hey guys,

need your help with something. i'm a little torn in buying either the two options mentioned above. both have similar spec in terms of processor but the imac is a little cheaper. i'll be using the mac mostly for video editing/converting & probably will turn it on for almost 24/7 for networking purposes. my first choice would be a macbook pro but it is a little expensive & i worry about the heat it would generate. hopefully with the imac larger size, the comp will have more room to breath. i already have a macbook & the imac really fits in with that. however, i could sell the macbook & use the money to buy a macbook pro instead.

my main concerns are definitely the heat & price. what do you guys think i should do? any experiences with the imac/mbp turned on for a long time & their temps would be greatly appreciated.

my options:
buy an imac & keep the macbook
or
sell the macbook & buy the mbp instead

remember that the mac will be on for very long hours, so keep that in mind when giving ur opinions. thanks guys!!!

get the imac most definately...imac for heavy work and macbook for normal usage..

I would go for option one. You DID not mention the need for portability, so why not just get the iMac. You get a much bigger screen which certainly helps for video editing for a lower price.

iMac + MB certainly, then u would have 2 rigs and everything u need.

@ryley7,
I think u *want* the MBP but u do *know* the better option for u is the iMac

Option one definitely. In fact in my case, I want to sell my MBP, get a normal MB and an iMac

neither... get a Mac Pro or an old Quad Core G5 or something...

I would like to know too cause my main concern is the heat as well, sadly no one gave me a definite answer so far regarding the Mac mini or iMac.

Mac Mini and iMacs do not have efficient heat dissipation systems compared to the PowerMacs and Mac Pros.

Macbook pro seem hot i guess. How do you guys/girl, an owner of the notebook cope with the heat if working with it for 8 hour straight with it ?

I program straight for 12 hours, and the heat does goes up to about 70 degrees which is relatively high. I put a book under the notebook to cool it off.

why don't you just use the notebook-cooler?

Zalman's notebook cooler ZM-NC1000 is excellent!
I dont think my temperature of any of my parts exceed 50-55 before.

The cooler is on the higher end though
i think i bought it at RM140 but im sure you value your MBP more

Zalman's?
never heard of it
i use CoolerMaster

Might be true, but at least you don't have to rest your palm on iMac and MacMini.

zalman used to have a very powerful cpu coller k? google around , very famous

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/07/zalman-...y-as-you-think/

buy imac! i love the big screen, but i cant carry it around with me.
portable plus power = mpb!

i already mentioned u have a macbook

why do u need a MBP since u already ahve your portable mac ?
get the imac..

no brainer..

Get the iMac, video editing requires bigger screen also you mention about networking so you need an iMac too with that two reasons.

dont hop on something like, wow i have two macbook lying around. if you want to 24/7 (close to that) on your mbp, you gotta be kidding me. Other than frying the board, there isnt anything cool about it.

Get imac, 24inch, buy one more lcd 40inch, and enjoy the movie! dont buy mbp if you just want the extra aluminium cover and the extra graphic card. Though as much as i love mine, if i am given the chance, i would really want a white macbook and an imac 30inch! (if only they offer that). but i cant, because mainly the security in my campus is bad, and i dont really trust the thin door to hold that 7000 for me inside the room.

You got to love macbook for the battery life, at least longer than mbp. the battery for me, is like a backup plan rather than a battery. and mbp is never a laptop, is a desktop replacement.

Depends on your needs, actually. If you want portability, by all means go for a MBP. If you're the kind of person that does his work at home/stationary, then get an iMac ... the choice is yours. Personally, I would go for the MBP becoz i could get portability and computing power at the same time.

totally agree with your statement..
I have a white MB. very happy with it... if i had the extra cash, would buy an iMac too for desktop...
Even my friend complains about his MBP battery life. too short.. he would need to be plugged in slightly after 2 hours.. mine is fine for 4 or more..
of course moderate/heavy usage. constant typing, screen on....

i'm very surpised for the MB to have such long battery life compared to others out there

and petrofsky77: i think he already mentioned he has a macbook.. so the point of Portability is out of the question.

get imac of course since you dy have macbook

I think better choice is buy iMac and keep the MacBook, you don't want to stress your laptop by turning it on 24/7 right? And plus will you do that video editing on the go? Keep the MacBook for portable and buy iMac for hardcore purpose, you'll happy with it.

...and then if you have done something mistake on your video work, you can do a light edit on your MacBook if you are outdoor already.