Buy MP now or wait untill 2011/2012

[JesterJJZ]

lol thank you all for the great info. I have...one more question ( lets hope just one more right? )

I plan on buying a non apple display...i know the apple display has the cool apple logo but i figure i can get much better for the same price or less...what style ( lcd...w/e else they use now a days ) would be best? I read somewhere here that all you have to do is make sure its..DVI (?) acceptable.

I just got a Dell 2311h as a second monitor. It's awesome and you can get it for under $300 if you call Dell and beg for a discount.

 

[hugodrax]

Thank you all for your kind replies...perhaps it would be wise of me to just buy a used intel based mac and work with that until the '' big day '' and then spend a hunk of cash.

Buy a Used Mac Pro work with that. The 2011-2012 (Sandy Bridge) will be a significant departure in technology. You will get the most bang for the buck waiting for it and just buying a used 08 model or even an 06 model if you can get it pretty cheap.

2010 model is just a warmed over 2009 model.

 

[300D]

2010 model is just a warmed over 2009 model.

Tick-Tock method. Used by both Apple and Intel.

 

[strausd]

I just got a Dell 2311h as a second monitor. It's awesome and you can get it for under $300 if you call Dell and beg for a discount.

Ordered mine on Amazon for $290 should get here tomorrow!

 

[wesk702]

MP updates haven't been mind-blowing for sometime now. U probably won't see one of those until u graduate.
It seems that apple is actually getting better at milking u for your updates rather than really knocking your socks off. Go for it and get the current pros. If you already don't have one I'm sure you'll be impressed. Crap, if you got money to rock the hex or 12 core than do it.

 

[MacSince1985]

well...i think i have decided to buy a refurbed imac...and wait untill next year ( or a lil later ) and then hopefully buy a second gen mac pro since idt you can upgrade.

That's a good move. There are a lot of options between the G4 MacBook and the new MP. But look at the laptops and Mac Minis as well as older Mac Pros before making a decision.

 

[dallas112678]

Actually i would probably save that money and either spend it on tuition, or buy a fully specced mac pro when you graduate and get a job. The vast majority of schools have computer labs with workstations just for this purpose. Anyway if you bought one now, then in 4 years when you are actually a professional industrial design person then the computer will be outdated and that is when you will be doing your heaviest work especially from home. So ya, thats my opinion, just get something that will handle your every day needs and use your schools computer labs (They are there for a reason) so you can buy your workstation when you will be doing your heaviest and most important projects after graduation.