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Buying mac for first time

L

Lightz

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 9, 2008
11
0
Hey there. I am currently in the market for a mac. I have narrowed it down to two.

24" 3.06GHz iMac
# 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 1TB Serial ATA Drive
# NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3
# Apple Mighty Mouse
# Apple Keyboard (English) + User's Guide

or

15" 2.8GHz Mac Book Pro
# 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA @ 5400
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# None
# Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide

Now then what I will use it for.

-Games(Would like to still play game on it. Games such as Neverwinter Nights 2, Oblivion, Fallout 3, Diablo Series)
-School(Attending College and taking advantage of the education store)
-Web browsing/Chatting
-Making movies, songs, games(Not professionally but as a hobbie)

Hope that can help you help me determine which is the best for me. A note on the gaming...I am aware that neither are high end gaming platforms but I would still like to play games on high settings with moderate FPS. Clearly the iMac has the advantage in that category but I would prefer something mobile for school.

Thank you for the help. I hope to soon be a "Mac"
 
heh, I was leaning towards it but wanted to first know how much better the iMac is at gaming than the MBP. I do have an Xbox 360 and play alot of my games on that. I just enjoy the keyboard and mouse more.
 
I was considering a refurbish MBP but really you don't save all that much. I would rather something that's new and mine. Mobility is a huge attraction to me but the amount of money you pay for it compared to what you get is pushing me towards the iMac. I don't know, having my laptop in class for notes and what not would help a lot however. Does anyone know if Student Loans cover computers?
 
Also would you suggest purchasing the extra apple protection plan? Is the default one good enough?
 
Go for MBP. Better GPU and the option of external screen

Go for MBP. Better GPU and the option of external screen. iMac is great, but static. The MBP is much more versitaile. Sorry for bad english ;-) Christmas greetings from Norway
 
Here's a suggestion, get a Refurbished iMac 24-inch 2.8GHz for circa $1500 with an external 3rd party HD AND a refurbished macbook to take to school for circa $900. Gives the best of both worlds and in budget, and lowers the loss risk is some b*stard steals the Macbook.

Lightz said:
Also would you suggest purchasing the extra apple protection plan? Is the default one good enough?
Click to expand...

You can decide that anytime within the 1st year. the extension runs from the day of purchase of the computer, not the care package. I would get it if you can afford it, but maybe when the thing is 9 months old or so.
 
^^ That's good to know. Can you purchase a refurbished machine and use the student discount?
 
Go for the MBP, (portability, great screen), buy refurb (reduced cost and a machine that is tested and tried, and comes as new, with Apple's one yeara warranty), and add Applecare to the mix.

Cheers and good luck
 
Here are the price comparisons of a refurbished and a student discount.

MBP Student - $2,823.00(CND)

MBP Refurbished - ...

There isn't a version of the MBP I want in the Refurbished store. Unless anyone else has had luck find it.

# 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA @ 7200
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
 
get the mbp. not only being able to take the computer to class, but just having the ability to move away from your desk and go sit outside to work or even just lying in your bed is nice. portability!
 
Lightz said:
# 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
# 320GB Serial ATA @ 7200
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
# Backlit Keyboard (English) / User's Guide
Click to expand...

If you want to save $300 why not stick with the 2.53GHz, with the graphics and memory maxed out it will be fast enough.
 
dubhe said:
If you want to save $300 why not stick with the 2.53GHz, with the graphics and memory maxed out it will be fast enough.
Click to expand...

I have a problem where I need the best :D

Hence why I am switching to mac in the first place.
 
tvslaven said:
Go for MBP. Better GPU and the option of external screen. iMac is great, but static.
Click to expand...

These statements are a bit misleading.

Check this site for some video benchmarks - the iMac with the upgraded GPU clearly comes in ahead of the MBP.

iMacs also have the option of an external screen, so that point is moot.

Bottom line: get a MBP if you need portability, get an iMac if you need a bigger screen and hard drive. Gaming aside, they're very similar in performance.
 
Tomorrow said:
These statements are a bit misleading.

Check this site for some video benchmarks - the iMac with the upgraded GPU clearly comes in ahead of the MBP.

iMacs also have the option of an external screen, so that point is moot.

Bottom line: get a MBP if you need portability, get an iMac if you need a bigger screen and hard drive. Gaming aside, they're very similar in performance.
Click to expand...

Those results make me happy. I'm pretty sure I am going with the MBP.
 
Get Applecare for it. I've had two mac's and both needed it near the end of the 1st year.
 
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