First Time Mac Buyer - Advice Welcome

[adam-uk]

Hey all,

As you can probably tell, im new to these forums. Ive been viewing the site for a while now, but only recently registered; And I could do with some advice!

To cut a long story short, I've been looking at migrating from my Windows computer to a mid/top range Mac for the best part of this year. My usage with computers has changed alot since last year, from an avid graphics intensive gamer, to someone who now primarily uses the computer for Music, Work, Videos and Web design/production.

This, amongst the annoyances that my pc brings - size, heat, noise etc, is why I have decided that a Mac may be best for me. The only problem I have had is comparing the two - if possible.

Obviously I dont want to down-grade, but I do want to be able to have a fast, quiet computer that will run Adobe CS and my other graphics programs, as well as meeting my music / dvd needs (Front Row has got my attention here - It's exactly my thing!).

So, do you guys have any advice on this matter. Im really swaying toward buying the new 20" Imac, but just unsure about the performance levels compared to my current AMD 64 system. Sure, my AMD system is more Ghz - but with mac does that matter?

/end rant. Thankyou for any comments you leave. I look forward to them!

Thanks, Ad

 

[mad jew]

Dammit! Buy the thing lad! The iMac will be very capable (note the spelling by the way, some people get frustrated at incorrect spelling). It's hard to say how it'll compare to your AMD without some specs but it's pretty safe to say that you won't see a downgrade.

You could arguably get more actual CPU grunt for your dollar going down the PC route again but I seriously recommend switching. You'll love OSX and the apps that come with it. Plus, apps like iTunes run much faster on Macs irrespective of CPU speed.

Just make sure you have 1GB of RAM plus.

 

[JRM PowerPod]

Good luck in whatever you choose but i reckon you're right with the 20" iMac. The 2.1Ghz is sweet and if you made it 1.5GB ram it would be an awesome machine. The X600Xt will be handy too, upgrade to 500gb if you wish

Obviously you could go with a PowerMac, but the cost is going to bite you hard. You are buying at the right time. I don't think the Mac desktop lineup as ever been so strong. Goodluck mate and you won't regret the change.

ENJOY!!

 

[Chundles]

Dammit! Buy the thing lad! The iMac will be very capable (note the spelling by the way, some people get frustrated at incorrect spelling). It's hard to say how it'll compare to your AMD without some specs but it's pretty safe to say that you won't see a downgrade.

You could arguably get more actual CPU grunt for your dollar going down the PC route again but I seriously recommend switching. You'll love OSX and the apps that come with it. Plus, apps like iTunes run much faster on Macs irrespective of CPU speed.

Just make sure you have 1GB of RAM plus.

Seconded, motion carried.

You should buy it, definitely.

 

[devilot]

But it sounds like the OP is really interested in a silent/quiet machine... the iMac when doing more intensive processes can make those fans spin up pretty loudly (especially if set on 'highest performance') and definitely makes the room a little warmer. I'm sure a Powermac would do the same... The only quiet and cool desktop solution I could think of is a Mac mini but then the OP probably could not run CS2 really fast... In short, I feel like the OP wants a dream machine that just isn't in existence yet.

That said, I'd still get the iMac G5... heck, I have one.

 

[wdlove]

Do you happen to have a display that is currently in good working order? If so you might want to lean toward the Power Mac. Also would be more upgradeable than the iMac.

 

[whooleytoo]

If you're a hardcore gamer, I'd recommend waiting until the new iMacs & Power Macs are in stores, and trying them out. Serious gaming has long been the Mac's Achilles heel, so you should definitely try playing some of the latest Mac games before buying.

 

[rjphoto]

but I do want to be able to have a fast, quiet computer that will run Adobe CS and my other graphics programs, as well as meeting my music / dvd needs (Front Row has got my attention here - It's exactly my thing!).

Just checking...you do know that you will need to purchase the Mac version of your programs? Adobe CS2 will set you back a bundle by itself.

I hope this doesn't rain or your parade. Sorry.

 

[mduser63]

But it sounds like the OP is really interested in a silent/quiet machine... the iMac when doing more intensive processes can make those fans spin up pretty loudly (especially if set on 'highest performance') and definitely makes the room a little warmer. I'm sure a Powermac would do the same... The only quiet and cool desktop solution I could think of is a Mac mini but then the OP probably could not run CS2 really fast... In short, I feel like the OP wants a dream machine that just isn't in existence yet.

That said, I'd still get the iMac G5... heck, I have one.

I don't have an iMac, but I do have a dual 1.8 GHz Power Mac G5, and I very rarely hear the fans ramp up at all. Even during 6 hour long Compressor encodes or long Final Cut Pro renders, the fans rarely ramp up, and when they do, it's generally only for a few minutes. That's in sharp contrast to my (less powerful) PC, which basically sounds like a jet airplane all the time.

If you like the iMac, and want Front Row, I say go for it. The iMac is the best deal of any computer that I know of, and should be plenty fast for the things you want to do. The Power Macs, having just been updated are also a really good choice.

 

[adam-uk]

Just checking...you do know that you will need to purchase the Mac version of your programs? Adobe CS2 will set you back a bundle by itself.

I hope this doesn't rain or your parade. Sorry.

Hehe, yea I know this. Ive taken it into my budget etc.

Thanks for your support / ideas. I know I made it sound like I wanted a dream machine. I do, in a way. But I clearly just want something...something like a mac.

Imac 20" will be on order shortly.

Thanks Again.

Ad

 

[thirdkind]

Hehe, yea I know this. Ive taken it into my budget etc.

Thanks for your support / ideas. I know I made it sound like I wanted a dream machine. I do, in a way. But I clearly just want something...something like a mac.

First post from a new Mac user. I picked up a Power Mac G5 (dual 2.5) a couple weeks back. I love it so far. Kind of wishing I'd waited because of the new quad G5, but such is the nature of technology.

In case you didn't know, you can contact Adobe and request a cross-license upgrade for CS. You basically surrender your Windows license and pay upgrade pricing for a full retail Mac license. I have CS1 and Macromedia Studio MX for Windows; Adobe and Macromedia let me purchase CS2 and Studio 8 for Mac at their upgrade prices and they sent me full retail box versions.

 

[devilot]

Imac 20" will be on order shortly.

Congrats! You're so lucky... *sigh* Photobooth... mmm... iSight... You'll love it.

 

[jadekitty24]

But it sounds like the OP is really interested in a silent/quiet machine... the iMac when doing more intensive processes can make those fans spin up pretty loudly (especially if set on 'highest performance') and definitely makes the room a little warmer. I'm sure a Powermac would do the same... The only quiet and cool desktop solution I could think of is a Mac mini but then the OP probably could not run CS2 really fast... In short, I feel like the OP wants a dream machine that just isn't in existence yet.

That said, I'd still get the iMac G5... heck, I have one.

Been thinking about purchasing one...much later. Is it really loud? Have you had any other negative experiences with it?

 

[risc]

Been thinking about purchasing one...much later. Is it really loud? Have you had any other negative experiences with it?

I work an IT reseller with various x86 x86-64 boxes and I'm yet to find a PC desktop machine as quiet as the iMac G5. Those things are as close to silent as you'll ever get in a 64 bit computer.

 

[Kalinatek]

i've got a 2.0 iMac (Superdrive) with 1 GB Ram and its amazing , does everything i need it to do , music , work , school , little editing in photoshop , games....etc



just make sure u get Superdrive instead of the combo its really worth the price difference and anything more than 512mb ram would be great!

 

[devilot]

I work an IT reseller with various x86 x86-64 boxes and I'm yet to find a PC desktop machine as quiet as the iMac G5. Those things are as close to silent as you'll ever get in a 64 bit computer.

Yes, I didn't mean to scare anyone away from the iMac G5, I love love love my 20" 2.0GHz iMac. I was just noting that it is not as 'whisper quiet' as Apple's site would have you believe... but I agree w/ risc, it is still loads quieter than my Windows box and probably quieter than my bf's HP laptop.

 

[jadekitty24]

Yes, I didn't mean to scare anyone away from the iMac G5, I love love love my 20" 2.0GHz iMac. I was just noting that it is not as 'whisper quiet' as Apple's site would have you believe... but I agree w/ risc, it is still loads quieter than my Windows box and probably quieter than my bf's HP laptop.

Ok. cool. Because it is one of my dream machines and has been since it came out. My Dell is soooo loud. I've tried everything I can think of to quiet it. The only thing that works is shutting it down and using my iBook

 

[adam-uk]

Congrats! You're so lucky... *sigh* Photobooth... mmm... iSight... You'll love it.

I really hope so. Having researched the mac's and 'played' about with them once a week, every week for the past few months at my local reseller, im sure i've made the right choice.

Plus the obvious added bonus - my big aluminium pc box wont be in my room anymore, taking up space!

Next week I will be officially part of the mac community .... scarey