MacPro or iMac 24?

[flyinmac]

Dude, this is your opinion. You like the MP more than the iMac. That's cool. But plenty of people (both "consumers" and "professionals") use iMacs to do Real Work, and are perfectly satisfied with them. You don't have to upgrade them yearly; I suggested that as an option. I'm not sure why this has to be some sort of pissing contest; use the MP all you want. I'm recommending the iMac.

I tried going with the iMac for a while. I found that I could only get around 6 months of use out of them before I started feeling constrained by them and was in need of the newer model with more power.

After going through a few more iMacs in less than a year, I finally gave up on the iMac upgrade cycle, and decided to try the Mac Pro.

So far, I'm still very satisfied with the performance of my Mac Pro. If I'd gotten another iMac at that time, then I'd probably be looking for another new system already.

 

[NAG]

I used to buy towers. My last desktop was a G5 tower. They're nice and all but I found that I really wouldn't be constrained by an iMac. I don't need more than 3gb of ram. And I can always add external hard drives if I need more space. I also wanted something with less clutter since I wanted to use the computer as my tv/media center (as well as a computer). I've been happy with my 24 inch iMac.

 

[Naimfan]

Without knowing exactly what kind of work you do (I'm not a graphic designer, so I don't know how much you stress a machine), I'd go for a Mac Pro. More powerful, more flexible, and you must already have a good monitor. I love iMacs, but sometimes I do wish they were not self-contained.

 

[petvas]

I tried going with the iMac for a while. I found that I could only get around 6 months of use out of them before I started feeling constrained by them and was in need of the newer model with more power.

After going through a few more iMacs in less than a year, I finally gave up on the iMac upgrade cycle, and decided to try the Mac Pro.

So far, I'm still very satisfied with the performance of my Mac Pro. If I'd gotten another iMac at that time, then I'd probably be looking for another new system already.

I couldn't have said it better myself!
The iMac is a great computer but the Mac Pro is even better. Of course everyone has a different opinion, based on his/her own needs. If you need a computer that looks great, performs good and doesn't take a lot of space, then go for the iMac. If you need power, expandability, flexibility and a computer that will last more years, then the Mac Pro is the better choice.
I recently got my Mac Pro and I love it. Before I had an iMac and while I was satisfied with it, once I used the Mac Pro, I couldn't look back. My productivity has dramatically increased and that is a result of the much better performance that the Mac Pro offers.

 

[Naimfan]

My productivity has dramatically increased and that is a result of the much better performance that the Mac Pro offers.

And I, in turn, think THAT says it all.

 

[flyinmac]

I couldn't have said it better myself!
The iMac is a great computer but the Mac Pro is even better. Of course everyone has a different opinion, based on his/her own needs. If you need a computer that looks great, performs good and doesn't take a lot of space, then go for the iMac. If you need power, expandability, flexibility and a computer that will last more years, then the Mac Pro is the better choice.
I recently got my Mac Pro and I love it. Before I had an iMac and while I was satisfied with it, once I used the Mac Pro, I couldn't look back. My productivity has dramatically increased and that is a result of the much better performance that the Mac Pro offers.

Yep, after getting the Mac Pro, I finally got caught-up on two years of back-logged work and video editing. Only took me a couple weeks with the Mac Pro

Oh, and just for information, I only do all this stuff as a hobby at home. So, I'm not even using it for professional / corporate work. But, I found that the iMac just couldn't please me for more than a few months before I needed a more powerful system or one with more options, or more something. I haven't felt that yet with the Mac Pro.

 

[NAG]

Yup, it all comes down to if you want something compact and if you can justify spending the extra money for a tower (power, upgrades, etc...).

 

[chewbee]

It's a choice based entirely on money. I don't bill very often for work at home, so the iMac has been perfect for my video editing. If I worked at home full-time, I'd get the Pro.

That said, the iMac 24" with the upgraded video card and external firewire 800 drives is incredibly good. It's very underrated.