Recommendations - iMAC or MacBook Pro

Can someone enlighten me - from a development standpoint which would be more beneficial - the iMac or Macbook Pro? Im looking to purchase a Mac in the upcoming months. I have a PIA Windows box that just loves to break down on me. LOL my wife has a Macbook which she loves - but I dont think that the Macbook has the power that I would need/demand. A buddy of mine said I should go with a Macbook Pro since it has more power than an iMac.

Agree or disagree? Input would be appreciated.

I am planning to utilize this Mac for web development and etc. and of course personal stuff.

If you need to take the machine with you and be productive when you’re away from your main desk, then a MacBook Pro 15 with spaces (virtual screens built into OS X) is a great machine. If you’re really not going to be working offsite, or could borrow the wife’s macbook occasionally, then definitely get a 24" iMac.

There is enough power for both. Just make sure you have at least 4G of RAM(just for Photoshop).
I have the MacBookPro(15inch) at home and the iMac(24 inch) at work.

Because of the bigger screen the iMac is more productive. If you have an extra display you could connect it to your MBpro.

I recently got a 13" Macbook Pro and it is definitely a sweet little machine. It’s got more than enough power for what I need to use it for.

I would agree with Ryan though, it really does depend on what your anticipated usage for it will be - I’ve always used the Macbooks (had a 13" white Macbook which worked great until I dropped it one day ), I just like to have the option of being mobile if I need to be.

yes, that is what Im kinda thinking - getting a laptop would just seem feasible - but the iMac are cheaper in a way. And yes, I plan on putting photoshop on it as well. So thanks folks for your input - I guess I can let my kids break the Windows machines while I play with the Mac.

I’m perfectly happy with my old 14" iBook, although I’m even happier with an additional screen. I plan to upgrade myself to a MacBook Air and a 24" monitor in a year or so. Unless somebody else comes up with a really nice light notebook like the Asus Seashell. The small size would be great for me when on the road (or more likely reading in bed), while an extra 24" monitor will make development easy.

However, a friend on my advice got himself a high-powered 17" MacBook Pro to replace his elderly 15" PowerBook, and is quite happy with it. He’s a persnickety type; only the best is good enough for him. Although he doesn’t do anything with it yet, he’s an artist and has Big Plans.

I love the freedom of my MacBook. The only time I’ve wished for something different was when I was doing some trade show graphics.

So what would the minimum recommendation be for the Pro to do the dev work for Modx and Adobe Photoshop/etc. (Im familiar with Windows - but from your experiences - what about Macs) aka Video card wise - 256? or 512.

Definitely will go with 4 gig of ram, and aiming for 500 gig HD. (Going to also buy an external hard drive for it as well.)

For now, either will work. For the future, more RAM on the video card should take advantage of Snow Leopard when it comes out for GPU acceleration.

I’m still boggling over a group of webfiends who are MAC PEOPLE... omg. Heaven.

okay, I just killed my 17’ G5 imac, but it served me VERY well for over 4 years and I adored it. I did a lot of intensive graphics work with it and as far as power, it was awesome, even handling large, humungous trade show graphics files well. So on power you’re fine with an imac. The newer ones are great.

however, that said, I am also mac shopping and I’m seriously considering the MacBook because I want to work mobile. The flip side of it is I may never do anything else. There -is- an advantage to having it plugged into a wall.