Each one has so many pros and cons. I mainly use my computer for web browsing, amateur editing photos with Aperture, and managing my 1.5 TB iTunes library. I'm also in the military, so it's nice to have something that's portable for when I move to a new base. I have an iMac right now and it sucked not being able to take it with me. Had to wait around a month to get it. I'm also stationed in Germany, so we go on a lot of little trips and around once a year, we go back to the States for a few weeks.
iMac (what I have right now and love it)
Pros: I love that it's really fast and that it will last the longest without needing to be upgraded. I have a 21'' screen and can only imagine how beautiful it would be to have a 27''.
Cons: It is very expensive. It would also take a huge hit in value when I sell to upgrade. I want to keep it for a long time, but I'm sure I'll end up upgrading again in around 4 years. By the time I sell, I'd probably end up "losing" over $1,000 from what I paid. It's also has a lot more power than I need, so I'm pretty much paying a lot of money for the screen. And finally, it's not portable. But not that big of a deal seeing as I will only move once every 4-6 years.
Mini
Pros: It's very small and portable. I also love that it's very simple in design and the price is great. Assuming I purchased it for around $800, I'd feel less guilty upgrading again in a few years since I'll only be losing less that $500 probably.
Cons: It'll probably start to show it's age after 2-3 years. I'd also have to buy a monitor for it and I'd have to purchase a super drive.
MBP (non-retina)
Pros: It's portable and I can use it all around the house but I'm not sure how much I'll do that since I also have an iPad that'll probably be more convenient. But it would be nice when I move. It's also very powerful and will be somewhat "future proof" for me.
Cons: It's so dam expensive. Again, I'd lose over $1,000 when I do decide to upgrade. I also like having a nice big screen to look at and a permanent 15'' screen would definitely take some getting use to. After spending that much money, I wouldn't want to buy another monitor.
MBA
Pros: It's very light and portable and I may be more willing to take it with me on trips and vacations. Would be very nice when I change bases. I also love the price range for a laptop. I think it has all the power that I need.
Cons: It's not upgradable. I think it would probably show it's age after 2-3 years. It also has a very small screen.
iMac (what I have right now and love it)
Pros: I love that it's really fast and that it will last the longest without needing to be upgraded. I have a 21'' screen and can only imagine how beautiful it would be to have a 27''.
Cons: It is very expensive. It would also take a huge hit in value when I sell to upgrade. I want to keep it for a long time, but I'm sure I'll end up upgrading again in around 4 years. By the time I sell, I'd probably end up "losing" over $1,000 from what I paid. It's also has a lot more power than I need, so I'm pretty much paying a lot of money for the screen. And finally, it's not portable. But not that big of a deal seeing as I will only move once every 4-6 years.
Mini
Pros: It's very small and portable. I also love that it's very simple in design and the price is great. Assuming I purchased it for around $800, I'd feel less guilty upgrading again in a few years since I'll only be losing less that $500 probably.
Cons: It'll probably start to show it's age after 2-3 years. I'd also have to buy a monitor for it and I'd have to purchase a super drive.
MBP (non-retina)
Pros: It's portable and I can use it all around the house but I'm not sure how much I'll do that since I also have an iPad that'll probably be more convenient. But it would be nice when I move. It's also very powerful and will be somewhat "future proof" for me.
Cons: It's so dam expensive. Again, I'd lose over $1,000 when I do decide to upgrade. I also like having a nice big screen to look at and a permanent 15'' screen would definitely take some getting use to. After spending that much money, I wouldn't want to buy another monitor.
MBA
Pros: It's very light and portable and I may be more willing to take it with me on trips and vacations. Would be very nice when I change bases. I also love the price range for a laptop. I think it has all the power that I need.
Cons: It's not upgradable. I think it would probably show it's age after 2-3 years. It also has a very small screen.