Hey everyone,
I'm new to the forums. I've been reading the main site for a year or so though. I am in a special situation I think. I have a 2009 Macbook Pro that is nearing the end of its warranty this August. It's a great computer, but I am a power user and like to play games and have lots of menubar apps and regular apps open at once. My computer, sadly, is not holding up well. I've easily had over $1000 in AppleCare repairs done (thank you God!) and I'm afraid that once that warranty passes, unless I get a new computer or change my ways, another component will croak.
A little bit about myself: I am a freshman in college. I bought this in high school as my first Macintosh I used personally. I like to play lots of games, especially ones that can be modded, like Minecraft, The Sims 3, and Bethesda games. This computer can handle these on medium to low settings, which is fine, but the more graphically intensive ones are fairly unplayable at low frame rates. My point is that I would like a new Mac that can play games from Minecraft to Skyrim with ease, even though I know this is somewhat of an oxymoron to Windoze fanboys. I know the 2011s' 6750M can play Skyrim on ultra settings, which is impressive, but I don't have the money to buy it yet. I will get back to this later.
As a student, I have certain needs, but even in my case, I am somewhat special. Everyone thinks that a laptop is necessary in college, but nearly all the classes I am in I use good old pencil and paper (except one class). Because of that one class, I need at least a laptop in my possession, especially if I take similar classes. However, I know the MBPs cost ~$500 more than a comparable iMac (not including earnings from selling old MBP). Essentially, my thought is that if I can use the iMac as my "power" PC and my MBP as my mobile PC, then I should be fine. The MBP won't be used enough for it to wear down as easily, but it would be usable for work on the go or in class. The problem though is I can't guarantee myself that it won't break after a while. Then I would be stuck without a laptop.
My preference at the moment is to get the 2012* iMac next summer after a few months of a summer job. I like the 2.7GHz 21.5" ($1400 education), and by the next refresh*, it should be even faster, ivy bridge, core i7, better graphics, etc. I think the price is just, and I can easily earn that much in a month or so if I find a job. If I have money left over, I would look into an iPad 3* to make up the trifecta of Apple computing.
tl;dr: I have a 2009 MBP. It's warranty is up this August. I want a new computer this Summer. Replace 2009 MBP with 2012*? or supplement with 2012* iMac? Gaming and cost are important to me.
*assuming inevitable spring/summer Apple Mac refreshes
I'm new to the forums. I've been reading the main site for a year or so though. I am in a special situation I think. I have a 2009 Macbook Pro that is nearing the end of its warranty this August. It's a great computer, but I am a power user and like to play games and have lots of menubar apps and regular apps open at once. My computer, sadly, is not holding up well. I've easily had over $1000 in AppleCare repairs done (thank you God!) and I'm afraid that once that warranty passes, unless I get a new computer or change my ways, another component will croak.
A little bit about myself: I am a freshman in college. I bought this in high school as my first Macintosh I used personally. I like to play lots of games, especially ones that can be modded, like Minecraft, The Sims 3, and Bethesda games. This computer can handle these on medium to low settings, which is fine, but the more graphically intensive ones are fairly unplayable at low frame rates. My point is that I would like a new Mac that can play games from Minecraft to Skyrim with ease, even though I know this is somewhat of an oxymoron to Windoze fanboys. I know the 2011s' 6750M can play Skyrim on ultra settings, which is impressive, but I don't have the money to buy it yet. I will get back to this later.
As a student, I have certain needs, but even in my case, I am somewhat special. Everyone thinks that a laptop is necessary in college, but nearly all the classes I am in I use good old pencil and paper (except one class). Because of that one class, I need at least a laptop in my possession, especially if I take similar classes. However, I know the MBPs cost ~$500 more than a comparable iMac (not including earnings from selling old MBP). Essentially, my thought is that if I can use the iMac as my "power" PC and my MBP as my mobile PC, then I should be fine. The MBP won't be used enough for it to wear down as easily, but it would be usable for work on the go or in class. The problem though is I can't guarantee myself that it won't break after a while. Then I would be stuck without a laptop.
My preference at the moment is to get the 2012* iMac next summer after a few months of a summer job. I like the 2.7GHz 21.5" ($1400 education), and by the next refresh*, it should be even faster, ivy bridge, core i7, better graphics, etc. I think the price is just, and I can easily earn that much in a month or so if I find a job. If I have money left over, I would look into an iPad 3* to make up the trifecta of Apple computing.
tl;dr: I have a 2009 MBP. It's warranty is up this August. I want a new computer this Summer. Replace 2009 MBP with 2012*? or supplement with 2012* iMac? Gaming and cost are important to me.
*assuming inevitable spring/summer Apple Mac refreshes
