Laptop or desktop? Short term to long term needs.

snowydog · Oct 9, 2011

Hi

Apologies if there Is a thread already....if so can someone redirect me? I had a look, but maybe I'm not searching right.

I'm wondering whether to get the 21" iMac or the MBP 13" ...

They are around similar prices with student discount, but I'm not entirely sure I'll need the laptop as I have my iPad 2 that I use and I will be getting a windows laptop from work in the next few weeks.

Basically I want to be able to utilise the iCloud between my iPad, rip my DVDs to computer for playing on my iPad over wifi. I'll also be doing some video and photo editing and then the usual uni work and studies. Obviously I'll do more , but at the minute I have no laptop or desktop as my near 3 yr old windows laptop has died and I'm going to get an apple computer this time.

I have my own personal video and photo projects on hold until I get a desktop/laptop and the iPad is doing ok for reviewing/editing lecture slides for uni, looking up journals, books, research etc but I will be doing some lab reports soon and will have to use my dads windows desktop in the mean time.

I feel a bit in limbo without a desktop/laptop. My iPad is great for a lot of the things I do, but I've always had a computer and I have all my files/folders from last laptop on a USB In The meantime.

In the long term, I will be moving in with the fiancé In the next year or two and will have quite a bit more disposable income and so will be looking to develop one room for office and entertainment (home cinema with projector etc).... He doesn't use a laptop and has an old windows desktop as he rarely uses the computer though he studied photography, media and design and may decide to get back into that in the future. (doesn't do it at the minute).

Im trying to buy sensible now to suit me both short term and long term.

What's others opinions? I'm not sure whether to get the laptop now and the iMac when I move in with the man. But at same time, do I need a laptop now, really? As I have my iPad.

I'm also pretty new to apple, having just got my first apple product (iPad 2) since the first ever iPods came out ... So again, I'm learning a lot about the software, hardware and trying to decide what best suits me.

I keep thinking of questions to ask on here and then forgetting them so I wasbhoping I could maybe get some opinions, youre experiences, advice from you knowledgable people

I'll prob come back with a lot of questions and don't want to keep starting new threads.

Few questions I can think of now though:

Is it possible to hook a laptop up to two monitors? MBP in particular.

Whether I get a laptop or a desktop, I'm planning on setting up a desk area with my monitors, docks, stereos etc..the usual in an office set up.

Sorry for the overload of info , my head is just constantly thinking of it all and it's easier to get it wrote down and ask people who know, rather than my windows lover dad and my non computer user fiancé lol

Thanks

palpatine · Oct 9, 2011

That's a lot of thought you put into things. For me, the days of desktops are over. I don't really see the point anymore.

But, I guess you have to ask yourself what you plan to do with it. If it isn't serious photo editing (just cropping pictures to send to relatives and that sort of thing), you'll be fine with a Macbook Air and an external drive.

Why tie yourself to a desk if you don't have to? As for the displays, the Thunderbolt connectors ought to help out there, but maybe others on the forum can give more detailed advice about these. I'm done with external monitors

jmpnop · Oct 9, 2011

iMac would be better since you already have the iPad. It has bigger screen and more power which makes editing easier. It doesn't make sense to get MBP if you're getting a windows laptop from work. Thats a total of 3 portable computers serving the same purpose. Instead you can get the iMac and use iPad as a portable computer.

AppleDApp · Oct 9, 2011

jmpnop said:
iMac would be better since you already have the iPad. It has bigger screen and more power which makes editing easier. It doesn't make sense to get MBP if you're getting a windows laptop from work. Thats a total of 3 portable computers serving the same purpose. Instead you can get the iMac and use iPad as a portable computer.

I agree As for using external monitors, be careful because I don't think you can use 2 external monitors on the 13 mbp or mab's because the thunderbolt port isn't as powerful. Just get an iMac seems convenient. If you're going to setup a home theater in your office either get a 21" hooked to a TV or get the 27" and use that.

eric/ · Oct 9, 2011

iMac since you already have an iPad 2.

snowydog · Oct 9, 2011

Thanks for the responses.

In terms of hardware specs, I'm assuming the iMac 21" is better than MBP 13"

I'm still reading around it all and trying to understand.

AppleDApp · Oct 9, 2011

snowydog said:
Thanks for the responses.

In terms of hardware specs, I'm assuming the iMac 21" is better than MBP 13"

I'm still reading around it all and trying to understand.

Yes and for the money your getting alot more

hafr · Oct 9, 2011

For me, this is a no brainer. Get the iMac.

Rhodan · Oct 10, 2011

From what you explained above, it sounds like the iMac will suit you fine, as you already have the iPad for mobility.

Unless of course you need more power when on the move? Or would you not be carrying a laptop around with you?

tipman2000 · Oct 10, 2011

no use getting the imac unless you need the extra horsepower for video editing or gaming. you can do what i do with the macbook and just buy a huge display and plug it in when you put your laptop down, thus basically eliminating the advantage of the imac's screen size. keep in mind the imac will have maybe 2-4x the processor and graphics power of the macbook 13

----------

just a note, while the laptop looks nice on paper, the desktop graphics in the imac are at least 4 times faster. this wont matter for basic things like web surfing, watching video, or writing docs, but if you are editing HD video or playing any modern 3D games then the imac IS the computer for you. i got the macbook thinking it would be fine for basic gaming(it barely cuts it), here we are 3 year later and the same model is only a tiny bit faster graphics-wise.

hafr · Oct 10, 2011

tipman2000 said:
no use getting the imac unless you need the extra horsepower for video editing or gaming. you can do what i do with the macbook and just buy a huge display and plug it in when you put your laptop down, thus basically eliminating the advantage of the imac's screen size. keep in mind the imac will have maybe 2-4x the processor and graphics power of the macbook 13

----------

just a note, while the laptop looks nice on paper, the desktop graphics in the imac are at least 4 times faster. this wont matter for basic things like web surfing, watching video, or writing docs, but if you are editing HD video or playing any modern 3D games then the imac IS the computer for you. i got the macbook thinking it would be fine for basic gaming(it barely cuts it), here we are 3 year later and the same model is only a tiny bit faster graphics-wise.

She has an iPad and is getting a laptop in a few weeks, she's asking herself if she really needs a laptop and she's setting up a fixed home office. She's a student that clearly has a limited budget and is thinking long term.

So yeah, get the weaker machine that won't last you as long but costs as much, then get an additional screen which doubles the price. Good advice...

inkooo · Oct 13, 2011

i support you

"Whether I get a laptop or a desktop, I'm planning on setting up a desk area with my monitors, docks, stereos etc..the usual in an office set up. :
I believe you can come your dream ture.
Just fighting!!

snowydog · Oct 13, 2011

inkooo said:
"Whether I get a laptop or a desktop, I'm planning on setting up a desk area with my monitors, docks, stereos etc..the usual in an office set up. :
I believe you can come your dream ture.
Just fighting!!

Someday

I graduate this year - so I'll be looking for a good graduate job. (fingers crossed). If I can get a good graduate job then I can move in with the man and get my office set up!

If I get the iMac - I won't be able to take it to my fiances house to work on uni stuff.. that's the only thing holding me back.

Bt then I have my ipad and can do uni work from it (just studying - no document writing)... which is ok I guess...

Then again - If I get an iMac I will need to buy a computer desk and chair for my bedroom - which will cost more.

If I get a macbook pro - I can then set up a space in my fiances living room with an external monitor to connect to. Then I'd get the iMac when I move in with him.

Arhg confusing - the right choice is probably the iMac - better specs for same sort of cost. but then there's the desk and chair i'd have to buy.

Vantage Point · Oct 13, 2011

There is less of a need for an external with a 15" MBP. I had a iMac + 13" MBP and sold them both a year ago for a 15" and external (which I use only for photo editing). 95% of the time my 15" is simply perfect whereas my 13" was a bit cramped.

kayty · Oct 13, 2011

i think you should get the iMac its more powerful and more useful in the future.

snowydog · Oct 14, 2011

Sounds good. Think I'll Place my order on Monday while at uni. Get my discount.

mrsir2009 · Oct 14, 2011

The iMac and the iPad go together perfectly

hafr · Oct 14, 2011

carlahagger said:
Nowadays that all seems to on a rush havin a desktop is not advisable. Definitely laptop is more convenient to use aside on the fact that you can carry it with you and do your work anywhere and everywhere. If you are planning to connect it in external monitor, as an initiative, check your hardware and all the stuff to know if its compatible moreover if your laptop can allocate the memory needed.

Did you read her initial post? She has an iPad, she's getting a laptop and she's going to have a fixed office at home. There is no point what so ever for her to spend as much (or more) money on a weaker machine since she doesn't need the mobility it'll give her.

miamijim · Oct 14, 2011

I have a 20" iMac from 2007/8.

I also have a 1st Gen iPad 32gb Wi Fi...

This and an iphone 4 suit me just great.

I have the power of the iMac at home, I have upgraded the ram and run 2TB of extra storage. On this I run Plex as my media server.

The iPad is the best all round device I could ever imagine...

I say go for the iMac.

cypriot · Oct 14, 2011

imac/macbook

I bought a macbook as my only computer. However if I had ever knew I would prefer to buy an iMac. Macbook is way more heavy than an iPad and you can't really carry it with you. It is not also as powerful as a standalone iMac. It has a huge screen for entertainment and movies. It is way faster for workload. Also big screen allows you to open several windows during work and other stuff. Macbook is just in between. Its neither a work device nor a mobile device. Its funny because iPad is supposed to be an 'in-between' gadget.

So I would prefer iMac. Just imagine yourself buying each one and you would see what suits your needs best.

trip1ex · Oct 14, 2011

Tell us which one you purchase and we will support you and your decision.

snowydog · Oct 14, 2011

I think I'll go with the iMac ....

Im Going to be uploading a lot of my DVDs on to whichever computer I get so I think the iMac would definitely do a better job.

The only downsides is having t buy a suitable computer desk and then buying office suite (which I'd buy on any one either way - need the compatibility for work just incase).

I can't wait.

Dad thinks I'm being frugal with my money but I see it as a long term investment which I CAN afford now anyway.

Laptop or desktop? Short term to long term needs.

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