My 2 cents is that the FW800 would be the decision maker for me. This is the future for audio, especially for remote work. Our local mac expert here whom I've been dealing with since '89 (he's a PhD in computer science and trains other Apple techs) has indicated that with the macs, for real number crunching tasks such as graphics and complex audio work, 2 to 3 tenths of a ghz (.2 or .3) can make a significant difference (all other things being equal of course). For ordinary computing tasks, one would probably not even notice. The point is that the difference in the 2 systems you're considering is not minor. From what I can see, the MBP is clearly the better choice for you.

FWIW, I have a year old G5, 2.0 ghz imac which I absolutely love (its my everyday computer – not studio work). Occasionally when things are pushed, the fan noise can get significant. 95% of the time its just a whisper though.

drbam

My take is also that 1.83 to 2.16 (or whatever) is not insignificant.

Also the iMac is designed to not be a partcularly professional machine. Not that it can't also do pro work, but it's designed as sort of an everymean's Edsel home computer. I might be biased. I had an earlier model iMacDv. It was just simply not pro and not designed for expandability.

I know we're really talking different animals here . . .

Are you missing something? FW800 is important in a computer that has no internal expansion. I would also check the system bus speed...

Re: the test....192 reverbs. They did it wrong. They should know that Logic doesn't activate them until they send audio through them, and impulse verbs vary CPU usage depending on the length of the tail/impulse.

the intel bases macs are faster than the older macs anyway, besides the fact that the processor speed is higher. the MBP will be a faster machine and will be more expandable as well. rather than buy me dinner, use the money for the MBP and I'll get your dinner

system bus is the same, the laptop has a slightly higher speed processor available...

otherwise....

good luck, Doug!

you could always trade it up later - the Macs tend to keep their value a while longer than PCs from what Ive seen...

"Are you missing something? FW800 is important in a computer that has no internal expansion."

When I ordered the MacBookPro, it was only available with FW400. Just after I ordered it, they announced they were putting FW800 back on it. I believe the one I have coming will have 800, but the iMac wouldn't. So this should be a big area of concern, I take it. Isn't FW800 relatively new? I'll use an external FW drive for sample libraries and also for backup.

"Re: the test....192 reverbs. They did it wrong. They should know that Logic doesn't activate them until they send audio through them, and impulse verbs vary CPU usage depending on the length of the tail/impulse."

I'd assume they knew that--I even know it, just based on what I've read. Maybe they mentioned it and it got edited for brevity, or maybe they're just idiots. They didn't sound like idiots but who knows?

"the laptop has a slightly higher speed processor available..."

Not higher than 2.16 that I know of, Tube.

And by the way, you'll probably try to buy me dinner whichever I choose, Blue.

By the way, what do you guys mean the MBP is 'more expandable' than the iMac? I know I'm a newb regarding computers, but I don't see how. If anything, the iMac has more USB and FW connectors built in. You can't put more than 2 megs of RAM in either one. You can't put an extra drive in the MBP--I don't know about the iMac, but that's what the connectors are for, right?

quote:

the intel bases macs are faster than the older macs anyway, besides the fact that the processor speed is higher.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, you know I'm talking about an Intel iMac, right?

My understanding is that some of the bugs are still being worked out for FW800, but I'd still prepare to move in that direction. Its only a matter of time before whatever remaining stability issues are resolved.

Neither the MPB or the imac would be considered "expandable" in the true sense of the word. Other than ram, everything else is going to connected via USB and FW.

drbam

That's what I thought too, drbam.

Here's the Intel iMac with specs--I'd be getting the 17", which has the 1.83ghz dual processors.

http://www.apple.com/imac/

And complete specs here:

http://www.apple.com/imac/whatsinside.html

kid - I know why they're bloated. And sometimes I use the extra bloat. I wouldn't want to take the bloat away from others. I just wish there were a way to make it more bloat specific. One persons bloat is another persons float. I know that.

Or you could have a streamlined DP for those who don't expect ever to write for films (probably the majority of users). Then you could buy the add on Film Composers Suite that plugs in like a module.

Someone told me that some company tried something like this and it was a disaster. But that was then. This is now.