Opinions please?

[Randy Khayman]

I thought I wanted to get the top of the line 24" iMac and boost it to 4gb RAM. Then I realized that getting the higher end 15" MBP is not that much more (about 100 and change).

Size (24") and portability aside, if we are just talking about pure performance, which will be "better"?

To the iMac, its the 3.06ghz processor BUT the MBP uses faster RAM and a better graphics card...

Can gurus please shed some light please?

For the obligatory qualifiers, I use it for Aperture, CS3 (maybe CS4) mainly. But I really am interested to know which is really a more "powerful" machine. Thanks.

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Everybody brings joy to this room; some by entering, some by leaving.

 

[Randy Khayman]

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Everybody brings joy to this room; some by entering, some by leaving.

 

[Darby]

Given your options, go for the MBP ('the higher end'). Better graphics processor on new MBP (Aperture likes that). When you can afford it, get a matte screened S-IPS 24" monitor and plug in the laptop.

The new laptop allows easy hard-drive and memory access (iMac HD is in-the-shop-only replacement, and memory access is tedious)

 

[40guy]

My mother would go with an HP.

..........Quinta
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pls don't contact me at [email protected]

'Never miss an opportunity to shut up' (40guy)

 

[Randy Khayman]

Ah... thank you! Follow-up question:

I played with the new MBP and found the new glossy screen doesn't really bother me. I am suspecting the new Apple 24" screen is probably the same. Do you know if they are S-IPS? I like the idea about the new connection options of the new screen.

Thanks.

Given your options, go for the MBP ('the higher end'). Better
graphics processor on new MBP (Aperture likes that). When you can
afford it, get a matte screened S-IPS 24" monitor and plug in the
laptop.

The new laptop allows easy hard-drive and memory access (iMac HD is
in-the-shop-only replacement, and memory access is tedious)

--

Everybody brings joy to this room; some by entering, some by leaving.

 

[Randy Khayman]

Thats why you mother is not a pro-photographer.

My mother would go with an HP.

..........Quinta
--
pls don't contact me at [email protected]

'Never miss an opportunity to shut up' (40guy)

--

Everybody brings joy to this room; some by entering, some by leaving.

 

[Darby]

I would go for the 23" Apple cinema display, as this is a matte surfaced screen and, S-IPS, and renowned for image work.

New, it's the same price as the new, glass-covered screen, Apple 24' LED-backlit ($899). I do not know if the 'new' 24" Apple display is a S-IPS screen.

There's an 23" Apple cinema display on the Apple refurb site for $749.

If you're concerned with color-calibration of the external monitor for image work be sure to check there's compatibility with these devices and the glass cover on the 24".

 

[Randy Khayman]

Darby, thank you for your input.

I just did a check and it says that Apple newwest 24" Imac uses H-IPS (which is superior to S-IPS), so there is sufficient reasons to believe that the newer LED display is also a H-IPS? It was touted by Apple to be their best display yet...

Not trying to argue with you, just want to make sure.

RT

I would go for the 23" Apple cinema display, as this is a matte
surfaced screen and, S-IPS, and renowned for image work.

New, it's the same price as the new, glass-covered screen, Apple 24'
LED-backlit ($899). I do not know if the 'new' 24" Apple display is a
S-IPS screen.

There's an 23" Apple cinema display on the Apple refurb site for $749.

If you're concerned with color-calibration of the external monitor
for image work be sure to check there's compatibility with these
devices and the glass cover on the 24".

--

Everybody brings joy to this room; some by entering, some by leaving.

 

[Mike in Kansas]

(iMac HD is
in-the-shop-only replacement, and memory access is tedious)

--

Are you nuts? Putting new RAM in the iMac is the easiest upgrade you'll ever make - don't even have to open the case, just take the memory door off and pop in the new modules. Three minutes max...