Thinking about the iMac...
I've been a Powerbook 15" owner since October 2003. Love my system. However, I bought it with a combo drive and now realize that a Superdrive would be really nice to make DVD slideshows using digital photos and such. Checked into upgrading the machine internally without a lot of success (I just don't feel real confident with the companies that provide this service). I've considered the Firewire option, but really would like something internal that works with iDVD. Beyond that, the system has been great, but after recently seeing the 20" 2 GHz iMac G5 in store, I realize that I could use one of these.
First, I rarely move my Powerbook. It tends to just sit on the desk like a desktop anyway. When I do take it with me on travels, I tend to not use it! I guess I just figure that vacation should be time without the computer.
Second, I have a .Mac account so my bookmarks, email, contacts, calendar, etc. are all online where I can get at them without the need of a portable.
Third, more screen space is always nice. (I'm a musicologist and writing/research is what I do full-time) I love Pages and I find that even the 15" screen isn't big enough to hold the document window, two inspectors and the fonts panel along with the styles drawer. The 20" handles it with aplomb and more! I can have a Safari window open as well as all that with my word processing software of choice. Love it!
A few questions before I go willy-nilly and drop the cash down for the iMac and sell the Powerbook (or give it to my wife who is clamoring for a laptop as of late).
1. I know there have been wide-spread reports of head-related issues and such with the REV A systems. Have these problems been fixed with the REV B systems?
2. What is the formatted capacity of the 400 GB hard disk? Does anyone have that beast in their iMac? That seems like the coolest BTO option I've seen for a desktop Mac. Mind posting a screenshot of the info window? I just want to see it!
3. What is your general opinion of the iMac overall? Am I hurting my "professional" reputation by putting one of these on the desk instead of the "pro" line (Powerbooks, Power Macs)? Do you find it relatively easy to use? Whatever information you can provide would be great.
4. I bought the retail box of Tiger when it came out to upgrade my Powerbook. Love it. Can I use the retail DVD of Tiger to install it on my iMac when I do the reinstall? (I always format and reinstall on a new Mac - I hate all the crap that comes preloaded. And I like using retail versions of software - I just don't like restore discs).
Thanks for any and all information you can provide!
First, I rarely move my Powerbook. It tends to just sit on the desk like a desktop anyway. When I do take it with me on travels, I tend to not use it! I guess I just figure that vacation should be time without the computer.
Second, I have a .Mac account so my bookmarks, email, contacts, calendar, etc. are all online where I can get at them without the need of a portable.
Third, more screen space is always nice. (I'm a musicologist and writing/research is what I do full-time) I love Pages and I find that even the 15" screen isn't big enough to hold the document window, two inspectors and the fonts panel along with the styles drawer. The 20" handles it with aplomb and more! I can have a Safari window open as well as all that with my word processing software of choice. Love it!
A few questions before I go willy-nilly and drop the cash down for the iMac and sell the Powerbook (or give it to my wife who is clamoring for a laptop as of late).
1. I know there have been wide-spread reports of head-related issues and such with the REV A systems. Have these problems been fixed with the REV B systems?
2. What is the formatted capacity of the 400 GB hard disk? Does anyone have that beast in their iMac? That seems like the coolest BTO option I've seen for a desktop Mac. Mind posting a screenshot of the info window? I just want to see it!
3. What is your general opinion of the iMac overall? Am I hurting my "professional" reputation by putting one of these on the desk instead of the "pro" line (Powerbooks, Power Macs)? Do you find it relatively easy to use? Whatever information you can provide would be great.
4. I bought the retail box of Tiger when it came out to upgrade my Powerbook. Love it. Can I use the retail DVD of Tiger to install it on my iMac when I do the reinstall? (I always format and reinstall on a new Mac - I hate all the crap that comes preloaded. And I like using retail versions of software - I just don't like restore discs).
Thanks for any and all information you can provide!
Comments
Originally posted by adamrao
1. I know there have been wide-spread reports of head-related issues and such with the REV A systems. Have these problems been fixed with the REV B systems?
2. What is the formatted capacity of the 400 GB hard disk? Does anyone have that beast in their iMac? That seems like the coolest BTO option I've seen for a desktop Mac. Mind posting a screenshot of the info window? I just want to see it!
3. What is your general opinion of the iMac overall? Am I hurting my "professional" reputation by putting one of these on the desk instead of the "pro" line (Powerbooks, Power Macs)? Do you find it relatively easy to use? Whatever information you can provide would be great.
4. I bought the retail box of Tiger when it came out to upgrade my Powerbook. Love it. Can I use the retail DVD of Tiger to install it on my iMac when I do the reinstall? (I always format and reinstall on a new Mac - I hate all the crap that comes preloaded. And I like using retail versions of software - I just don't like restore discs).
Thanks for any and all information you can provide!
1. I have a Rev A iMac and have had no problems at all. This machines been perfect.
2. Not sure about the formatted capacity, but I have the 160GB and there is 149GB available.
3. I love my iMac, although I wish I also had a powerbook to accompany it. The G5 is nice and the iMac doesn't take up much room on the desk.
4. Yes.
I haven't heard any problems with the hard disk... where did your information come from? I'd be interested in reading the reports!
Has anyone installed a retail version of Tiger on a REV B iMac? I realize that a Rev A iMac could use the disc - it was released well before Tiger came out!
Originally posted by adamrao
[B]Re: 400 GB Hard disk being "loud as hell"...
I haven't heard any problems with the hard disk... where did your information come from? I'd be interested in reading the reports!/B]
Common sense. Also check out Apple Discussion Boards. That's where you'll find the 'reports'.
But by all means, my man, put 3 of them if you wish. What do I care?