Any Mac users out there? What should I buy?

[Nosha123]

Hi - Would REALLY appreciate all your input on this one...
I have at home an iMac 1.8GHz G5 17" display, upgraded memory to 1Gb RAM, 80Gb HD

and am looking to invest in an additional iMac - as the Husband uses the above one more than I do... I only want to use it for internet, email, the odd bit of Photoshop - and iMovie - which I am REALLY getting into lately. I have found that the iMac at home is getting a bit sluggish in iMovie - and am wondering if its time to get a new one... letting the Husband keep the old one.

My question is... what should I go for.. I was all geared up to get the new iMac (which I use at work) but then I thought to myself maybe I should opt for a laptop Mac instead... thus giving me the freedom to surf from the garden.. or the lounge.. or abroad! (although I do LOVE the new iMac and keyboard....)

What should I go for? Our house is all fully networked - so maybe the iMac would be the best option... as I love its keyboard, mouse and look... but it wont be as portable!!!

WHAT DO I DO??? I just cant decide!!!
Thanks in advance!

[Milvus]

Here's a suggestion. If you are using Photoshop and iMovie then screen size is important, especially when palettes and tool are loaded up in Photoshop and when you are editing in iMovie, but you also want portability. So why not get a MacBook or MacBook Pro for portability etc, and add an extra monitor for your media work, giving you the best of both worlds. You can run a MacBook Pro closed using a bluetooth or usb keyboard (the Apple wireless keyboard is nice to use) same for the mouse. Alternatively you can use both the laptop and the additional screen at the same time, palettes and tools on one, image on the other

[Nosha123]

Ooh Milvus.. thanks for that....
So what screen size should I go for? - for the laptop???
And what screen should I buy as the additional one?
So many questions!!!

[Milvus]

Now it depends on your budget.
I use a 15" MacBook Pro as a good balance between power and portability, you may find 13" macbooks to be Ok. Try to get to an Apple store, John Lewis or PC World to see which you are comfortable with.
The screen is an altogether different option. The same size screen can range from £100 to £2000 or more. As you are not at the pro end of users I would look at Dell and Samsung monitors, both get good results for colour accuracy at an affordable price. Others on here may give some other ideas for you.

[Nosha123]

Thanks again Milvus!