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jakobhuff
09-20-2007, 12:29 AM
So I am going into my 2 year 3d course and I am looking at updating my Dell e1505, building myself a workstation since I am going to be doing a LOT of work at my apartment. I know that I am going to go mac and don't want to build a PC.

Here are my options that I am thinking about. Again I am a college student and I do not have a lot of money but I want to get a computer that will last me through the next 2-3 years easy.

iMac 24" - $1800
2gb Ram - $165
imac 24" 2.4Ghz 3gb Ram Total - $1965

Mac Pro 2.66 Ebay or Refurbished- $2000-2200
2g RAM - $200
Dell 22" Monitor - $300
Mac Pro 2.66 3gb Ram + 22" Monitor - $2500-2800

Any thoughts?

If I got an iMac would I be happy with it or would it take 3 hours to render a frame in Maya? Also if I got an iMac will I still be able to use it in 2-3 years of will I probably need to upgrade? I like the iMac but the expansion I do not like. Pros and Cons of both.

iMac

Pros


24" screen
All in one computer
Much cheaper

Cons


Graphics card
Can only upgrade RAM


Mac Pro

Pros


Expandability
Quad Core
Upgrade the Graphics Card
If I choose to resell it in 2-3 years I can easily get $1000-1500 for it.

Cons


Expensive!!!
Did I say expensive?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Rhs_CG
09-20-2007, 03:43 AM
If you want to use a Mac for VFX/Animation, seriously, go with the MacPro. Find a temp job if you need to (painting, construction, etc...) iMac will work, but you might run into issues. People have mixed results. But the MacPro will last longer, well after school, as its parts are upgradable individually.

For a Window/Linux workstation, you can find decent HP and Dell workstations on eBay. I've found many that are refurbished or new/almost new for $1100 - $3,000. And "older" hardware for less then that, $350-$700.

Hope that helps.
dan1el
09-20-2007, 05:37 AM
go mac pro, the graphicscard on the imac isn't good enough for 3D e.g. Maya.
the 7300 GT is fine enough to do Maya work.

no need to look at all the other variables in those two systems.
cooperunionstud
09-24-2007, 07:40 PM
get the mac pro from refurburished section on apple. they are cheaper at are just as new.
upgrade the graphics card when you get it though.
hastyle
11-06-2007, 05:00 PM
hey which os are u using with your mac pro quad? im currently using xp x64, but i was thinking about going Vista if some of the issues been resolve.
get the mac pro from refurburished section on apple. they are cheaper at are just as new.
upgrade the graphics card when you get it though.
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