This weekend I'm hoping to upgrade in the computer life cycle at last, the laptop I have niow is about 2-3 years old, and when I bought it the man said I'd be lucky if I'd be able to run The Sims 2. This didn't bother me as much back then because all I really wanted was the internet, but now with the rise of Steam I'm missing the games. So I'm going to go and buy either an iMac or a Macbook, In the future I do hope to own both an iMac and a Macbook, but due to money issues and I can't afford both. So which one do I get? 
To help narrow it down I will be using it for games and internet and basic media management (Music/Films on my iPhone) and I may attempt some photoshop. I'm will be going on a financhal plan which would be £47 a month for the Macbook or £100-£120 for the iMac as I hope to get the 27inch model. Although I may end up getting the 21inch, depending on my mood. I have had a laptop for two years, it has never left my house apart from once, I don't really have any oppterunitys to use its portablity outside of bringing it downstairs, and my laptop is big and heavy.  
What do you think, do you have either of theese? 
 
Also does a Mac play WOW, cause I would love to play that!

Dude, it all depends on whether you want a laptop or desktop. Both are fine products, it all depends on what you want.

if you are using it for games, get a windows machine. Macs are bad for gaming, even with emulation and steam. The drivers just aren't there.

always go with a desktop too, if you are taking it with you then I would say laptop, but since you said you never take it out of the house then what is the point?

Well, I would go for the 27 imac if you feel like you are not going to take the laptop out, although it is good to have the possibility. I have a 13 inch macbook pro and love it, fantstic laptop, good size, light.

What you have said kinda leans more to a imac.

if you are using it for games, get a windows machine. Macs are bad for gaming, even with emulation and steam. The drivers just aren't there.

always go with a desktop too, if you are taking it with you then I would say laptop, but since you said you never take it out of the house then what is the point?

Why are you dead set on a Mac? Any particular reason?

Don't give apple money. It feeds the cancer that is Steve Jobs. 

All I can tell you is if you go iMac get the 27" over 21". Personally I´d get the iMac because I don´t have a need to carry my computer around. Especially since I have an iPad

It really just depends on whether you want a laptop or a desktop. You can always use Bootcamp later on if you want to run other PC games.

And yes, WoW is also available for Mac.

I always wondered why people think so highly of Macs. I mean, they're pretty damn expensive, and in exchange they are... pretty.

I always wondered why people think so highly of Macs. I mean, they're pretty damn expensive, and in exchange they are... pretty.

Buy a PC.

@NekuSakuraba said:

Buy a PC.

Why do feel like I've seen you write this before?

Seems like a waste of money for your needs. I own both macbook and imac. I use my macbook for day to day stuff like surfing the web and banking and I use my 27" i7 imac for video and sound production. I have to use final cut studio and logic for work which are mac programs. I use my ps3 and 360 for gaming because leisure time is living room. If you are using it for gaming and photoshop...you should just buy a cheap $500 PC.

Unless you are some sort of brand whore.

MacBook Pro or iMac. Since you are using any pro-apps (photoshop) i'd go with either of the two. A PC is a viable option as well. 
 
And Yes you can play WoW with a Mac.

@Claude said:

@NekuSakuraba said:

Buy a PC.

Why do feel like I've seen you write this before?

:D

Either way you will want to use Windows for games so use boot camp so you can dual boot.
 
OS X is terrible for games compared to Windows. You get like half the FPS you would in Windows.
 
One example is I can run StarCraft II super smooth on a mix of medium and high settings at 1280x800 on my MacBook when in Windows. When in OS X running the same game I can barely run it on low/medium.
 
Also I find OS X has weird mouse acceleration in Source games but I didn't spend much time changing the settings!
 
Edit: By the way the new MacBook Air and MacBooks are out soon (this month I bet, as soon as Lion releases) so don't go out and get one yet. They will be getting a considerable upgrade. (Sandy Bridge is pretty much guaranteed)

Don't worry too much about the naysayers, the majority have never owned a Mac.

The choice is entirely based on how portable you want really; but a few points to help you mac your decision:

• The latest iMacs (only a couple of months old) are pretty damn fast. The sandy bridge i5/i7s are really speedy, and with the OS optimised for them, it'll probably be quicker than anything you've seen. Games run pretty well too, Source games, WoW, Starcraft, etc.
• MacBooks are due for a refresh soon (with sandy bridge CPUs I assume) - they're not as powerful as the iMacs and generally have poorer graphics cards (unless you go for the more expensive models with the dual cards).

Seeing as you say you won't use it as a portable device very much, and you have a smartphone, I'd go with the iMac - you get a powerful computer with a great screen at a pretty decent price.

Don't worry too much about the naysayers, the majority have never owned a Mac.

The choice is entirely based on how portable you want really; but a few points to help you mac your decision:

• The latest iMacs (only a couple of months old) are pretty damn fast. The sandy bridge i5/i7s are really speedy, and with the OS optimised for them, it'll probably be quicker than anything you've seen. Games run pretty well too, Source games, WoW, Starcraft, etc.
• MacBooks are due for a refresh soon (with sandy bridge CPUs I assume) - they're not as powerful as the iMacs and generally have poorer graphics cards (unless you go for the more expensive models with the dual cards).

Seeing as you say you won't use it as a portable device very much, and you have a smartphone, I'd go with the iMac - you get a powerful computer with a great screen at a pretty decent price.

I don't hate Macs by any stretch - they do what they do very well...it's just that you pay a premium for what they do, and what they do isn't really all that cost effective if you want something to dick around and play games with.

Mac fans gets very defensive when you say that, but the fact is you can buy a PC that will run games far better for a fraction of the cost of any of the Mac variants....so why do you want a Mac?

I don't hate Macs by any stretch - they do what they do very well...it's just that you pay a premium for what they do, and what they do isn't really all that cost effective if you want something to dick around and play games with. Mac fans gets very defensive when you say that, but the fact is you can buy a PC that will run games far better for a fraction of the cost of any of the Mac variants....so why do you want a Mac?

I like iMacs, they look cooler than Macbooks.

Also this is a worthless answer, all depends on what you need.

I had the same problem and went with a laptop. I don't regret it, but I also didn't pay for a Macbook, but a PC. I don't have the money to pay a premium on... idk, something I obviously don't care enough about to acknowledge.

I use a Macbook Pro with a dual boot to Windows 7. A word of advice, get the warranty, my battery was bad and they are damn expensive.

You're also paying a huge Apple "tax." If you're OK with that, then enjoy your computer.

@Hizang said:

This weekend I'm hoping to upgrade in the computer life cycle at last, the laptop I have niow is about 2-3 years old, and when I bought it the man said I'd be lucky if I'd be able to run The Sims 2. This didn't bother me as much back then because all I really wanted was the internet, but now with the rise of Steam I'm missing the games. So I'm going to go and buy either an iMac or a Macbook, In the future I do hope to own both an iMac and a Macbook, but due to money issues and I can't afford both. So which one do I get?
To help narrow it down I will be using it for games and internet and basic media management (Music/Films on my iPhone) and I may attempt some photoshop. I'm will be going on a financhal plan which would be £47 a month for the Macbook or £100-£120 for the iMac as I hope to get the 27inch model. Although I may end up getting the 21inch, depending on my mood. I have had a laptop for two years, it has never left my house apart from once, I don't really have any oppterunitys to use its portablity outside of bringing it downstairs, and my laptop is big and heavy.
What do you think, do you have either of theese?

Also does a Mac play WOW, cause I would love to play that!

As someone who went to art school, I know how the pull of a Mac can be. Nice exterior design, nice walled garden approach to software, but don't do it. Don't buy a mac.

There is literally no reason to buy a Mac in today's world. They use the EXACT same hardware as a PC, they run the EXACT same production apps (save a few) and a PC is about 2/3s cheaper than a Mac.

There is 1, and only 1 reason to own a Mac, and that is for Audio editing. Because the MacOS is based on a version of Linux, it allows programs to have direct access to the processor and RAM, which allows for a higher bitrate when encoding music. Otherwise, Mac is at a severe disadvantage in just sheer number of software titles that run on the machine.

Do yourself a favor. Buy a PC. Save yourself a grand and invest it in buying a bunch of games, or buying a camera. You can still play with the people who own macs.

I went a bit of a different route....I built myself a desktop gaming PC and also bought a 13" macbook pro around the same time last year. Both great investments, and I use the macbook way more. It's a great machine, albeit expensive, and I'm totally in love with OS X.

@Tim_the_Corsair said:

I don't hate Macs by any stretch - they do what they do very well...it's just that you pay a premium for what they do, and what they do isn't really all that cost effective if you want something to dick around and play games with. Mac fans gets very defensive when you say that, but the fact is you can buy a PC that will run games far better for a fraction of the cost of any of the Mac variants....so why do you want a Mac?

I think that they think that people think more highly of them if they get a one. Either that or they've had terrible experiences with some PCs in the past.

playing games with your macbook (pro) will set your knees on fire. Those things heat up real quickly

I'm currently sporting a MacBook and iPhone4. They are both great products, in a vacuum. I love the form factor of the MacBook. As far as laptops go, it's the best one I've ever owned. Having said that, if I were you, I'd stay as far away from Apple as you can and just get a PC. Everything that Apple does is about locking you into their products for life. OSX is no Xanadu of operating systems. I have many more frustrations with it than I do with Windows. It works good and does what you need most of the time, but if you need to get into the nether regions of your OS, it can be very irritating. Plus some of the software I use for development is just frustrating with a Mac. A PC is cheaper and you can do so much more with it. When I get around to it, I'm just going to install Windows on my MacBook as I really do like the hardware.

How about an actual computer?

I have the 27" iMac and for gaming I recommend the 21" model as it will be easier on the graphics card to play games at the monitor resolution. Both the MacBook Pro or iMac are fine gaming machines and both can run WoW flawlessly.

probably the best option - get a windows PC 
next best is macbook. 
 
I'm not a fan of IMacs.  They are too difficult to repair when they break... and they break.

Get. A. PC. I have owned an Imac and for anything other then maybe video editing (which is kind of botched now because final cut X) but anything beside that you will get FAR better performance from a PC that cost less.

Get a Mac Mini and a gaming PC...and a KVM switch.

Seriously, if you are playing games, a Mac will not be good enough. It also sounds like you don't need it to be portable so get a desktop.

Also does a Mac play WOW, cause I would love to play that!

I've decided on an iMac, I think I'll be getting the 27 inch version.

Are you a student? 
Then get the macbook. 
If not, you decide :D

If you're concerned about playing games, you shouldn't even think about getting a Mac. Unless you work on media a lot, there aren't too many reasons to throw out the massive cash required for an iMac.

if you are using it for games, get a windows machine. Macs are bad for gaming, even with emulation and steam. The drivers just aren't there.

always go with a desktop too, if you are taking it with you then I would say laptop, but since you said you never take it out of the house then what is the point?

It's kinda tough, Mac OSX Lion has mainly been crafted for Macbooks because they're the most popular. Things like multitouch gestures etc. will work better on the laptop. The only real reason you'll want a 27" is for PS etc. otherwise with playing games and the lot, the resolution will be a burden.  
 
Also, don't listen to people who say to get a PC. Obviously they don't get that Macs aren't "You pay a premium" and are actually "You get what you pay for". Apple support is incredible! And the hardware you are getting is reliable and actually pleasant to look at. Also, Mac OSX takes advantage of it's hardware. Put a Macbook next to a PC Laptop with the same specs and the Macbook will perform tasks a lot faster.  
 
Also there is Boot Camp for your Windows needs.

My set-up is a little odd at the moment. I have a 5 year old iMac that I use primarily for uni, internet and media. On the other hand I have a high-end Asus gaming laptop that I use almost exclusively for gaming. I would recommend running an OSX and Windows machine concurrently. Next time I upgrade I will be getting a Mac Book and a gaming desktop though, as being able to upgrade my gaming machine would be nice. 

Whatever you buy, just make sure it's not due for a refresh, like the MacBook is. MacBook Pro on the other hand is about halfway through it's usual update cycle, and the iMac's were just updated.

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

I, personally, would go for the MacBook Pro. The things are great to carry around and use anywhere like on the couch or in bed. You'd be sacrificing some power for portability but if the games you want to run aren't super resource intensive you should be fine. And you can always hook it up to an external monitor if you need to.

EDIT: And I will echo what @Tim_the_Corsair said.

Get a PC you'll always get more for your money.
My $700 PC laptop has equivilant hardware as the 17" macbook pro.  
This picture proves how overpriced apple hardware is.

http://www.randompics.net/wp-content/main/2010_08/1282847851602.jpg
i dont care if their supports better or what ever you say, i get fine support with my computer and im able to do more than you can with a mac.
Typing this while i get annoyed at our schools mac computers.

@Hizang: @TheBeast: You get Blizzard products and Source games... everything else like 80% of tittles even steam ones doesn't run on MAC (or run poorly).. why limit yourself?

I work in Macs at the office they fine machines but I strongly prefer PC for Gaming - Mods - Tittles - Drivers - Cards - Upgredability even price is better for a Windows based Gaming machine.

I say iMac. I've had my iMac for six years with zero problems.

@ShaunassNZ said:

@Stonyman65 said:

if you are using it for games, get a windows machine. Macs are bad for gaming, even with emulation and steam. The drivers just aren't there.

always go with a desktop too, if you are taking it with you then I would say laptop, but since you said you never take it out of the house then what is the point?

Yo Boot Camp

Yo Boot Camp doesn't work.

well, technically, it does, but it is laggy, and not the experience you want for playing games.

and all of the people defending Macs... Linux dude, Linux. It can do the same thing and it is FREE. After all, OSX is just Unix with a shell over it..

@ShaunassNZ said:

@Stonyman65 said:

if you are using it for games, get a windows machine. Macs are bad for gaming, even with emulation and steam. The drivers just aren't there.

always go with a desktop too, if you are taking it with you then I would say laptop, but since you said you never take it out of the house then what is the point?

Yo Boot Camp

Yo Boot Camp doesn't work.

well, technically, it does, but it is laggy, and not the experience you want for playing games.

and all of the people defending Macs... Linux dude, Linux. It can do the same thing and it is FREE. After all, OSX is just Unix with a shell over it..

and all of the people defending Macs... Linux dude, Linux. It can do the same thing and it is FREE. After all, OSX is just Unix with a shell over it..