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I could use some advice on what to buy

O

OUTofPRINT

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 8, 2009
14
0
I could use some help. I would like to buy a Mac, but I'm not sure what to get. This will be my first Mac, and I don't really know what would be best for me. I'm 16 years old, and I would like to do some video and music editing. I also want to write some iPhone apps. I am considering the 24" iMac, the 13" and 15" MacBook Pros, and a Mac Mini.

An iMac would be great because of the lack of clutter (because everything is inside the iMac,) the large screen, and the extra power. I would either get the lower end 24" or the middle 24". I plan to upgrade to Snow Leopard when it comes out. Will there be a big difference between the 9400M and the GT120 with OpenCL? When I first decided that I wanted a Mac, I planned to get an iMac.

The MacBook Pro would be good for the portability. The reduced power would be a bummer, but I'm not sure how much of a difference I would see compared to the iMac.

The only reason I'm considering the Mac Mini is the price. I would hate to give up the power, but it's so much cheaper than the other options. I would only get it because I can almost afford it right now. I would use my 1440*900, 19 inch monitor that I use right now.

I made a spreadsheet comparing each option as I would configure it.

I have some stuff to figure out, but I think I will have between $1,100 and $1,200. I don't have a job right now, but I'm hoping to get one soon.

So again, which one do you guys think would be best for what I would do with it?
 
Well, I would say iMac simply because you don't really need the portability right now (you will for college but in high school not so much). I wouldn't go with the mac mini simply because apple monitors are really nice especially if you do video editing. iMac offers the best in screen size, power, and affordability for a first time mac user in my opinion. As for which one of the iMacs you listed...ehhh...I might go with the lower cost one just because you said you were on a budget and with the technology changing so fast I don't think you will find it worth the upgrade especially as a novice user. Best of luck on your decision.
 
MacMini2009 said:
Get the iMac and use your 19in monitor to extend you desktop.
Click to expand...

That's a really good idea. I never thought of that.

And does anybody know how big a difference the graphics card would make in the middle iMac? With OpenCL coming soon, I feel like the graphics card might be worth the money. What do you guys think? You're probably a lot more knowledgeable about this stuff than me.
 
I'm afraid I don't have an answer about the graphics card, but I've found the 9400 to be a nice enough card so far, I mess about with video, photo and a bit of gaming (WoW and Sims 3 so nothing major) and I have a 13" MBP and a 24" base model iMac.

I honestly think the base model 24" iMac represents fantastic value for money especially with student discount (you should be eligible for some discount I think? Higher Education is the highest % but I think you get some at 16?).

Getting a desktop now is a wise move, you could still be using it by the time you go to college/uni if you plan to do that, and then you can supplement your existing setup with a nice Mac laptop too.

For extended computer use I do much prefer a desktop personally, though of course that depends on the person - and you'll definitely appreciate a bigger screen for video editing!

I own both the 13" MBP and a 24" iMac and my iMac is my favourite. I kinda miss being away from it at the moment. I do need portability too, like now, I'm away from my iMac but I can still do all my Maccy things and use MobileMe to keep my work all together, so it's just great. It's so fast, and I love having an immense hard drive.

Oh, I miss my iMac! We'll be reunited on Sunday! :D
 
Yeah, my sister's in college right now, so I think I'll be able to use her student discount. I don't think I can get any discounts right now. I guess I'll get the iMac. I've had several desktops, and that's always worked for me (except for the whole Windows thing). I'm planning to install Windows using Boot Camp so I can play games. How good is the 9400M?
 
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