Considering an iMac. Suggestions???

[nickdrak]

Well, my Sony PC blew up earlier today It gave me 7 good years....

I'm considering an iMac to replace it. I know I can get a really well spec'ed pc from HP or one of the other big name pc manufacturers for under $1000.00, but the iMac has my attention. For those of you running an iMac desktop do you feel it is worth the premium? For my purposes: internet, photos, videos (Flip share), and I do alot of lesson plans for firearms instruction for my PD. Let me know what you guys suggest.

I have a few buddies of mine who swear they would never consider another pc since they got their Mac.

[Mac5.56]

This is a complex question. I run macs, and I am a visual artist, and I work with images on a daily basis. My computer is a power horse, but it is 5 years out of date. It is still running strong, and I am still capable of taking a 500 MB image edited in CS4 on my studio computer, and loading it on my home computer to do minor color adjustments, and size adjustments. It is slow, but it still makes its money.

My computer is a tool for my job, and on a forum that promotes the best tool for the money, I would say you should appreciate that extra money will help you out if you intend on pushing the tool to its limit.

But, that said, if you have no need for anything other then something to store low DPI photos, browse the web, and make power points, a PC will do you fine. Also my sisters husband is an engineer and he wont run a mac because despite recent advances with Rhino, he swears that having a PC is the best in regards to using any sort of CAD programs.

[rob_s]

I have considered a mac several times over the years. The price differential is always what brings me back to the PC, as well as just basic familiarity with the PC. I'll be interested to see the responses you get.

[Alex V]

Also my sisters husband is an engineer and he wont run a mac because despite recent advances with Rhino, he swears that having a PC is the best in regards to using any sort of CAD programs.

That is also a huge downside for me. As an Architect all the software I use with the exception of Sketchup is PC only. 3D Studio used to be available for MAC untill Autodesk [those bastards] bought it.

I have to be running a PC at work, even though some Arch firms run MAC and use ArchiCAD, which is the European version of REVIT which runs on MAC OS. At home I have a MacBook Pro and and looking to get the 27" (2)Quad Core iMac this summer. If I have to take work home with me, I can just boot into windows for the time being, but at all other times I can run MAC OS and not worry about anything. I have yet to be able to crash my MacBook Pro with PS CS3, Il CS3, Sketchup, and ArchiCAD all running at the same time.

If you have the money, I would go for the iMac. You do not have to go nuts and get the 27" dual quad core machine, you can get the 21.5" guy for $1200... I think its an awesome machine.

[rob_s]

I use Revit and Navisworks as well at work, and am actually buying a PC laptop for myself in order to be able to do more work from home.

From the Augi forums re: Revit

Laptop

The MacBook Pro models combine great styling and design (and a backlit keyboard for those late night work sessions in your back yard) with phenomenal performance. They now run Windows XP either within OS X using Parallels or by dual boot using Boot Camp. These laptops provide a 3Gb maximum for RAM, but can be outfitted with 4Gb of RAM. The MacBook Pro uses the nVidia GeForce video cards.

Desktop

Got a Mac?
New Mac desktops and notebooks that use the Intel processors are working very well with Parallels or Boot Camp. See this stuck thread:
http://forums.augi.com/showthread.php?t=35939

[kwelz]

Another good way to save some money is to look at the refurbished section of the Apple store online. You can save anywhere from $200 - $800 bucks on a machine and the only thing you don't get is the nice shiny original box. I have purchased a few this way and they have always served me well.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/hom...mco=OTY2ODY4Nw

For instance on there the base level iMac is $200 cheaper. It includes the same basic warranty and you can still buy the same Applecare protection plan for it. Now while i normally tell people to not get Extended warranties, you want to get Applecare.

I have had Machines fail bear the end of applecare over the years. Both times they have replaced the computers with the newest generation equivalent.

[subzero]

I have bought 3 computers, a few iPods and an iPhone off of the refurb site. It kicks ass.

When it came time to buy a laptop, it was right around when Windows 7 came out. I told myself I wasn't going to let another Windows OS get by me the way Vista did. Since Apple uses Intel chips now, it's easier to compare machines apples-to-apples(no pun intended) with the only real difference being the OS. When I specced a machine out the way I wanted, I didn't see nearly as much of a cost difference as the anti-Mac crowd will have you believe. I ended up getting a Macbook Pro instead of a Windows machine. I run Windows XP on Boot Camp (I won't pay for Parallels) without a hitch. It's kinda funny to show someone my screen with a Windows logo when they see the Apple on the back.

I had some teething issues when I first switched from Windows to OSX, but after 5 years I'm glad I did it. I like OSX enough for it to be my default OS and I use Windows when I have to.

[tiger seven]

I think the Mac mini is very underrated as a general-purpose computer. All the joy of life without Windows at quite a reasonable price. Buying a separate non-Apple branded monitor will save you a lot of money.

The iMac is slick if you want everything in one package and have the cash. I don't know anyone who owns one that regrets buying it.

Derek

[madisonsfinest]

After purchasing a mac book pro 3 years ago, I will be sticking with apple. I love the programs for the apple and how well they are integrated into the system. I love the imac's. If you get a wireless keyboard and mouse, you will basically have 1 cord, how sweet is that

[urbanamish]

I've been switching my company over to Mac's, as I've used Macs for a long time, and really like them.

We've had less tech costs, fewer virus problems, etc.

We use virtualization to run our mission critical PC software on a pimped out Mac Pro. We've got MacBooks, iMacs, Minis, etc. and really like them.