Help with 3.2 Ghz 21.5 iMac vs. entry level 15 inch Macbook Pro

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Level 1

8 points

Help with 3.2 Ghz 21.5 iMac vs. entry level 15 inch Macbook Pro

I'm in the market for a new Mac, and I've narrowed my choices down to the 21.5 inch iMac with the ATI Radeon HD 5670 with 512MB, or the entry level 15 inch Macbook Pro with the Intel HD Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M with 256 MB. I'm going to be doing general things on it like web browsing and using MS office, but I'm also going to be using design programs like Photoshop and Illustrator. I'm basically wondering which computer and more specifically which graphics card will be the better choice? Portability for me is a bonus, but a not requirement. Can someone steer me in the right direction? Thanks!

iMac G5 Power PC

Posted on Oct 26, 2010 3:05 PM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

92,998 points

Oct 26, 2010 3:29 PM in response to duffmanth

Hello duffmanth

Welcome to Apple Support Communities

If you need portability, then go with the MacBook Pro.

If not then go for the iMac, you get better graphics, larger Display, a larger HD and way more bang for your buck.

Dennis

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Answer 2

duffmanth Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 26, 2010 3:47 PM in response to den.thed

Hi Dennis, thanks for the response. Yeah while portability is always a nice thing, it's not a necessity for me. I'm leaning towards the iMac more and more, it's much more value than the Macbook Pro. This leads me to a question I should've asked before, is the ATI Radeon HD 5670 a huge step up from the HD 4670, or just a bit of a step up? From my perspective, I'm guessing the 3.2 ghz iMac is well worth the extra $300 over the lower model?

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Answer 3

duffmanth Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 26, 2010 3:48 PM in response to den.thed

Hi Dennis, thanks for the response. Yeah while portability is always a nice thing, it's not a necessity for me. I'm leaning towards the iMac more and more, it's much more value than the Macbook Pro. This leads me to a question I should've asked before, is the ATI Radeon HD 5670 a huge step up from the HD 4670, or just a bit of a step up? From my perspective, I'm guessing the 3.2 ghz iMac is well worth the extra $300 over the lower model?

Reply