please reccomend a ser computer

[Gfunk]

i\'m leaning towards mac. i want to learn how to do a lot of photo editing / graphic design artwork etc. maybe someday sound/video editing. where is the best cheapest place to buy online? someone else recommended a refurbished mac straight from the apple store, is that my best bet?

something like this mayhbe?  

Refurbished MacBook 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

13.3-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
2GB (2 x 1GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
250GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 320M graphics processor with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared with main memory    

$849.00

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or


    
Refurbished iMac 21.5-inch 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

21.5-inch LED-backlit glossy widescreen display
4GB memory
500GB hard drive
8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics with 256MB memory
Built-in iSight camera    

$929.00

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I really am a n00b with this so any advice would be much appreciated

[ChrisF]

im no expert but those prices dont look very good for the specs. but #2 is the better buy. #1 only has 2GB of ram and you will want 4GB at the very least if you ever plan on doing anything with video.

i was on bhphotovideo.com earlier and they had the same imac, NEW, for a few $\'s cheaper after rebates. dont know if they have the best deal but thats where i usually buy from if i dont go to ebay. def get the 3 year protection plan because it will probably break.

[Gfunk]

word good advice thanks Fitzy. this may be a stupid / obv question but what are the pros and cons of getting a laptop vs desktop? somone else told me it is kinda weird to want to do graphic design on a lap top
:shrug: <<<<<< pretty clueless

[Spacey]

check out MacMall for Apple computers as well.

[Gfunk]

check out MacMall for Apple computers as well.

word will do thanks :thumbsup:

is apple def the way to go? i\'ve had sony vaio, HP, and Toshiba lenovo recommended as cheaper but comparable alternatives, but i\'ve always heard apples are the best esp for art stuff.

[krispy]

is apple def the way to go?

yes

Unless you need a laptop don\'t get one.the life (even a mac) is much shorter and you will limit yourself.

[Mark]

Don\'t know much about Macs, but if you are getting a PC for all that stuff, don\'t skimp on the RAM, I\'d go 6-8GB.

Performance wise desktop will give you more bang for the buck vs. laptop.

Those don\'t look like good deals to me, but like I said, I\'m not a Mac guy.

[ChrisF]

word good advice thanks Fitzy. this may be a stupid / obv question but what are the pros and cons of getting a laptop vs desktop? somone else told me it is kinda weird to want to do graphic design on a lap top
:shrug: <<<<<< pretty clueless

laptops break easy and they cost more for the same specs as a desktop. and the 13.3 inch screen is pretty small. i have trouble editing video on my 14 inch monitor because when i have all the tools open there is no room left on screen for the video preview. same thing goes for photoshop if you like having all the toolbars on screen all the time.

the 21.5 inch imac desktop is more portable than u think it is. its all one piece and the only wire u would have is the power cable and internet if you dont have wireless.

[Wolfman]

If you\'re serious about graphic design and artwork you need 2 things:

1.  Mac
2.  Large screen

[krispy]

and if your really serious you need one more

3. a second monitor for tool bars

[lilblondie]

I love my Macbook and it can do lots of fancy things. Apple is running a special...by a Mac and get an Itouch