Help choosing a Imac

suicidebob

fred246 wrote: »

Someone comes on a MONEY SAVING FORUM needing a replacement for a cheap laptop and it is suggested they spend 2.5 grand!

Pay attention.

Read the OP as you appear to have misunderstood the point of this thread.

fred246

Just because your kids and wife have i-whatevers doesn't mean that you have to waste your cash on an Imac. The OP needs some guidance. This is not a 'how can I throw my money down the drain forum'.

wongataa

suicidebob wrote: »

It's a high-end workstation, you get what you pay for. You won't get anything comparable from anywhere else.

An iMac is not a high end workstation. A MacPro is a high end workstation.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with an iMac but they are pretty standard computers in a flashy all in one form factor.

wongataa

AJXX wrote: »

Apple charge a premium for what is a much better system. OS X is much better than windoze.

OSX is not catagorically better than Windows. Both have their pros and cons. Which on is better depends on which one the user prefers. I personally don't like OSX so Windows is better for me. Other people may have the opposite opinion.

It is all down to personal preference in the end.

wongataa

On_Stanley_on wrote: »

Good afternoon all,

I am looking at replacing an old laptop, but want a desktop computer. I have always used PC / Windows but now want to switch to a imac. (kids all have ipads, wife has iphone and all her music is on itunes).

the trouble I'm having is I don't know what to look for spec wise. I'm also not sure on what to set a budget at so a little guidance would be fab.

its going to be used for graphic design (basic/starter) plus general use IE web surfing / emails / word + excel (apple equivalent) and also some gaming, football manager half life 2 esq games.

Thanks

OSO

Before you do anything decide how much you can spend on a new computer of any brand. If that sum covers the cost of Apple computers then by all means consider them. Remember that Apple do not sell cheap computers, only more expensive ones. If you can't afford that much don't get an Apple machine.

Your listed requirements won't need a particularly high spec machine and pretty much any reasonable computer would cope, Apple or otherwise.

If you have never used an Apple machine it might be worthwhile going to a retailer of them to have a play. The interface has differences to Windows which you may or may not like. It's worth finding out before spending any money.

Mr_Toad

On_Stanley_on wrote: »

Good afternoon all,

I am looking at replacing an old laptop, but want a desktop computer. I have always used PC / Windows but now want to switch to a imac. (kids all have ipads, wife has iphone and all her music is on itunes).

the trouble I'm having is I don't know what to look for spec wise. I'm also not sure on what to set a budget at so a little guidance would be fab.

its going to be used for graphic design (basic/starter) plus general use IE web surfing / emails / word + excel (apple equivalent) and also some gaming, football manager half life 2 esq games.

Thanks

OSO

For what you want to do I'd have thought any of the current iMacs will be fine.

You need to decide what size screen to go for, I've got a four year old 27 inch iMac and it's a fantastic machine.

I'd take Fred's anti Apple rant with a pinch of salt. His comment about getting it repaired is uninformed rubbish. My local computer repair shop is also an authorised Apple repairer, Apple try and have somewhere local you can go if at all possible. His rates for repairing Macs are the same as any other PC. There are at least two other repairers with in 20 miles.

You can upgrade the RAM yourself on the 27 inch model, it's a simple job and any suitable, cheaper RAM works fine.

Let's consider the expense.

My wife has one of the older previous white iMacs, it's 10 years old and is used every day. She did all the work for her masters degree on it and uses it for work emails and scheduling as well as the usual shopping, surfing and other stuff.

It has never gone wrong and has cost nothing other than the initial purchase cost. It works just as quickly as it did when new and we haven't had to spend hours keeping it running smoothly. Just look on this forum at the number of "My PC is running slowly threads". It hasn't needed any CPU, RAM or hardware upgrades so it can run newer versions of the OS. It just works.

In cost terms it's been the cheapest computer we've ever owned.

shopbot

fred246 wrote: »

Just because your kids and wife have i-whatevers doesn't mean that you have to waste your cash on an Imac. The OP needs some guidance. This is not a 'how can I throw my money down the drain forum'.

Yes the OP needs some guidance and probably from people with a balanced point of view. You probably despise Apple 'fan bois' but your view is just as unbalanced.

Buying an iMac isn't throwing money down the drain. Yes you might be able to spec a PC out for cheaper but that's not the whole picture. Would you lecture a Audi driver that is car is a waste of money because a banger would get him from to A to B?

It's a money saving forum as in 'I want to do this - how do I do it cheaper' and that means all products. It isn't and shouldn't become a 'berate people who would like to get something other than the cheapest thing'.

For the OP...a few points to consider:
1. iMacs are great machines but don't forget the Mac Mini either. You can get one for £399 and use your current keyboard and monitor.
2. Have a look at the refurbished section of the Apple website. You will get a good deal there and from what I've heard the machine will almost be as new.
3. For the uses you list a Mac will be great except possibly for gaming. In my experience PC's have better and newer availability of games. If you play online then some games may be on Mac only servers which may be quieter.
4. All Apple products hold their value extremely well so you can get a good resale value if you upgrade again.

SB

InsideInsurance

On_Stanley_on wrote: »

its going to be used for graphic design (basic/starter) plus general use IE web surfing / emails / word + excel (apple equivalent) and also some gaming, football manager half life 2 esq games.

You really need to clarify how far you are going to push the design and gaming elements as everything else is perfectly fine on the base model

Assuming graphic design is photos and not 3D modelling or trying to create feature films then certainly an iMac is perfectly adequate and doesnt require moving up to the workstation Mac Pro - indeed when I discussed the same with Apple they pushed me down to iMac saying I wouldnt get anything more from a Mac Pro.

Remember that Education get a fairly good discount on Apple products plus a free extended warranty if bought online. Higher Education (ie Uni) is a bigger discount than school level so if you know someone at uni (working or studying) then get them to help you get the discount

Cycrow

suicidebob wrote: »

I don't think you really know what you're talking about.

It's a high-end workstation, you get what you pay for. You won't get anything comparable from anywhere else.

Itunes hasn't had DRM for years. Apple support is the best in the industry.

complete nonsense

for the same price as an iMac you can get a considerable more powerful pc.

and i wouldn't call iMacs High-End workstations. They are desktops, not workstations

almillar

OP will pay a premium for an ALL IN ONE PC. Please stop comparing iMacs with tower PCs. You can buy all in one PCs. Compare iMacs to that. Now, go find a cheaper one, with the same specs. I'll let you off with the 5K screen. You'll find the price difference much smaller than you thought.
OP - you don't NEED an iMac, and a Mac Mini would do nicely, even for a starter doing graphics, bring your own keyboard, mouse and Monitor. You can also do graphics work on a PC of course...