MacBook or iMac?

I'm unable to make up my mind on this one... I don't know whether to sell my MacBook and buy an iMac, or just keep the MacBook

If you had the choice between a MacBook (plastic one) or iMac, which would you choose? My MacBook is early 2008, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 250GB HD, 2GB RAM, Superdrive.

OK - first of all

make a list of just WHY you want to replace your MacBook - this does also mean why you want to spend money at this time.

Now I've seen everything- a woman querying someone's motive for spending money .

Seriously... if I had to choose between my iMac and Macbook (aluminium version), and assuming portability wasn't a factor, the iMac would win by a street.

Display size and I/O ports being the major factors in that.

But his MacBook is a plastic one

He needs good reasons to discard a perfectly good working MacBook [ he can't say he wants rid of it because it is cracked - it's got a new topcase :) ]

He should list the pros and cons of each .

I'd love a unibody MacBook BUT - do I actually NEED one ? - sadly the answer is no - I don't.

Yes my HD is filling up and I really must do something about that.

I've always been a fan of notebooks. I hate being strapped to a desk so they give me the ability to move around the house if I get bored of one location! Plus performance is pretty much the same unless you're doing major league gaming/video editing. Love my new 2009 MacBook- runs like a dream!

Just get a Mac Pro. (You know you will one day - why not now.)

Reasons why:

• My MacBook is a year old and out of warranty
• I use my MacBook at my desk 95% of the time, the other 5% being in bed where it has the potential to get damaged if I fall asleep (as happened to a friend recently)
• 13.3" just isn't big enough for a screen. I'd prefer 20 or 24"
• My MacBook is in great condition, making it optimal for selling

Pretty much sums up why. I love my MacBook - it's fast, light, portable, very easy to use and the battery life is a treat, but I feel it's time to go desktop.

It'll run a second screen, I assume. Why not use it as a desktop, docked to a nice big screen and maybe a kbd and mouse, and retain the option to walk away with it when you want a change of scene.

OK - I see what you are saying .

Next - have you done the calculations - cost of nice new shiny iMac [ or better :P ] against AlanH's siggestion of a nice big screen and keyboard +/- rodent ?

And how much do you reckon you will get for your MacBook.

Even with your Educational Discount [ I think you mentioned that some time back ] can you really afford the changeover ?

If you went with the suggestion of the Screen etc , you would really get the best of both worlds.

Alan's alternative suggestion is something I hadn't thought of, and it's certainly an intriguing idea. For all intents and purposes my MacBook is a portable iMac with a small screen and a trackpad, so it'd make some sense to keep it.

If I go ahead with it I'd probably go for a 24" LCD widescreen monitor for about £250ish, Then I'd need a Mini-DVI to DVI/HDMI (depending on monitor) cable for about £15, Apple keyboard for £28 and Mighty Mouse for £38.

Hmm...

I use my MBP in that style (lid closed usually) and the ability to occasionally "break out" of my workspace is invaluable.

What make/size monitor do you use?

Am I right in saying that the secondary monitor with remain at the same resolution as the MacBook (1280x800) thus everything will look massive? I'm considering getting a monitor for my MacBook but need a decent chair first!

Extended desktop and video mirroring: Simultaneously supports full native resolution on the built-in display and up to 1920 by 1200 pixels on an external display, both at millions of colors

From - http://support.apple.com/kb/SP5

That is seriously awesome! Thanks.

Only a 19" (at 1280x1024) - but I could use bigger if I wanted to spend the money.

That would depend how you want to use it. If you were me then an iMac would make a nice table ornament, but I'd end up buying another Macbook because, discounting the portability aspect, I like using laptops sat on the arm of my chair. I sit behind a desk at work enough as it is. I really don't want to be stuck behind (or in front of) one at home.

Of course, you could go buy the iMac then buy a (spit, ding) Dell Mini 9 or MSI Wind and use it as a Hackintosh Netbook.

In reply to a post by fetler:

95% of the time, the other 5% being in bed where it has the potential to get damaged if I fall asleep (as happened to a friend recently)

Let's see if I have got that right.
During 5% of the time you were in bed and as a result of you falling asleep your friend was damaged?
Surprised you have any friends in bed, if that happens!
[just my weak attempt at humour].

QUOTE
Reasons why:
* My MacBook is a year old and out of warranty
END QUOTE

For next purchase you could consider using John Lewis who provide free 2 year warranty on Apple laptops and desktops.

http://www.johnlewis.com/Technology/Laptops/Laptops/...

http://www.johnlewis.com/Technology/Desktops/Desktop...

My wife's G4 iBook [ plastic case, of course ] from JL gave 2 years trouble free service and then the guarantee was extended for a further 3 years for GBP 169.00 and then for a further year for GBP 29.00 which seemed reasonable.
No problems to date, since purchase in early 2004.

My own G4 iMac from JL had hard drive fail just before end of 2 years service, new hard drive was fitted by JL . Paid [forgotten how much] for extended warranty for a further 3 years.
Just the one failure since purchase in early 2002.
Keeping my fingers crossed now.

The longish guarantees from JL provide some peace of mind for users who do not wish to keep changing to the latest model.
It could be argued that because the machines have been reliable the insurance money was largely wasted, but it has avoided the worry of big repair bills.
Of course, the above relates to Apple equipment bought in 2002 and 2004.
Purchases in 2009 may be different.

The iMac only offers a few benefits.

3.5 inch drives, which are faster and larger in storage capacity.

Graphics processor.

Bigger screen.

iMacs dont offer much of a performance boost since they use laptop CPUs and graphics.

iMac is basically a macbook/macbook pro in a big case.