Best compliment to an iMac?

(Same post as in MBP forum, just wanted in both places)
Hello,
I want a new portable, but am still trying to decide the best fit. I already have a 20' iMac, Core Duo, 2 gig RAM, 256 vram as my main computer. I'm looking to get a portable to compliment this machine, mainly to just have a machine I can travel with, go to a cafe, etc. Nothing to intensive. I'm trying to figure out the best bang for my buck, so to speak. (i.e., if spending $1, 100 on a low-end MB, why not spend 1300 on the mid-range, and if spending that, why not go 1500 on a refurb MBP, CD1, etc). Thats my line of thinking and I can't seem to get it straight in my head . Basically I need help determining where to draw the line between going overboard, or going to "underboard" and ending up with a lower grade machine when a few more bucks would've gotten me alot more. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I have an iMac but it's a 2GHz G5 as well as a MacBook. I will say that the MacBook not only compares favorably to it but in some instances out shines it. I realize you have an Intel iMac so I'm guessing (and only guessing) that the performance will be close to if not on par with your iMac.
That wasn't always the case though. I also had an iMac DV/SE and a PowerBook both at 400Mhz and the iMac ran circles around the PowerBook. The PowerBook made OSX very frustrating.
Honestly the only difference in "real world" performance between the MacBook line is whether you need a DVD burner or not (which you could get away without since your iMac can do it). If it were me and the burner wasn't an issue I'd get the cheap MacBook. I really can't speak for the MacBook Pro since I don't own or use one. But I assume that the performance would be equal if not more (obviously).
I really don't think you'd go underboard with whatever MacBook you bought nor do I think you'd go overboard if you got a good deal on a MacBook Pro.
Whatever you do I think you'd be pleased. Good luck!

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Best portable compliment to an iMac?

Hello,
I want a new portable, but trying to decide the best fit. I already have a 20' iMac, Core Duo, 2 gig RAM, 256 vram as my main computer. I'm looking to get a portable to compliment this machine, mainly to just have a machine I can travel with, go to a cafe, etc. Nothing to intensive. I'm trying to figure out the best bang for my buck, so to speak. (i.e., if spending $1, 100 on a low-end MB, why not spend 1300 on the mid-range, and if spending that, why not go 1500 on a refurb MBP, CD1, etc). Thats my line of thinking and I can't seem to get it straight in my head . Basically I need help determining where to draw the line between going overboard, or going to "underboard" and ending up with a lower grade machine when a few more bucks would've gotten me alot more. Any help is greatly appreciated.

I think it just depends on what you want the machine for. if it's just your portable personal machine, then there's a lot to like about the macbooks. the current blackbooks are really lovely machines, and they have tons of x-factor. for the size they are, there's not a lot to fault in them, and everyone I know that has one is totally enamored with the machine. they seem to have a bit of personality about them that really makes you feel attached to it, which a lot of people find attractive in a laptop that they want to whip out at a café.
of course if anything you do requires more screen real estate, or proper graphics support, then you have no choice but to go macbook pro.
but I will say one thing.. I have the latest top of the range MBP 17".. I don't use it as a laptop, it stays put as my work machine. but, my brother my partner and a few friends have a blackbook as personal machines, and to be honest, the whole feel of the machines and how they are built feels somehow more solid and dare I say it, better quality than my apple flagship model MBP. go figure.
I still use my PB 12" as my personal lappy, and am still happy with it. but when I've got some cash floating around that looks bored and could do with being spent, I'll prob buy into a blackbook as my café and inflight machine.

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TIA,
Thad

Get an Thunderbolt to HDMI adapter and a 20 feet long HDMI cable.
There is no problem with the length, but a 25 feet HDMI cable will be around 20$ on eBay.
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Now I want to start another site with a more commercial flavor. The big difference with this one, though, is that I need to be able to update my site on my iMac at home AND my PC at work. I've yet to find a hosting plan or program that will allow me to do this efficiently. I'm thinking a web-based file manager might be my best option, but maybe there is something else out there that would be better. Would FTP be better? I have some experience with file managers but absolutely no experience with FTP.
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I'm thinking a web-based file
manager might be my best option, but maybe there is
something else out there that would be better. Would
FTP be better? I have some experience with file
managers but absolutely no experience with FTP.
Of course you can't use iWeb for your project, because it doesn't run on PC's, and you can't update an iWeb-created site without the app and the appropriate Domain file. So you presumably need to look at a cross-platform app like Dreamweaver.
As far as uploading technology, web-based file managers provided by the host are usually very limited and not to be recommended. You should use a real ftp client to get the best results, and major apps like Dreamweaver have this built-in.
Here's a list of Mac web editors. You might check to see which other ones have Windows versions.
http://www.pure-mac.com/webed.html
The host is pretty irrelevant if you go that route.
Another option is to do everything on a site like Blogger, where you create your pages via a browser, rather than using a local web editor.

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One caveat is ram which you have already stated your are upgrading.
A general rule of thumb I live by is get the best you can afford now and it will prolong the need to upgrade in the future. That being said... The choices you have provided are all good choices. Preference on screen size will dictate your overall decision, of course. The need for i5 vs i7 CPU is normally not a factor for the majority of users. If you need to save some money then by all means choose the lesser configuration as it will handle windows fine.
One place you should consider the upgrade is the video card. Since you cannot upgrade this after purchase it is advisable to do this now. Also, the differences between the 675mx and the 680mx are far greater than what the naming implies.
Also, as mentioned in a previous post, the 3TB fusion drive can't bootcamp windows. There is a hack for the non-fusion version, but I have not heard of anyone getting that hack to work on the fusion drive. There are other creative options you can implement to make this work, however, it will require an additional investment in some 3rd party hardware. For a novice Mac user I would recommend the smaller fusion drive and external thunderbolt/USB storage as dictated by your needs in the future.
HTH

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+"What external HD do you suggest? Does it matter?"+
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I do not have the iMac G5.
My assumption is that your G5 has a hardware problem with video circuitry. I'd assume in safemode the software is doing the video rendering where as in a normal boot the hardware does the video rendering. In normal mode bad hardware means no workie.
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thanks for the reply,
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Just got new iMac, looking for advice on best recommended anti-virus to use? Thanks

If you are a former Windows user, the first thing you must do is rid yourself of the assumption that a Mac needs the same daily maintenance that Windows PCs require just to keep them operating. The vast majority of Mac-related problems reported on this site are the direct result of installing ill-conceived "anti-virus" or "security" garbage. If you don't want to come back here wondering why your Mac is running like a sick dog then avoid all such junk.
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Just got new iMac, looking for advice on best recommended anti-virus to use?
OS X already includes everything it needs to protect itself from viruses and malware. Keep it that way with software updates from Apple.
A much better question is "how should I protect my Mac":
Never install any product that claims to "speed up", "clean up", "optimize", or "accelerate" your Mac. Without exception, they will do the opposite.
Never install pirated or "cracked" software, software obtained from dubious websites, or other questionable sources. Illegally obtained software is almost certain to contain malware.
Don’t supply your password in response to a popup window requesting it, unless you know what it is and the reason your credentials are required.
Don’t open email attachments from email addresses that you do not recognize, or click links contained in an email:
Most of these are scams that direct you to fraudulent sites that attempt to convince you to disclose personal information.
Such "phishing" attempts are the 21st century equivalent of a social exploit that has existed since the dawn of civilization. Don’t fall for it.
Apple will never ask you to reveal personal information in an email. If you receive an unexpected email from Apple saying your account will be closed unless you take immediate action, just ignore it. If your iTunes or App Store account becomes disabled for valid reasons, you will know when you try to buy something or log in to this support site, and are unable to.
Don’t install browser extensions unless you understand their purpose. Go to the Safari menu > Preferences > Extensions. If you see any extensions that you do not recognize or understand, simply click the Uninstall button and they will be gone.
Don’t install Java unless you are certain that you need it:
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Disable Java in Safari > Preferences > Security.
Despite its name JavaScript is unrelated to Java. No malware can infect your Mac through JavaScript. It’s OK to leave it enabled.
Block browser popups: Safari menu > Preferences > Security > and check "Block popup windows":
Popup windows are useful and required for some websites, but popups have devolved to become a common means to deliver targeted advertising that you probably do not want.
Popups themselves cannot infect your Mac, but many contain resource-hungry code that will slow down Internet browsing.
If you ever see a popup indicating it detected registry errors, that your Mac is infected with some ick, or that you won some prize, it is 100% fraudulent. Ignore it.
Ignore hyperventilating popular media outlets that thrive by promoting fear and discord with entertainment products arrogantly presented as "news". Learn what real threats actually exist and how to arm yourself against them:
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OS X viruses do not exist, but intentionally malicious or poorly written code, created by either nefarious or inept individuals, is nothing new.
Never install something without first knowing what it is, what it does, how it works, and how to get rid of it when you don’t want it any more.
If you elect to use "anti-virus" software, familiarize yourself with its limitations and potential to cause adverse effects, and apply the principle immediately preceding this one.
Most such utilities will only slow down and destabilize your Mac while they look for viruses that do not exist, conveying no benefit whatsoever - other than to make you "feel good" about security, when you should actually be exercising sound judgment, derived from accurate knowledge, based on verifiable facts.
Do install updates from Apple as they become available. No one knows more about Macs and how to protect them than the company that builds them.
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Best compliment to an iMac?

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