iMac 27

fishybusiness

My question is... are they as good as what they're cracked up to be

Yes!

I used to be a computer tech, and grew to despise the deep workings of Windows and its wonderful registry so I took a chance on a Macbook.

Second hand 17" Macbook Pro, fantastic, fast, no hassle computing. Then the video chip died. £350 fix, there goes the Mac reliability record down the drain.

It was a known fault on those machines, the issues is the repair price, but they are much better now and the Apple warranty will keep you happy.

You don't really need antivirus software, although some people do debate that point, the software is incredibly stable and the user interface is simple and intuitive.

It can be a pain if you need to use Windows only software, but there are some good ways around it. You can install Windows on a Mac in a dual boot scenario - they call it Bootcamp, and it works very well so Windows is still possible if you need it.

Microsoft Office has matured and the Mac version is just as good as the Windows version and the files are fully compatible.

macman

The major issue is that you'll have to repurchase most of your software again (Photoshop-ouch!), presumably you've already budgetted for that though as a one-off cost.

SuperHan

macman wrote: »

The major issue is that you'll have to repurchase most of your software again (Photoshop-ouch!), presumably you've already budgetted for that though as a one-off cost.

I THINK (and have no personal experience of this, but I'm pretty sure it's true) that if you contact adobe and send them your windows copy of photoshop they will replace it with a Mac version for the price of shipping. Worth looking in to, true or not!

macman

Indeed, but only if on the current version, if not you still have to pay for the upgraded Mac version:
http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/order-product-platform-language-swap.html

Mr_Toad

fishybusiness wrote: »

Yes!

I used to be a computer tech, and grew to despise the deep workings of Windows and its wonderful registry so I took a chance on a Macbook.

Second hand 17" Macbook Pro, fantastic, fast, no hassle computing. Then the video chip died. £350 fix, there goes the Mac reliability record down the drain.

It was a known fault on those machines, the issues is the repair price, but they are much better now and the Apple warranty will keep you happy.

You don't really need antivirus software, although some people do debate that point, the software is incredibly stable and the user interface is simple and intuitive.

It can be a pain if you need to use Windows only software, but there are some good ways around it. You can install Windows on a Mac in a dual boot scenario - they call it Bootcamp, and it works very well so Windows is still possible if you need it.

Microsoft Office has matured and the Mac version is just as good as the Windows version and the files are fully compatible.

I get MS Office via my employer and the home use program.

When I tried ot get a Mac copy the website wouldn't let me as I already have a Windows version. I called MS and they refunded me for the Windows version so I could get the Mac version. Now that's what I call good customer service.

Having been using MS Office on my Mac for 2 years I've started to switch to the Apple products, Apple Mail, Pages instead or Word and Numbers instead of Excel etc.

I'm doing this as the Apple software integrates with everything else so much better than the MS stuff. I'll have to get back to you on how it goes when I've been using them for longer.

Millionaire

There is a new one coming out in a few days. Might have been worth waiting.

Notmyrealname

Millionaire wrote: »

There is a new one coming out in a few days. Might have been worth waiting.

Are you sure? There's a new iPhone in the wings but the iMac and Macbook Pro have recently had a refresh and won't be due one for at least another 3-4 months.

johnnyboyrebel

Millionaire wrote: »

There is a new one coming out in a few days. Might have been worth waiting.

This is total rumour, there is an announcement about the iPhone 5 on Tuesday, along with this comes rumours. The main rumour was a new retina screen on the iMac but with a 27" this is unlikely plus as the current screen is just amazing it is pointless hanging around.

macman

The iMacs with Ivy Bridge processors must be due fairly soon?

buglawton

We got 20" iMac recently as a photo manager and media player.
Looked at the 27" one but it seemed too dominating and in your face if you are sitting right in front of it (fine if you are watching it as a TV from a afar, no doubt).

The 27" iMac is sensibly priced in a 1GB config, more realistically priced in fact then the 20" iMac. So we plumped for a used 20" with a TB of disk on it and 16 GB RAM. I cannot understand Apple's price points for the 20 inchers.

Remember that lots of standard office and corporate programs will not run on an iMac, which is why Boot Camp exists. Boot camp with Windows 7 on it would be a nice touch, ensure you go for a 1000 GB drive or more if avail, to leave room for all that.

Once big bugbear that heavy users have is the shiny screen that makes this more of a vanity object than a serious office machine. There are solutions but suck it and see.

The really big difference with a modern all-in-one like the iMac is total absence of wires about the place!

If you want an all-in-one but also want to stay inside the world of Windows, then Lenovo recently released this 27" beauty at under £1400:
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/lenovo-ideacentre-a720-27-all-in-one-pc-14134685-pdt.html