iMac or Macbook Pro? Need to pick 1 and stick with it!

[Aaron from KY]

This is a very difficult decision for me as I have a habit of buying a Macbook and a few months later selling it, often for fickle reasons. I just got rid of my last 15" because the spacebar worked intermittently, and I had already taken it to the applestore once, had it working again, then it started up again, didn't feel like repeating this since the closest Apple store is 30-45min away by car. It was a February 2011 model.

Anyway, here's my use case scenario: Basic web browsing, word processing and iPhoto. Occasionally fire up Diablo 3. Nothing major, and the computer is not used for business.
Looking at:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC309LL/A

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD318LL/A/refurbished-macbook-pro-22ghz-quad-core-intel-i7

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD103LL/A/refurbished-macbook-pro-23ghz-quad-core-intel-i7 -Most I'd be willing to spend. Not necessarily want to though...

http://www.smalldog.com/product/81505/macbook-pro-17in-2-53ghz-i5-4gb-500gb-white-box

http://www.smalldog.com/product/81506/macbook-pro-17in-2-66ghz-i5-4gb-500gb-antiglare-white-box

http://www.smalldog.com/product/81983/macbook-pro-15in-2-8ghz-i7-4gb-500gb-5400rpm-hi-res-antiglare

http://www.smalldog.com/product/81507/macbook-pro-17in-2-8ghz-i7-4gb-500gb-antiglare-white-box

And I'm open to suggestions if there are better deals out there on clearance or refurbished models. No used or eBay please.
Thank you!

 

[wgnoyes]

Get on Microcenter's mailing list. (Assuming you have an actual store near you for in-store pickup only.) They have fabulous deals on 15" MBP's about once a month or 6 weeks. (Anti-glare decked out for $1599, or regular 15" for $1399!)

 

[Aaron from KY]

I am on their mailing list but my local store is 1. farther away than the Apple store and 2. sold out of those models that are on sale.