iMac or Macbook

[circa3182]

I currently have a 1.33 ghz 12 inch powerbook and am looking to add another computer to my lineup. My school has the following specials
- White 2.4 ghz Macbook with 2 gb ram - $999.99
- 2.4 ghz 20" iMac with 1 gb ram - $999.99

I am looking to load Windows on it as well. I am having a hard time deciding which one to purchase. What would you consider to be the better deal for me?

 

[GGJstudios]

You'll get faster performance with 2GB RAM. The MacBook also has the added advantage of portability. The iMac has more screen area. Only you can decide which is more important to you.

 

[smileynev]

What school do you go to?

 

[63dot]

For school, especially if your rooms are wi-fi, you will probably like the laptop option better. Before wi-fi, it was a tossup. I think today a laptop is usually easy to justify, especially since the school is offering you the two at the same price.

 

[GGJstudios]

What school do you go to?

What difference does that make? That's a personal question that the OP may not want to answer, and it has nothing to do with the OP's question.

 

[63dot]

What difference does that make? That's a personal question that the OP may not want to answer, and it has nothing to do with the OP's question.

My school, a trade school, just got wi-fi this year after 35 years in existence. It's an incredible tool and people can call up facts right in class as we study case studies and judicial and appellate rulings.

Before wi-fi, I didn't see much need for laptops in school and in previous years I stopped bringing my iBook to class. I did have a couple of programming classes a few years ago and I brought my Compaq laptop to class but that was the only time a portable helped.

Of course, nearby is an experimental organic gardening program that is a master's degree program and the students live with the plants on a compound without electricity. They sleep in tents and do their reading at night via laterns or candlelight. No laptops there.

 

[smileynev]

What difference does that make? That's a personal question that the OP may not want to answer, and it has nothing to do with the OP's question.

Settle down there, champ. Unless he's going to the Reformatory School for Wayward Dog Kickers I'm sure its not that big of a deal. And, the reason I ask is that the macbook deal is pretty good.

 

[GGJstudios]

Settle down there, champ. Unless he's going to the Reformatory School for Wayward Dog Kickers I'm sure its not that big of a deal. And, the reason I ask is that the macbook deal is pretty good.

I don't need to "settle down", since I'm not upset. I just asked what that had to do with the OP's question. Even if it's a good deal, it's irrelevant, since no one is going to change locations/schools just to get a good deal on a Mac.

 

[smileynev]

I don't need to "settle down", since I'm not upset. I just asked what that had to do with the OP's question. Even if it's a good deal, it's irrelevant, since no one is going to change locations/schools just to get a good deal on a Mac.

What if he goes to a large school and have a friend or relative in the market for a new Mac? What if want to subvert the system, "fight the man", or just get a good deal on a new Mac?

Now, as for the original posters question. He should get whatever system best suits his situation. If he needs a more powerful computer to edit video, play games on, or do other system taxing tasks he should get the imac. If he is looking to replace his powerbook with a faster portable computer, get the macbook. Both will perform day to day tasks like email and surfing very similarly.

 

[circa3182]

University of Missouri is the school

I am leaning towards the iMac just because I have the powerbook to take to class and what not.

 

[ditzy]

I don't know whether it is important to you but the iMac has a better GPU.