Cable or free weights
 

Which one do you think is better or more effective for a newbie? I was thinking maybe the cable machine since I will be able to keep my form good?

Free weights. Take time to work on form and don't rush to add too much weight the first month or two.

My answer equals BTB's answer. Weights, all the way. Take your time.

Don't have any other answer than what BTB said i just want to say i couldn't agree more!

Forget the cable machines exist! Bench, squats, deadlifts, rowes, chin ups, dip, shoulder press... do these correctly and do them a lot. You'll be golden!

I tend to like both but think that free weights are your way to go.

Learn to use a % of both.

Cables= allow you to over load safely.
Free weights= hit the stabalizers for heavier lifts and good for form.

Free weights are what I prefer to use in this case.

The most "bang for your buck" will come from the "big 4" basic barbell exercises -- the bench press, overhead press, squat, and deadlift (or variants of them). I'd recommend you focus your initial training on getting technique down on those first and focus on progression on those 4 exercises. This isn't to say that cable exercises are BAD -- there are many useful exercises you can do with a cable machine. However, cable exercises are generally best used as supplements to your "big 4" exercises.