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Define "Pricey". Dell is iThink the standard recommendation.

was thinking under $200......but looking at refurbs on the apple site, Im wondering if I should just go for a 15" MBP or a 24" imac and be done with it. I think the 15" screen would be big enough for what I need, and if not I could add a display at a later date. Or I could try and get a 13" refurb and an external display, but that just seems a bit fussier to deal with
 
was thinking under $200......but looking at refurbs on the apple site, Im wondering if I should just go for a 15" MBP or a 24" imac and be done with it. I think the 15" screen would be big enough for what I need, and if not I could add a display at a later date. Or I could try and get a 13" refurb and an external display, but that just seems a bit fussier to deal with

I know that there has been everything short of a MacBook Air and Mac Pro suggested. The 15" really IMO, given what you have indicated, seems to be the best option. Having two computers complicates things, I really think that if you spend your money on the higher-end Mac Pro, iThink you will miss the portability, whereas you could get the MacBook Pro and if you wanted to switch your other computer over, a Mac Mini would still be a step-up from an older PC.
 
I know that there has been everything short of a MacBook Air and Mac Pro suggested. The 15" really IMO, given what you have indicated, seems to be the best option. Having two computers complicates things, I really think that if you spend your money on the higher-end Mac Pro, iThink you will miss the portability, whereas you could get the MacBook Pro and if you wanted to switch your other computer over, a Mac Mini would still be a step-up from an older PC.

Not interested in a Mac Pro, so I can cross that off the list.
Rest of the family (DH and 8 kids) will still use the current HP desktop since it fits their needs ok right now and is centrally located in the living room. Whatever I get will be just for me to use.....so either a MBP as a second notebook, or an iMac as a desktop in my bedroom. Thanks for all the replies, you've given me a lot of ideas!

(I would happily share the computer with DH but he is very resistant to change and not interested in an apple at this time....and the kids aren't touching it lol)

ETA because I forgot: I have 2 DDs in college so could possibly get the student discount and free ipod deal as well
 
Not interested in a Mac Pro, so I can cross that off the list.
Rest of the family (DH and 8 kids) will still use the current HP desktop since it fits their needs ok right now and is centrally located in the living room. Whatever I get will be just for me to use.....so either a MBP as a second notebook, or an iMac as a desktop in my bedroom. Thanks for all the replies, you've given me a lot of ideas!

(I would happily share the computer with DH but he is very resistant to change and not interested in an apple at this time....and the kids aren't touching it lol)

ETA because I forgot: I have 2 DDs in college so could possibly get the student discount and free ipod deal as well

Extremely sorry for my ignorance but I simply cant make out what does "DH", "DD", "ETA" stand for in your post:confused:. The ones I could guess dont make any sense with the post. Care to throw some light on it??
 
I was in a similar delima a couple months ago... I got a prev gen 20" iMac to replace the Dell Dimension 8100 desktop that everyone else used in the house...

I also have a Toshiba 1905-s303 that is my living room nettop, an eeePC1000H that's my portable work machine (read throwaway if it breaks) and a Sony Vaio PCG-TR3A ultra portable setup with a 17" monitor.

I'm trying to extend my machines until Arrandale (sp?) becomes a reality and I get a powerful laptop with long life:D (or the fabled iTablet)...
 
The iMac will give you plenty of power and a great screen

I'm still on the fence with the 13/15" MBP + external monitor or the 24" iMac decision too. I never thought I'd ever consider using my laptop as a desktop but I'm starting to realize it could be a viable solution for me. One thing though and it could just be me, but I was at the store yesterday and I was comparing the 15" MBP with the 24" ACD to the 24" iMac both set to the same display settings and the 15" MBP with the 24" ACD appeared noticeably sharper to me. They both looked great and I'm sure either would be just fine for me but is it possible that the MPB with the ACD could deliver a sharper picture?
 
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