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Comments on my Future Setup...

corywoolf

corywoolf

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jun 28, 2004
1,352
4
I just recieved word today that I will be recieving $2000 from my grandma as my graduation gift in 2-3 weeks. I am also selling my iMac G4 800 Mhz and a bunch of other stuff to put toward this setup. I have thought about it a lot, and decided I would rather get the 20" instead of the 17", what do you think?

The total comes to a little over $3000 with tax.
This is with student discounts of course.

Any advice on how I could save money or what isn't worth getting in my selection?

Edit: just realized I left the dock in there by accident, it comes with the av kit. SO minus $35!
 

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I personally don't think I would get AppleCare on either the iPod or the computer. Why? Because the products come with a warranty anyway and almost all failures happen soon after you start using a product. If your products work right for the first few months, the odds are extremely high that they will continue to do so.

Next, I would not buy the game unless it is a Universal Binaries edition. If it is a PowerPC edition, your performance will perhaps suffer greatly. I would wait until games are released specifically for the Intel Macs before I bought any game.

Next, I would probably use the computer for a while before I bought an extra monitor. Once you know you need it, then you could get it (unless you know you need it now).

Your ram purchase is very wise as lots of ram is vital to OS X.

As for your headphones, they may be right for you, but I would only get them if you have tried them out. Headphones are very subjective. I personally cannot recommend highly enough the Sony MDR-7506. I have had my pair for about 11 years and they still sound great. They were the headphones used exclusively at all the recording studios at Middle Tennessee State's recording industry program, which is nationally renowned. Music is a joy to listen to with them, especially for pop/dance/electronic types of music as the bass response is incredible (there were several occasions where I had to remove the headphones because I SWORE my stereo speakers MUST have been also playing because the bass was so strong). I know nothing of the Sennheiser and therefore can't say one way or another if you should get them.

Overall your plan seems like a good one.
 
I say don't spend so much money at once. :) Maybe treat yourself to the iMac and iPod, but hold off to see what you really need, on the other stuff (besides the memory which you'll need). I'd certainly wait on the second display until you see, if you need it.

Also, you're only upgrade on the iMac is the VRAM. If you didn't mind going down to 128 VRAM, then you could buy at Amazon.com and get a $150 rebate.

Of course, your setup has a lot of cool stuff. No question about that. I just think it can be more thrilling, to acquire a bit at a time, than have all that arrive in the same month or so.
 
That's pretty fricken awesome, I wish I could get a sweet setup like that... lucky!

1. personally I don't like Dell monitors because they look ugly. I know they have the same panel as ACDs, but it'll look a little funny next to the iMac. If I were you, I'd go to dealmac.com they catalouge deals on a lot of stuff, go to catagories, then monitors, then 19" .. but that's purely my personal choice, if you're okay with the Dell, then get it.

Here's a link to 19" monitors on dealmac.

2. The iPod might get updated soon. The last one was October, approximately 6 months ago. The iPod will most likely get updated this summer. Maybe get the iPod and iPod acessories last?

3. I like the headphones you picked out, what are they?
 
spinne1 said:
Touch screen=fingerprints.....*shivers and shakes head quickly from side to side*......"oohoohoooh"
Click to expand...
If, and I mean IF, Apple releases a touchscreen iPod, they obviously wouldn't release it if finger prints smudged it like crazy! DUH. This is Apple, they like clean objects, they focus on user expirience, and fingerprints would not be looked over.
 
How about I drop the monitor and ipod and accessories from the list and get a 1 GB shuffle to hold me over. I could then wait for the new ipods and get one of those and any accessories for it at that time. But while I am waiting... why not invest in some good old AAPL stock? :D I did it before and doubled my money in 9 months. The 20" monitor should hold me over for a while at least. I do a lot of After Effects and FCP Studio work, as well as Illustrator, Photoshop, Etc. I have used my friend's 23" ACD and 19" Dell (w/ Dual 2 Ghz G5, 3 GB RAM) for my bigger projects and can't afford anything near that setup. I really could use the screen real-estate, but I guess I could probably hold off on it for a while. The only reason I feel rushed is because I am moving out to NYC to my dad's place when I graduate and know he HATES seeing me spend money when I don't have a job. I don't like spending money much, but then again nobody who has worked hard to afford something before does either (worked a whole summer to afford my 40 GB iPod Photo when it was $500). I have been stuck with my iMac g4 for 4.5 years and am still able to do lots in the apps, but think it's time for the upgrade. Looks like it will only be $2129.90 after I remove all the ipod stuff and monitor stuff. BTW, WoW is universal and was on the front page of MR not too long ago because of it.
 
I wouldn't get those headphones for $99, or the Dell monitor either. I would wait until Dell upgrades their monitors to be HDCP compliant (should be somewhat soon... right?) or at least get a widescreen monitor with DVI... analog flat panel = crap.

I just bought my girlfriend a pair of Sony MDR-XD200's for $20 or $25 and they honestly almost sound as good as my $150 Bose Triports...
 
crazzyeddie said:
I wouldn't get those headphones for $99, or the Dell monitor either. I would wait until Dell upgrades their monitors to be HDCP compliant (should be somewhat soon... right?) or at least get a widescreen monitor with DVI... analog flat panel = crap.

I just bought my girlfriend a pair of Sony MDR-XD200's for $20 or $25 and they honestly almost sound as good as my $150 Bose Triports...
Click to expand...

How is the dell monitor analog? Will the iMac support HDCP? I can't find a dell widescreen for under $325. Will the new dell monitors mean jacked up prices? I already decided I will wait on the dell monitor and ipod. I really find it hard to believe those Sony's are that good. I have heard Sennhieser makes great products at good prices. I have bought $30 headphones so many times and will not do it again. I think the sweet-spot for headphones is around $100, or so I have heard. I have looked at some reviews of headphones and the Sennhiesers ranked pretty high. The Bose are nice and overpriced, but they are fragile and I would hate to break the headband. Thanks for the advice though.
 
cnakeitaro said:
I don't know if anyone else brought this up, but why are you spending $60 on WoW when you can get it for $39.99?
Click to expand...
Didn't know that, thanks for pointing that out!
 
corywoolf said:
But while I am waiting... why not invest in some good old AAPL stock? :D I did it before and doubled my money in 9 months.
Click to expand...

Apple stock has had a good year, but I wouldn't invest in it assuming that you're going to turn a profit in the near future. As is always said, "Past performance is no guarantee of future success."
The stock market certainly has a history of good returns on long-term investments, but it is unreliable for money which you may want to use in the short-term. This is especially true when you're putting the entire amount in one stock.

Just my .02 - good luck with your purchases - that's a fun "dilemma" to have.
I second the notion of waiting on the bid iPod since something new is rumored to be nearby.
You are going to LOVE your new machine!
 
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