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Should i get a IMac or PC?

post #1 of 26
4/4/05 at 10:35pm
Thread Starter 
Im in the market for a new computer and I not sure wether I should get an 20 inch Imac or PC. This is mainly due to concern about an all in one computer. I need something about the same speed as an imac and I dont want to spend $3500 - $4000 on a power mac. So I was just wounder what people who have an imac think of them.

All opinion welcome
Thanks
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post #2 of 26
4/4/05 at 10:51pm
Fitzy,

I do not own an iMac, but it is an awesome machine. Have you visited an Apple store by chance to try one out? Of course, it won't compare to actually having it in your home.

It is a very capable machine. Plus, since you'll own a mac, you'll be able to enjoy all the great benefits: OS X, the iLife suite of applications, etc. Your computing experience will be simpler and more enjoyable.

The 20-inch iMac is really fantastic. You get a fantastic display (1680x1050 resolution), and a fantastic computer. You can't ask for much more. Be sure to put a decent amount of memory in it. What are your concerns with an all-in-one? Is it what happens if it breaks down? Well, you can buy Applecare, within the first year, and that will extend your warranty two additional years.

For the price of the iMac, you get an awesome computer and a brilliant display. You said you need something about the speed of the iMac, so a Powermac is not necessary. However, Tiger and an update to the iMac line is expected soon, so you might wait a couple weeks.
*Powerbook G4 12" - 1.5 GHZ
*iMac Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHZ (Mid 2007), *Apple 20-inch Cinema Display (Aluminium)
*iPhone 4S, Airport Extreme (2011) *MacBook Air 11-inch (Late 2010)
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*Powerbook G4 12" - 1.5 GHZ
*iMac Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHZ (Mid 2007), *Apple 20-inch Cinema Display (Aluminium)
*iPhone 4S, Airport Extreme (2011) *MacBook Air 11-inch (Late 2010)
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post #3 of 26
4/4/05 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 
Because I want to here from people who have an imac and if they had any trouble and well this is the most likly place.
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post #4 of 26
4/5/05 at 2:03am
Both iMacs have been very well received, check out the forums on the Apple support pages for issues. I would wait till the end of April (for Tiger and the updated iMac - it looks like 512MB RAM will be included as standard). This will save you $129 for Tiger and $75 for the RAM. Get bluetooth built in as this cannot be done later (i believe). Also 80GB isn't a big hard drive so your choice there. But I've just bought a PowerBook, I was very tempted to buy an iMac but didn't because of the graphics card and I needed a portable machine. The iMac is beautiful.
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post #5 of 26
4/5/05 at 2:26am
The iMac is truly a great machine. I have the 17" G5 1.8 GHz unit with 80 GB HD and Superdrive, 512 MB RAM, Bluetooth and Airport. The machine does everything well. I have had experiences with previous iMacs and have been very pleased with them and I think you will be, too. I have experienced some of the noise problems you may have heard about, but they weren't aas serious as some have tried to make them out to be. I would second some of the other advice you've seen here. There is a possibility of an iMac update soon. If you can wait, do so; if not, buy now - you won't regret it. Although I don't own one, I understand the 20" iMac is awsome!
TCAT
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TCAT
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post #6 of 26
4/5/05 at 4:29pm
I have a 20" and it's killer.
thats all i need to say.....
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post #7 of 26
4/5/05 at 7:48pm
  • Kickaha
  • Really Fast Typing Member
This may come as a shock, but many of us won't recommend a Mac to someone for whom it's not a good fit. The number of situations that applies to keeps dropping, but there are some.
My brain is hung like a HORSE!
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My brain is hung like a HORSE!
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post #8 of 26
4/5/05 at 8:03pm
If the reason for choosing AIO is just that you don't have $3500 to spend, note that Powermacs do not have to cost that much.

Even skipping the lower cost options of used/refurbished/discount machines, the low end Powermac costs $1500 from Apple Store and you can get a 24" Dell display for $1000, so for around $2500 you have an excellent system. In the long term, separate displays and computers tend to be a more cost effective solution than AIO's.

Why don't you write something about how you are going to use the computer, what kind of tasks, software?
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post #9 of 26
4/5/05 at 10:41pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advices. I'm think I'll end up getting a Mac now. I think I might have a look at getting a power mac after Gon suggestion. In answer to what Ill be using it for. (Graphic design - Adobe illustrator and Photoshop .ect, some 3d not hard core stuff, multimedia)

Once again thanks all suggestion welcome.
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post #10 of 26
4/5/05 at 10:47pm
Fitzy,

If you went the Powermac route, and you only needed a 20-inch display, it would be even cheaper. Dell has those for between $500-$600.

I think the Powermac route would be great for you, but the iMac isn't a terrible decision either.
*Powerbook G4 12" - 1.5 GHZ
*iMac Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHZ (Mid 2007), *Apple 20-inch Cinema Display (Aluminium)
*iPhone 4S, Airport Extreme (2011) *MacBook Air 11-inch (Late 2010)
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*Powerbook G4 12" - 1.5 GHZ
*iMac Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHZ (Mid 2007), *Apple 20-inch Cinema Display (Aluminium)
*iPhone 4S, Airport Extreme (2011) *MacBook Air 11-inch (Late 2010)
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post #11 of 26
4/6/05 at 2:21am
Quote:
Originally posted by Fitzy55
Thanks for the advices. I'm think I'll end up getting a Mac now. I think I might have a look at getting a power mac after Gon suggestion. In answer to what Ill be using it for. (Graphic design - Adobe illustrator and Photoshop .ect, some 3d not hard core stuff, multimedia)

Once again thanks all suggestion welcome.

That's what the Macs prefect for, unfortunately Photoshop doesn't take advantage of more than 2GB RAM or the 64-bit (i think), or CoreImage and there's just been an update. BUT the version on the Mac is better than Windows (some Acrobat features are missing however). I'm using a PowerBook G4 1.67 GHz with 1 GB RAM 128 MB VRAM and Adobe Creative Suite 1.1
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post #12 of 26
4/14/05 at 11:31pm
I wasn't that familiar with the iMac - but as long as I have some iMac users here - What I'd really like is a 20" imac in the kitchen. Where it can be viewed not only as a computer but as a HDTV with Pic in Pic - and still do online activity.

What's the possibility - or is there a Thread on this...

Some Stuff Related, PC to Apple 2005

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Some Stuff Related, PC to Apple 2005

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post #13 of 26
4/15/05 at 5:26pm
Well if you are worried that since it is the 2nd tier computer that it won't be that good, you don't have to worry. I bought a iBook and I was also wondering if it would be a lot worse than a powerbook, but I didn't want to spend the extra money. Granted I have not used a powerbook a lot, so I may not know what I am missing, but I will say that I think my iBook is far superior than and PC I have ever used and will never switch back.

I think the iMac is very comparable to the iBook and my iBook runs very smoothly and I could not be happier with it.
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post #14 of 26
4/16/05 at 6:34am
Quote:
Originally posted by nd32k3
Well if you are worried that since it is the 2nd tier computer that it won't be that good, you don't have to worry. I bought a iBook and I was also wondering if it would be a lot worse than a powerbook, but I didn't want to spend the extra money. Granted I have not used a powerbook a lot, so I may not know what I am missing, but I will say that I think my iBook is far superior than and PC I have ever used and will never switch back.

I think the iMac is very comparable to the iBook and my iBook runs very smoothly and I could not be happier with it.

The iMac probably performs faster than the PowerBook.
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post #15 of 26
4/16/05 at 8:25am
I have a 20" imac, and it is superior to all other computers on the planet.. it is also trained to kill.
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post #16 of 26
4/16/05 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally posted by Kickaha
This may come as a shock, but many of us won't recommend a Mac to someone for whom it's not a good fit. The number of situations that applies to keeps dropping, but there are some.

This is true. I wouldn't recommend an iMac to this person.
Mac user since before you were born.
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Mac user since before you were born.
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post #17 of 26
4/18/05 at 7:16pm
why would anybody get a winblows, with the constant urge to put new patches everyday to thwart off viruses, trojan horses and worms, and then to add more change to gate's pocket. go with a mac. once you go mac you'll never go back. i got 4 macs and an ibook. i dont know what a virus is. except when i am running a temperature.
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post #18 of 26
4/18/05 at 8:10pm
Why not give a mac mini a try ? I think they're awesome... if people could do pro work on a 1.25 ghz G4 two years ago, what has changed ? nothing right, powerbooks still have G4's and they're a pro machine.

The macmini is awsome value for money, and because of its formfactor and lack of bundled monitor makes it useful far into the the future. Yesterday, I had the unfortunate incident of turning on a new (old) Performa... and finding the built in CRT was broken ! The computer is useless now ! I was really looking forward to playing Dark Castle.
http://MyCatnipFactory.com
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http://MyCatnipFactory.com
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post #19 of 26
4/19/05 at 12:07am
Thread Starter 
Thanks For your advice guys and girls.

AsLan^
Sorry I teach 3d and video as well as web development need somthing with a bit more power. But what i am not sure about is just what happened to you with you ctr, are you able to get it fixed.
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post #20 of 26
4/19/05 at 6:15am
Quote:
Originally posted by Fitzy55
Thanks For your advice guys and girls.

AsLan^
Sorry I teach 3d and video as well as web development need somthing with a bit more power. But what i am not sure about is just what happened to you with you ctr, are you able to get it fixed.

No, I'm afraid its going to the dumpster... not to worry. If you teach 3d and video... why half ass it with the iMac, go for the Powermac !
http://MyCatnipFactory.com
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http://MyCatnipFactory.com
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post #21 of 26
4/19/05 at 6:48am
Quote:
Originally posted by AsLan^
Why not give a mac mini a try ? I think they're awesome... if people could do pro work on a 1.25 ghz G4 two years ago, what has changed ? nothing right, powerbooks still have G4's and they're a pro machine.

The macmini is awsome value for money, and because of its formfactor and lack of bundled monitor makes it useful far into the the future. Yesterday, I had the unfortunate incident of turning on a new (old) Performa... and finding the built in CRT was broken ! The computer is useless now ! I was really looking forward to playing Dark Castle.

It's the graphics card, the max ram and hard drive speed that make the Mac mini less desirable.
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post #22 of 26
4/19/05 at 8:59am
You're essentially looking for a cheap gaming machine, even though you're not playing games. You need RAM, a good vid card, a bit of speed, a bit of HD space, and you need it on the cheap. Apple can't give you all those things in 1 package.

I'd recommend building your own PC with good parts--asus mobo, good vid card, RAM, etc.

Probably come down to less than $600 for something faster and more usuable than the iMac.

Hell, for the money you save, you could put a mac mini and a KVM inside the PC's case and have the best of both worlds.
Mac user since before you were born.
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Mac user since before you were born.
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post #23 of 26
4/20/05 at 3:23am
Quote:
Originally posted by MacCrazy
That's what the Macs prefect for, unfortunately Photoshop doesn't take advantage of more than 2GB RAM or the 64-bit (i think), or CoreImage and there's just been an update. BUT the version on the Mac is better than Windows (some Acrobat features are missing however). I'm using a PowerBook G4 1.67 GHz with 1 GB RAM 128 MB VRAM and Adobe Creative Suite 1.1

It has been reported that Photoshop CS2 for Mac will allow you to take advantage of more than 2GB of RAM

Also it's a bit of a dirty hack but someone else has tried it and it works if you have say, 4GB of RAM, assign 2GB max for Photoshop CS1, make a 1GB RAMdisk, assign ram disk as primary Scratch disk, voila..! 3GB of Photoshop goodness in RAM *sigh* that's beautiful *sniff*
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post #24 of 26
4/20/05 at 9:57am
Get and iMac or a PC. Don't get a Power Mac. They're overpriced and not that cool. But if you've got a load of money, i guess the power mac would be great.
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post #25 of 26
4/21/05 at 12:22am
Quote:
Originally posted by sunilraman
assign 2GB max for Photoshop CS1, make a 1GB RAMdisk, assign ram disk as primary Scratch disk

How do you make a RAM disk? Is this something OS X is capable of out of the box?
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post #26 of 26
4/21/05 at 1:22am
Quote:
Originally posted by Gon
How do you make a RAM disk? Is this something OS X is capable of out of the box?

you can use Rambunctious
http://www.clarkwood.com/rambunctious/
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