Help-Returning iMac for MP?

You can simply return it for a refund if within your return period and buy a MP online.

frocco said:

I know, so you think option 1 is the best choice?

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Have you checked if a local Apple Store has the model iMac you would want in stock? That would actually be your best option probably.

The MP doesn't have thunderbolt so don't go getting a thunderbolt display, you need the cinema display. Only issue I would have here is the displays being refreshed, if you need to buy a display with your machine now then by all means it's a great screen, but, keep in mind it is highly likely the screen will have a refresh to the new iMac type styling. Then again the cinema display is waiting to die as it's only useful for a Mac Pro in Apples current line up of computers.

I have a Mac Pro 2012 with a GTX 680 inside. Great for gaming and everything I need otherwise. Add up the cost of the cinema display, mac pro and a GTX 670/680 and you can decide if it's a good idea vs a gaming machine and base MBP. Personally i'd go with the base MBP and gaming machine but if you want the all together option the Mac Pro and unsupported card is a win.

frocco said:

Thanks for pointing this out, I did not know they were different.

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The rMBP makes more sense to me because at least it is new technology.
Right now, I am confused, that is why I posted here.

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The rMBP is a powerhouse indeed but I have been through each computer in Apple's line up from 13" MBP to my last computer a maxed out rMBP. Now it is a fantastic portable but if you like to game now and again a tower is the only real option. You'll be swapping machines out every year or so where as a Mac Pro would last longer given you can change the card. If you would be happy buying a Mac Pro 6 core this late in the cycle, it is one of the fastest machines Apple sells and it's of course upgradable.

One more thing to consider, thunderbolt is a tool mainly for portable machines. It has it's uses for a Mac Pro in theory but the uses are far less given it has a lot more ports and a PCIe bay. USB 3 can be added along with a SATA 3 card.

The simple answer is to install Windows on an external USB3 drive.

Seeing as your only using windows for development and 1 game why not use a install windows as a vm using parallels or something similar. But why do people buy macs to run windows, whats wrong with a pc all in one or a high end laptop.