Wanted: Opinions on iMac vs. MacBook

Hello everyone!

I'm new to these forums, as this is in fact my first post. I apologize in advance, if this is posted in the wrong place. Please, any mod's, move it to where it belongs.

But anyway, I'm new to the whole Apple experience. So new, in fact, that I still don't own any Apple products! But that'll, change, just as soon as I get a job. Until then: speculation and preparation.

I'm torn, trying to decide between a MacBook:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/macbook?mco=MTE3MjA
(Stock 2.1GHz, except for adding an additional Gig of RAM.)

And an iMac:
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac?mco=MTE3MDM
(Stock 2.4GHz, except for adding an additional Gig of RAM.)


At first, I was leaning toward the iMac. Then, after looking at each for a while, I started to lean toward the MacBook. I finally realized that I should stop basing my decision purely on looks and experience with other computers, and let folks with experience tell me which is better for me.

I plan on using it for light-medium gaming, including Counter-Strike:Source, the whole Half-Life2 series, amongst other things from VALVe, as well as World of Warcraft. I also plan on using it for regular computer uses, and might get into video/photo/music editing later on.

Some portability would be nice as well. The iMac doesn't look that hard to pack up and move, although it's obviously not going to be as portable as the MacBook.

You want us to choose for you ?

Okay then, if it was my choice i would select the MacBook Pro, with the fastest CPU. Short on cash ? Save up a month or two then get it.

You say you would like the mobility and the MacBook Pro is a bit more mobile than the iMac. You can also play WoW, and Valves games quite good on the MacBook Pro.

Ultimately you have to make the choice yourself, mobile, or not mobile ?

D; You make it sound so simple!

And also, meant to point out the MacBook, not the MacBook Pro. That should be fixed now.

Yeah ... well it might not be as simple for you as it is for me, sorry about that . The MacBook (not Pro) CAN play WoW but it depends on what you expect, the performance isn't so good, regarding frame rates and such, especially in instances. This is my own experiences of course... and that is with the 2,4Ghz MacBook. With the iMac you get at least better gaming performance. MacBook have a integrated graphics card.

I think just about anything would be an improvement over what I'm playing on now. I usually get anywhere from 5-12 FPS in major cities...

Hopefully your MacBook handles better than this?

If you make a search on youtube for "macbook wow" you get a few videos that show you the performance.

Sweet deal, thanks.

Anyone else have any advice as to which unit I should spring for?



(Didn't mean for that to sound rude towards you, Strukt. If you have more to say, please, feel free. I just didn't want people to think that, "Sweet deal, thanks" meant that I was finished with this thread. )

If you're getting into gaming such as CS:S and HL2, I'd definitely go with the iMac. And if you can, go with the option to upgrade the video card to the Nvidia 8800GS 512 MB.
If you're planning to get into video/audio/photo work, I'd recommend the iMac again.

ApertureTS said:

I think just about anything would be an improvement over what I'm playing on now. I usually get anywhere from 5-12 FPS in major cities...

Hopefully your MacBook handles better than this?

Click to expand...

Note that the MacBook has integrated graphics, not a full 3D accelerated GPU. So, I'm not so sure that the Source engine-powered games are going to be playable.

Frankly, if gaming is any kind of a priority, I'd recommend sticking with a desktop PC. Buy a MacBook for the rest of your computing tasks. Laptops don't make great gaming platforms, period.

If you are going to do anything above light gaming go for the iMac. and like leecho said if you can, go for the upgraded video card. Another thing about the memory, i hope you are not buying it from apple but instead from a 3rd party vendor like Crucial but whatever your choice you will be happy with your new mac.

Because you would be using the computer for gaming, I would have to go with the iMac. However, if possible, try to get the 2.6GHz processor as opposed to the 2.4 because of increased performance, and an extra GB of RAM.

Wow, I'll definitely be buying my memory from Crucial now. And it looks like the majority is in favor of the iMac, and I agree. Thanks for all the help guys.

I have the 3.6 ghz Imac with the 8800gs and Crysis in Vista runs awesome.

Have had my MacBook for a week now (new to Mac)... LOVE IT!! I like it for portability... speed is awesome... 2G Ram.... 160 HD... Super CD/DVD drive.