Selling MB and Mini for iMac or MBP?

[jstad]

I currently own a Macbook (Core 2 Duo, Combo Drive, 2GB RAM, 160GB HD) and a Mac Mini (Core Duo, Superdrive, 80GB HD - from MB, 2GB RAM). I am receiving a free laptop from HP for my work as a Microsoft Campus Rep (ironic!?). It is a tablet PC valued at ~$1000-1200. I know I have NO use for 3 computers (let alone I rarely use the mini as is). So now I am deciding which to sell, which to keep, etc. I am a developer so running on a Intel Mac is very nice for developing on *nix, OSX, and Windows (Visual Studio).

So what should I sell and what should I keep? I have debated:
- Selling the new laptop tablet, the mac mini and the my Dell 20" Widescreen LCD for an iMac.
- Selling my mac mini and keeping the macbook and tablet
- Selling the macbook and mac mini and getting a MBP

Any suggestions? My main concerns are just having 1 (maybe 2) machine(s) that can do all the development work I need and maybe do some DX9 gaming (like the macbook sometimes can do).

ALL suggestions are appreciated.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

I say ditch the Mini. At least the MB is portable. Ditch the Tablet too if you can use your MB for work stuff.

 

[jstad]

I say ditch the Mini. At least the MB is portable. Ditch the Tablet too if you can use your MB for work stuff.

And just save the money? tempting.. any other ideas?

 

[dogbait]

Well if you're good enough (and I mean GOOD) you could always ditch all three and code using paper and pen.

We're talking hardcore programmers here, but like I said - if you're good enough

(Seriously - I would sell the mini and either the macbook or tablet depending on which has a better resale value, and get myself a nice iMac which I've found plays Supreme Commander just fine)

 

[twoodcc]

out of those, it seems selling the Mini should be part of the plan. you have to decide between an iMac and MBP though

 

[Denali9]

Mbp

Why keep one of the device? Sell all three and get a MBP if you need some portability and you get a graphic card that support DX9 and 10!

If you are afraid of lost productivity in case of failure, I'd say keep the mini as a backup computer since it probably has the lowest resale value.

I do similar work (though never got a free computer, lucky u) and the MBP SR is fantastic and I bought a bigger HD in order to install XP and Vista for testing and some development. I am actually using the Windows side of thing less and less.

Good luck

 

[samuraikiss]

I agree, sell all three and buy a Macbook Pro. That's probably the best option for your situation.

 

[GimmeSlack12]

And just save the money? tempting.. any other ideas?

Less computers is easier to deal with. If you can get it done with one machine then do it. More computers seems cool, but ultimately is kind of a headache.

 

[devilot]

Less computers is easier to deal with. If you can get it done with one machine then do it. More computers seems cool, but ultimately is kind of a headache.

Fewer computers might be simpler yes, but it can be downright dismal if your one and only Mac goes in for repairs. (I have awful Apple hardware luck so I do have to take this into consideration )

 

[twoodcc]

Fewer computers might be simpler yes, but it can be downright dismal if your one and only Mac goes in for repairs. (I have awful Apple hardware luck so I do have to take this into consideration )

that's true. and obviously you can do more with more computers

 

[jstad]

I am thinking of going with an iMac and then the tablet. I figure that to do most of my coding anyway I need to sit down and think/plan out the design and code it. While I rarely throw open my laptop to just code 12 lines (and if I did, I could suffer on the tablet). I also could then sell my 20" dell screen and just have an all in one solution.

Questions on the imac's though, what model should I look for? (20" or higher, but go with a Core Duo? to save some green?) I am hoping to get $1500 for the MB and the Mini. Specs of them listed here: http://www.resourcefulidiot.com/macs_for_sale/

 

[twoodcc]

I am thinking of going with an iMac and then the tablet. I figure that to do most of my coding anyway I need to sit down and think/plan out the design and code it. While I rarely throw open my laptop to just code 12 lines (and if I did, I could suffer on the tablet). I also could then sell my 20" dell screen and just have an all in one solution.

Questions on the imac's though, what model should I look for? (20" or higher, but go with a Core Duo? to save some green?) I am hoping to get $1500 for the MB and the Mini. Specs of them listed here: http://www.resourcefulidiot.com/macs_for_sale/

well it depends on how much money you want to spend, as far as what size to get.

you might be able to squeeze out $1500, but that won't be easy