Apple Computer Performance: iMac Intel 3.06GHz 24 Inch vs Mac Pro 8-core 2.8GHz vs MacBook Pro 2.5GHz IC2D 17 Inch - Part Two - Performance, Reviews - Information
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Question:
Hi guys
Just found your awesome site. Been using macs for about 5yrs. Started on i-book, then moved up to my current machine a G4 Powerbook 15inch 1.67ghz with 2gb ram. Its starting to struggle with aperture 2 and cs4....should it be?
So been looking around at the following options.
IMac 24inch 3.06GHZ 2GB 500GB
MAC PRO 2.8GHZ 8Core 2x1Gb 320gb 2600xt
MacBook Pro 17inch 2.5Ghz 4gb 320gb
I use final cut pro and aperture 2 and CS4. However I intend to get Final Cut Studio2 which my G4 isn't capable of running.
I'm assuming Applecare is a must, or are there any other more cost effective solutions worth considering?
They're all coming in withing a few hundred pounds of each other new on end of line deals.
Will have to consider the following..... If I go for MacBook Pro the applecare on top is a lot more.
...If I go for the Mac Pro the cost of a monitor and keyboard/mouse will add, although I don't necessarily need to buy an apple monitor.
The other factor is portability. I have always opted for this option over the desktop models, but I'm open to either, as could use a desktop at home, and still be mobile with my G4 Powerbook if I need to.
Would love to see a comparison of these models, and even alongside my G4 to get a realistic view of what I'm missing out on. Any tips or advice appreciated.
iMac 3.06GHz IC2D 24 Inch - Z0FH
* April, 2008 Model
*
Original Price: $2,199
* 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
* 2 GB memory
* 500 GB hard drive
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics
* 8x SuperDrive More Specs
Mac Pro 8-core 2.8GHz - MA970LL/A
* January 2008 Model
*
Original Price: $2,799
* 8-core: Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 5400
* 2 GB memory
* 320 GB hard drive
* ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
* 8x SuperDrive More Specs
MacBook Pro 2.5GHz IC2D 17 Inch - MB766LL/A
* October 2008 Model
*
Original Price: $2,799
* 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU
* 4 GB memory
* 320 GB hard drive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics
* 8x SuperDrive More Specs
iMac 1.83GHz ICD 17 Inch - MA199LL/A
* January 2006 Model
*
Original Price: $1,299
* 1.83GHzz Intel Core Duo CPU
* 2 GB memory
* 160 GB hard drive
* ATI Radeon X1600
* 8x SuperDrive More Specs
17 Inch Macbook Pro 2.5 GHz - MB766LL/A - Originally $2,799
* 2.5GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 4GB memory
* 320GB hard drive
* Double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT with 512MB
* Date Announced 8/14/08 More Specs User Reviews at Amazon
PowerMax Older 17 Inch
MacBook Pro Prices Ranging From ... $2,099 to $2,599... Closeout & OpenBox
MacBook Pro Prices Ranging From ... $1,399 to $1,599 ... Used Older Apple 17 Inch Laptops Ranging From ... $879 to $1,209
Compared to iMac Core Duo 1.83 GHz
Processor ... 94% Faster
Graphics ..... 131% Faster
Hard Drive ... 52% Faster
Game .......... NA
Application ... 113% Faster
About the Tests
This Section Updated: Monday, April 13, 2009
24 Inch iMac 3.06GHz - Z0FH - Originally $2,199
* 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB memory
* 500GB hard drive
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory Configurable options
Refurbished & Used Apple
Tower Computers At Amazon As Low As $279
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Basic Stats
Mac Pro - MA970LL/A
Two 2.8GHz Quad-Core Xeon 5400 series
12MB of L2 cache per processor
1.6GHz, 64-bit dual independent buses
2GB memory - 800MHz DDR2
Max Memory - 32GB
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
256MB Graphics Memory
320GB Hard Drive 7200 rpm
Max HD capacity - 4TB
16x SuperDrive
(DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Two independent 10/100/1000BASE-T
Two FireWire 800 ports
Two FireWire 400 ports
Five USB 2.0 ports
Three full-length PCI Express slots
Released 1/8/08 More Stats ... Configurable options at Apple User Reviews at Amazon
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