with the style of a MacBook. If that's not what you're looking for as one of the deciding factors then you should possibly look at buying a PC. However you've also got to consider the OS X factor which is an OS that makes your life that much easier then Windows while having similar functionality to a windows based PC and if it doesn't well then you can install boot camp. As far as MacBooks vs iMacs it really comes down to a few things, how portable do you need it to be? I love my MacBook, but if I didn't need the portability i'd be leaning towards an iMac for the simple fact that they're cheaper and easier to upgrade, they have more ports, and they come with a nice big screen you don't get with the MacBook. On the flip side you can plug a MacBook in to a monitor when you're at home, you can even get a keyboard and mouse but you don't get firewire and you only get 2 usb ports, the former leaves you without the ability to connect digital cameras and etc to your computer that use firewire, the later can be worked around with a couple of 8 port USB hubs however it can be a pain in the backside if you're on the go and need more then a couple of USB devices. The other issue is RAM and HDD space a MacBook uses expensive DDR3 SO-DIMM's an iMac uses standard DDR3 a MacBook uses 2.5" HDD's an Imac uses standard 3.5" HDD's. RAM can be hard an expensive to get for the new MacBooks and for hard drives you're stuck with generally slower and lower capacity 2.5" disks unless you want to fork out for an SSD

13th March 2009, 6:57 PM	#11
Mr. Bump! (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: QLD Posts: 3,645	No they don't only the white macbooks have firewire, the current unibody MacBooks like every other unibody such as the air and MacBook excepting the MacBook Pro do not have firewire. You can get around it, USB2 is fast enough for most tasks, and they have gigabit ethernet it's just a pain in the arse if you were wanting to connect a video camera that requires firewire 800, but if you're requiring a video camera that uses firewire 800 then you wont be using a MacBook or an Air

15th March 2009, 11:57 AM	#12
.:HM:. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 889	ok ok thanks guys. I think im gonna go with the macbook as it will be better if i needed for the protability. Anyone with opinion on weather to get now? and which shop to get it from to get a good best price for? i was thinking JB-hi..

16th March 2009, 4:05 PM	#15
Mr. Bump! (Banned or Deleted) Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: QLD Posts: 3,645	Most of the time places like JB Hifi/myers, etc won't do student discounts... you'll have to go to apple store or shop online to get student discount. The MacBooks are a good unit, if you need firewire then your only option is the 2ghz white macbook. The plus side is that DDR2 SO-Dimm's are a lot cheaper, but the downside is that it makes the 9400m even more decidedly average then what it is with the slow RAM. If you pick yourself a USB powered hub and you don't need firewire then you wont notice the short comings of the MacBook and when you're at home you can plug it into a large monitor like a desktop.