To iMac or not ?

Jorge,

go to Mac, I switched from 7 months ago, it was one of the best things I did last year:) Forget about speed, processors - Mac is about pleasure, it's just different and better experience.
 
Another vote for mac. The mac OS is simple and intuitive and is a pleasure to use.

Mac handles the memory leaks problem (assume that you know what i'm saying) very well so the system doesn't slow down with use. With windows you need to restart once in a while, or otherwise the system gets slower and slower.
 
OK, this isn't a recommendation, everyone else has that covered, but it's my personal stance on Apple machines as desktop boxes.

I'm not likely to go with anything from Apple for my everyday (desktop) system, considering their line-up... I will not buy a desktop system with an integrated monitor, period. I also won't pay 2 grand for a system that's not going to be ideal for gaming, so the mac pro is out...
Oh, and the fact that the only system I'll buy pre-assembled is a laptop.

I'm not just a user, or a novice, or a technophobe, I'm a computer geek who's always used windows and always needs to run games on his desktop box. For 2 grand, I could build something with a plenty fast processor, very good RAM, a RAID 0 array of 2 74GB WD Raptor's and a raid 1 array of 2 320GB Seagates, a pretty high end case and board, and a good video card. Sure it's not 'plug-and-play', sure I can't take it out of the box and start editing pictures or something, but that's not what matters to me...

I do like their offerings for laptops though, and I would consider one of those since gaming is not so important on a laptop. I don't use a laptop for anything more than internet surfing at motels, copying pictures (which I don't need to do since I don't shoot digital anymore anyway), and maybe editing text files.

One thing that annoys me is when people associate the operating system installation, and software problems, with 'the computer'. The windows load is NOT your computer. It's just software. If it slows down, it's not because Dell (or Gateway, or HP, or whoever the hell else's computer you use) sucks, it's because Windows gets bogged down and needs to be cleaned up and sometimes reloaded. Yes, it's a flaw (well, a lot of flaws combined), but if you back up your files, use partitions properly and make an image of a fully configured load, you can dump it and be back to the clean load in 10-15 minutes.

I've done a lot of repairs on windows machines, but none on apple machines, since I worked in a computer shop that only did windows systems. I don't know anyone who uses Apple that isn't of the mentality that if something on it stops working (not neccesarily hardware...) and Apple themselves won't fix it, they should just pitch it, so I never get asked to work on them. I don't know if the Mac OS gets bogged down like windows does after time, but I would guess it doesn't, considering the unix based kernel and the file system. That might be an advantage to some people...
 
I have not read the whole thread, this may well simply repeat other's comments, but here's my feelings for the nada that they're worth...

I worked as the computer suport person for a small government agency (~15 users) for 10 years. When we used unix (Data General - Word Perfect & Ingres), it was simple, fast and worked perfectly. Then we were forced to transition to Windows and later to Windows under Citrix (if you recognize that h*ll, I have sympathy) ... I now drive OTR professionally and will never work in computers or buy a new MS product again.

There is no game or application that is worth the incompetence of Redmond. Buy a mac. Never look at Windows again. Never.

William
 
Well, in a little while I should be setting up the new iMAC 24. Got 6% off with the Intel discount :)

It may be a while before you see anything from me since this is all new now.
 
Jorge Torralba, congratulations on your new iMac.

Students and those with students in the family who want to try a new Mac should remember that Apple offers a pretty good educational discount on their products and a student can get that on 1@ desktop, mini and laptop per academic year.

Also two displays and 2@ software packages in the same time period. Of course, Apple may have a different set-up for other areas, but that's what it is in my area.

If I were buying a new Macbook anytime soon, the only thing I would change from my first purchase is to buy the configuration I want, without a memory upgrade. Memory is something I would buy third party, as Apple memory is expensive.

Cheers
 
Jorge,

I just heard about your iMac purchase. Good move. I've been using Macs since they were black and white!

Anyway, I too live in Portland. Should you need any tech help, I can make myself available.

Ron
 
Jorge, wait until next week... Macworld is around the corner and new goodies come out normally. this means that with the same price you will get a better machine. :)

BA
 
I'm kinda amazed.. here is a 13 page thread on monitors all in just 12 hours!! This has more responses than a film is dead thread.
 
Jorge Torralba said:
Well, in a little while I should be setting up the new iMAC 24. Got 6% off with the Intel discount :)

It may be a while before you see anything from me since this is all new now.
I anticipate this will simply be on account of you having way too much fun with that thing - Macs can be like that, even (or especially) with people like my galfriend, who have claimed a lifelong aversion to anything remotely connected with computers.

Do keep us posted as you "resurface". Have fun in the meantime.


- Barrett
 
Hehe yeah same here, amazing. It has become a Mac vs PC thread too :)

To echo experiences of fellow RFF users, being into Macs too for over 4 years, I never used anti-virus and migrating all my personal files and programs to a newer mac when I upgrade is painless! I am also a boardmember of the forums www.philmug.ph Now using an iMac Intel Core 2 duo 20", I am happy with it!

The iMac LCD though is so bright!!! Apple's own brightness control can't turn the level down comfortable enough for me so I use some good FREE 3rd party apps:
http://macupdate.com/info.php/id/10429
http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/23370
 
jan normandale said:
I'm kinda amazed.. here is a 13 page thread on monitors all in just 12 hours!! This has more responses than a film is dead thread.
We're talking PC vs. Mac here. That's right up there with Film vs. Digital, politics, religion, and what brand of car one drives (the latter apparently replacing sex in some provinces...er, I mean in terms of arguing, of course. At least, I hope so...).


- Barrett
 
Jorge Torralba said:
Well, in a little while I should be setting up the new iMAC 24. Got 6% off with the Intel discount :)

It may be a while before you see anything from me since this is all new now.


Congratulations! Great choice.

willie
 
amateriat said:
We're talking PC vs. Mac here. That's right up there with Film vs. Digital, politics, religion, and what brand of car one drives (the latter apparently replacing sex in some provinces...er, I mean in terms of arguing, of course. At least, I hope so...).


- Barrett


Can we have a little Amiga vs. Atari? That was fun! Much better than Contax vs. Leica in the old days.

I use Mac and Windows and Film and Digital but never Atari or Amiga, was an Apple junkie then.
 
Well, I am making way and also struggling with a few things. Who ever wants to give me a few pointers my ears are open :)

One thing I can't understand is when you open up a system pref window and you start making changes, there is no "cancel' button to undo what you just did before saving. If I exit the changes are saved. Oh well. It's all new.

I like the keyboard weight. Kinda feels like an MP compared to other keyboards :)
 
Jorge Torralba said:
Well, I am making way and also struggling with a few things. Who ever wants to give me a few pointers my ears are open :)

One thing I can't understand is when you open up a system pref window and you start making changes, there is no "cancel' button to undo what you just did before saving. If I exit the changes are saved. Oh well. It's all new.

I like the keyboard weight. Kinda feels like an MP compared to other keyboards :)
I tried to do what you're talking about (I think), and got the dialogue shown in the attached image.
For about everything I can think of, in the Mac OS the default choice will do the least harm. If you need any help send me a pm.

Take care,
Michael

p.s. In regard to keyboards, it is a shame you never got the chance to use the old Mac Extended Keyboard II. It was sweet.
 

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I understand the os aspects of the Mac. 90% of my work is done on solaris/hp/redhat. so, i know the reliability :)

The gui is the learning curve for me :(
 
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