Which setup would you choose?

[roland.g]

For me the MacPro is a bit overkill, but the Mini that replaced my G4 Sawtooth was only meant to be temporary. I meant to get a 24" iMac when they were updated along with Leopard which I am not waiting for. I really want a 23" ACD and short of a midrange tower coming along I will make a decision during WWDC at the latest if I don't pull the trigger sooner.

Which setup would you choose. My options are:

2.66 Mac Pro w/ 23" ACD - Retail Total $4,931 Discounted to $4,277

Base 2.66, BT & Airport, 23" ACD, BT Keyboard & MM, Applecare along with
500GB 2nd drive (newegg), 4GB (2x2GB) add'l RAM for 5GB Total (Omni RAM)
and Final Cut Express HD 3.5

2.33 MacBook Pro w/ 23" ACD - Retail Total $4,790 Discounted to $4,108

2.33, 160GB HDD Bump, 23" ACD, BT Keyboard & MM, Applecare along with
External 500GB Drive (newegg) and Case (CoolDrives)
and Final Cut Express HD 3.5
+ might need a HUB.

or stick with getting a

24" iMac - Retail Total $3,729 Discounted $3,206

2.33 upgrade, 2GB RAM, 500GB HDD upgrade, 7600GT 256, BT Keyboard & MM, Applecare along with
External 500GB Drive (newegg) and Case (CoolDrives)
and Final Cut Express HD 3.5

Not sure I really like the idea of the laptop cluttering my desk, but at the same time I don't like how big the MacPro is. I doubt I would dual screen the laptop, just keep the lid closed b/c the height difference nor would I carry it around much. Maybe when I travel. But my wife has 12"PB 867 that is still good for the web, even though you have to plug it in, the battery holds no charge.

 

[j26]

Personally I'd go portability, but if you don't need it, you're paying a lot for it.

I have the low end version of what you're talking about with the MBP (MacBook, 19" lcd, external drive, and a host of usb devices), and it performs fine, and is very fast and easy to set up or disconnect. If you go portable, a hub is the way to go as you have less cables to plug in.

 

[roland.g]

Personally I'd go portability, but if you don't need it, you're paying a lot for it.

I have the low end version of what you're talking about with the MBP (MacBook, 19" lcd, external drive, and a host of usb devices), and it performs fine, and is very fast and easy to set up or disconnect. If you go portable, a hub is the way to go as you have less cables to plug in.

I would consider the MacBook but I want to do more video editing, hence the FCE HD, and I feel that the integrated graphics of the MacBook hinders that a bit. Santa Rosa may overcome that substantially though. The 24" iMac appeals because it is the least clutter and least cabling.

 

[Lovesong]

The real question is what you're going to be using the machine for. Surfing the web, light photo editing, final cut express, word processing- all you'd need is the iMac.
Need portability- get the MBP.
Want a serious gaming/video&photo editing machine- get the Pro.

 

[Lovesong]

I would consider the MacBook but I want to do more video editing, hence the FCE HD, and I feel that the integrated graphics of the MacBook hinders that a bit. Santa Rosa may overcome that substantially though. The 24" iMac appeals because it is the least clutter and least cabling.

The MBP has a dedicated GPU. I run final cut studio on it, and it runs like a champ.

 

[Legolamb]

MBP. I have had desktops before, always with the idea that I could upgrade them as needed. Turns out that apart from RAM and hard drives, I never upgraded. Mind you, I don't game so the videocard was never an issue. As long as FC runs I'm happy. My MBP came with the right amount of RAM wriggle room, HD, (plus I can hook up an external as needed for backup, media storage, etc.). My Titanium held for 5 years, when the display finally died. I don't feel mitivated to ever get another desktop.