Which Apple Computer Is For Me?

The Macbook Pro sounds like the best choice. It has the best of both worlds pretty much. I too am in the same situation as you, and have ruled the Macbook out since I was hesitant on the screen size. Due to past purchases, I have learned that you need to be 100% sure on a purchase before you buy. The iMac is probably great, but I just can't see the point in getting an iMac and then a Macbook too. Desktops seem out of date to me. The Macbook Pro will last long, and offers desktop like performance. I'm going to go for the Macbook Pro when I have enough money.

 

If you plan on printing out your photos, I hear that glossy screens mess you up because they make the colors seem more vibrant than they actually are. A matte screen MBP might be your best option.

That said, you could get a lower-specced 24" iMac and a low-end MB for the price of a mid-range MBP, so you would get better specs than a MBP with the iMac and better portability with a smaller MB.

 

Whenever somone is unsure about getting a macbook, a mbp, or an imac, I always say they should get the mbp. It's powerful enough to act like a desktop at home, especially if you hook it up to another monitor and it's still portable. Save up for this one it's worth it.

 

As a 16 year old photographer who currently owns a black macbook, and is selling it to buy a macbook pro, that is most certainly what I'd recommend.

The portability is important so that obviously cuts out an iMac (although i'd still love one) and for photo editing and running lots of programs at once the power and screen size and resolution is important.

Go refurbished and save some money for a product thats virtually the same, if not better (I've heard sometimes they accidentally have RAM upgrades!)

I'll be ordering my 15" 2.5GHz 2GB 250GB 512MB MacBook Pro soon and it should more than fill the void left by my macbook when it comes to photo editing

Good luck!

 

If it's going to be your only computer then I would say get the Pro.

 

Go with the MacBook Pro, if you're too worried about spending so much money on one you could go for a refurbished model.

A glossy screen may not be the ideal display to use for Photoshopping and Aperture. The MacBook Pro has a lot more GPU power (future Photoshop versions may rely more on GPU stuff), plus it's got the bigger screen that gives you more freedom to work.

 

You should not buy a $2000+ high end computer if you're serious about your goals.

In your post four points seem most important:
* Goal: Buy it yourself
* Goal: develop some skills useful as an independent adult
* Uses: email, web suring, hobbyist photog
* Finances: none. no job. no allowance mentioned. no help from parents (see goal 2)

An independent (and sensible) adult doesn't (and can't) spend $2000 on a luxury computer when they have no income. End of story. And a sensible adult doesn't buy a high-end system for low-end uses.

If you're serious about paying for your new computer yourself and behaving as if you were independent (that is, living in your means), I suggest figuring out how much money you have, what you really need from a computer and then how to buy it on your budget.

If you want a high-end Mac, got the cash (whatever the source), buy and enjoy. But this doesn't match your specific, unique, and laudable goals.

 

This is the most valuable information in this thread.

 

I think your photography is quite impressive, especially for someone just starting out! Good work!

But ya, considering your not editing multiple, huge images at once i'm sure a macbook would suit your needs, and i'd be more than happy to sell it to someone who i know will get good use out of it! (craigslist has way to many shady people...)

 

Absolutely. A computer isn't going to make you a better person, even if it has a "pro" at the end of of the name.

Remember, a computer is just a tool, not a life decision.

The iMac has more power, the Macbook is portable, and the Macbook Pro feels more solid. All will more than accommodate your needs, but the iMac and Macbook will cost less.

s.

 

I'm a sucker for portability, and I don't believe in Getting something you won't use to it's full extent, so I say a lack macbook is the way to go. I was stuck between a macbook and an imac as well, but I have decided to save towards a black macbook, as I like the option to take my computer anywhere I like (around my room, house, town, etc.) And would truely miss portability.

I also think you wouldn't use the macbook pro enough to justify the price.

Your photos are terriffic! I'm experementing in the field of photography as well, and your really good! I like the one with the dog, and the colored eye. (Falling snow, I think?)

 

in college, some kids like to bring their laptops around while others keep it at home, like i did

unless you have a compelling reason to take notes or use the laptop on campus, get the imac

the imac has more bang for the buck

also, how far from college campus do you plan to live?

where i went to college, some kids were two hours away from campus in our very rural county, so laptops were key as they could use it on the bus and make the campus excursion an all day thing and do all homework while away from home

being down the coast so far from campus, the only real task at home would be to sleep, eat breakfast, and eat dinner...that's all

but if you live near campus, then use a regular pad and pen for classes and if you need to use computers, use the ones at school, and have an imac at home where you can do the majority of your research and homework

btw...when i had laptops, one pentium II PC and and a G3 ibook, all homework was done at home on them and i could have really had a better computing experience had i owned a similarly, or less priced imac

 

Go with the 24 in iMac... at 15 you probably dont need to haul it around with you, plus it will give you the best staying power through high school and into college..

Plus the screen real estate is awesome!

 

When I was in school (2000) I didn't even own a computer. The computer labs after 4:00 were empty enough and it forced me to finish papers so I could get out and have a beer with the guys. From what I see with laptops at school, people use them for almost everything BUT school work.

If you are just writing a paper for a course you could seriously get by using a 386 and Windows 3.0 The rest is just gravy.

s.

 

I had a 17" iMac and I loved it!! I sold it for a Macbook as I needed more portability, and I couldn't justify two computers, but I did like working on photos/video on the iMac more...

 

its not bad pretty good in my opinion

im stuck in the same situation as you. im 15 and yet to decide macbook or imac though i need a laptop i dont have one so the macbook i have a self built pc for gaming so no imac so macbook it is BUT wheres the money for i yet have no job either and my parents are not paying.

 

That's fine. I was making suggestions based on what you described as your goals and needs. It sounded like you were doing more than saving money to buy something expensive.

And I did the same things when I was your age: save money and buy the expensive toy I wanted. Nothing wrong with that. Nothing wrong either with having a high-end computer for low-end uses.

But I still suggest figuring out what your budget is and buying according to that. If you can earn $1000 in 12 months and you've chosen a $2500 computer, you won't get it for 2.5 years -- you'll be going on 18 and graduating high school.

Set your timeline and budget, and choose the computer that fits. Depending on your allowance, current savings, and patience, it might be a mac mini

[edited for dumb math error)

 

good luck

either direction you go, you will be very happy

 

get a macbook and max the ram - ps wouldn't bother waiting and waiting for a revision

on the other hand you might not get another opportunity to be in such a beneficial financial situation (i.e. basically no outgoings) so it might be advisable to spend the most you possibly can - you might not get another chance for a looonnnng time!