Greetings all.

I've been thinking about updating my computer situation for some time now and was eagerly awaiting today's MacWorld.  I was thinking about getting an iMac for the purposes of my VDL/Sibelius ventures, but am now considering the new 17"; MacBookPro. 

I was wondering if anyone who had one of the other MBPs had some insight on performance, especially with the NVIDIA stuff, increased memory and how it might fare against the iMacs.

Thanks.   

Edit:  From a price comparison standpoint...

17"; MBP - $3,566.00
-2.93GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
-4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
-320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm
-NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB

24"; iMac - $2,867.00
-3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
-4GB 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - 2x2GB
-1TB Serial ATA Drive
-NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS w/512MB GDDR3

From a pricing standpoint, I'd lean towards the iMac.  I'd be interesting in knowing if that .13GHz processor difference and 266MHz RAM difference and the graphics difference is worth the $700 difference.

I run Sibelius 5 and VDL 2.5 on my standard MacBook, the model that came out before the brand new ones they have now, and it runs amazingly. It's the bottom end one, but I upgraded to 2G of RAM and it runs everything smoothly and without any problems ever. Honestly, I had a project recently that required about 40 different VDL instruments PLUS standard DLS instruments and it never slowed down once. And it only cost a little over $1000!

I too considered getting an iMac, but honestly the laptop models (even the cheapest ones) do everything you need them to do and are portable, in case you ever do any recording. The only thing that the iMac would be good for is the right-hand number pad on the keyboard (for quick Sibelius work), but you can get USB keypads that do the exact same thing for much less money. I would also consider getting some external speakers. I got some nice Logitechs for only about $30

Hope this helps!

Well, when I am doing any work that involves Sibelius or at home, I typically used my bluetooth keyboard/mouse.  I was moreso interested in the performance of Sib/VDL etc.  I'm currently running a 17"; Powerbook G4 that I got right before the intel switch.  It's done me well, but as I desire more realistic recordings and increased functionality, I know I need to upgrade.

While it is nice to have the portability, I wanted to make sure the processing/capabilities of the newer generation intel based books are worth their weight.  It sounds like they are.  I just need to justify spending an extra $800 or so for portability and a smaller screen.  I've used my laptop as a controller in a live setting many times as well, so that's another thing I can consider.  I'm definitely considering the MBP, but the 4-6 week lead time stinks.

As far as processing power goes, I have yet to see a single problem at all with anything on mine, and I've owned it for about 5-6 months. 2.1 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

I think either will be able to handle virtually ANYthing you throw at them.  The main difference you should consider is
1. screen size, and 2. portability.  Which is more important?

Actually,  I've made the decision to get an iMac and maintain my current Powerbook for now.  Down the road, I'd like to get an MBA as a portable solution, depending on how Sib/VDL run.  I've sent messages to people who use MBAs and am awaiting replies.

I'm in the same boat...The G4 finally bit the dust.

New iMac in the near future.

Just bought a new iMac this week.  To quote Peter Griffin... ";freakin sweet";.

I really wish Apple would make a mid-level desktop that's upgradable.  The iMac is great, but is quickly outdated.  Right now the current model has graphics cards that are already 2-3 generations old.  It's dependent on laptop cpus so there aren't any quad-core models. 

Just a regular ol' upgradable tower would make millions of people happy.

I have the new model 15"; MBP.  When at home I plug in a 24"; LCD, a USB hub (with keyboard, mouse, midi stuff, etc.), and an eSATA hard drive with an express card eSATA port.  Suddenly it feels like a desktop.  I felt the 17"; didn't justify the extra price.  If you don't do anything 3D, the Macbook is perfect because it's just about as fast as the ";pro.";

I am also seriously considering buying a refurbished iMac Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHZ with upgradable RAM to 4GB.  I think this should handle VDL and Sibelius just fine.  I heard a new iMac is coming out in a few months which means the prices will drop on everything else, right? I am going to borrow my brother's G4 desktop for now.  THe 1.4 ghz seems to be running sibelius 5 fine.  Not completely smooth, but much better than the g3 600mhz i'm working on now!  any thoughts?