Need advice on purchase: iMac 24 vs. MacBook Pro 15"

[iLLucionist]

Hi, recently I returned my iMac 24" because of resonating (vibrating) harddrive, two dead pixels, and a faulty mighty mouse. Not so much luck, I guess.

I already have a classic Macbook Pro 15", but I fell with my bike so the screen is faulty. I thought: let's buy an iMac, which sits neatly on the desk, so less risky. And I really need my mac for college.. I have to write an absurd amount of papers and such, so one day no mac would be terrifying.

Anyway, what would one advice me to do? Try another iMac with the risk of another faulty screen (I read in the forum that many display problems occur) or buy a new mbp 15" with a Apple LED Cinema Display 24"?

Also, I need raw power, since I'll be doing a lot of SPSS (Statistical processing) and Mac Office 2008 (absurdly slow).

Thanks in advance!

[safetyobc]

I'd say MBP with display. This way you can take the notebook with you if you need to. Buy with plenty of Ram and a speedier hard drive (7200). That is what I would do if I didn't have a Mac.

Buy a super protective bag or something to take your laptop in when traveling :)

Good luck!

[Hellhammer]

Possibility that next iMac will be defective is very low. People usually comes here to tell about their problems, no about their satisfaction.

I college, portability is always a big plus. You could use MBP in classes, take it to home during holidays, vacation etc. MBP + 24" ACD is great option if you can afford it. It has portability and screen so it's both, laptop and desktop.

[ArcspacE]

Don't condemn the iMac so quickly.
It's a simple one - if you want portability (for which you pay extra, of course) get the MBP. :)

[zedsdead]

If you only have one machine, go with the Macbook Pro w/ the Cinema Display that way insuring portability.

As for the faultiness, the iMac's overall are pretty stable, so you should get a good one if you try again.

[MoleSkine]

Hello

I was heavily considering a macbook however the keyboard was horrific for me and I knew that I would just HATE typing on it - even tho you can get an external keyboard and use that.

Also I had absolutely NO reason for portability - I am done with college, I would never take the laptop to a coffee spot kuz I am clumsy and sooner or later coffee would drench the macbook. I wouldnt ever take it to a park, or do work on my bed. I grew up with a desktop and do all my work/concentration at my desk. Like eating on my bed is wierd to me, so is using a computer to do serious work outside the desk.

So, I bought Imac 24" but quickly returned it because the screen was an eyesore, and I bought a customized 20"...now I just have to change my desk and will be coimplete!

I also considered a mac mini however it would have cost me the same amount almsot as imac 20" but the Imac has faster processor etc. so I thought, well if same amount of money might as well go with Imac.