Seriously considering making the switch.


What Mac Should I buy...  

113 members have voted

  1. 1. What Mac Should I Buy?

    • MacBook Pro
      24
    • iMac 27"
      24
    • Build a Hackintosh
      47


Recommended Posts

Yet two of my close friends have 16 GB installed in their MacBook Pros. How very interesting. Also, you're hardly in any position to decide what others need.

Awesome so I guess that settles it then. I can add 16GB of RAM if I buy the MBP.

I am leaning towards the iMac right now and I need help with choosing the accessories as I listed above...

I have ?350-?400 to spend total on a Thunderbolt/USB 3.0 HDD, USB Headset and some decent but not Audiophile quality speakers.

Thanks for all the help guys.

One of the rumors is that the iMacs are getting new displays but that they aren't retina. It would be stupid IMO, for them to not have a retina, but rumors are rumors.

Either way, let us know what you end up getting. I'm hoping to get a MacBook pro by the end of the year and want to hear what you like and dislike about what you get.

One of the rumors is that the iMacs are getting new displays but that they aren't retina. It would be stupid IMO, for them to not have a retina, but rumors are rumors.

Either way, let us know what you end up getting. I'm hoping to get a MacBook pro by the end of the year and want to hear what you like and dislike about what you get.

I will do, I just need to get a few things for it (as i listed in my previous post) and I had one more question.

I did some googling but it didn't turn up very much. The iMacs have glossy screens and I was wondering if there was some Anti-Glare film I could but to put on the top of it or a replacement glass cover (to replace the one that comes on the iMac over the screen) that is Anti-Glare because I hate glare on my screen as my room gets a lot of sun light.

Yet two of my close friends have 16 GB installed in their MacBook Pros. How very interesting. Also, you're hardly in any position to decide what others need.

First, I said early it was 8gbs on Apple's site, but that they could support more. Second, a screenshot that shows it's been installed? Post some benchmarks showing the difference between 8gb and 16gb, otherwise I'm sticking with the recommendation that they not waste their money.

So I just had a thought, Would an iMac graphics chip be able to drive the iMac display AND a 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display as I was thinking maybe a month or 2 after buying the iMac to add a Thunderbolt Display along side the iMac on a Lowkey Stand with USB2.0 (hopefully updated to USB 3.0) or the Slimkey V2 Stand to level out the displays so they are exactly side by side.

Ok, for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents:

I have a MacBook Pro, a MacBook Pro Retina (1 week old), a MacBook Air and a 27 inch iMac.

I also have (and am typing this on) a custom built Windows 7 PC with a similarly built Windows 8 PC at work along with lots of ThinkPad laptops.

As others have no doubt said, it's really about how you plan to use it.

Operating system wise, I prefer Windows 7 to MacOS X Mountain Lion. It's a more productive environment for me when I need to get a lot of work done (if I'm working in ONE app for a long period of time, the Mac is just as good if not better because of the new full screen option in LIon/Mountain Lion).

The MacBook Pro Retina is amazing. The display is crazy good. The SSD it comes with it big and really fast. I love using it for light work (email, budgeting, schedules, Internet flame wars, etc.). However, if there was a MacBook Air with retina, I'd use that first.

I would not bother with the iMac. You'd be better off getting a Cinema Display and hooking up a MacBook Pro to it (or MacAir).

Hope this helps.

The Retina MacBook Pros are wasted in my opinion, unless of course you indeed use the laptop screen. I can't wait for proper desktop high density displays. Imagine a 24" 3840x2400 screen. One could only hope, right? :p

The Retina MacBook Pros are wasted in my opinion, unless of course you indeed use the laptop screen. I can't wait for proper desktop high density displays. Imagine a 24" 3840x2400 screen. One could only hope, right? :p

That is true. If you're not going to use the screen, get a regular MacBook Pro.

I use it as a laptop most of the time.

But if someone forced me to choose between my favorite PC and my favorite Mac, the PC would still win.

Though, I'd have a real tough time giving up my MacBook Air.

Hmm... I wonder if I can get 16GB in my mid-2009 MBP, then... hmm....

My late 2009 13-inch MacBook officially only supported 4GB but unofficially supported 8GB max (it's based on the chipset)

Ok, for what it's worth, here's my 2 cents:

I have a MacBook Pro, a MacBook Pro Retina (1 week old), a MacBook Air and a 27 inch iMac.

I also have (and am typing this on) a custom built Windows 7 PC with a similarly built Windows 8 PC at work along with lots of ThinkPad laptops.

As others have no doubt said, it's really about how you plan to use it.

Operating system wise, I prefer Windows 7 to MacOS X Mountain Lion. It's a more productive environment for me when I need to get a lot of work done (if I'm working in ONE app for a long period of time, the Mac is just as good if not better because of the new full screen option in LIon/Mountain Lion).

The MacBook Pro Retina is amazing. The display is crazy good. The SSD it comes with it big and really fast. I love using it for light work (email, budgeting, schedules, Internet flame wars, etc.). However, if there was a MacBook Air with retina, I'd use that first.

I would not bother with the iMac. You'd be better off getting a Cinema Display and hooking up a MacBook Pro to it (or MacAir).

Hope this helps.

Ok but if portability isn't a factor so it seems stupid to get a laptop as it will be permanently stuck on a desk. And if I was to buy the MBP, then buying an apple display is way out of budget and I would be stuck with my 1920x1080 screen, and one of the attractive points for me anyway about the iMac is the 27" screen.

The Retina MacBook Pros are wasted in my opinion, unless of course you indeed use the laptop screen. I can't wait for proper desktop high density displays. Imagine a 24" 3840x2400 screen. One could only hope, right? :p

Imagine a Retina 27" Screen : O.

Get the iMac, can't beat the screen space for the price of the other Macs and the gestures is a plus over Windows.

That is one of the reasons I am considering it. What I want to do is after a few months buy an Apple Thunderbolt Display so I have 2x 27" screens, but I am just waiting for the Refresh at this point to see what the new Specs will be.

Anyone know of any good External Thunderbolt / USB 3.0 Drives I can use for Time Machine and Storage?

That is one of the reasons I am considering it. What I want to do is after a few months buy an Apple Thunderbolt Display so I have 2x 27" screens, but I am just waiting for the Refresh at this point to see what the new Specs will be.

Anyone know of any good External Thunderbolt / USB 3.0 Drives I can use for Time Machine and Storage?

1. Got a list here for your location, WD is a good brand in my opinion. http://www.amazon.co...+3.%2Caps%2C439

1. Got a list here for your location, WD is a good brand in my opinion. http://www.amazon.co...+3.%2Caps%2C439

Awesome, thanks.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Essential-External-Hard-Drive/dp/B0047VJ428/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1347215595&sr=8-3This looks like a good one, think I will go with this and Partition off 1TB to use for Time Machine. Which is a good point, Can time machine be used with a Partition or does it have to be an Entire drive?

First, I said early it was 8gbs on Apple's site, but that they could support more. Second, a screenshot that shows it's been installed? Post some benchmarks showing the difference between 8gb and 16gb, otherwise I'm sticking with the recommendation that they not waste their money.

Go find those benchmarks yourself. I'm guessing Google works just as well over at your place. Fact is you can install 16 GB in the current MacBook Pro, something you disputed altogether in your previous post.

MBP! I am not reading and responses but I would be willing to bet someone has already said "do not get the iMac, no upgradability" - which would be correct.

And the MacBook Pro is a shining example of upgradability?

Go find those benchmarks yourself. I'm guessing Google works just as well over at your place. Fact is you can install 16 GB in the current MacBook Pro, something you disputed altogether in your previous post.

It does, they don't exist. Thanks for the help.

MBP! I am not reading and responses but I would be willing to bet someone has already said "do not get the iMac, no upgradability" - which would be correct.

And what can you upgrade in a MBP... The Hard Drive and RAM, I could if I really wanted to do that with an iMac as well. To me an iMac is just a Macbook Pro on a stick pretty much with a 27" beautiful screen.

First off what kind of editing are you talking about? And why are you so set on using OSX? I edit for a living and Im doing fine with my PC. There is nothing you cant do on a PC. Especially when it comes to editing.

What software are you planning on running?

I currently edit on a PC and when I had the Mac Mini for a while I did some Editing on Final Cut Pro and you know what I loved it, I currently use Sony Vegas at work but my god I hate that program and I have tried the Adobe one as well. Also I like how OS X looks, Runs, and just the general feel of the operating system.

And I am going to say this one more time. I am not looking for a WINDOWS PC (So please stop telling me to buy one because I have my mind made up on a Mac) I want to get a Mac for Mac OS X Mountain Lion as I prefer it a whole lot more than I do windows 7 OR 8.

and Yeah its true for the ?2,500 I am going to be spending I could build a high end LGA 2011 system with a Decent SSD and a bunch of storage but I don't want to do that.

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • BleachBit 6.0.1 Beta by Razvan Serea When your computer is getting full, BleachBit quickly frees disk space. When your information is only your business, BleachBit guards your privacy. With BleachBit you can free cache, delete cookies, clear Internet history, shred temporary files, delete logs, and discard junk you didn't know was there. Designed for Linux and Windows systems, it wipes clean thousands of applications including Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, and more. Beyond simply deleting files, BleachBit includes advanced features such as shredding files to prevent recovery, wiping free disk space to hide traces of files deleted by other applications, and vacuuming Firefox to make it faster. Better than free, BleachBit is open source. BleachBit has many useful features: Delete your private files so completely that "even God can't read them" according to South Carolina Representative Trey Gowdy. Simple operation: read the descriptions, check the boxes you want, click preview, and click delete. Multi-platform: Linux and Windows Free of charge and no money trail Free to share, learn, and modify (open source) No adware, spyware, malware, browser toolbars, or "value-added software" Translated to 64 languages besides American English Shred files to hide their contents and prevent data recovery Shred any file (such as a spreadsheet on your desktop) Overwrite free disk space to hide previously deleted files Portable app for Windows: run without installation Command line interface for scripting and automation CleanerML allows anyone to write a new cleaner using XML Automatically import and update winapp2.ini cleaner files (a separate download) giving Windows users access to 2500+ additional cleaners Frequent software updates with new features Going beyond standard deletion of files, BleachBit has several advanced cleaners: Clear the memory and swap on Linux Delete broken shortcuts on Linux Delete the Firefox URL history without deleting the whole file—with optional shredding Delete Linux localizations: delete languages you don't use. More powerful than localepurge and available on more Linux distributions. Clean APT for Debian, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, and Linux Mint Find widely-scattered junk such as Thumbs.db and .DS_Store files. Execute yum clean for CentOS, Fedora, and Red Hat to remove cached package data Delete Windows registry keys—often where MRU (most recently used) lists are stored Delete the OpenOffice.org recent documents list without deleting the whole Common.xcu file Overwrite free disk space to hide previously files Vacuum Firefox, Google Chrome, Liferea, Thunderbird, and Yum databases: shrink files without removing data to save space and improve speed Surgically remove private information from .ini and JSON configuration files and SQLite3 databases without deleting the whole file Overwrite data in SQLite3 before deleting it to prevent recovery (optional) BleachBit 6.0.1 Beta release notes: BleachBit 6.0.1 beta is now available for testing. This maintenance-focused release includes bug fixes, updated translations, and a range of safe enhancements. This release fixes a Windows security issue that could allow arbitrary file deletion during privileged cleaning (reported by Zeze with TeamT5). It also adds new cleaners (including a DNS cache cleaner, Claude Code, and Visual Studio Code forks), support for multiple Chrome and Edge profiles, new deep scan options for developer directories like node_modules and venv, and safer, faster file shredding. All Platforms Added cleaners for Claude Code, DNS cache, and many Visual Studio Code forks. Added support for multiple Chrome and Edge profiles. Chrome can now clean downloaded AI models. Deep Scan can optionally remove venv, __pycache__, node_modules, and .angular directories. Deep Scan is faster by skipping directories on the keep list. File shredding is safer, faster, and leaves fewer recoverable traces. Improved handling of cookies, symlinks, Unicode filenames, external processes, and configuration files. Improved Expert Mode warnings and long warning dialogs. Fixed crashes related to cleaner detection, invalid Unicode, and malformed cleaner data. Clipboard is now cleared automatically after shredding files via paste operations. Linux Added AppImage support. Added cleaners for Visual Studio Code, Codeium, Librewolf (.deb), Transmission (Flatpak), and Profanity. Improved Linux trash detection, including Snap-installed applications and mounted drives. Fixed Wayland root CLI issues and several Snap-related problems. Improved package dependencies, AppStream metadata, and desktop file handling. Fixed startup crashes when Python Requests is unavailable. Windows Fixed a security vulnerability that could allow arbitrary file deletion when cleaning with elevated privileges. Added %WindowsSystem% variable support. Improved clipboard clearing using native Windows APIs. Improved installer experience on unsupported Windows versions. Reduced installer size and improved application robustness. Fixed Unicode handling, filename anonymization, Git revision reporting, and splash screen stability. [full release notes] Download: BleachBit 6.0 | Portable | ~20.0 MB (Open Source) View: BleachBit Home page | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
    • DriversCloud 12.1.6 by Razvan Serea With DriversCloud (formerly My-Config.com), you can explore your computer easily, safely and free. The application quickly scans your PC and identifies the hardware and software components. DriversCloud then establishes a list of the different drivers compatible with your OS and hardware. Download the drivers needed for the proper functioning of your computer. To detect your drivers, DriversCloud also displays a detailed summary of your hardware and software configuration, analyzes your BSOD, monitors in real-time your PC voltages and temperatures and lets you share your configuration online. Once the hardware components have been detected, you will be able to obtain with just a few clicks the latest drivers corresponding to the identified hardware. You can record your configuration on the site for free, and can get the corresponding URL to post the configuration to technical forums, e-mail and social networks. You can also download the detection result (the configuration) as a PDF file. To protect the user's privacy and data confidentiality, a 4-level confidentiality system was created that filters the XML marks and gives control to the user. The default level can be modified in the preferences. Using the maximum level will prevent the user from publishing his configuration and generating a corresponding PDF file. In non-connected mode, each XML configuration is stored on the server for one day (for practical reasons). However, you are given the opportunity to manually delete it. Created in 2004, and continually improved, My-Config.com has established itself on the web as a free service to PC users running Windows and Linux operating systems. The service is designed to work with the most common Internet browsers (Edge, Firefox, Chrome, Safari). Download: DriversCloud 64-bit | 20.0 MB (Freeware) Download: DriversCloud 32-bit | 18.9 MB Link: DriversCloud Home Page | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
  • Recent Achievements

    • One Month Later
      AndreaB earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • One Month Later
      agatameier earned a badge
      One Month Later
    • Week One Done
      agatameier earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      ssd21345 earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Contributor
      MarkHughes4096 went up a rank
      Contributor
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      516
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      193
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      149
    4. 4
      ATLien_0
      96
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      77
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!