New computer time (iMac vs MacPro)

[Flyinace2000]

my current PC is pushing 4.5 years and i have decided to stop fixing it when it breaks. So i am looking at two different computers to replace it, an 20" iMac or low end MacPro

iMac $2,043.00 (this config or whatever is release withing the next 2 to 3 weeks.

Specifications

* 1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
* 250GB Serial ATA drive
* ATI Radeon X1600/256MB VRAM
* SuperDrive 8x (DVD+R DL/DVD+RW/CD-RW)
* Keyboard & Mighty Mouse + Mac OS X - U.S. English
* Accessory kit
* AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac - Auto-enroll
* 20-inch widescreen LCD
* 2GHz Intel Core Duo
* AirPort Extreme
* Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

or MacPro $2,578.00

Specifications

* Two 2GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon
* 1GB (2 x 512MB)
* 250GB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
* ATI Radeon X1900 XT 512MB (2 x dual-link DVI)
* One 16x SuperDrive
* Both Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and AirPort Extreme
* Apple Wireless Keyboard and Apple wireless Mighty Mouse - U.S. English
* Mac OS X - U.S. English
* AppleCare Protection Plan for Mac Pro/Power Mac (w/or w/o Display) - Auto-enroll

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

What are you using it for?

Although my gut reaction tells me iMac.

 

[thworple]

Have you not seen the new iMac updates today?

There's a 24" iMac out now, with superior graphics card, and the prices are pretty damn good too.

Brings the iMac range closer to the low-end Mac Pro that you are describing here.

 

[relimw]

I suppose it really depends on what you are using it for. My choice would be the Mac Pro (which is on order).

 

[twoodcc]

yeah, take a look at the new imacs.......they look good

 

[miloblithe]

That MacPro is going to be pretty useless without a display.

(Do you have one already? That seems to be a factor in the decision.)

 

[Flyinace2000]

Hly crap i can't believe i missed the iMac update. Take away my nerd points!

I think new iMac is the right choice. How is that 7600GT card?

Actually. Given that the price is really close now, maybe i will just go Mac Pro... I already have a 19" monitor and the MacPro gives me a much better graphics card.

2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo $2,131.00
# 1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
# 250GB Serial ATA Drive
# NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GT 256MB SDRAM
# SuperDrive 8X (DVD+R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# Apple Keyboard & Mighty Mouse + Mac OS X (US English)
# AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac - Auto-enroll
# 24-inch widescreen LCD
# AirPort Extreme
# Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

Hly crap i can't believe i missed the iMac update. Take away my nerd points!

I think new iMac is the right choice. How is that 7600GT card?

Actually. Given that the price is exactly the same now, maybe i will just go Mac Pro... I already have a 19" monitor and the MacPro gives me a much better graphics card.

Actually, while the ATI card is superior (I think), general consensus is that the 7600 GT card is pretty damn good.

Oh, and 24" compared to 19" for the screen? Man, that 24" is going to be a thing of beauty - it's massive, 40% brighter than before ( ), and carries a 1900x1200 resolution. I think you should go with the iMac.

 

[thworple]

If you're only considering going for the 2Ghz Mac Pro, I would go with the iMac instead. If you're thinking 2.66Ghz, go the Mac Pro!

 

[Flyinace2000]

If you're only considering going for the 2Ghz Mac Pro, I would go with the iMac instead. If you're thinking 2.66Ghz, go the Mac Pro!

I think your right, with the addition 19" monitor i can do some spanning (19"+24")

 

[amack]

My Macpro shipped yesterday and when I saw the 24" imac I was beginning to wish I had waited. However having thought about it carefully I think the imac would be a fantastic home computer but the expandability of the macpro is what I really need. If you just need to surf the net, sort the family photo album and send e-mails then the imac is the one. If (and I think its been said already by others here) you are going to work with your mac (photography,film etc) the macpro is a must. just my thoughts.

 

[Scarlet Fever]

My Macpro shipped yesterday and when I saw the 24" imac I was beginning to wish I had waited.

Thats the common Apple syndrome; when i got my MacBook the 2.0GHz model started to look very attractive. Then i realised i had a dual core in the cheapest of Apple's laptops, and the 2.0 wouldn't be much faster than my 1.83. I still want one though

 

[aswitcher]

Go the 24". Its going to be an amazing machine...but I would still suggest you wait until next Tuesdays past in case the mythical Mac Pro Mini appears.

 

[FFTT]

The new 24" iMac and even a well equipped 20" model are pretty strong contenders even for some degree of professional use.

The Mac Pro is intended as a serious workstation that will handle heavy loads
24/7.

Although I would go for the 2.66 GHz model, the 2.0 does have 2 X dual core processing, so it too will qualify as a workhorse.
The extra internal storage, expansion capabilites and connectivity of the Mac Pro
make it worth every penny if you need a system that powerful.

You have a decent display and the prices of displays are continuing to decline.

I think you need to base your decision on workload and how much you feel
you will want to upgrade in the future.

If the MacPro helps you to increase productivity and generate more income,
then it may be well worth the extra investment.

 

[chatin]

I would go iMac 24"

The 24" iMac's Core 2 microkernel is identical to the Xeon + a hudge display!

I was thinking about a 24" to test out instead of buying a 30" cinema for my Pro.

 

[greenmac]

Actually, while the ATI card is superior (I think), general consensus is that the 7600 GT card is pretty damn good.

Oh, and 24" compared to 19" for the screen? Man, that 24" is going to be a thing of beauty - it's massive, 40% brighter than before ( ), and carries a 1900x1200 resolution. I think you should go with the iMac.

The fps on the 7600 GT practically the same as the ATI card according to Apple's web site!
http://www.apple.com/imac/graphics.html
http://www.apple.com/macpro/graphics.html

 

[aswitcher]

The fps on the 7600 GT practically the same as the ATI card according to Apple's web site!
http://www.apple.com/imac/graphics.html
http://www.apple.com/macpro/graphics.html

Weird. With the 7300 card the Pro gets 44fps the iMac 76fps...