iMac Or Mac Pro, Which Desktop Mac Should You Buy?
The iMac and the Mac Pro - two top quality desktop machines from Apple. Now that Apple have a 24″ iMac in their product line, the gap has started to close between both machines. This article will help you pick which one best suits your computing needs, based on a few deciding factors.
There are a few questions you need to ask yourself which will help make or break your decision on which machine suits you best - so let’s get started choosing you a new Mac.
How long do you normally keep the same computer for?
If you keep the same computer for 4 or more years, the Mac Pro is the obvious choice, as you can take advantage of it’s expandability to extend it’s lifeline.
If you don’t normally stick with computers for too long, go with the iMac. When the latest and greatest Apple consumer Mac comes out, you can sell the iMac and upgrade to a newer one for a very minimal amount due to the resale value Mac’s hold.
When buying a new desktop Mac to use for the next 3-5 years, choosing the iMac limited to a max of 3GB RAM is a poor choice, so go for for the Mac Pro.
Rule Of Thumb: 1-2, years iMac | 2-4 Years, Mac Pro
What kind of work are you doing?
This is one of the main deciding factors in your decision. What kind of work are you going to be using the Mac for? If it’s just email, chatting, and web browsing - stop now. Go out and get the iMac. But if you’re starting to take up a few more things such as graphic or web design, video editing, or photography, you need to think a little harder.
Both machines will suit all of these tasks relatively well. For video editing, if it’s your profession, the Mac Pro is the best machine for you. Down to the faster processor, and the 3TB storage ability.
For the other professions, they don’t require as much power as video, so either machine will work for you, it’s time to consider the other questions to help aid your decision.
Rule Of Thumb: Video Editing, Mac Pro | Other Work, iMac or Mac Pro
Are you likely to spend money on upgrades?
Think of it simply. A Mac Pro is a long term purchase. You will need to be happy with the machine for a very long time. With the iMac, it’s a more short term machine - when it’s too slow, you have to sell it and move on as there are no upgrading options.
Upgrading an old Mac Pro in a few years won’t be as sexy as getting the latest and greatest from Apple. Think about if you’d prefer to upgrade the machine, or buy a new one directly from Apple.
Rule Of Thumb: Yes I will upgrade, Mac Pro | No I won’t upgrade, iMac
Conclusion
What about me, a few months ago I covered this topic on which Mac I should buy. I’ve pretty much decided on purchasing a 24″ iMac once they are shipping with Leopard.
This way I can get a maxed out iMac, sell in 18 months, and buy another maxed out iMac (or consumer Mac equivalent) without any major loss of money. It’s the best way for me to keep up with the latest and greatest technology, at an affordable price.
#1
Smaran → smarandayal.com
You’re confused, aren’t you, Glenn? Last time you came to the conclusion that the Mac Pro was the better way to go.
#2
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
Smaran, after weighing up all the pro’s and cons (as listed above), I’ve come to the iMac conclusion.
#3
Indraneel → indraneel.thepurohits.net
I honestly don’t see a need for a desktop anymore. If I need a big display, MacBook Pro, and if I somehow need one bigger, I could just buy another monitor. Problem solved.
#4
Mike → www.kaosplanet.com
IMHO, desktops are becoming obsolete… a large screen laptop or laptop + external display is definitely the way to go. No syncing needed. Everything you have is in one spot (plus a backup of course)… definitely the way to go
#5
wphj → www.wphj.wordpress.com
I agree Mike, for my needs, a portable makes much more sense.
#6
Sastry1-2 years? I’ve kept my PowerBook G4 15″ (alu) for almost 4, and I fall into the “web browsing, casual gaming, word processing” category. I think you’re being a little conservative about how long the iMac will last.
#7
SastryAlso, does anyone know if there’s any word on the next release of new iMacs/Mac Pros?
#8
Ryan → appleication.com
Sorry to be anal but can you correct the spelling of the “Conclusion” heading.
For your iMac 24″ I would advise a VESA arm, I am about to buy one for my 30″ I have been looking around and they are really great bits of kit for large monitors. I saw somewhere recently that sold pearl white ones so they would fit perfectly with the iMac.
#9
MacFreak → macfreak.wordpress.com
Yeah, I’m totally a laptop guy. I’m on my couch upstairs writing this.
#10
Pierre Lourens → honestchaos.com
I’m a laptop guy, but that’s my personal preference. It’s like I desktop when I hook it up at the desk, but I still have the freedom of a laptop. As far as the Mac Pro vs. iMac, this is what works for most people (imo):
Typical Consumer = iMac
Professional = Mac Pro
and don’t think you’re a professional because you’re a geek :-P. Some exceptions, of course.
#11
Ryan Ponce → www.ryanponce.com
I think that the iMac would work great for me, however I don’t really need the 24″ screen because I already have an Apple Cinema Display. I’m pretty sorry that I chose the MacBook instead of the iMac because I thought I would use it more in the area of portability but I don’t and I’m running out of hard disk space.
#12
alej744Uhm, for some people, a Mac Pro is just out of the question. I think in about 1 year I should get a 17-inch or 20-inch iMac. 2GB of RAM is more than enough for me.
#13
alej744Oh and btw, I hate portables. I’ve been a desktop user for a long time and don’t think I’ll ever change.
#14
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
I tend to agree with many of you on the portable front, which is why I have my MacBook in addition to an iMac. It’s the perfect machine to use for web browsing, email, and writing when I don’t want to be attached to the desk.
#15
Matt Brett → mattbrett.com
It really is a tough call with Apple having such a great line of products.
When it was time for me to get a new machine, I bounced back and fourth between the 24″ iMac and a MacBook Pro (with external display for working, etc.) for ages. For me, a big issue is actually removing myself from work. And I figured if I had a portable computer, I’d drag it around with me everywhere I go. Like a few have mentioned above as they’re posting from their couches. That would be no good for me at all.
I also considered the Mac Pro, but having been a PC guy for 10+ years and used to regularly cracking the case to make adjustments, replace parts, etc. - the idea of having a closed computer that I couldn’t really tinker with was massively appealing. So, I ended up with the 24″ iMac and I love the beast.
#16
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
I couldn’t agree more Matt. The “closed computer” idea is very nice, when you want to upgrade, it’s simple. You buy a new machine.
#17
Andre → winnopeg.com
Buy a new machine isn’t always so convienient. I’m typically strapped for cash, and it took me a few years to save up for the 15″ 1.83GHz MacBook Pro I’m typing on now. When I got it I figured I’d have it for at least four years, but it turns one this month and it’s already rather obsoleet. It desperatly needs more RAM, and the 1.83GHz part of it already falls into the “low end” category of computers, even though I payed $2300 CDN for the beast. What’s it going to be like in two years? Three years?
If I could do things over, I wouldn’t have bought it. At the time I thought having a laptop would be great, but I’ve found out that I rarely actually take it anywhere. And if I do I don’t have internet access, which makes it nothing more than a 5lb paperweight. I also chose the MacBook Pro for the graphics card, but I’ve found I’ve only run two applications on it that needed it; Call of Duty 2 and Disco. Nowhere near enough to justify the extra $1300 price tag. No, if I could do things over I’d have gotten the higher end Mac Mini and a 23″ Apple Cinema Display. It would have done the exact same things as this machine, but with a larger display for a lower price. Plus, as the time comes you can just upgrade the computer for about $800 CDN, compared to the thousands you would pay to upgrade an iMac or a MacBook Pro because of their displays / mobility. I may fall into the category of iMac as far as your article is concerned, but even that is a bit overblown for me.
[/rant] (it removes anything that looks like HTML, dammit)
#18
Tiger!Reading through all these comments I think it is safe to assume that no matter what the ‘rule of thumb’ is when buying a mac, or indeed any computer for that matter it is really going to come down to the end user. I think the comments that ‘desktop computers are becoming obsolete’ are fairly inane. Computer choice is wholly subjective thus there can never be a general rule of thumb.
I think the big downside to imacs is the fact that when you want a faster computer you have to waste a perfectly good screen. To me thats a great waste.
Having enjoyed 2 generations of powerbooks/macbooks, iMacs and Powermacs/MacPros I can honestly say if I had to choose just one it’d be the Powermac with a big display (30″ which I don’t know I ever survived without). Second choice would then be a 15″ MBP + 30″ display and lastly an iMacs.
#19
johnyDo you think, 2-3GB of ram wont enough for few years?
I’m going to buy a MacBook with 2 gigs of ram, and I want to use It for webdeveloping for next three years…
This will be my first mac, so I don’t is this a good way.
Oh, and sorry for my english.
#20
Mackie → macintalk.com
The problem with the Mac Pro is that it’s so damn expensive. Even the base model costs $2000, and of course, you’d need a monitor with that ($1000) plus extra RAM, and a backup drive, which will drive you up to the $3500 range very quickly.
A MacBook or Mac mini is obviously out of the question here.
The iMac is not a bad machine, but doesn’t it make more sense to get a MacBook Pro and an external display? Same (or better) specs, greater flexibility. Sure it costs more, but all laptops do.
#21
roy → royandjodi.blogspot.com
I just got the imac 24″ are u all saying that i would need a new in two years? I dont do ram hogging things
#22
John R GarlandThis is a very good site, my thoughts. Am 63 years old and retired in the Ozarks of MO. Glad own two Macs. 1999 G4 which I have upgraded far as she will go. And a 2000 clam shell laptop. Use DSL and they are both adequate for our uses. Web surfing and email. Everyone I know who has PC’s are always having troubles.Being on a tight budget as a retiree, don’t see us buying anything new for quite awhile. If and when we do have the money we like the 24 inch model.Thanks for the site. John R
#23
Jeff FaubelTimely discussion. I am torn between ecomnomics of a maxed out 24″ iMac and deep plunge for a quad 2.6 Mac Pro with the Apple cinema display. I’ve been shooting a lot of RAW recently and need to standardize on workflow/storage. Als have a 30 GB iTunes library, and am wondering how efficiently it will run off a firewire drive. It’s a bloatd pig on my current end of life G4.
iMac with cash left over for a nikon lens or 2nd mortgage for a Mac Pro?
Appreciate the feedback.
#24
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
They are two very different machines which suit two different tasks. Want a Mac which will last you years and years? Get a Mac Pro. Want something which will be amazing for the next 2 years? Get either, the iMac or the Mac Pro.
Overall, for value, the iMac looks great, but remember after a few years you’ll be left with a perfect screen which you’ll have to get rid of because the internal elements won’t cut high end work..
We also have a more recent iMac vs Mac Pro post here.
#25
Mike → www.lookatbowen.com
So here I am, a thirty something having spent the last 15 years using Windows OS, working in a Windows OS environment and fixing, installing, building Windows system & saying that “Mac is Crap”, just because I didn’t know any better.
I’ve had my last Intel P4 2.6Ghz, 2.5GB RAM for about 3 years, and I just installed Vista Ultimate on it. It runs like a dog, prompts me everytime I want to install something :-( and has required me to re-install 3 years worth of applications, which I haven’t even come close to finishing. I am tired of Windows and all it’s flaws. I need a change.
I spend +- 4 hours a day surfing the internet, blogging, downloading films, music, photos, editing photos, building websites, msn’ing, socializing etc. I have a top of the range 17″ laptop for ???? (god knows what), since I only rarely use it when I am in bed, or if I want to quickly check email, without having to start my desktop up. It was a waste of money… but hey!
I am into Digital Media in a big way. I have a 1TB NAS drive that holds all the video and audio. I have a XBOX360 in the lounge for gaming and video streaming, and would like to have it all hooked up and working together.
How does the Mac do streaming, networking etc? (Can it do it)?
I hear / read you can install Windows XP / Vista on the Mac - How does this work, and if I were to do that, which system would be better equipped? iMac or Mac Pro?
So finally, which one to go for?
#26
Stacie MulsoI am a designer that works at a University. The volume of work that I do is quite large in a given year. I am on a 3 year rotation in getting a new system - currently I have a G5. The computer services area is urging the Intel Imac because they feel the Mac Pro is way more than what I need. I would tend to disagree. It is nothing for me to have a 100m photo to have to manipulate and some of the jobs I produce are 2g files by the time I am done. Bottom line, what can I say to convince them that the Mac Pro is the way to go and discourage the Imac? Thank you.