Time for an upgrade! Laptop or desktop?

[super_plus]

As much as I don't want to admit it, my first generation Intel Macbook Pro is starting to show its age. As I go further into exclusively editing HD content the 2gb RAM limitation is starting to bog down my workflow.

So I think it's about to time to upgrade... only I'm not sure which way to go this time.

I'm torn between a 27" i7 Imac or the new 17" I7 Macbook Pro.

I know the Imac is decent bit faster than the MBP but I like the luxury of moving around but I could also save a few hundred bucks and use my old MBP if I need to work on the go...

I use a 30" Apple Cinema display connected my MBP currently, which I could sell and put towards the Imac. That would make the Imac the best value but still after having a laptop for so long I'm not sold on the desktop idea.

So with all that being said, what would you do if you were me? My instincts tell me to go with the MBP again but my responsible side tells me save a lot of money by selling my Cinema Display and go with the Imac.

Your thoughts are appreciated...

 

[Gary Huff]

I'd go with the Macbook Pro...you never know when you'll need to just get away or take a long vacation and want to edit your projects.

They're all so sealed up anyway that upgrading is a pain for both, so why not go with something portable? And since you have the 30" Cinema display, you can always hook your Macbook up with a wireless keyboard and mouse and make it essentially a desktop anyway, right?

 

[super_plus]

I'd go with the Macbook Pro...you never know when you'll need to just get away or take a long vacation and want to edit your projects.

They're all so sealed up anyway that upgrading is a pain for both, so why not go with something portable? And since you have the 30" Cinema display, you can always hook your Macbook up with a wireless keyboard and mouse and make it essentially a desktop anyway, right?

You're right. Maybe I'm just sentimental and don't want to see my old MBP not being used.... I never thought I'd get attached to a computer.

 

[Cassius]

If I could I'd invest in a really high end laptop that can be hooked in to speakers, monitor, RAID and interface to make it work right. But I don't because I can get a desktop that ridiculously overpowers that laptop for the same price, and a big boost in cooling power, which I'm more comfortable with during long renders. My setup is to have a desktop editing system and a cheap laptop for casual use. It would be nice to be able to edit on site, but budget is the most important factor for me. At least until moving I'll never make enough editing on site to pay for the setup.