New computer advice

[iDabble]

I have that new Mac itch and will be buying a new computer after the line is refreshed (hopefully with redesign).

What I do/will do with my computer:

-Adobe CS5.5
-iMovie and starting on Final Cut
-light GarageBand and will be learning Logic
-several Autodesk
-3D modeling

I'm a recent design school grad. Very rarely do I need to do anything serious while portable. Most of my serious work is at my desk at home. This may change in the future though.

What I currently have:

-Mid '11 2.7 i5 27" iMac
-27" Cinema Display
-iPad 16 gb

I'm debating between going a few different ways...

Keep iMac and get a MacBook Air to complement it that can also be used with the Cinema Display at times

Sell iMac and get a loaded 15" MBP and use it with the Cinema Display at home (any real advantage to upgrading to TB?)

Sell iMac and get a base Mac Pro with upgraded gaphics then load it up myself with SSD and 16+ GB ram. Use it with the Cinema Display. Continue using iPad for portable needs.

I find that Lion makes having 2 displays less useful and one 27" screen seems to be enough.

Any advice or other suggestions would be welcome.

 

[miles01110]

Doesn't look like you need anything.

 

[KylePowers]

Wow, can your iMac that's not even a year old yet not handle your tasks? If it can, don't bother updating.

If you need a portable solution, then yeah, selling your iMac and going with an MBP and ACD isn't a bad idea. A TBD (ATD?) would probably only be advantageous if you had some need to daisy chain TB devices. Never owned either though and found this in a different thread comparing the two:

Thunderbolt Display also has:

• FaceTime HD camera
• Microphone
• 2.1 channel speakers
• Introduces FireWire 800 and gigabit Ethernet ports
• Higher pixel density (109 vs 102)
• Ability to use dual Thunderbolt Displays if you have MBP and other capable Macs
• Can charge your MBA (it's like getting a free charger)

You can get a brand new panel without any wear and tear for about $950

You lose some vertical resolution, but having used both, it's not that noticeable.

 

[KingJosh]

you won't want to do 3d on a laptop neither video and i cant speak for audio.
Stick to your current mac and save your money. If you truly do need to upgrade I would get the mac pro and give it 32gb of ram with great gpu and 16 cores but you will go through a hell of a lot of cash for someone who i assume is not working as a professional yet. You will probably end up getting a job working for someone using their machines anyway. May as well save the money and put it toward a house.