Buying a mac

[tj357]

I'm buying a mac soon. My price limit is $2000. Which is the best mac to get at that price range?

[psychofreak]

What do you want to do with it? If its gaming, the Macbook and Mini are ruled out, and if its not incredibly heavy duty stuff, the Mac Pro is out too...

[CalBoy]

The answer is largely dependent on your needs.

Do you need portability?

a) If so, how much portability?
b) How often do you travel and what are the conditions?

Do you need a particular program?

Are you in school?

etc, etc.

[macinfojunkie]

In your budget the Mac Pro and probably the macbook Pro is out, so you've only the iMac, Mini and Macbook left to choose from. It boils down to what's more important to you. Mobility or Performance? I'd never recommend buing an Apple laptop without Apple Care so factor that into your budget which will take up about 10% of it.

Apple are really missing a configurable tower at a more reasonable price.

[zelmo]

Since you didn't specify A/V or 3D work, I'm going to assume you need a general purpose computer for email, web, music, and light computer usage.
If that is the case, I'd look at either a MacBook or iMac. They are great consumer computers.

[Consultant]

In your budget the Mac Pro and probably the macbook Pro is out, so you've only the iMac, Mini and Macbook left to choose from. It boils down to what's more important to you. Mobility or Performance? I'd never recommend buing an Apple laptop without Apple Care so factor that into your budget which will take up about 10% of it.

Apple are really missing a configurable tower at a more reasonable price.

MBP is still in, the refurbs even Santa Rosa can be had for under $2000.

[dmw007]

For $2,000 or less, I would say to go for an iMac. Unless you need to have a portable computer, in which case I would say to go with either a MacBook or a refurbished MacBook Pro. :)

[mrkramer]

For $2,000 or less, I would say to go for an iMac. Unless you need to have a portable computer, in which case I would say to go with either a MacBook or a refurbished MacBook Pro. :)

Since he is on a budget no matter what he gets I would suggest going with a refurb, and any upgrades doing them himself later.

[dmw007]

Since he is on a budget no matter what he gets I would suggest going with a refurb, and any upgrades doing them himself later.

Not a bad call, although $2,000 is a decent 'budget' for a computer. Still, I would try to get something with a Core 2 Duo processor and dedicated graphics unless the OP does not plan on doing any/light gaming. :)

[ivan1234]

I'd go for a 17'' mbp ;)

[je1ani]

When the new Mac Pros come out youll probably be able to cop a Quad Mac Pro at under 2k

[CalBoy]

I'd go for a 17'' mbp ;)

My price limit is $2000.

;):)