Which new imac model can beat my Dell SXPS 16 i7

I just got SXPS 16 with the specs below

i7 820Qm
4GB 500GB 7200
Bluray rom
ATI 4670 1GB


And I plan to buy an imac to be my powerful Desktop or in case my Laptop stops working sometimes. I'm a software Engineer, I can't afford to have no any Pc with me, So I need a back up.


I need one more powerful than my Dell (If less I dont know why I have to buy a Desktop anyway)


I know i7 2.8Ghz quad core with hyper threading and Ati 4850 512 GB model from new Imac will beat My Dell badly but How about i5 model with ATI 4850 512 or Core 2 3.33 (if I got it right) with ATI 4670 256 GB? It will save my money if one of them does ^^

Can you tell me?

 

more powerful in which tasks? Antway, even i5 desktop CPU will destroy mobile i7...

 

Why an iMac? Wouldn't you want to stick with a familiar environment (Windows 7) to do your job? I switch between OSX and Windows all the time and I hate re-adjusting to the quirks. I have an iMac 24", a pre-unibody MacBook Pro, a Lenovo T61, and a Lenovo T500. I ended up installing Win 7 on everything and only booting into OSX to test stuff.
If you are looking for a backup machine, buy another laptop exactly like the one you have. Or build/buy the cheapest core i7 desktop you can find. The iMac is not cheap, and it is very difficult to upgrade. But it is pretty!
You decision ultimately should hinge on the best cost-benefit analysis to do what you need. The iMac, in my opinion, doesn't really hold up as a wise spend for a utility machine.

 

I does seem a bit odd to want to buy an iMac as a backup to a laptop PC. My guess is the form factor is the draw. I think if you want a powerful Windows desktop you should stick to a PC and forgo the iMac.

 

I need to pick imac for the following reasons

First, I 'm planning on building SW application for Iphone.

Second imac is the only all- in -one PC offering powerful processor enough my needs. I have a limited space for my desk.

Third, I might move to work for Apple in the future . I think it 's possible since I'm just 29 years old. So I better learn about apple Software and product


Hope You understand


Thanks

 

Ah, ok, that makes sense. But I am wondering why you bought a Dell then.

 

My current jobs are window-based environment and I need a new Laptop with core i7. Dell and HP laptops only offer me configuring my laptop as I want with the beautiful look IMO. And Dell XSP 16 is more way beautiful than HP (except Envy but It doesn't include build-in optical Drive.)


Do You have any better Ideal? So basically I need one laptop and one Desktop for my back up plan too. My jobs , Software engineer, cannot afford to have no any PC at any time. If one dies, have to have another already.

 

Are you for real? How about Core 2 duo 3.33 ghz desktop CPU? It still beat core i7 laptop?

 

I am in the same boat (developer), I just prefer to keep my environments the same and keep my OSX use to a minimum. Sounds like the iMac would be a good fit, install your Dell's environment in a Windows partition and you have some redundancy. Good luck.

 

Mate, the core2duo has 2 cores whereas the i5/i7 have 4cores. so obviously the core i series will be more powerful and the ati 4850 will destroy the 4670. anyways, i hope you know apple uses mobile gpu's on its imac line. i cant confirm for the cpu though. anyways, if you are a software developer (i guess not in the graphical environment), then you dont need something that powerful as the i series...if that's the case, then i suggest you go for the core2duo series. If your the type of developer whose quite geeky and likes to flash his hardware (and money is not a problem), then i suggest you go for the i series...i would have bought the core2duo one if i were in your place. Hope it helps.

 

I ldont understand your advice. In earlier comment said even i5 desktop cpu still beat i7 laptop CPU. So I asked him that Core 2 duo 3.33 of Imac still beat my i7 laptop.

The reason I need to knoe because I gut my i7 laptop already. and I need a desktop that is more powerful than my laptop. I think it is common to have a desktop more powerful than you laptop. Am I right?

 

tough to say whether desktop DC3.3 will be more powerful then mobile i7, but i5 certainly is!

 

buy a mac!

 

This thread is such flame bate, it's not even funny. The OP never stated in his first post that he needed an iMac for iPhone development. All he said was he needed a desktop as a backup in case his Dell laptop crapped out on him. Well, since the Dell can't do iPhone development then the iMac is not necessarily a backup. And what's the point of buying a Mac OS X machine to backup a Windows 7 machine? The software is not the same. I just love when noobs start threads on the Mac forum showing off their fancy specs of their PC and asking if there is anything on the Mac that can compete with their PC.
Apple's website has all the full specs of their computers. What's the point of creating the thread as about the specs here?