iMac vs Macbook Pro?

Fragil1ty · 13 Apr 2012 at 06:23

This may be a simple question for some and not so simple for others.

Myself, I'm having such a hard choice deciding on which to actually get and what not, on the one hand I want the MBP because of it's portability and because i'm a University student but then on the other hand I want the iMac because of it's raw power!

What would you choose and why?
And if you could choose a computer (out of the two above for university), which would you chose?

Raymond Lin · 13 Apr 2012 at 07:12

I often will you take the MBP outside your house?

iMac for better everything else but the size. Are you desperate for portability?

I choose iMac, just better for everything, the 27" one an even be your TV, it's big enoighM

Jimbeam3678 · 13 Apr 2012 at 08:21

If your asking the question then I would say iMac. Superb computer had one for 2 years now

Spuj · 13 Apr 2012 at 09:02

For me it would be an Imac as I wouldn't need to take a MBP anywhere with me, I have the Ipad for that.

How often do you think you will need to be taking your MBP with you, if it's not very often then I would say the Imac would be the better choice.

M1k3H · 13 Apr 2012 at 09:33

being a uni student myself, and thinking of getting an iMac as well. Was considering the MBP but at the cost I am better off with an iMac for general use at home, and a tablet for productivity at uni. Best of both worlds imo.

Marky · 13 Apr 2012 at 09:43

I bought a Macbook Pro last February, however I do regret it. I've not used it as a Portable device nearly as much as I thought I would. So when the iMac gets a refresh, I'll sell my Macbook Pro and get an iMac/iPad combo

They compliment each other well

LordSplodge · 13 Apr 2012 at 09:46

iMac + iPad.

Unless you are 100% sure you really need a portable powerhouse then the iMac makes much more sense.

Unless the refresh brings a lot more to the MBP than the iMac, of course.

dayloon · 13 Apr 2012 at 09:48

iMac all the way.

rogan · 13 Apr 2012 at 11:18

as a uni student with a mbp, who then bought an imac, only to see it 5 months later to buy a new macbook pro, definitely MBP

hyper_piper45 · 13 Apr 2012 at 11:58

It really depends whether you need the portability or not. The iMac is obviously higher specced, although being at university, having the ability to take you computer to class, the library, a friends house etc. can be very useful at times.

Skyboat · 13 Apr 2012 at 12:00

What kind of work will you be doing on it for your course?

bloodiedathame · 13 Apr 2012 at 12:21

Depends what your doing. I'm struggling with my 08 MBP for video work, about to decide whether RAW power or portability is what I'm after. Thinking the iMac will be a good choice for me personally, not many jobs request my own gear.

lamboman · 13 Apr 2012 at 19:48

As said by others, depends entirely on the work that you will be doing. If it's just your basic web browsing, text documents and the like, stick with the MBP and get a (non-Apple, to save money) external display.

The iPad is a great gadget but it is no work machine. Unless you are going to be dealing with strictly text only and are willing to carry around an external keyboard, the iPad is not a good idea for work.

MacRS4 · 13 Apr 2012 at 23:58

Moses said:
'Don't buy a MBP, just buy an iMac and an iPad' = lol!

Quite. A MBP and a cinema screen is a great compromise. I used this setup for yonks until I started needing lots of storage.

V F · 14 Apr 2012 at 01:40

Does the Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter come with the Macbook Pro? or is this an extra add-on?

MacRS4 · 14 Apr 2012 at 01:42

Extra - about 20 quid I think.

Fragil1ty · 14 Apr 2012 at 03:52

Wow, I'm loving the amount of responses this is getting guys, it's fantastic! lovely community.

I'm still stuck on the fence of things, it sure would be nice to have a MBP for the portability, but in all honesty, I do the major majority of my work from my flat at uni, I don't travel much, I come here in the Sept > home for the christmas > back to uni til may/june, so yeah. :s.

I'm not travelling around much, I think it seems like the iMac is going to be the logical choice here..

The only thing I regret is I have a project next year a big one and we've had 2 projects this year and at times I'd come into uni, get with my group to find they all have laptops and i'm stuck writing down notes because I don't have one personally.

V F · 14 Apr 2012 at 04:58

MacRS4 said:
Extra - about 20 quid I think.

Thats funny, it's as bad as the older days of Quicktime. Fork out 2k for a laptop and they can't throw in a puny cable.

ninja2000 · 14 Apr 2012 at 06:51

As much as I would love an imac, it has always been MBP for me. I love the fact I can pick it up and work where ever. Recently I have needed to go out and visit clients a lot more so it has been a must.

I have a Dell 2311 screen at home with wireless keyboard and trackpad, its just a case of plugging power and mini DP in and I am running. Not quite as efficient as a docking station but not far off.

LordSplodge · 14 Apr 2012 at 10:03

V F said:
Thats funny, it's as bad as the older days of Quicktime. Fork out 2k for a laptop and they can't throw in a puny cable.

Why would Apple go to the expense of putting one in every MacBook Pro box? The vast majority of users are never going to need it. If you do it's an additional cost but it's hardly going to break the bank.

I needed a VGA connector for my iPad. Oh if only Apple had have included one in the box...