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mac or pc decision

frocco

frocco

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 27, 2009
498
43
Which mac would I have to get to compare to this HP that cost around 1750.00. Trying to convince myself to get a mac. Wanted the MP, but am getting tired of waiting for the refresh. So imac or MBP.

I play Black Ops, and program in PHP.
Thanks

Operating system Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium [64-bit]
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600 quad-core processor with Turbo-Boost [up to 3.8GHz, 8MB cache]
Memory 9GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM [3 DIMMs]
Hard drive 2TB 7200 rpm SATA 3Gb/s hard drive
Office software No additional office software
Security software SAVE $30 on Norton Internet Security(TM) 2011 - 15 month
Graphics card 1.5GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 [2 DVI, HDMI, VGA adpt]
Power Supply 600W Power supply
Primary optical drive SuperMulti DVD Burner
Networking Premium Wireless-N LAN card and Bluetooth(R ) (2x2)
Productivity ports 15-in-1 memory card reader, 2 USB 2.0 (front), audio, 2 USB (top rear-facing)
Sound Card Beats Audio (tm) -- integrated studio quality sound
Keyboard and Mouse Premium HP keyboard and optical mouse
Your additional options:
Monitor HP 2511x 25-inch LED Monitor
 
getz76 said:
Why would you want a Mac, then?

You will not get close to that price/performance based on specifications.
Click to expand...

If the "Programming in PHP" thing is part of what he does for a living, I can understand wanting to buy the most reliable laptop out there. The question is why do you need such a powerful setup in the first place if that's indeed all you use it for? 9GB of RAM seems like overkill.
 
Specs are a non-issue with what you are programming. If you plan on using the computer mostly for gaming, then I'd go with the PC.

If you want a computer with a semi-pro display that is no-nonsense and high-quality, go with the Mac. The IPS display on the Mac will be a lot nicer than the HP's, but if you are just gaming then it won't matter.
 
I do some gaming, but I do program for a living.
I almost purchased an asus g74 from amazon, but they sold out over the weekend. Then raised their price and I was told that if I opened it, a 15% restock fee would be required.

macRumors says not to buy the MBP or MP now, so that just leave the Imac or mac mini. I do not have a monitor, so I would need to purchase it.
 
frocco said:
macRumors says not to buy the MBP or MP now, so that just leave the Imac or mac mini. I do not have a monitor, so I would need to purchase it.
Click to expand...

All of these are good machines. If you are gaming, you can do a lot better for a lot less. You can do the programming on anything.
 
I almost purchased the top imac for 2800.00 with tax this weekend, but bailed out the last minute because of the cost.

I like the apps better on mac over pc (excluding games)
I used to use MoneyWell for home finance, and miss it.

even the top mac mini will cost me over 1000.00 with screen, keyboard, mouse.

I think I might regret it if I do not get the higher configuration.

I was thinking of just going to an apple store and getting the 27", but they do not have the 2gig video card or 2tb drive. Not sure if I need al this, but wanted to future proof.
 
build a dual boot hackentosh for about $900 and have the best of both worlds.

Mine lets me play SC2 on ultimate graphics settings using the Radeon HD 6870
 
I'm getting the 27" i7 w/ the 2GB VRAM option. Forget the 2TB hard drive, just get an external drive. Also, don't upgrade your RAM from Apple, you can get 16GB from Newegg for $100 and install it yourself. Apple wants $600!
 
apw100 said:
I'm getting the 27" i7 w/ the 2GB VRAM option. Forget the 2TB hard drive, just get an external drive. Also, don't upgrade your RAM from Apple, you can get 16GB from Newegg for $100 and install it yourself. Apple wants $600!
Click to expand...

Thanks, I did not know about the ram option.

Do you have a link?
 
For ram, go to new egg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231342 If you look at the specs, those are the specs you want for the 2nd gen sandy bridge processors. I just bought the G.Skill myself like 2 weeks ago and its been working great ever since. Make sure you get LAPTOP ram because iMacs use laptop ram. Conclusion: get laptop rams that are SO-DIMM, DDR3 1333 (PC-10600), and 204 pin.
 
Last edited:
4zuresky said:
For ram, go to new egg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231342 If you look at the specs, those are the specs you want for the 2nd gen sandy bridge processors. I just bought the G.Skill myself like 2 weeks ago and its been working great ever since. Make sure you get LAPTOP ram because iMacs use laptop ram. Conclusion: get laptop rams that are SO-DIMM, DDR3 1333 (PC-10600), and 204 pin.
Click to expand...

I have that GSkill memory too and its works perfectly with the iMac. You can order the GSkill PC-10600 or PC-10666, its all the same thing, just different names.
 
I just got the iMac 27" 2gig gpu.

It's not just about gaming, I like the whole mac experience.
I use some mac software that I like and could not find anything on the PC end that suited me. *MoneyWell, debtinator) are a few.
 
You should buy a Mac. But, you can still play Black Ops on an Xox if you have one
 
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