I'm getting a Mac!

[Miles]

Alright without sounding too much like a fanboy, I will say I am stoked to be purchasing my first mac since the Apple II. Yep seriously. I have worked on Macs quite a bit in the last few years but never actually needed to buy one. Until now!

So the options are:

Mac Book Pro: $2700 + Tax in Thailand. Owie.

• 15.4-inch TFT widescreen display with 1440x900 resolution
• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ( L2 Cache 4 MB )
• 2GB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
• 120GB 5400rpm hard drive Serial ATA
• 6x SuperDrive
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3 memory

iMac 24-inch: $2800 + Tax in Thailand. Pain!

• 24-inch widescreen LCD with 1680x1050 resolution
• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
• 2 GB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
• 250 GB Serial ATA hard drive
• Slot-load 8x DVD-double-layer
• NVIDIA Geforce 7300 GT VRAM 128 MB
• Buit-in AirPort Extreme and Bluetooth 2.0
• Built-in iSight camera
• Font Row and Apple Remote

I am leaning towards the MBP...but oh man those 24" screens are sweet. Opinions?

Noob Question: Can the iMac support another TFT display? I am guessing no problem. Does anyone have a setup like that? An iMac with a nice big 24" screen to match the iMacs would be killer.

If all goes well I will do some reporting on how I like/dislike living in OS X Land after I make the purchase this weekend.

[Alex]

It's a hard decision.
My friend just got the 24" iMac. It's beautiful, but you can't take it anywhere.
I would go with the MBP for portability. For my iBook, I use the Griffin Elevator and the Apple Wireless Keyboard at home, so it's no different than a desktop box. Also, you can always get another monitor for your MBP.

[Miles]

Thanks Alex...

Yeah for monitor I was thinking of a either Dell or a 22"-24" Samsung. I could get the Samsung pretty cheap I think even out here.

Anyone else have an opinion?

[JayMartin]

Ok Fanboy!

I have a 20 inch Intel iMac and take it everywhere! Not on air travel of course (iBook covers those trips), but I'm on the road (via auto) four days a week. It's with me all the time! Orginal box travels well!

Depends where you spend "most" of your time...if at home get the iMac and use your laptop as a backup. Your right...the setup is nice!! If on the road more often...go for the mobile rig and get a sweet external monitor to hook up to! You'll be hooked!

I'm pretty sure you can do dual screens with the iMac...anybody else know?

[Miles]

Hmmm I definitely spend more time in the home office. I have a Dell XPS Gen2 and an Acer Aspire for travel. Both run Ubuntu. Decisions! :uhh:

[mad0214]

When I bought my Macbook C2D just before Xmas, I ended up giving my G4 Powermac to spread the mac goodness, and so I use my macbook as a portable on the go and as my main desktop. At home, I have it connected to a 17 inch LCD via a mini dvi to vga cable. I also have an external keyboard and mouse, the Logitech S530... and the macbook works great for me as a desktop. I usually use it with the lid closed, but with an iCurve, you could use extended desktop. My choice would be the MBP with an external monitor so you can use it as portable and desktop computer, although you may want to upgrade to a 7200 rpm hdd at some time.

[Alec Feld]

MacBook Pro.

I swear by all of Apple's portables. Plus, I hate being tethered to a desk.

[Kiro]

Okay. I know for a fact that you can't have a dual display with an iMac "meaning you can't have 'mirroring'" without unlocking it. There is an easy way to unlock it with a piece of software. Ya, it really does depend on how much mobility you want. I love to get out and go to a quiet corner to gather my thoughts and write a post or something. I'd take the MBP however, if you plan to do a lot of desktop work and have an amazing display of colors then choose the iMac. Personally, I'd go with the MBP.:)

[Glenn Wolsey]

I think you should go for the iMac 24". You can add one extra display with the resolution of 1920x1200, meaning it could be setup as an awesome screen resolution heavy workstation.

You can always pick up a cheap MacBook later for portability.

[GeraldLlorence]

Wow, cool stuff, but dang, thats way too expensive for me to think about.

[mad0214]

Macbooks aren't exactly cheap. Mine ended up being around $1300, which I had to save up a bit from every one of my checkbooks for a few months for. Definitely cheaper than the MBP. Again the iMac 24 is beautiful and I almost got an iMac instead of my Macbook, but I'm glad I chose the macbook bc it basically serves as two computers for me. Tough choice Miles.

[Miles]

Any last minute advice before I make a purchase today guys? I really cannot decide! I am even considering a mac mini now to save some scratch.

[Kiro]

A lot of us agree that a MacBook Pro is your best bet. Just look at the comments at the Frenzic post. I think you should definitely go with the MBP.

Update: Plus it saves you $100. I don't know about tax.

[Miles]

Thanks for all the input guys. I just got home and this is exactly what I got:

Mac Book Pro: $2700 + Tax in Thailand. Owie.

• 15.4-inch TFT widescreen display with 1440x900 resolution
• 2.16GHz Intel Core 2 Duo ( L2 Cache 4 MB )
• 2GB memory (667MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
• 120GB 5400rpm hard drive Serial ATA
• 6x SuperDrive
• ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 with 128 MB GDDR3 memory

Just about to turn it on. Stoked!

[macnatic]

Miles, I am probably too little too late to post my advice. but go w/ mbp if you are going to be more mobile and imac if you gonna be more stationary. the 24" imac is gorgeous however. so it's quite easy to decide. Use the 100 bucks to get yourselves some important accessories like maybe mouse, laptop bag, etc or you can also save the 100 bucks to pay this or next month macapper hosting bill instead. :)

in any case, looking forward to the unboxing. i digg unboxing.

[macnatic]

@miles: Congrats! photos please! btw, i love those brand new scents of apple products. i dont care if you folks call me crazy mofo. :)

[Miles]

Photos coming tommorow :)

Actually in April I will be releasing a switchover video detailing my experience a bit. I shot some decent video today considering there was 20,000 thais converging on this place. It was completely exhausting. I got about an hours worth of footage to sort through...On my new Macbook pro!

I managed to get some decent shots of some babes as well :drool:

[Alex]

congrats miles!

[mad0214]

Congrats Miles. Can't wait to see the video.

[Miles]

Well guys...I just took the 15" MacBook Pro back to the Apple shop...

..And bought the 17" MBP! As soon as I realized a Mac could totally and completely replace my Ubuntu/Windoze combo I knew I had to have the best laptop I could get. Crappy part is now I have to set it all up again.

[Kiro]

:blink: What? :laugh: Cool. Ya, but the setup can be fun too. 17" makes it easy to have two pages side by side. Awesome! Can't wait for pictures!

[macnatic]

@Miles, just wanna share my experience w/ a 17" MBP. It's advisable to get a backpack instead of a slingbag. Despite being the lightest 17" laptop around, it's still quite heavy and will probably strain your shoulder especially if you carry extra stuffs like the charger, mouse, ipod, etc which i assume you are.

[Miles]

Thanks...I just got one of the 17" skin type of cases for now. I want to get a bag that doesn't look like it has a $3000 notebook inside it. Bangkok is not the safest place to be walking around with this type of kit.

[macnatic]

Miles, get a crumpler bag (crumplerbags.com). i have used them from my laptop to camera need. and best of all it does not shout any gear contained inside.

[B0rg]

haha great thread. Glad it worked out for you miles.

[John]

You already got it, but I would have been the (lone) voice advising you to go for the 17" MBP. Truly the best of both worlds. I am struggling to wait until the next hardware revision before I upgrade...

By the way, I highly recommend Booq (http://booqbags.com/) bags. Very much a cut above Crumpler etc, although I have a few Crumplers too for various things...

John

[Miles]

Good suggestion John...I am actually taking this monster on my first domestic flight/holiday so we'll see how I manage to lug it around. S omething tells me beach + MBP = disaster.

[wpholmes]

MacBook Pro!

[John]

Good suggestion John...I am actually taking this monster on my first domestic flight/holiday so we'll see how I manage to lug it around. S omething tells me beach + MBP = disaster.

If I had to fly a lot I would consider the 15.4", but I am a short drive between home and office. It will be interesting to hear how you feel when you get back! Have a good holiday...don't drop the beast in the water.

[thewrinklyninja]

Congratz on the purchase, but I don't see nay pics yet ? :tongue_smilie:

I was faced with a similar dilemma about 3 months ago and ended up with the 24" Imac as I don't spend most of my time on the road. Oh, and dont go dropping you MBP in the sea!

[MikeFerri]

In regards to the original question.... get both!!

[MaDDoG]

Go the MBP and extra screen and wireless keyboard for my money. Then you have the best of both worlds. I just have to save up fro the extra screen now.

[Kilted]

By the look of it, date wise he has made his choice by now

[MaDDoG]

By the look of it, date wise he has made his choice by now

good point - wonder what he did?

[DHD_03]

don't get a mac book pro, and i would worry about Imac as well. My Macbook Pro is screwed, and it's ben like this since just after a year. there is some serious problems with it. the graphics chip and motherboard are failing, and I payed 2500 for it, apple wants me to pay 1300 to fix it.

I would get a 24" apple monitor and the Mac mini, cuz it's cheap and it anything goes wrong, throw it out and buy another.

Or buy a PC with EFIX

[jamesgregory24]

good point - wonder what he did?

Hmm..I bet he got the iMac 24". Guys in here are so convincing. I am almost swayed to go to Apple stores (http://www.macmall.com/ttsvr/n/Macmall-Retail-Store-Locations/macFooter-111000014) and buy one for myself. LOL.

But maybe not now, I still have to save up for those expensive Mac computers! :uhh: