iMac or Mac Pro?

Shadowness · 11 May 2011 at 13:52

I'm in a bit of a pickle. I'm debating getting a Mac to replace my worn out PC, mainly for photography use etc.....not much (if any) gaming.

I'm torn between choosing a 27" iMac or a Mac Pro.

If I got an iMac, it would be the i7 processor. I would upgrade the other parts myself as it's cheaper.

If I got a Mac Pro, it would be the bog standard one, and again I would upgrade the RAM myself, and install the HDDs out of my PC.

Now at those specs, they are about the same price.....hence my dilemma.

I'll list the pros and cons:

iMac:

Pros:

- All in one system - neat, great design etc
- Has a display - so I can use the 27" display AND my Dell 24" monitor too (so two displays)
- Just been refreshed, so latest gadgets

Cons:

- I would need an SSD and HDD. I already have an SSD in my PC so I would use that, and install a 2TB HDD. But that would involve ripping the iMac apart, which from what I've read, is a nightmare!!
- errrr....can't think of another con!

The main appeal of the Mac Pro is the upgradability, I could easily put my HDDS and new RAM in. Whereas the iMac is realistically not upgradeable - unless it's possible to send it to an Apple authorised person who can do it.

The bottom line is......if I can get a 27" iMac with an SSD and large HDD (both of which I already have), upgrade the RAM myself.....then that would be amazing.

Thoughts?!

Josh P · 11 May 2011 at 14:12

I'm pretty sure someone on here has installed an SSD into their iMac in addition to the HDD that came with it, but I agree - the photos I've seen of it are a bit scary. You might be able to ask in an Apple store if they'd do it 'after hours' for you?

I think the new 27" iMac makes the base Mac Pro look pretty poor value for money.

Shadowness · 11 May 2011 at 15:15

Josh P said:
I think the new 27" iMac makes the base Mac Pro look pretty poor value for money.

Exactly. Which is another reason why I would not get one. It only comes with 3GB RAM for example.

I might have to enquire in an Apple store, it's a shame my nearest is so far away

Spit · 11 May 2011 at 16:49

I did it.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18203970

It took about an hour in total to fit everything. If you have any computer building knowledge at all you will be fine. I hear it is easier in the new models.

Shadowness · 11 May 2011 at 21:02

^ Did you need anything els apart from the SSD, iMac and tools?

Spit · 11 May 2011 at 21:11

Just a SATA cable. I also put a 2Tb drive in as well.

Shadowness · 11 May 2011 at 21:30

Right angle one?

I read a guide saying you need some sort of cradle for the SSD....I assume you don'r frm what you say.

I would be doing exactly the same putting a 2TB drive in too.

No issues getting the glass back on? Or dust behind the glass?

I just have a nasty feeling it will go t*ts up

pingwing · 12 May 2011 at 00:07

If you can hold out, id expect to see a mac pro update to bring it into the sandy bridge line up at some point... (when a dual processor setup is ready)

The imac looks ok to upgrade though