The choice, new imac 2012 or rMBP 15"

[beerglass007]

So I've waited and waited and finally have the spec for a 21.5" imac 2012

Seem's the GPU in the 21.5" is the same as the rMBP but with less RAM.

So should I get the rMBP 15" base model ?

I love OSX and don't want to windows, period.

But I do light gaming and looking forward to the new SIM CITY in February next year.

Currently I have a 2010 iMac i3

 

[mohsy90]

They're completely different products, so you need to factor in whether you need the portability and retina display. The price difference is $900. So answer these questions first. If you dont need either, iMac is the clear choice.

 

[beerglass007]

They're completely different products, so you need to factor in whether you need the portability and retina display. The price difference is $900. So answer these questions first. If you dont need either, iMac is the clear choice.

I had a MBP before and decided on an iMac because I had an Ipad.

I'm now liking the rMBP display, after using my ipad 3. I also like the SSD and wouldn't mind the option of sitting in a different room with a full blown desktop replacement ( laptop )

The iMac is nice with the extra 21.5" screen, but sometime miss the portability.

How about the difference in GPU between these hey ?

What do people think ?

 

[rmwebs]

Just throwing this into the mix for you as its a potential option:

Neither. Get the air and a nice 3rd party display.

 

[beerglass007]

Just throwing this into the mix for you as its a potential option:

Neither. Get the air and a nice 3rd party display.

The air has loud fans, when I used a 13" 2012 air and loaded a few games it started to make a noise ( fans )

Also the HD4000 GPU isn't as good is it ?

 

[kylera]

The air has loud fans, when I used a 13" 2012 air and loaded a few games it started to make a noise ( fans )

Also the HD4000 GPU isn't as good is it ?

For everyday computing, it's more than enough. If you're serious about gaming, a Windows box is the way to go, though.

 

[cirus]

imac 21.5 inch is going to have problems with only 512 MB vram. I doubt you will see much difference between the 640 and the 650 because of the vram wall.

 

[rmwebs]

The air has loud fans, when I used a 13" 2012 air and loaded a few games it started to make a noise ( fans )

Also the HD4000 GPU isn't as good is it ?

Never really had a loud fan issue on my 2011 air myself. It had the older Intel Hd 3000 GPU and was capable of running Portal 2, GTA SA, Civ 5 and a few other games perfectly fine on an external display (1900x1080 Samsung Syncmaster P2450 via a mini-Displayport => DVI cable).

The air is pretty underrated. People see the GPU and CPU and think its going to be a slow pile of crap, but its the complete opposite IMO.

 

[InlawBiker]

Just throwing this into the mix for you as its a potential option:

Neither. Get the air and a nice 3rd party display.

I was going to suggest this too. I was waiting for the new iMacs forever. Last summer I finally bought a 2011 15" MB Pro at a steep discount.

I upgraded to SSD and 16GB RAM for cheap and use an external monitor. Really, 128gb SSD's are very cheap right now, under $100. $69 for 16GB memory. Unreal!

An Air or older Pro with these upgrades, plus an external monitor is a lot of power you can carry with you when you need to.

 

[yusukeaoki]

Get the iMac.
It has way better specs and worth the money.
Paying over 1600USD for a machine without dedicated GPU or quad core is stupid.
Then just buy a MBA.

 

[tommy h]

Portability is a beautiful thing, i record with protools any where i want and can mix with headphones any where i want, cant beat it

MACBOOK PRO 15"