Time for a new computer. iMac recommendations?

[Rogier]

My iMac (2006 late) died. One day it simply stopped working. I lost everything that was on the disc.
I am back for PC now.
I feel awkward as I really got used to MacOS, but I have 8 gB RAM, i5 processor, 1gB videocard and 1 tB disk at a 1/2 price of the coolest iMac at the moment.

Did you take it to the Geniusbar or Called Apple care?
Just "died" usually refers to a failed power supply witch can be fixed easily.
Or did the hard drive failed? These things are the same in a Mac or PC and fail equally often. The only remedy is back-up back-up back-up.

Also a failed Hard drive is an easy and affordable fix.

 

[gekopaca]

"Why waste $ on a Mac. Get a PC and save some cash 🙂"

Because you need a car. Not a cart.

 

[Alpacaman]

As for the PC folks, the OP said he wants a Mac, you are probably not going to change his mind. It's only cheaper if you don't value all the time you spend futzing with it and re-booting and re-installing the OS etc. Also Mac hardware tends to be high quality and lasts a long time.

I will not try to convince the OP either way, but I feel I should call you out here. Apple use the same components as other manufacturers, there is no real quality difference as far as parts are concerned when compared with any major pc manufacturer.

 

[thegman]

MAC is a waste of money. Don't pay two or three times as much for the same hardware.
This picture explains everything

I agree that the Mac is pretty much the same hardware, although if you find Macs cost 2-3 times as much, you're looking in the wrong shops.

I use both PC & Mac, PC most of the time at home (but also Mac), and Mac all the time at work. I would say avoid the Mac Mini like the plague, they are as slow as treacle, just, awful, awful, awful computers. The new iMacs on the other hand are very fast indeed, and a pleasure to use.

The Macs are of course, a good bit more expensive, especially the laptops, but if you compare with a comparable brand like Sony, then the difference is not a lot, maybe 15% more expensive. Nobody here would compare a Leica camera to a Vivitar*, so comparing the price of a Mac to LASERTRON 3000s or whatever sold from a van behind your local fried chicken shop is not really very reasonable.

Windows has come a very long way, Window 7 is actually pretty decent, and runs a lot faster than Mac OS X on similar hardware. However, if you don't mind the extra spend, get a Mac, as you can run Windows as well if you want to. Think of it this way, an iMac is a computer which can run Mac OS X and Windows 7, a PC just runs Windows 7 (I'm forgetting all the *nix OS for the moment).

I've ranted long enough, just that this anti-Mac rhetoric annoys me every bit as much as anti-PC rhetoric. They're just computers, each have pros and cons, get the one you prefer.

*Not truly equating Apple to Leica here, Apple's build quality is not even close to Leica, but it was an easy comparison.

 

[wgerrard]

My advice, as a long-time iMac user, is to follow Frank's advice.

My usual advice is to watch what I buy and then wait two weeks because everything I buy is replaced with a newer, better model or gets a drastic price cut about two weeks later.

I would add that as the price of a very accessorized iMac increases, you might look at the price of an equivalent Mac Pro because they'll allow you to do hardware upgrades and expansions in the future.

I don't think I'd get a SSD, at least until I spent all my money elsewhere first, since 8-16gb of RAM should keep Photoshop from using the hard drive and Apple wants $600 for a 256gb one ;-/ Seems kinda extravagant for now, more practical in a couple of years when they come down in price.

I just looked at the Apple Store, if I were "luxe yet practical" I'd go for the 27/Quad-Core, 16 gb OWC RAM, internal 2tb ATA and an external 2tb FW800. That would be a decent machine for the next 5-6 years.

The only thing I don't like about iMacs is that the screen and puter are one, so if one fails it takes the whole kabboodle out. But I see they've now priced the Pros so there isn't any overlap like there used to be... So it might be worth the extended warranty for something like that. The extended warranty has paid for itself several times with my laptops.

 

[Rogier]

You must be talking about the first generation G5 Mac Mini. Or there is something wrong with your confirmation.

I agree that the Mac is pretty much the same hardware, although if you find Macs cost 2-3 times as much, you're looking in the wrong shops.

I use both PC & Mac, PC most of the time at home (but also Mac), and Mac all the time at work. I would say avoid the Mac Mini like the plague, they are as slow as treacle, just, awful, awful, awful computers. The new iMacs on the other hand are very fast indeed, and a pleasure to use.

The Macs are of course, a good bit more expensive, especially the laptops, but if you compare with a comparable brand like Sony, then the difference is not a lot, maybe 15% more expensive. Nobody here would compare a Leica camera to a Vivitar*, so comparing the price of a Mac to LASERTRON 3000s or whatever sold from a van behind your local fried chicken shop is not really very reasonable.

Windows has come a very long way, Window 7 is actually pretty decent, and runs a lot faster than Mac OS X on similar hardware. However, if you don't mind the extra spend, get a Mac, as you can run Windows as well if you want to. Think of it this way, an iMac is a computer which can run Mac OS X and Windows 7, a PC just runs Windows 7 (I'm forgetting all the *nix OS for the moment).

I've ranted long enough, just that this anti-Mac rhetoric annoys me every bit as much as anti-PC rhetoric. They're just computers, each have pros and cons, get the one you prefer.

*Not truly equating Apple to Leica here, Apple's build quality is not even close to Leica, but it was an easy comparison.

 

[jpfisher]

Thanks for all the feedback!

Would it be nuts for me to consider a refurbished Mac Pro over an iMac? I don't begin to need all the capabilities and expansion potential it offers, but I do like that I can pick and choose my own monitor and easily add memory and expansion cards for things like eSATA ports (something which isn't available on an iMac.) Plus, as Frank pointed out, it would be nice to have the monitor and computer in separate housings so the failure of one doesn't bring down the whole thing.

A refurbished 2.66GHz Quad-Core is available for $2,119, FWIW, and the iMac is pushing $3k the way I configured it.

Kevin,

I bought a brand-new-in-the-box 2009 model quad-core 27" last week for $1550 from B&H -- http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656542-REG/Apple_MB953LL_A.html

It's not the latest CPU and graphics card, but it's a very speedy machine. Bought an additional 4GB of RAM (the computer ships with two open RAM slots -- very easy to install yourself, just need a small Phillips head screwdriver).

1TB of internal storage isn't a ton, in the grand scheme of things, but you could use the money you save in comparison to a 2010 model to get external storage -- I use a WD MyBook Studio Pro in a RAID 1 (mirror) configuration to store my photos. Connects via FireWire-800 -- if you buy a 2TB drive and make it a RAID 1, you will only be able to store 1TB of data, but if one of the drives inside the enclosure fails, you won't lose any data. WD gives you software to montior drive heatlh status, and warranties the drive for five years.

Buying an external drive for Time Machine is also a nice backup option -- I do both -- RAID 1 for the photos, backed up to a Time Machine drive, and I use a few portable drives that I store at my office for off-site backup.

For photo work (Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture), the Mac Pro is not a good bargain -- the performance increase doesn't merit the extra cost. You have to take the display you're getting into account with the iMac as well.

I wouldn't be concerned over the glossy screen -- I have a dual monitor setup, an older 23" Apple Cinema Display (matte finish) next to the 27" iMac. Calibrated both wtih a SpyderPro with no problems -- they match up quite well. The glossy finish on the iMac is much better than it is on my late 2008 model MacBook Pro.

Hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Jim

 

[Rogier]

Same hardware with regards to hard drive, optical drive and some other peripheral parts. Main logic board (motherboard in your language) is different and build to way higher standards. Most importantly the configurations are very stable, well tested and supported for a long time.
Most importantly they run OSX something no PC can.

By the way a couple of times PC magazine called a Mac the best windows machine out there.

I agree that the Mac is pretty much the same hardware, although if you find Macs cost 2-3 times as much, you're looking in the wrong shops.

 

[Rogier]

Every day I deal with people who lost all data due to a human error or technical failure. They all knew they had to back-up bud did not. And now expect a miracle to happen. Mostly other than a very expensive trip to Drivesavers there is little that can be cone.
It saddens me every time again :-(

Computers should come equipped with an annoying alarm like the one for the seatbelt in your car in order to warn you or just plainly refuse to start if you did not back-up in the past... day's.
And if you disable the alarm, at least you (pretend) that you know what you are doing.

Smiles across the wires,

Rogier

 

[ZeissFan]

Go out, buy the parts and build your own PC. Then you know what's inside should something go wrong. Then you can add the Apple OS.

I will never buy an off-the-shelf computer again.

On the other hand, many people aren't cut out to do this type of work. So my response wasn't of much help. Sorry.

But my general feeling is that you should buy one down from the top of the line. You pay a bit less but still get 90% of the computing power.

 

[nightfly]

Can you elaborate with respect to "bogs down"?

As far as the bogging issue I'm often working with large layered Photoshop files for my work (web development). When I go to say crop something down, it lags. Then I got to save for web to jpeg, it lags, several to say 30 or 40 seconds sometimes.

I also do high resolution scans of my photos from negatives which are often 100 megs each when saved as layered PSDs. When I'm working them, cropping, adjusting levels, cruves etc, I often get several seconds of lag time.

Unfortunately my Macbook Pro is maxed out ram wise at 4 gigs.

A friend of mine who is graphic designer and often works on 100 meg + print files has a 17" Macbook Pro with the i7 chip and 8 gigs of RAM and says it's as fast as his older desktop Mac Pro.

 

[yoyo22]

If you're going for a 27" iMac 2009/2010, do yourself a favor and check it in the store. The 27" panels still have problems with the so called "yellow tint" issue, where certain parts of the screen - usually the lower right - shows a distinctive yellowish tone.
I bought an 27" iMac 2009, had the display panel replaced under warranty twice, then got the 2010 as replacement, but they sent the wrong configuration, then finally a good one. The last one was the one with an acceptable display, all the displays before were really yellow.
So spare yourself such a service nightmare and check the display in the store.

 

[Frank Petronio]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656542-REG/Apple_MB953LL_A.html

B&H special from the Online Photographer... I haven't shopped at all but it seems like a pretty good deal.

Even if it is a little slower or yellower or not a PC or not this or not that....

 

[Doug]

If you go with an iMac, I agree it's wise to maximize the hardware, especially things that can't be changed later such as the processor. It's more of a closed system than a Mac Pro.

I got my 27" iMac i7 built-to-order a year ago this month just as they were starting to ship, and there was talk online about the yellow tinge. Mine doesn't suffer from that, and I'm surprised it still exists with new iMacs.

I typically have a dozen or so applications open, some with documents open. And I don't generally shut it down, just put it to sleep for the night. Then, I may see the spinning beach-ball cursor when switching to an inactive application... My iMac has 4Gb RAM, and it seems this delay is due to reading in virtual memory from the hard drive. So I've ordered a pair of 4Gb RAM cards from Crucial, which has a nice feature on their web page to zero in on exactly which computer you have and the correct memory. Priced better than Mac Connection too. I hope cracking the iMac open and installing the RAM will be easy....

I'm happy with the peppy performance compared to my dual-G5 Power Mac which moved from business office to home office now. There is an operating system version barrier here: The G5 can run Leopard but not Snow Leopard, while the iMac runs Snow Leopard but not Leopard. Unfortunately, we're seeing productivity software now that runs only on Intel processors, so down the road there will be ever more divergence in application compatibility.

I use a LaCie 1TB external for Time Machine backup on Firewire 800. As mentioned, the glossy screen is glorious but good to position it to reduce reflections. I also carry files between office and home on flash cards both for convenient access and for additional backup.

I also use the wireless Magic Mouse, and find it both handy to use but also irritating. The slightest inadvertent touch to the top surface can send your open window scrolling wildly to follow the zooming cursor. I've taken to holding it by its edges for clicking and fine movements.

You're getting some useful advice - except that suggesting a PC! - and I wish you luck in your shopping and then ongoing satisfaction with your choice.

 

[kevin m]

The tips are great. Like I said, I hadn't considered a Mac Pro until yesterday. And I've been buying film from B&H for years, but didn't know they sold computers. D'uh! 😀 They have some good deals....!

 

[Thardy]

If you go with an iMac, I agree it's wise to maximize the hardware, especially things that can't be changed later such as the processor. It's more of a closed system than a Mac Pro.

I got my 27" iMac i7 built-to-order a year ago this month just as they were starting to ship, and there was talk online about the yellow tinge. Mine doesn't suffer from that, and I'm surprised it still exists with new iMacs.

I typically have a dozen or so applications open, some with documents open. And I don't generally shut it down, just put it to sleep for the night. Then, I may see the spinning beach-ball cursor when switching to an inactive application... My iMac has 4Gb RAM, and it seems this delay is due to reading in virtual memory from the hard drive. So I've ordered a pair of 4Gb RAM cards from Crucial, which has a nice feature on their web page to zero in on exactly which computer you have and the correct memory. Priced better than Mac Connection too. I hope cracking the iMac open and installing the RAM will be easy....

I'm happy with the peppy performance compared to my dual-G5 Power Mac which moved from business office to home office now. There is an operating system version barrier here: The G5 can run Leopard but not Snow Leopard, while the iMac runs Snow Leopard but not Leopard. Unfortunately, we're seeing productivity software now that runs only on Intel processors, so down the road there will be ever more divergence in application compatibility.

I use a LaCie 1TB external for Time Machine backup on Firewire 800. As mentioned, the glossy screen is glorious but good to position it to reduce reflections. I also carry files between office and home on flash cards both for convenient access and for additional backup.

I also use the wireless Magic Mouse, and find it both handy to use but also irritating. The slightest inadvertent touch to the top surface can send your open window scrolling wildly to follow the zooming cursor. I've taken to holding it by its edges for clicking and fine movements.

You're getting some useful advice - except that suggesting a PC! - and I wish you luck in your shopping and then ongoing satisfaction with your choice.

That magic mouse is great! Much better than the old mouse with the rubber scrolling ball on top. I updated OS to be able to use that mouse.

 

[nightfly]

Big fan of non-apple mice. Steve Job's longtime jihad against multiple button mice and scroll wheels turned me off years ago.

I really like the Razor Salmosa, it's a gaming mouse (I don't game) but it's super light and responsive and doesn't have a thousand extra buttons. Hard to find a good corded mouse these days.

That magic mouse is great! Much better than the old mouse with the rubber scrolling ball on top. I updated OS to be able to use that mouse.

 

[visiondr]

I hated how Time Machine was constantly accessing my drives and indexing, drove me nuts. Really no need to be backing up all your apps etc all the time, just your working files.

Try this: http://timesoftware.free.fr/timemachineeditor/

Time Machine Editor is free and works perfectly. I have Time Machine backing up two times a day instead of the requisite hourly backups - which, for most people, is a complete waste of CPU resources.

 

[nightfly]

Yeah, my current system of having SuperDuper run every night for full back up and then using a Dropbox folder that holds all my working files is working well.

Dropbox actually has the same functionality as TimeMachine with regards to multiple sequential backups with the advantage of being stored on the web. I've rolled back to earlier versions many times which has saved my a##.

Thanks for the tip.

Try this: http://timesoftware.free.fr/timemachineeditor/

Time Machine Editor is free and works perfectly. I have Time Machine backing up two times a day instead of the requisite hourly backups - which, for most people, is a complete waste of CPU resources.

 

[t.s.k.]

I really like the Razor Salmosa, it's a gaming mouse (I don't game) but it's super light and responsive and doesn't have a thousand extra buttons. Hard to find a good corded mouse these days.

Yea, I never thought it would be that hard either. I hate to rely on batteries to run a mouse. I'm still using a simple 15 yr old ball mouse that "plugs in" but sadly its days are numbered. I also use an old "clickity" keyboard of the same vintage that's built like a tank. Thanks for the suggestion on the Razor.