Got some $ to drop on a new setup.. need advice.

[Erasmus]

is january the next mac convention thing?

Yes. Macworld. MWSF2007.

The last one was when they introduced both the Intel MBP and iMac.

You could bet quite a lot (your house for example, or your first born) that Apple will release at least one upgraded or possibly completely new computer.

Seems you might just want a bare bones Mini Mac Pro! (We're all crossing fingers)

MWSF2007 Will be HUGE

 

[gog]

You know you want to...
Just go the new macbook, go the 20" display + get an icurve, bluetooth mouse and keyboard.
You'll be the man, and avoids the hassel of 2 computers (pain in the a$$!) Even if the games suffer.

 

[FFTT]

I would not put all my technological eggs in one basket.

You already have a very nice laptop, that many people wish they could afford.
You have your portable needs covered and your PowerBook is more than capapable of running Leopard when it comes out.

If you bought a Mac Book AND an iMac right now you'd have 2 machines
essentially running off the same C2D processor build.

What you don't have right now is dual boot capabilities, dual core processing with universal binary applicatons, storage, a large
display and Windows gaming capabilties which are much improved with
at least 256 MB VRAM.

There really won't be any major improvements to laptops until Intel releases the 45nm Penryn processor late next year.

A current C2D iMac is basically a super well equipped MacBook Pro
with a larger and faster HD, a great display and a better GPU.

You get the same technology for much less than comparably equipped MacBook Pro.

Since you already have a PowerBook, I'd just make sure that it's maxed out on RAM.

What you don't have is a powerful all purpose desktop and you'll clearly benefit from working on a larger display.

As difficult as it may be to wait, I'd just sit tight for another few months
till the Leopard machines make their debut.

If you must buy something now, I'd go for the 24" iMac, 2 GB RAM with 256MB VRAM

It's simply the best bang for the buck giving you everything that you're missing.

Just be aware that Quad Core desktop chips will be available in a matter of months.

 

[jaduffy108]

If you must buy something now, I'd go for the 24" iMac, 2 GB RAM with 256MB VRAM

It's simply the best bang for the buck giving you everything that you're missing.

Just be aware that Quad Core desktop chips will be available in a matter of months.

### Though yellow makes some good suggestions imo...I'm with FFTT on this one. I think it's actually an EASY decision. iMac 24 all the way.

 

[Rob587]

how bad would games really be if I had a maxed out macbook hooked up to a 20" apple display? cuz thats really what I am leaning twords.. I really wished apple would make a mac mini with better graphics.

 

[yellow]

IMO, if you're a game player, integrated graphics are worthless..

Other opinions may vary.

Read more here: http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/09/03/integrated_graphics_performance/index.html

 

[failsafe1]

What do you want to do with your computer? If you have the cash and need a desktop with portable that sounds like a serious need. The only reason to get a desktop and portable is you need the added horse power of the desktop. The iMac and Mac Mini are on the same par as the Macbook Pro. So if you were planning on getting either of these and a Macbook that does not seem to be the way to go. Get a Macbook Pro and a nice monitor and you are golden. If you need portability and horsepower than the Mac Pro and Macbook are candidates. It sounds like the Macbook pro with extras would suit your needs if you can afford it.

 

[tuartboy]

Macbook Pro and 23" monitor.

Portability of your current system (a little better actually) and a display that rivals the 24" iMac. A powerful graphics card that can play most any game and the ability to dual boot into windows.

Plus (and this is a big one in my mind), you don't have to bother syncing 2 machines and keeping them both updated and syncing bookmarks and files and such. I don't care how great you think .mac syncing is (it's not really), it will never be as good as a single machine that does both desktop and laptop duties.

This one system would fulfill all your needs as long as the extra tiny size of the MBP over the MB is ok for you.

 

[roland.g]

Seems you might just want a bare bones Mini Mac Pro! (We're all crossing fingers)

MWSF2007 Will be HUGE

That is what we are hoping. I was going to get a 24" iMac last month and since my dad wants a Mini, I got a refurb 1.66 that I will sell him when I get a Leopard/iLife '07 preloaded machine, as well as an iTV of course.

I'd like to see one of two things by the time Leopard comes out:

1. A Mini Mac Pro, new cube, headless whatever you want to call it. Then I'm all over a 23" ACD. Might even spring for a VESA mount and articulating arm.

2. If #1 does not happen, how about an aluminum a la the ACD or even a black 24" iMac.

 

[Rob587]

I think im just going to keep my current powerbook for right now and get a 20" apple display and just see what happens in january. I dont want to go spending a lot of money on something im not sure on. And after january there might be better mac mini out.