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[xerus]

The macbook is fine if you don't mind paying the extra 1200 dollars for the Apple logo to be on it.

[Ivan]

Don't get a desktop!!!

I think desktops are on their way out in general. I don't actually know a single person who uses a desktop. There is very little point to them now that laptop video cards and processors are (almost) as powerful. Your computer is your home base and you want to be able to access that from anywhere, not have it sit in a giant box under your desk.

[Glaiel-Gamer]

game development on laptops = fail

The whole reason I spent so much on my macbook pro was so I could have a replacement for a desktop and it really was worth it.

The macbook is fine if you don't mind paying the extra 1200 dollars for the Apple logo to be on it.

Or you know, OSX and build quality and decent customer support and GOOD built in software (garageband, imovie, and others etc)

[Ivan]

There's nothing like writing code while you're comfortably tucked in on the couch.

[Glaiel-Gamer]

There's nothing like writing code while you're comfortably tucked in on the couch.

ya honestly I've grown so used to having the TV on in the background when I code that it feels weird when it isn't

[Guillaume]

Don't get a desktop!!!

I think desktops are on their way out in general. I don't actually know a single person who uses a desktop. There is very little point to them now that laptop video cards and processors are (almost) as powerful. Your computer is your home base and you want to be able to access that from anywhere, not have it sit in a giant box under your desk.

I totally disagree. Coding on my 22" rocks. Also, i have 2 tb of storage and i don't need to change the whole machine when i want an upgrade.
What do you guys think of an eee pc as a mobile game dev ebvironment?

[MrChocolateBear]

Figured I would chime in with my 2 cents.

Desktop or Laptop?
Depends on your situation. I'm always moving around and I like to be able to take my work with me, so I went the laptop route. Also, I <3 dev-ing on my laptop.

PC or Mac?
PCs & Macs can be very similar on the hardware level, so much so that you can run Windows on a Mac (not emulate, run). Are Macs pricey, yes, but contrary to what xerus(no hard feelings) some people believe, you get more for your money than just a logo on the back/side of your machine.

[dspencer]

Thanks for all the help, guys! Just to clarify some things:

I thought about getting a desktop, but I'm at school and I can't really get work done in my dorm. So, desktop is a big no-go. I was actually thinking after I graduate and settle into an apartment or whatnot, next time I need a new computer to go to a desktop and a netbook. But that's not the current issue.

My rational for the mac, though, is A) I want it to last longer than my current computer has, B) I don't to deal with windows ever again (Just as a benchmark, I got a BSOD within 20 minutes of booting up my last computer for the first time) C) It has the specs I want. Right now my biggest rational against macs are Mac fanboys - which, annoying as they may be, isn't actually a good reason not get a mac.

Rather than telling me not to get a mac, can any of you naysayers suggest a good equivalent for less? I looked up the M1330 and to get the closest match was only 200-400$ less; but it lacked the big battery life of the MBP.

Woo, thanks everyone again!

[MrChocolateBear]

dspencer, I doubt you will find a comparably spec-ed laptop with the battery life of a Macbook Pro. My reasoning behind this is that the batteries in MBPs are custom made and preform far better than the industry standard. For more information about the batteries and Apple's battery research department: Apple Site

[Eclipse]

Don't get a desktop!!!

I think desktops are on their way out in general. I don't actually know a single person who uses a desktop. There is very little point to them now that laptop video cards and processors are (almost) as powerful. Your computer is your home base and you want to be able to access that from anywhere, not have it sit in a giant box under your desk.

I totally disagree. Coding on my 22" rocks. Also, i have 2 tb of storage and i don't need to change the whole machine when i want an upgrade.
What do you guys think of an eee pc as a mobile game dev ebvironment?

same here, also i really don't think i'll see a laptop with an i7 quad core processor, 6gb of ram and an ati radeon 4870 x2 (my current config) at an affordable price anytime soon...
I have a laptop too but it's just better to code on a big monitor using a good keyboard and with a good pair of speakers + sub to listen music.


Edit: ok so you can't take a desktop... still, try to take a laptop with a very bright monitor and not less than 17" if you want to code a lot.
I got an HP years ago and it's still quite cool, but the monitor isn't that bright tho

[MrChocolateBear]

Edit: ok so you can't take a desktop... still, try to take a laptop with a very bright monitor and not less than 17" if you want to code a lot.
I got an HP years ago and it's still quite cool, but the monitor isn't that bright tho

The laptop I've made all my games on, this laptop, is an HP, 17" monitor, Intel Core 2 Duo, ATI Mobility Radeon X1600. Not quite comparable to the 17" MBP though.

[Ivan]

It seems that most people agree that macbook pros are better laptops, it's just the price that's the point of contention. So if you can afford it, I don't see any reason not to get it.

[Innerscope]

I'm a fan of Apple personally. (Hopefully not the annoying kind)
I use Parallels to run XP, and Ubuntu, and that has worked out pretty well.

I think my main argument would be stability and longevity. I own an iMac G4 from 2001 and it still runs as good as new. Same with my powerbook G4 from 2004. (I did have to replace the batterey, which died after about 3 1/2 years)
I now own an intel based iMac. Couldn't be happier. 

I'd say go with the Mac, or if you're skilled enough, build a monster PC and run XP as a virtual machine in Linux.

[george]

I'm guessing dspencer has tried out a MBP and knows if it feels good, but personally when I tried one I didn't really like it. The keyboard was a big turn off. It was such a change from a thinkpad feel (not to mention the trackpoint versus touchpad). Has anyone had a similar experience but grew to like the keyboard + touchpad?

[Glaiel-Gamer]

I'm guessing dspencer has tried out a MBP and knows if it feels good, but personally when I tried one I didn't really like it. The keyboard was a big turn off. It was such a change from a thinkpad feel (not to mention the trackpoint versus touchpad). Has anyone had a similar experience but grew to like the keyboard + touchpad?

I grew to like the trackpad so much I never use a mouse anymore.

I beat world of goo from start to finish with only the trackpad.