Seriously considering making the switch.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

you can do video editing with windows easily. I'm running windows 7 on my lenovo y430 pentium dual-core laptop and both sony vegas pro and windows movie maker work flawlessly and smoothly.

this laptop cost me just $399 btw.

Like I said, with my Machine it is just way to damn slow, like REALLY slow. And after using OS X I've grown to like it a lot so yeah.

Also according to Crucial http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=MacBook%20Pro%202.6GHz%20Intel%20Core%20i7%20%2815-inch%20DDR3%29%20Mid-2012&Cat=RAM you can add 16 GB of ram to the Non retina model.

[123456789A]

Well if you're sold on Final Cut and OS X, I would say get the iMac.

[SMELTN]

Well let me tell you first hand my situation. Always liked the Mac's but never owned one. Have owned an iPhone since the first 2g. Own an iPad and an AppleTV.. Last year wanted to try out the mac sooo bad. Build myself a Hackintosh. It works great.. Snow Leopard only, but works great.. Only problem, it just isnt the real thing.. No matter how much it "felt like I was using a Mac" it just wasn't and you know it.

So wife decides to go back to College to get her degree and I used that as an excuse to buy me her a real mac.. SO we went 2 weeks ago the the Apple Store ( 1 hour 20 min drive from here ) and buy her a 2012 Macbook Pro. I kept my Windows desktop and put the macbook on the side of the desk.. Over the past 2 weeks I have watched and laughed as it has slowly taken over the entire desk and 24" Monitor. We use the 24" as the primary and the Macbook display as the secondary display. We have now purchased the wireless keyboard and trackpad, Mini DisplayPort to DVI adapter, a 7 port USB hub, a stand and now a MeshWe Bluefin which connects the keyboard and trackpad together. We also have completely turned off the PC and this weekend I will be unplugging it completely and put it in the closet.. I must say we are LOVING every bit of it.

I am an IT Manager for a major business and ALL of my computers at work are Windows PC's, so I am trying to decide now if I want to do Bootcamp or just VM ware to install Windows on it just in case I need it, although I have work laptops if I really need anything for work, I am just using that as an excuse pretty much :)

So anyways, I can't be happier with the switch we made. My wife who I was the most worried about, is extremely satisfied and has actually told me she can't believe we waited this long to buy one..

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

Well if you're sold on Final Cut and OS X, I would say get the iMac.

But that is where my issue with the iMac kicks in. I want a 1TB Internal storage drive and a 256GB SSD but its an extra ?400 when a 256GB SSD is only ?170 from Crucial so I would have to add it myself X_x. I could go external but I dunno, if it is just as fast as internal i'd probably do it.

@SMELTN: Exactly if I was to build a Hackintosh it won't feel like a proper Mac. Also how is the MacBook Pro working out for you as a desktop replacement?

[SMELTN]

But that is where my issue with the iMac kicks in. I want a 1TB Internal storage drive and a 256GB SSD but its an extra ?400 when a 256GB SSD is only ?170 from Crucial so I would have to add it myself X_x. I could go external but I dunno, if it is just as fast as internal i'd probably do it.

Thunderbolt drives are JUST as fast as internal drives now, or remember the new ones have usb 3.0 which is blazing fast as well.

[123456789A]

But that is where my issue with the iMac kicks in. I want a 1TB Internal storage drive and a 256GB SSD but its an extra ?400 when a 256GB SSD is only ?170 from Crucial so I would have to add it myself X_x. I could go external but I dunno, if it is just as fast as internal i'd probably do it.

The iMac has a Thunderbolt port for external drives, which should be more than fast enough for what you're doing.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

Thunderbolt drives are JUST as fast as internal drives now, or remember the new ones have usb 3.0 which is blazing fast as well.

Just checked the Pricing again and to change the 1TB drive on the iMac to just an 256GB SSD it's ?400.

Why in gods name are apple SSDs so fricking expensive X_x.

The iMac has a Thunderbolt port for external drives, which should be more than fast enough for what you're doing.

True, but if I was to buy an iMac I am going to buy my own SSD and have to tear it apart anyway to replace the HDD in it so once again I have hit a snag if I decide to go with an iMac...

[Stetson]

You mention the Intel HD graphics on the Mac Mini, but did you know that the high end (not the server) Mini has a dedicated graphics chip? It's an AMD 6630M. Definitely not a high end card by any means but better than the Intel HD graphics.

Also the reason that the iMac doesn't outpace the Macbook Pro by much right now has to do with the fact that the Macbooks were just refreshed in June but the iMac hasn't been refreshed since last summer. If you do end up getting an iMac take a look at the refurbished section of online store to try to get a better deal on one.

[Growled Member]

Why in gods name are apple SSDs so fricking expensive X_x.

Because it's from Apple. Apple thrives on premium products sold to premium customers.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

You mention the Intel HD graphics on the Mac Mini, but did you know that the high end (not the server) Mini has a dedicated graphics chip? It's an AMD 6630M. Definitely not a high end card by any means but better than the Intel HD graphics.

Also the reason that the iMac doesn't outpace the Macbook Pro by much right now has to do with the fact that the Macbooks were just refreshed in June but the iMac hasn't been refreshed since last summer. If you do end up getting an iMac take a look at the refurbished section of online store to try to get a better deal on one.

If I decide to go for an iMac I am going to be getting it right after the refresh.

Yeah I know the Mini has that graphics chip in it but that should be refreshed soon it is still on Sandy Bridge and I don't think that chip would be able to max out WoW on 1920x1080 in Windows or OS X which is one of the other things the Mac will be used for.

Because it's from Apple. Apple thrives on premium products sold to premium customers.

Well IMO their should be a Hatch or 2 for the HDDs in the iMac and MacBook Pro so users can change them > >. That's the ONLY issue I really have with their whole design philosophy.

[Stetson]

They do support changing the hard drive yourself in the non-retina Macbook Pro. I think it requires a torx screwdriver to attach and detach the drive from the mounting frame but that's not really a big deal.

If you want to use this at your desk almost all of the time I think a refreshed iMac will give you the most bang for your buck. Counting on a laptop to run at peak performance for long periods of time while closed on your desk isn't super feasible.

If you just want decent performance and the ability to use it around the house and maybe take it with you on a trip, the Macbook route might be a better fit.

[threetonesun]

Like I said, with my Machine it is just way to damn slow, like REALLY slow. And after using OS X I've grown to like it a lot so yeah.

Also according to Crucial http://www.crucial.c...id-2012&Cat=RAM you can add 16 GB of ram to the Non retina model.

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP649

It's possible it does, it wouldn't be the first time Apple has, for whatever reason, not allowed configurations up to the max spec.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

They do support changing the hard drive yourself in the non-retina Macbook Pro. I think it requires a torx screwdriver to attach and detach the drive from the mounting frame but that's not really a big deal.

If you want to use this at your desk almost all of the time I think a refreshed iMac will give you the most bang for your buck. Counting on a laptop to run at peak performance for long periods of time while closed on your desk isn't super feasible.

If you just want decent performance and the ability to use it around the house and maybe take it with you on a trip, the Macbook route might be a better fit.

Isn't refurbished just the Macs that where sent back because they where faulty, but apple fixed em. Kinda a bit weary about buying one of those because of that. Also do they come with the Keyboard and Mouse / Track pad too?

"They are in 100% working condition, and are then sold as refurbished product. As these refurbished products have been unpacked and manipulated, they might however exhibit some minor cosmetic imperfection, such as scratches, marks or discolorations."

That don't sound to appealing to me. If the rates of that happening are Very low like Sub 5% id go for it but I am not sure on that.

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP649

It's possible it does, it wouldn't be the first time Apple has, for whatever reason, not allowed configurations up to the max spec.

I just watch a bunch of videos on upgrading them to 16GB and it seems to work ok.

[threetonesun]

Coming from a BYO PC background, I don't think Mac's are overpriced. I think they're perfectly priced.

A friend of mine has an old Austin Mini ... it has been modded to destroy a Ferrari off the line.

But I'd much rather have the Ferrari ;) Sometimes, the speed at which something runs isn't the only factor. A cheap PC instead of a Mac is the equivalent of buying a Vauxhall Corsa instead of a BMW M3. I'd rather work in comfort, on the best screens, the best trackpads, the best keyboards, the best build quality etc, and still smokin' fast.

But to each their own.

I like Apple laptops, and I do think they're built better than most others, but an iMac? You can get better displays, and you can get better components for cheaper. Plus, you're stuck with an all in one, so if anything goes out of warranty, you're stuck tearing apart your Ferrari. Not to mention, dropping $2000 to get a decent GPU is... crazy.

So, I guess the metaphor isn't so bad. iMacs are finicky to work on and the manufacturer doesn't want you taking them apart, but they're pretty and fun to use.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

I like Apple laptops, and I do think they're built better than most others, but an iMac? You can get better displays, and you can get better components for cheaper. Plus, you're stuck with an all in one, so if anything goes out of warranty, you're stuck tearing apart your Ferrari. Not to mention, dropping $2000 to get a decent GPU is... crazy.

So, I guess the metaphor isn't so bad. iMacs are finicky to work on and the manufacturer doesn't want you taking them apart, but they're pretty and fun to use.

One of the reasons I want to get a Mac. I have an iPhone, had an iPod touched, and I just recently stopped using a Mac Mini. Heck every time I go to a PC store with a Mac on display I head over and go play with it. They just feel amazing to use.

[Stetson]

Isn't refurbished just the Macs that where sent back because they where faulty, but apple fixed em. Kinda a bit weary about buying one of those because of that. Also do they come with the Keyboard and Mouse / Track pad too?

"They are in 100% working condition, and are then sold as refurbished product. As these refurbished products have been unpacked and manipulated, they might however exhibit some minor cosmetic imperfection, such as scratches, marks or discolorations."

That don't sound to appealing to me. If the rates of that happening are Very low like Sub 5% id go for it but I am not sure on that.

I just watch a bunch of videos on upgrading them to 16GB and it seems to work ok.

Pretty much everyone I've heard of who bought a refurbished Mac got it in like-new condition. It comes in a plain box, and has basically the same warranty as a new Mac. You can even add the extra 2 years of AppleCare.

If you're going to wait for the refresh then you might as well just buy a new one. The refreshed models won't be available as refurbished for a few months after the release anyway.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

Pretty much everyone I've heard of who bought a refurbished Mac got it in like-new condition. It comes in a plain box, and has basically the same warranty as a new Mac. You can even add the extra 2 years of AppleCare.

If you're going to wait for the refresh then you might as well just buy a new one. The refreshed models won't be available as refurbished for a few months after the release anyway.

I think I'll wait till the refresh and then change the HDD out for an SSD (should be easy enough) and then add my own RAM and a 2TB External Storage Drive.

[Stetson]

I think I'll wait till the refresh and then change the HDD out for an SSD (should be easy enough) and then add my own RAM and a 2TB External Storage Drive.

I wouldn't be surprised if the refresh makes at least a small SSD standard. The current iMac design makes changing the HDD a bit tough (you have to remove the screen glass and display panel), but there are good guides on how to do it on sites like iFixit.

[Shadrack]

So if I do add an SSD to the iMac the fans will be going full whack X_x. Those fans are small so they wont be quiet either X-x.

Yup. If you search the web you can find more info. Some solutions as well:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2724796?start=0&tstart=0

But to be honest with you, I would just go with a thunderbolt or USB 3.0 drive for the extra storage.

I wouldn't be surprised if the refresh makes at least a small SSD standard. The current iMac design makes changing the HDD a bit tough (you have to remove the screen glass and display panel), but there are good guides on how to do it on sites like iFixit.

They are making these harder and harder to upgrade. I too also think that a 64GB SSD will be the "standard" and there won't be HDD in iMacs in the next gen.

[threetonesun]

I see zero problems with putting a resistor on the hard drive temperature sensor if you drop an SSD in. I've done that on cars before... and temperature failure there is a bit of a bigger deal. if you know the sensor is useless (SSD isn't going to heat up), it's fine to plug it. Case sensor would kick in the fans before the overall heat got too high.

[Sikh]

All macbook pro's current models can support MORE then 8gbs. What the hell are you all smoking saying they cant? The restriction isnt set by apple. They feel comfortable putting 8gbs in the machine. In the retina they put 16. Also, if you didnt know, the logic boards dont have preset ram limitations either. Its whats affordable in 2 sticks and what the processor can handle. You can put 32gbs of ram in any of the current generation macbook pros. Hell I had 16gbs in a 2010 model because the core i processor supported 16 gbs.

Pretty sure the Ivy bridge mobile cpu's support 64 gbs but its hard enough to find a Set, affordable or not, of 32gbs (2 x 16), Finding a 64gb would almost be impossible.

But as far as iMac goes, lay it flat on its screen, lift up the stand, pop open a door, 4 memory slots to put ram in on the 27" and 2 on the 21".

Really easy to replace ram. Hard Drive you have to take screen off.

[Bizkit]

I'm in the same boat. I have a PC that I have used for gaming for years and years (WoW, Skyrim, a lot of Steam games) but with my iPhone and AppleTV and iPad, I want to get a Mac. I don't think I will do any gaming on it, as I am tied of having the desk and monitor and what not in my smallish apartment.

You said you want it for video editing, and if you bought the MacBook Pro you would most likely have it closed and hooked up to a monitor. You list one of the positives of it being portable, which laptops very much are, but it sounds like you really wouldn't ever take it anywhere. IDK what you would do on it if you took it somewhere, like laying in bed or Starbucks or something, but I will tell you that my iPad 2 was probably the best thing I've ever bought. I have an iPhone 4s and the iPad makes the phone just a phone. I take my iPad EVERYWHERE. With AppleTV the airplay on it is amazing. Watching a movie on the couch, and I just switch it back to the iPad and go lay in bed. Got a smart cover for it, and easily the best portable thing I own.

If you want to edit videos on the go (doesn't really sound like you would) then you are gonna want to get the MacBook. I think your best bet is wait to see what the refreshed iMacs are like and see if you can add the internal drive and ram.

One thing I am not quite understanding is why you are so dead set on having the internal HDD? USB 3 and thunderbolt are crazy fast, but if you just want it all internal and not on the desk or whatever, that is understandable.

I guess I'm saying is if you can get over the internal HDD your decision might not be as hard. But then again, this is YOUR computer, so get it how you want it.

TL:DR Wait for the iMac refresh and get an iPad if you want portable computing. iPads are amazing :D

[Shadrack]

I see zero problems with putting a resistor on the hard drive temperature sensor if you drop an SSD in. I've done that on cars before... and temperature failure there is a bit of a bigger deal. if you know the sensor is useless (SSD isn't going to heat up), it's fine to plug it. Case sensor would kick in the fans before the overall heat got too high.

I have to agree with you on that one. I think that the temperature sensor thing was a sneaky attempt by Apple to discourage user upgrades. In reality, if the SSD is heating it up its because the computer is working hard and therefore lots of other temperature sensors are going to cause the fans to ramp up if it is needed. The temperature sensor in the SSD seems superfluous.

[+Tyranade Subscriber²]

I wouldn't be surprised if the refresh makes at least a small SSD standard. The current iMac design makes changing the HDD a bit tough (you have to remove the screen glass and display panel), but there are good guides on how to do it on sites like iFixit.

Yeah I know it will be a total pain in the ass to do. Knowing apple they will make a small like 60GB SSD Standard and still charge the ?400 for the 256GB version so even when they refresh it I am just going to tear it out and put my own in. And to be honest I don't care if it voids the warranty I could pay for a repair or 2 if it breaks with the money I'd save,

Yup. If you search the web you can find more info. Some solutions as well:

https://discussions....tart=0&tstart=0

But to be honest with you, I would just go with a thunderbolt or USB 3.0 drive for the extra storage.

They are making these harder and harder to upgrade. I too also think that a 64GB SSD will be the "standard" and there won't be HDD in iMacs in the next gen.

I might go external storage when i buy one. But yeah 64GB SSD feels limiting and Like i just said to the guy above, I'd just tear it out for a 256GB +

I see zero problems with putting a resistor on the hard drive temperature sensor if you drop an SSD in. I've done that on cars before... and temperature failure there is a bit of a bigger deal. if you know the sensor is useless (SSD isn't going to heat up), it's fine to plug it. Case sensor would kick in the fans before the overall heat got too high.

Couldn't I just stick the sensor cable somewhere else like near the CPU? Or is the sensor apart of the drive?

All macbook pro's current models can support MORE then 8gbs. What the hell are you all smoking saying they cant? The restriction isnt set by apple. They feel comfortable putting 8gbs in the machine. In the retina they put 16. Also, if you didnt know, the logic boards dont have preset ram limitations either. Its whats affordable in 2 sticks and what the processor can handle. You can put 32gbs of ram in any of the current generation macbook pros. Hell I had 16gbs in a 2010 model because the core i processor supported 16 gbs.

Pretty sure the Ivy bridge mobile cpu's support 64 gbs but its hard enough to find a Set, affordable or not, of 32gbs (2 x 16), Finding a 64gb would almost be impossible.

But as far as iMac goes, lay it flat on its screen, lift up the stand, pop open a door, 4 memory slots to put ram in on the 27" and 2 on the 21".

Really easy to replace ram. Hard Drive you have to take screen off.

Yeah that's the only issue I got. If I wanna replace the Hard Drive I gotta tear my screen off, and I build PCs, never tore a Mac apart before.

I'm in the same boat. I have a PC that I have used for gaming for years and years (WoW, Skyrim, a lot of Steam games) but with my iPhone and AppleTV and iPad, I want to get a Mac. I don't think I will do any gaming on it, as I am tied of having the desk and monitor and what not in my smallish apartment.

You said you want it for video editing, and if you bought the MacBook Pro you would most likely have it closed and hooked up to a monitor. You list one of the positives of it being portable, which laptops very much are, but it sounds like you really wouldn't ever take it anywhere. IDK what you would do on it if you took it somewhere, like laying in bed or Starbucks or something, but I will tell you that my iPad 2 was probably the best thing I've ever bought. I have an iPhone 4s and the iPad makes the phone just a phone. I take my iPad EVERYWHERE. With AppleTV the airplay on it is amazing. Watching a movie on the couch, and I just switch it back to the iPad and go lay in bed. Got a smart cover for it, and easily the best portable thing I own.

If you want to edit videos on the go (doesn't really sound like you would) then you are gonna want to get the MacBook. I think your best bet is wait to see what the refreshed iMacs are like and see if you can add the internal drive and ram.

One thing I am not quite understanding is why you are so dead set on having the internal HDD? USB 3 and thunderbolt are crazy fast, but if you just want it all internal and not on the desk or whatever, that is understandable.

I guess I'm saying is if you can get over the internal HDD your decision might not be as hard. But then again, this is YOUR computer, so get it how you want it.

TL:DR Wait for the iMac refresh and get an iPad if you want portable computing. iPads are amazing :D

Yeah I did list one of the benefits of the MBP as being Portable, but that was just an Extra like I can lay down in bed and do some work, It really Wouldn't leave the house. For a laptop like that I would be looking at a MacBook Air.

I like everything being internal if it can be. Because I like having a clean desk but If I do go have to go External what I would probably do is get a USB/Longer Thunderbolt cable and hide it under my desk so I don't see it.

I have to agree with you on that one. I think that the temperature sensor thing was a sneaky attempt by Apple to discourage user upgrades. In reality, if the SSD is heating it up its because the computer is working hard and therefore lots of other temperature sensors are going to cause the fans to ramp up if it is needed. The temperature sensor in the SSD seems superfluous.

Couldn't the sensor be placed elsewhere? Also their is a fix for that in this thread https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2724796?start=0&tstart=0 . Don't know if the fix will work as I don't currently have an iMac but it's there.

[Shadrack]

Yeah I know it will be a total pain in the ass to do. Knowing apple they will make a small like 60GB SSD Standard and still charge the ?400 for the 256GB version so even when they refresh it I am just going to tear it out and put my own in. And to be honest I don't care if it voids the warranty I could pay for a repair or 2 if it breaks with the money I'd save,

I might go external storage when i buy one. But yeah 64GB SSD feels limiting and Like i just said to the guy above, I'd just tear it out for a 256GB +

Couldn't I just stick the sensor cable somewhere else like near the CPU? Or is the sensor apart of the drive?

Yeah that's the only issue I got. If I wanna replace the Hard Drive I gotta tear my screen off, and I build PCs, never tore a Mac apart before.

Yeah I did list one of the benefits of the MBP as being Portable, but that was just an Extra like I can lay down in bed and do some work, It really Wouldn't leave the house. For a laptop like that I would be looking at a MacBook Air.

I like everything being internal if it can be. Because I like having a clean desk but If I do go have to go External what I would probably do is get a USB/Longer Thunderbolt cable and hide it under my desk so I don't see it.

Couldn't the sensor be placed elsewhere? Also their is a fix for that in this thread https://discussions....tart=0&tstart=0 . Don't know if the fix will work as I don't currently have an iMac but it's there.

No. The sensor is internal to the SSDs and HDDs that Apple ships with the iMac. As mentioned earlier, putting a resistor (not sure which one) across two of the connector pins fools the controller so that the fans don't ramp up. This makes me think that the sensor element is probably an RTD. Alternatively if you knew what kind of RTD you could buy one and connect it wherever you like. I don't really think that would be worthwhile to be honest because other system temperatures that are monitored would be indicative enough to control the fans (IMHO). My SSD in my MacBook Pro gets little to no airflow (there is just a tiny fan in that thing) and it works just fine. I've never heard of SSD heat problems....