Switching to Mac, need more info

I say to just go and make the switch now. The current MacBook Pro is quite an awesome machine that will last you for years to come should you choose.

 

It depends on whether you need a full desktop replacement portable or not
really.

The Yonah based Core Duo is the very first processor in the transition and it seems adequate for most portable needs.

The Merom may be a bit more efficient with running temps and battery life.

Personally, I'm more conservative leaning towards the 17" iMac for a primary
workstation and a more basic laptop for general portable needs.

You said you're tired of continual upgrades, so it may be well worth the wait
if you can stand to hold out through summer.

 

The 17" iMac gets you into a fantastic system at a very reasonable price.

I would figure in adding at least 1GB and preferably 2 GB 3rd party RAM to
enjoy the best performance.

With the education discount that's $1199 for the stock 17" iMac and about
$200 for the additional 2 GB RAM.

 

I was close

OWC (macsales.com) shows their 1 GB generic Apple guaranteed RAM modules for the 17" Core Duo iMacs starting at $114.99 each, $119.99 for Techworks and $179.99 for factory original Samsung RAM.

Data Memory Systems (datamem.com) MY FAVORITE!
is listing their Apple guaranteed 1 GB RAM modules @ $117.00 each

Crucial lists their 1 GB Core Duo iMac modules @ $145.49
Crucial is a distributor for Micron RAM.

 

Get an iMac now and a MacBook Pro once the Merom is put into it. According to MacTech, in their MS-Office bench tests, they find that the iMac is much faster than the MacBook Pro, even though the iMac had less RAM installed.

 

17" iMac Core Duo 1.83 GHz $1199.00 (edu.)

17-inch widescreen LCD with 1440x900 resolution
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 cache
512MB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM*
160GB Serial ATA hard drive 7200 RPM
Slot-load 8x double-layer SuperDrive
ATI Radeon X1600 graphics with 128MB GDDR3 memory
Built-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0


AppleCare adds $119.00 and well worth it.

$1318.00 before tax and any additional RAM*
Wireless KB and Mouse adds $54.00 (not included in total here)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MacBook Pro 1.83 GHz Core Duo $1799.00 ( edu.)

15.4-inch TFT display with 1440x900 resolution
1.83GHz Intel Core Duo with 2MB shared L2 Cache (1)
667MHz frontside bus
512MB (single SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM*
80GB 5400rpm Serial ATA hard drive
Slot-load SuperDrive (DVD±RW/CD-RW)
ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128MB GDDR3 memory

AppleCare adds $239 and well worth it.

However it would cost an additional $180 to
add the 100GB 7200 RPM HD.

So the comparable MacBook Pro would cost $2218.00 before tax
and any additional RAM.

*(Apple charges $90.00 to add 512MB of RAM for
a total of 1 GB installed on either machine.)


So you would be paying $900 extra to get a MacBook Pro
with comparable features to the 17" iMac.

I would get the 17" iMac and then spend that $900.00 extra
towards a basic MacBook when they arrive.

 

Congrats on the decision to make the switch. There may be a release of the 17" MacBook Pro next week.

 

I say just buy the MBP now. They are lightning fast, and will most likely be far better than any computer that you've ever owned. I'm guessing if you but the MBP now, and they do come out with the Merom chips in August, your MBP will still last you a long time. Apple computers are amazing. My friend owns a Powerbook G4 from 2000, and it runs halo 3 times faster than the xbox. Trust me, the Macbook Pro won't "slow down" like a PC.

 

faster than xbox

wait a minute halo was made first for the xbox then came out for computers.It runs perfect on the xbox. on the pc it was given less than perfect reviews.