also, the imac has tons of movies

Your lucky your work doesn’t require huge amounts of power… I have to have a tower with lots of Ram to get my work done…

#39 Frank
Ruman (#37) said: “When buying the MBP, max out the HD size, and put in as little RAM as possible (512MB i think).”

It isn’t possible to get the $2499 MBP with less than 2GB of RAM installed. I don’t think you have looked at the MBP’s in a while. Apple has been steadily increasing the minimum RAM of their machines to very nice levels and also not charging crazy prices for extra RAM like they used to do. Granted, you can still get RAM cheaper for some of their machines but the MBP comes with 2GB standard and can only be upgraded to 3GB by removing one of the 1GB cards and replacing it with a 2GB card.

#40 Frank
Ruwan (#37) said: “When buying the MBP, max out the HD size, and put in as little RAM as possible (512MB i think).”

It isn’t possible to get the $2499 MBP with less than 2GB of RAM installed. I don’t think you have looked at the MBP’s in a while. Apple has been steadily increasing the minimum RAM of their machines to very nice levels and also not charging crazy prices for extra RAM like they used to do. Granted, you can still get RAM cheaper for some of their machines but the MBP comes with 2GB standard and can only be upgraded to 3GB by removing one of the 1GB cards and replacing it with a 2GB card.

#41 Dave Gitlin
Save money……I always buy from Amazon.com. Amazon = no tax + free shipping + rebates

#42 John
I’m wondering if Parallels Desktop for Mac does anything to facilitate the native intel software limitations described by JERRY #32 by enabling use of Windows intel software applications. I’m hoping it does because I’m considering purchase of a new Apple computer on which I can also use my old Windows applications.

#43 dan
Unless you’ve got a specific need for the macbook pro, you’re paying a steep price for the upgrade. I’m running a macbook core duo with 2gb and couldn’t be happier. As for the core duo vs. core 2 duo in the mini – obviously it appears to be a downer. But, a little google research suggests that the difference in performance is in the 10-15% range. I think you’re best bet is to go with the macbook – order 2gb of memory online (OWC is good) – and wait until apple upgrades the mini. It’s gotta be coming sooner or later. The mac buyer’s guide at mac rumors shows that the mini is late in the product cycle. That way you get the core 2 duo in both machines and save money.

#44 Joseph
Well, I haven’t read all the comments, but my situation is this:
I have a first generation white Macbook Core Duo 2.0. I live in Brazil, and bought my MB from Amazon, and this was a very lucky shot. Buying an Apple here is something pretty uncommon.
Hearing about Leopard, and it’s new features like Time Machine really make me impressed and also, sad. How can I use it’s full power, if I only have 60 GB of hard drive?
Saying this, makes me reach the point I wanted to. The thing I’ve been thinking lately is to go for a Macbook + Mac mini config. And I’ll tell why.
I want to get rid of my P4 Prescott machine, because it uses to much energy and is very noise. I’m not looking for gaming anymore, either. I don’t have a wireless router, neither a DVD player. (I’ll just graduated at the University and starting my own home).
Buying extra harddrive, RAM, router, DVD and everything else, at least for me, would be almost as expensive as buying a new Mac Mini.
But, there is a catch. Buying it on Spring, with the release of Leopard, would also garantee that I don’t have to spend extra money with Leopard, iLife 07 and other stuff.
Bringing everything together, I think buying a customized Mac Mini, with extra RAM and HD (that I could exchange with the MB), and maybe even the CPU (the reason I googled and came here), is the best choice of all.
A Mac Mini in the living room would be my wireless router, DVD player, Apple TV, iPod sync station, and Leopard provider.

Thanks

#45 Tian
You should either go High-end or low end on Macs. Here’s my suggestion:

1. MacBook+23inch Cinema Display ($2500, which is the price of a single 17inch MBP)

2. MacBook Pro 17″+30inch Cinema Display (go with this and you’ll be amazed.)

Forget iMac and Mac mini. Apple is at its best when building laptops.

#46 sam
hey – I’m sick of lugging my 15″ G4 around. Can anyone recommend a smaller size laptop?

#47 gabriel
I am a Mac soon-to-be new-by. I am getting into high-end video editting and would like to get some feedback about which Mac to purchase. I am trying to decide between an IMac and MacPro. Both more than I’d like to spend. But PC is not an option.

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1. MacBook+23inch Cinema Display ($2500, which is the price of a single 17inch MBP)

2. MacBook Pro 17″+30inch Cinema Display (go with this and you’ll be amazed.)

Forget iMac and Mac mini. Apple is at its best when building laptops.

Thanks

It isn’t possible to get the $2499 MBP with less than 2GB of RAM installed. I don’t think you have looked at the MBP’s in a while. Apple has been steadily increasing the minimum RAM of their machines to very nice levels and also not charging crazy prices for extra RAM like they used to do. Granted, you can still get RAM cheaper for some of their machines but the MBP comes with 2GB standard and can only be upgraded to 3GB by removing one of the 1GB cards and replacing it with a 2GB card.

It isn’t possible to get the $2499 MBP with less than 2GB of RAM installed. I don’t think you have looked at the MBP’s in a while. Apple has been steadily increasing the minimum RAM of their machines to very nice levels and also not charging crazy prices for extra RAM like they used to do. Granted, you can still get RAM cheaper for some of their machines but the MBP comes with 2GB standard and can only be upgraded to 3GB by removing one of the 1GB cards and replacing it with a 2GB card.

It really is a choice you have to make. The Only way i would say you should get two, is if you want to use the second for media, the Lady, or the kids.

Your lucky your work doesn’t require huge amounts of power… I have to have a tower with lots of Ram to get my work done…

A few things i’d recommend. When buying the MBP, max out the HD size, and put in as little RAM as possible (512MB i think). Then buy the ram from dealram.com for about 1/3 to 1/4 the price that apple will sell for and replace it yourself.

This will make the Macbook pro option by far the cheapest and the best for you. (and you can use that extra $500 towards a cinema display or something. and you should probably do the ram trick even if you get a regular macbook too.)