New iMac

[kris]

I was wondering if anyone has used, or purchased the new iMac? If so, what is your take on it?

I have been an avid PC user for as long as I can remember. Gone are the days of using my PC for video games, or anything like that. We now use the home PC for bills, documents, internet, music, etc. I will be looking to upgrade my Dell some time next year. Upon the purchase of my iPod, I started browsing apples website. This is how I came across the iMac. I remember the older iMac looked like crap, worked like crap, and was horrid. What has caught my attention with the new iMac, is the fully integrated design. It's clean, all self contained, without the huge mess my Dell has.

Now, I don't care about any Mac vs PC debate that anyone has. I am more curious on the new iMac, and its usability.

[speediva]

Even the old iMac that I had (version 2 I think) was nice. No muss, no fuss, and the damn thing ran like a fat kid toward cake.

I haven't played with the newest G5 toys from Apple. I can't offer any help on the new OS version, but I just got my old twin G4 tower up and running, and it works like it did on day 1, and it's 5 years old.

[thecackster]

To be honest i'm a hard core pc guy, but i do photography too, and What i've done with macs is all good. The only problem i can see with the imac is if you want to upgrade ever. I don't know how you would, i'm sure it's possible though. I have heard from friends that his powerbook runs windows vista and xp better than his old lap top (he bought a new one and took it back because it sucked).

[Moppie]

There has been lots of Mac vs PC threads lately on a photo forum I frequent due to the popularity of both platforms for photo editing.

In terms of performance there is no longer any advantage to either since they now both use the same hardware.

In terms of cost Macs are noticeably more expensive, although the difference is more noticeable at the higher performance end of the market.


The two biggest differences that always get worked out between the two platforms are Operating system, and Hardware stability.

Macs use Apples own OS, which works differently to Windoz.
Which one people prefer seems to be a matter of personal choice, often based on what they have the most experience with.
If your changing platforms it will also mean learning a new OS, which might not be worth the trouble if your just looking for a basic PC to use for email, internet, kids homework etc.
But, again, its a personal thing.
Also note that Mac's do not have the same level of software support that win doz based systems do, although there a number of specialist audio and design programs that are still Mac only.



Hardware stability is the next biggest argument for getting a Mac.
It's usually based on people who are having hardware issues with their PC's changing to Mac and no longer having any problems.
But, Apple keep all their hardware very close, and there is a very high level of quality control used. There is also a very limited number of hardware combinations available which reduces driver issues to zero.
This only holds true of course if you buy parts from Apple.
It is of course possible to up grade a Mac with Ram and HDD from other suppliers, as they are standard off the shelf items.
Choose cheap, low quality parts and you will have problems.

PC's because of their variety can be a hardware minefield.
Build, or a buy a PC with cheap parts and you will get what you pay for.
Same with trying to add cheap, or no name peripherals.

But, buy or build a PC from reputable retailer, don't run the myriad of freeware programs and general crap on it, and it can be just as reliable as any Mac.



I personally will stick with a PC until Apple can produce something that is able to rival what I need for a price I can afford.

But, if your looking for a simple home PC, and your not a hardcore gamer, or need to render lots of video, or batch edit large numbers of Raw files, then an entry level iMac or Mac mini could be what you need, provided you don't mind paying extra for the brand name and you like the OS.
The iMac has the advantage of having everything packed into one nice form factor which does simplify things.

Or, for about 3/4 the cost you could get a PC that is just as capable and reliable, just not as pretty with out the apple brand name.

[kris]

Thanks for your spin on it all Moppie.

[jon@af]

I'll probably be one of the few people on here to say that I will never, EVER buy another Apple computer.

I have had more problems with my Mac then I ever had with my previous two PCs. This is my laptop, which I know is different from the iMac, but they are still Apple products.

In the first year and a half of ownership, I've had replaced (under warranty)
-4 harddrives that all failed
-2 top cases (keyboard and mouse area)
-3 optical drives that failed
-1 battery that wouldn't take a charge
-1 charging board that would not recognize the battery
-1 LCD screen that died about 6 months into ownership

I bought the extended 2 year warranty just in case the stupid thing does anything else.

Some say a lemon, which I would tend to agree with, but I also think it's just poor products from Apple.

I will never recommend one to anyone I know. If you have a PC, I would just say stick with what you know. If you have an Apple and haven't had any problems, great. I'm happy for you. I wish I could say the same for myself.

[Toksin]

Sat down at one of the new iMacs with the ZOMG GIANT screen the other day at uni. Logged in, started doing stuff, took about 5 minutes for me to realise "wait a second, this is XP".

I like the keyboards.

[AtomicAutoSports]

I'm personally fond of the new MacBook Air. I have a Regular Macbook right now...but when I'm able to afford a MacBook Air, you better believe I'm jumping right on it. This MacBook is the best investment I've probably made so far...which may sound a bit crazy, but I'm only 23

[VR43000GT]

IMO, the MacBook Air is a waste of money. Next to no USB ports, no eithernet plug in lol, etc. It is a mac that is thin and that is about it. Not to mention it comes it at an unreasonably price $1,800. If you want to pay that much for a thin notebook with less, be my guest. I have a preference for PC's, but I would not mind a Mac. But the Air is garbo IMO.

[Damien]

^Yup. And Moppie whenever there's another Mac/PC war I'm copying and pasting your post in here. Perfect for POTN.

Aniwho, everythiing has been said that I would. Mac is too expensive for what? Nothing. Same parts, can use the same OS now, etc etc. LIke BUying a Sony, it's built on a name that thinks it's all powerful.

[VR43000GT]

And the beautiful thing about the MacBook Air is, if you want it to come with the goodies that other computers come with, you must buy the accessories seperate, plug them in, and when it is all said and done, you have EASILY crossed into the over $2,000 dollar mark. But hey, it is thin As far as other Macs go, I would not mind one. Like I said, I have a preference towards PC, but some of their products do have a lot to offer.

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by Damien

^Yup. And Moppie whenever there's another Mac/PC war I'm copying and pasting your post in here. Perfect for POTN.

Aniwho, everythiing has been said that I would. Mac is too expensive for what? Nothing. Same parts, can use the same OS now, etc etc. LIke BUying a Sony, it's built on a name that thinks it's all powerful.

I've posted similar things on POTN as well, but it often gets lost in the zeolotism.

Altough its interesting to note that someone on POTN bought a new MacPro, and did the PS speed test. His best 16secs, a whole 9sec faster than the best PC used in the test. So he paid 5 times as much, for a machine thats only 9 seconds faster, and he had twice as many cores.

[AtomicAutoSports]

I mainly bought a Mac because in the music industry it's become pretty much standard...and Im headed into the music industry. All the editing software is by far better than PC.

When it comes to gaming...there is no doubt that PC is ten million times better. That's the only real downfall to a Mac I feel like.

[sweetball456]

iMac is cool.

[Damien]

Originally Posted by Moppie

I've posted similar things on POTN as well, but it often gets lost in the zeolotism.

Altough its interesting to note that someone on POTN bought a new MacPro, and did the PS speed test. His best 16secs, a whole 9sec faster than the best PC used in the test. So he paid 5 times as much, for a machine thats only 9 seconds faster, and he had twice as many cores.

Haven't seen you in any lately. The thing is, the more and more arguements that come up the more and more PC is starting to win, especially since Mac's change in parts and their non chnage in prices.

It's like comapring the 50 F1.4 and 50 F1.2L. Aside from the 1.2 getting horrible reviews, for that much more is it worth it? Mac no longer offers, if they ever really did, anything for the price difference. o0o0o0o, they have Leopard.