How does the base 15" MBP compare to the base 21" iMac - imminent purchase

[nickosbad]

Hi all, I am looking at replacing my ageing C2D 2.16ghz MBP as it is getting a bit slow and hangs a lot lately, my options are:

entry level 15" MBP (2.4ghz i5) or an entry level 21" iMac (3.06ghz i3)

My normal usage is some light photoshop work, occasional imovie work but a LOT of movie encoding in Handbrake for my iPad (some content converting to 720p from 1080mkv blu ray rips which take AGES on my current machine)

I will also be using it as a host for my appleTV

Performance wise how will they differ, is one likely to be considerably faster than the other??

If I get the iMac then I would probably keep my old MBP for the rare times I need it when away with work as it is unlikely to be worth much to sell on.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

 

[aimbdd]

If I get the iMac then I would probably keep my old MBP for the rare times I need it when away with work as it is unlikely to be worth much to sell on.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

There is your answer right there Go for the iMac. Bigger screen, faster.

 

[opera57]

Yeah you might aswell go for the imac, quite a bit faster when converting videos and also more of a pleasure to use due to the larger screen. And as you said, if you need a portable device you already have an older MBP to use!