Thanks for all the quick feedback.
I suppose I can get the iMac 24" and use a dual screen setup with the Eizo, but at this point, I haven't a clue how that would work, and the benefits, so I'll need to do some more research. I'm also running out of desk space, so this may not be the ideal setup.
Coming from a highly expandable PC, I also like the possibility and ease with which I can add more HDs to the Mac Pro. I've currently got 2 external HDs connected via USB2 cables, but I also like to have data and backup drives inside the computer case connected by faster SCSI cables (I presume the Macs also use these).
The only issue I have with the Mac Pro is the exorbitant cost of the RAM memory. Hopefully, the 4GB kit will be sufficient for my needs.
To do screen sharing on a iMac, all you do is go to System Preferences> Display> Arrangement. From there it gives you a nice little image of the two monitors and you can drag the menu from the iMac screen (i guess) and drop it to the Eizo screen. I say I guess because I didn't know it was possible with the iMac to not use its monitor as the primary screen. But if iMac owners say it does, they would have a better idea. I do it on my Mac Pro all the time. It works like a charm.
I had an iMac before I upgraded to the Mac Pro. I am not going to deny it is fast or that it can't handle anything you throw at it. It certainly will. But its level of expandability is quite slim. For me, the lower level graphics card without the ability to be swapped out really got to me. I can't wait till the new Mac Pros come out. I hope they keep using the express 16x slot so I can use a new card from one of those machines.
As for SCSI, you would have to buy a PCI card. I think there are some SATA HD's that run at 10,000 RPM's these days and they're cheaper and more reliable than SCSI.
As for RAM, prices have significantly dropped. Don't use Apple's pricing for RAM. TigerDirect is where I used to shop for computer stuff before I switched to Mac. They have
8GB for $300 and
4GB for $179. Newegg.com has similar pricing. 4GB of iMac RAM will run over $100 so the price difference isn't that significant.
I liked the iMac but I like the Mac Pro more. Transfer speeds are a lot faster when the HD's are internal. Having multiple external HD's can get in the way when the desk is full.
Plus, the resale value on the Mac Pros is quite high. Barring some sort of significant processor upgrade (I am not sure how fast the Penryn's will be) I will still be a year or two till the iMac catches up performance wise to the current Mac Pro.
It's been 4.5 years since the first gen G5 PowerMacs were released and they can still fetch $800 on eBay. To me, that's a major plus. I can spend $2500, buy AppleCare for an extra sum of money and I won't have to worry about it till 2010. It will still be a great machine then and still be worth a ton of money. It could still be worth $1200 in 2010 so if I decided to sell it, I could use the money and get an iMac very little to no out of pocket expense. Looking at it that way, one could have a viable computer for the next six years for $2500. Buying the latest iMac to keep up with your demands will be a bit pricier over time.