At any time in the recent past towers cost substantially more than iMacs. Today the 1.25Ghz PM is actually cheaper to configure than the iMac. Yes, you have to use some third party periphs to equal the iMac, but in many ways it is superior to the iMac once you set it up. As luggable as an iMac might look, you typically set it down and use it at the same spot at all times, it is not substantially more "mobile" than a tower, the gum drop wasn't, and neither is the iMac FP. That leaves ergos and noise. If you put the tower under your desk like it should be placed, noise isn't an issue. As for ergos, I've used a few LCD's now that have exactly the same lift/tilt motion as the iMac FP (although they don't swing side to side). The truth is that while the iMac may be a little simpler, a tower plus display can be just as neat and orderly and you don't need any special furniture -- One CPU holder bolted under a big flat table will give you as much clear space and orderly (hidden wire) neatness as an iMac.
The only real advantage of the iMac (for those that aren't computer phobic) is that you might move it from one place to another with greater ease, BUT, that doesn't really happen because an iMac is still too big to move about even occassionally. If you want to compute from your bedroom/kitchen/sofa/den, then a portable is the superior solution, as you've pointed out yourself Mr Scates.
To me, that leaves the iMac out of the lurch when it comes to purchasing time. If I want a hermetically sealed computer, I'll at least get the benefit of portability, and if I want to be chained to desk, I'll at least get the industry standard level of expansiona nd upgradability!
Matsu is looking at the iMac from a strict performance/price/features ratio only. In that sense, he's sort of right, but no other. Besides, always beware of someone banging on his favorite tin can.
You should always get the computer you need -- paying more for mobility, or expansion capabilities you don't end up using is a waste of money. The iMac is nice machine with a really unique, friendly design.
As luggable as an iMac might look, you typically set it down and use it at the same spot at all times, it is not substantially more "mobile" than a tower, the gum drop wasn't, and neither is the iMac FP.
-snip-
The only real advantage of the iMac (for those that aren't computer phobic) is that you might move it from one place to another with greater ease, BUT, that doesn't really happen because an iMac is still too big to move about even occassionally. If you want to compute from your bedroom/kitchen/sofa/den, then a portable is the superior solution, as you've pointed out yourself Mr Scates.
-snip-
The iMac is a lot easier to move around then the the usual tower setup. Most people will not move them from room to room, but I know people that throw there iMac in the back seat of their car and take it with them to there weekend house. The are also great for setting up at conventions. For some people luggable is good enough, and if the iBook is not powerful enough, and the powermac is out of your price range, it might be one to get.
Of course that being said, I think that the price/performance of the iMac is really terrible right now and have been recommending to family and friends that they should either get the dual 2GHz tower or hold off buying a new computer until the next round of upgrades.
Comments
The only real advantage of the iMac (for those that aren't computer phobic) is that you might move it from one place to another with greater ease, BUT, that doesn't really happen because an iMac is still too big to move about even occassionally. If you want to compute from your bedroom/kitchen/sofa/den, then a portable is the superior solution, as you've pointed out yourself Mr Scates.
To me, that leaves the iMac out of the lurch when it comes to purchasing time. If I want a hermetically sealed computer, I'll at least get the benefit of portability, and if I want to be chained to desk, I'll at least get the industry standard level of expansiona nd upgradability!
- Noise problems
- Sleep problems with ATI Radeon 9000 Pro + display
- Audio problems (hum in audioport)
iMac should be quite silent and quite fast for normal tasks. I would take iMac over PowerMac G4 just, because it's silent and less problems with iMac.
You should always get the computer you need -- paying more for mobility, or expansion capabilities you don't end up using is a waste of money. The iMac is nice machine with a really unique, friendly design.
Originally posted by Matsu
-snip-
As luggable as an iMac might look, you typically set it down and use it at the same spot at all times, it is not substantially more "mobile" than a tower, the gum drop wasn't, and neither is the iMac FP.
-snip-
The only real advantage of the iMac (for those that aren't computer phobic) is that you might move it from one place to another with greater ease, BUT, that doesn't really happen because an iMac is still too big to move about even occassionally. If you want to compute from your bedroom/kitchen/sofa/den, then a portable is the superior solution, as you've pointed out yourself Mr Scates.
-snip-
The iMac is a lot easier to move around then the the usual tower setup. Most people will not move them from room to room, but I know people that throw there iMac in the back seat of their car and take it with them to there weekend house. The are also great for setting up at conventions. For some people luggable is good enough, and if the iBook is not powerful enough, and the powermac is out of your price range, it might be one to get.
Of course that being said, I think that the price/performance of the iMac is really terrible right now and have been recommending to family and friends that they should either get the dual 2GHz tower or hold off buying a new computer until the next round of upgrades.
Originally posted by STL1025
What is panther, and why do i need it?
Panther is the next version (10.3) of the Mac OS X operating system.
Currently, we're using Jaguar (10.2), and that's what's coming with any Mac you'd buy now.
IMHO, waiting for panther has 2 advantages:
1. It'll be included with the machine, saving you the 129 dollas (or whatever it is) that apple charges for new os versions.
2. You'll get a set of recovery disks for your mac that come with panther, instead of having to use a jaguar one, and then upgrading to panther.
I have no info on a panther release date though.
Enjoy the iMac