Which Apple Computer Is For Me?

[ktbubster]

If you don't need portability like you said, i'd go for a refurb mac. Try for a 24inch one IF you can, since their screens are better apparently... but a 20 inch should serve you just well. I'd go the refurb route since the last revision will be more then enough power for you.

HOWEVER

IF you can get a semi-reasonable amount for your current HP laptop, i'd sell that and use the money from that towards a refurb macbook. Once again I thin k the last revision will be more then eough power for you. Heck I do 3d rendering via vmware and all of CS3 on a macbook 2.2.

I'd go refurb that route too (unless a new update is something really snazzy) you can get a whitebook for under 1k and save up a bit after that for a good external to store all your crazy photos and maybe invest in a nice 20 inch external monitor a bit down the line so you can have a laptop or desktop setup whenever you need it.

This idea allows you to sell your hp laptop and have the portable and desktop environments with one computer.

With either of these set ups you'll be happy, but of course you'll get more power with the imac.

Either way, i'd go the refurb route - you'll be happy with the money you save and have PLENTY of power. Just max out the ram third party (photoshop LOVES ram) to 4gb and you'll be on fire

P.S. good photography!

 

[Chandler Adaway]

If you don't need portability like you said, i'd go for a refurb mac. Try for a 24inch one IF you can, since their screens are better apparently... but a 20 inch should serve you just well. I'd go the refurb route since the last revision will be more then enough power for you.

HOWEVER

IF you can get a semi-reasonable amount for your current HP laptop, i'd sell that and use the money from that towards a refurb macbook. Once again I thin k the last revision will be more then eough power for you. Heck I do 3d rendering via vmware and all of CS3 on a macbook 2.2.

I'd go refurb that route too (unless a new update is something really snazzy) you can get a whitebook for under 1k and save up a bit after that for a good external to store all your crazy photos and maybe invest in a nice 20 inch external monitor a bit down the line so you can have a laptop or desktop setup whenever you need it.

This idea allows you to sell your hp laptop and have the portable and desktop environments with one computer.

With either of these set ups you'll be happy, but of course you'll get more power with the imac.

Either way, i'd go the refurb route - you'll be happy with the money you save and have PLENTY of power. Just max out the ram third party (photoshop LOVES ram) to 4gb and you'll be on fire

P.S. good photography!

I just got done looking at the refurbs.
I'm amazed that you can save up to 40% on some of these machines, and get a brand new computer basically.
After seeing all of this,

I'm thinking about getting this one.
I would have to upgrade the ram later, but I believe I have enough in change to cover that. (Literally)

And regardless, I HAVE to have portability.
I may not have made it seem like that, but my parents are divorced, so when I go over to my dads, it's nice to be able to sit in the living room and visit with him while also being on the computer. His computer is kind of out of the way.

But the HP will do what it needs to do as far as that is concerned.
I'll just transfer everything over and then reload windows on it and have a fresh computer for mobile computing.
It will last me until I get the new macbook, and then I will just give my HP to my sister or something. Or try to get a couple hundred for it.
It's the current model that HP has right now, so, it's not completely out of date.

Any input on this from anyone?

Oh, and I'm glad you liked my photography.

 

[DaveF]

OK, so good deal on the cash: you've more income than you let on (I certainly couldn't get $1500 in a few months when I was 15)

I'm thinking about getting this one.
I would have to upgrade the ram later, but I believe I have enough in change to cover that. (Literally)

And regardless, I HAVE to have portability.

But the HP will do what it needs to do as far as that is concerned.

You require portability but you're looking at a desktop. You want to switch to Mac, but you're thinking of keeping your PC for significant use.

Is portability only for surfing and webmail on the couch at your dad's? ANd otherwise, a desktop is what you want?

Or you do you need a laptop for other uses? Would the laptop need to be sync'd with your main computer? If syncing is required, you're adding effort: keeping an infrequently used, dated PC synchronized with a new Mac desktop. Maybe MobileMe will do the trick? Or maybe you don't mind managing multiple computers.

Iif portability is king, don't get too attached to a desktop since it's not what you really want.

Otherwise, that refurb iMac seems like a good value. Save some money with older config, but still get a powerful system.

 

[Chandler Adaway]

Yeah. I can make money (from parents and stuff. I'm not a drug dealer ), I just don't necessarily have a job.
In fact, I earned 60 bucks today! Woo.

OK, so good deal on the cash: you've more income than you let on (I certainly couldn't get $1500 in a few months when I was 15)
You require portability but you're looking at a desktop. You want to switch to Mac, but you're thinking of keeping your PC for significant use.

Is portability only for surfing and webmail on the couch at your dad's? ANd otherwise, a desktop is what you want?

Or you do you need a laptop for other uses? Would the laptop need to be sync'd with your main computer? Maybe MobileMe will do the trick? Or maybe you don't mind managing multiple computers.

Yes, I require portability in my life, but it's not going to upset me if that portability happens to be a crappy hp for the time being. The most that computer is used for is Safari, iTunes, and Windows Mail.
I use my moms desktop right now for design work and photography.
In fact, if my moms computer is available, I use it for everything..
It's faster than my HP.
With Vista running and a program or two running, my computer has about 400mb's to shell out in the ram..
And with all of my music (which I need to back up), the HD is maxed.
That's why when I get this new computer, the HP will be wiped clean after a successful transfer.

I am getting Mobile Me for sure.
Not so much to be synced with the HP, because I don't run outlook anyways, and after I get my new computer, this one will pretty much stay at my dads place, but I'm getting it to keep my Mac and iPod synced.
Also for the reassurance if my computer gets stolen, or my house catches on fire.. I will have all my pictures and everything backed up.
Also for the email and everything else it provides.

I chose (I think) the iMac to purchase because I believe it's more for the money, and a smarter decision.
But I'm still caught between the two..

I've always been a desktop kind of guy, and the only reason I got the laptop was for going over to my dads.
Though, I can't say I haven't put it to use outside of that.
The mobility of a laptop is indeed useful, but I believe that the HP will be okay for what I use it for until it dies.
Then, I will opt for the MacBook.

My mind is still way to stressed with everything.
I've never had to make a decision with this much money on the line before.
Kind of scary.

 

[magiic]

My mind is still way to stressed with everything.
I've never had to make a decision with this much money on the line before.
Kind of scary.

Get familiar with the idea

 

[Minico88]

It sounds like a Commodore 64 would take care of most of your needs.

 

[Chandler Adaway]

It sounds like a Commodore 64 would take care of most of your needs.

I realize I don't need this computer.
That's not news to me.

And if you read what I'm getting this computer for,
a Commodore 64 will not suit my "needs".

Though, I've always wanted to play with one.

 

[Mjmar]

Now that you have it down to the Macbook and iMac, I say definitely go for the iMac. Especially after looking at your photography, I think that you'll like the bigger screen much better. See, I would totally go for the iMac instead of the Macbook, but I just don't have anywhere to put it.