Goodbye Mac

[spacepower7]

I'm a freelance photographer, and the core 2 duo can handle my work, it has (I used to own the 2.8ghz model) in the past. But when I could get an i7 system with 6gb of ram and a 750 gb hd, and a (lower quality) 24" screen for $1,500 or a core 2 duo with lower specs in everything but the screen for $1,800 it just doesnt seem worth it, I don't think the sleek design is worth $300 more.

Actually I've seen the i7 920 with 4GB Ram 24" LCD and ATI Radeon 4670 512MB for $1045 with coupons. That would make a killer Hackintosh.

I'll probably just go for the low end mini since I can get it for $550 and I have $260 credit at the Apple Store = only about $300 and tax. If I didn't have the credit, and I would probably get this,

Dell Inspiron 530 Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 2.33GHz Desktop (4GB/500GB) $449 and make a Hackintosh

 

[mgridgaway]

I can't say I'm surprise at the elitism coming through in this post.

OP, something is clearly wrong when you have to spend $1800 to get a computer with a dedicated graphics card. There is no value to be had in these new iMacs whatsoever. A year ago, it was different. I looked at everything I got with the baseline iMac and it was a good bargain (still wish I had gone for the 2600 Pro model though... ). Today, all I see is outdated or downright sad components for a premium computer.

Thankfully, I won't have to upgrade for at least another 2 years.

Say what you will about Dell (or Vista, and I don't care what you say, because I have Vista installed on another computer in the house and it works just fine, and has for quite some time, ninny), but at least they offer competitive value, especially in the XPS line they just upgraded.

 

[Eidorian]

This behavior is amazingly common on these forums and I CANNOT for the life of me figure out why?

Why would anyone deprive themselves of a computer in the hopes that the next one will be somehow revolutionary?

Egregious purchases for the sake of having the newest Mac?

Makes me wonder how people are in credit card debit. I don't exist so they won't even give me one.

 

[lewchenko]

I'd rather use a 8 year old Mac than a brand new Dell... especially with Vista.

Spoken like someone who doesnt use both on a regular basis.

I do, and the hype that exists about OSX being so far and above Vista is largely that... just hype.

I would say that OSX can command no more than £100 these days as a premium for computer usage.... anymore than that and the purchaser is suffering from severe fanboism and should really see a doctor!

 

[skye12]

Good luck with the dell and microsoft. Pray you never have to deal
with Dell's "Customer Misery" department in India. But with Dell's
build it with the cheapest parts possible, you probably will.

You'll be back, albeit quietly.

 

[zap2]

Good luck with the dell and microsoft. Pray you never have to deal
with Dell's "Customer Misery" department in India. But with Dell's
build it with the cheapest parts possible, you probably will.

You'll be back, albeit quietly.

Lets not be elitist!

There are many who use Dell without issue..perhaps the OP will fall into the group

OP-Good luck! Give Ubuntu a look if things aren't working out with Windows!

 

[lewchenko]

Do you remember that Dell hardware is crap?
Apple hardware is one of the beset rated.
If you're going to get a PC at least get something like HP or Sony.
Did you forget one of the main differences?
THE OPERATING SYSTEM. To run OS X Leopard/Snow Leopard smoothly you don't need 6GB ram.
And if you're into photo editing I don't see why not a Mac.

You are on another planet.

I love apple macs too, but to state such rubbish is just ridiculous. Sony... as a desktop gaming PC... please...

Sony is another example of style over substance.. not quite upto apple standards in this department, but its going in that direction. HP do have a gaming brand after taking over voodoo I think, but they are not as mainstream as Dell are.

Go read a recent review of a dell XPS model... you might be surprised at the comments about its build quality and suitability for gaming. Comments you wont find in a review about any apple model with respects to gaming.

 

[mgridgaway]

With Mac, you are going to pay a premium for design and the OS. If you've used a Mac and you still think you'd be content with Windows. So long, enjoy fighting your computer.

The only reason I use OS X is because I prefer the UI. I've never had to "fight" a Windows PC, I've rarely had a virus, and it always "just works."

On the flipside, OS X has no gaming potential whatsoever, has limited equivalency with Windows, and costs sometimes twice as much. Not to mention we're all at the whim of Steve Jobs telling us what we want.

I swear, you people. I still love OS X but I can't stand you all constantly defending such ridiculous marketing strategies.

 

[Jolt]

Yea, a lot of the replies in this thread just scream mindless fanboy.

 

[OneMike]

This behavior is amazingly common on these forums and I CANNOT for the life of me figure out why?

Why would anyone deprive themselves of a computer in the hopes that the next one will be somehow revolutionary?

To clarify didn't say sold my only computer. Just one of several. Explanation is simple. Computers are not items that increase in value. For the most part anybody that sells their last generation mac from today forward will get less money had they sold prior to refresh.

If only computer then wouldn't make sense to sell but for others where what they are selling is not primary makes perfect sense.

Everything other then that is just preference.

 

[wakerider017]

What???

No Core i7 or GTX 295 in tri-SLI or Raptors in RAID 0?

This is garbage!


(sarcasm in case u didn't catch on)

 

[Jolt]

The fact that you had to add a disclaimer to highlight that it was sarcasm pretty much invalidated the entire post.

 

[buyusfear]

I'll be ordering a Dell XPS 435, and though I'm sure Apple will not miss the $1,800 with their name on it, its the only stand I can take against this botched update...

I didn't know Dell was making a machine that runs OSX?



I use mac because of reliability, not because the graphics card is the best.

I don't know your computing needs, but I'm willing to bet that the high-end imac is more than you'll need?

You were able to wait for how long? so you obviously don't need the power, just want it.

Better specs does nothing for me if I can't use them.

My MBP is now quite outdated compared to new models, but it still has yet to do me wrong.

 

[robotartfashion]

The only reason I use OS X is because I prefer the UI. I've never had to "fight" a Windows PC, I've rarely had a virus, and it always "just works."

On the flipside, OS X has no gaming potential whatsoever, has limited equivalency with Windows, and costs sometimes twice as much. Not to mention we're all at the whim of Steve Jobs telling us what we want.

I swear, you people. I still love OS X but I can't stand you all constantly defending such ridiculous marketing strategies.

Hmm, well I'll admit that I haven't even tried Vista, its due to the headaches and hair pulling i went through with years of 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, and XP (although i use xp in bootcamp for a few essential programs that i have no choice over)

I've thought about giving vista a shot for the VMC potential but just haven't had the need with PLEX and it's promise

all in all i've just been burned too many times by windows and never by mac

everything i do can easily be accomplished by my macs (although i do have a macpro now)

this isn't mindless fanboyism, its just like when i've dated a girl, no matter how much promise she has i can't put up with all the lies and cheating, on the other side, i can put up with some extra investment if she's true to me, and i feel that way with Mac

 

[Eidorian]

Hmm, well I'll admit that I haven't even tried Vista, its due to the headaches and hair pulling i went through with years of 3.1, 95, 98, ME, 2000, and XP (although i use xp in bootcamp for a few essential programs that i have no choice over)

I've thought about giving vista a shot for the VMC potential but just haven't had the need with PLEX and it's promise

all in all i've just been burned too many times by windows and never by mac

everything i do can easily be accomplished by my macs (although i do have a macpro now)

this isn't mindless fanboyism, its just like when i've dated a girl, no matter how much promise she has i can't put up with all the lies and cheating, on the other side, i can put up with some extra investment if she's true to me, and i feel that way with Mac

How do you get burned by Windows?

 

[otis123]

Hey, i made a huge impact in the whole five months i was here.... I'm even a regular! That must mean I'll be missed

to me, you were just another whiney person with a computer, what were you expecting? they can't put desktop parts in a imac, and its new specs are more than capable, its hard to really tax a core 2 duo, unless your encoding 1080p video, and working with RAW images <b> at the same time</b> you do not need a i7 yet, i was in the same boat as you, i wanted a i7 in my MBP, but do i really need it? no the most demanding thing i do is play crysis.

 

[elcid]

OP: You are like the person who goes into restaurant and orders a meal only to be told that it is buy one get one free tonight. Even though what you ordered will handle your hunger you feel compelled to get more food that will go to waste (you cant take it home for sake of argument)

You flatly said that it would handle everything you could throw at it. I agree with whoever said that if OSX isnt worth the difference between Dell and Apple you arent an aficionado.


Enjoy the Dell boards.

 

[michael.lauden]

have fun - maybe you should switch to the dellrumors forum too

 

[panzer06]

I'll spare you the story of how I came to want a mac, how I waited months for the new releases, and how sit here shocked now that the new models are very unimpressive. All I have to say is goodbye mac. I came here knowing my premium amount of money going into your pockets would get me a premium system, now all I see is an overpriced downgrade with wimpy graphics, and an already outdated CPU.

I'll be ordering a Dell XPS 435, and though I'm sure Apple will not miss the $1,800 with their name on it, its the only stand I can take against this botched update...

Is anyone else giving up on getting an iMac?

It's not a botched upgrade. Yes, you can get a Dell XPS 435 with higher specs and the ATI 4850 GPU for $1769 with a Dell 24 inch HDCP display and Bluray player...

But you get a boxy Dell Computer with Windows Vista (which I actually happen to like for gaming) installed. Sure it's upgradable but it's not a functional piece of art. If all you desire is function over style, perhaps a Mac is not for you.

Don't get me wrong, I have complained about Apple's slow response to implement new technologies. However, I already own a few Macs and am more than willing to wait until the right combination of feature functionality comes along to entice me to buy a new system.

The new iMac has great style (I like glossy displays) and offers two systems with an ATI 4850, which is all I've asked for is a decent GPU option (I am not a fan of mobile nvidia GPUs). They definitely could have lowered the entry point ($$$) for that option and perhaps figured out a way to make both the ram and hard drive upgradable w/o sacrificing the aesthetic but these options are good improvements.

There is no point in getting upset. You are right to buy a Dell if that's what you want. I bought a new Sony Viao FW290 with 2.26 C2D, Bluray, ATI HD3650 4GB ram and 320GB 7200 HDD for $1099 (including the HDD & RAM I put in) in early December 2008 because I was not pleased with the new MBP. Still using my older 2.16 C2D MBP with X1600. Now I'm selling my SR 2.2 after having the logic board replaced with the nvidia glitch.

Getting frustrated and posting on forums serves no purpose. Apple is not concerned with individual user frustration and has shown by recent experience to be somewhat indifferent to the growing QC problems plaguing their hardware.

By buying a Dell you've done what you needed to do and denied Apple a sale. If the larger market does the same, things will change. If not, you won't buy a Mac and you'll enjoy your new PC. It doesn't mean the new systems aren't good or even a good value because you don't perceive them as such. Thus far the market has spoken and stylish lower spec Macs are more profitable per unit than boxy Dells.

Enjoy your PC and keep an eye out for the day Apple offers that system you've been waiting for.

Cheers,

 

[wakerider017]

The fact that you had to add a disclaimer to highlight that it was sarcasm pretty much invalidated the entire post.

just trying to avoid confusion my friend.

 

[striatedglutes]

By buying a Dell you've done what you needed to do and denied Apple a sale. If the larger market does the same, things will change. If not, you won't buy a Mac and you'll enjoy your new PC. It doesn't mean the new systems aren't good or even a good value because you don't perceive them as such. Thus far the market has spoken and stylish lower spec Macs are more profitable per unit than boxy Dells.

Enjoy your PC and keep an eye out for the day Apple offers that system you've been waiting for.

FFS I wish more people would realize this. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Ivan P]

Maybe not... but OSX is

I don't think an OS that you can buy on it's own for barely $150 is worth paying an extra $300 for, just to have it bundled with a computer.

 

[Dr.Pants]

Alright... Well, I use(d) both OSX and Windows on a regular basis. Windows for gaming (on a PC), and OSX for power applications (primarily Final Cut). My synopsis? Well, Windows is a good operating system. of all the MS OSes I've used, the only bad ones have been the ones with "Home" in their title - XP Home, Vista Home Basic, and Vista Home Premium. Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro, and Vista Business/Premuium have proved good OSes.

But when it comes to having the occasional headache, I've only had two with my old G4 - the first was when it took a few days to encode a particularily long video, and the second was when, during a power surge, it decided to explode. Being able to Force Quit a program has been the largest help in my eyes, considering that the OS barely hiccups - Windows, the kernel processes go almost to max in the Task Manager for a little while.

Still, when it comes to the operating system, does one need it, or does it come down to preference? If there is no need/preference for the OS, and hardware bang-for-buck is a major factor in the OP's eyes (nevermind about the Pro line), then the OP is entitled to whatever he/she wants.

Although displaying the discontent on a Mac-based forum wasn't the best idea

 

[rich.smith]

I don't understand the comparison of the iMac to tower style computers. Compare the price of the iMac to the Dell XPS One. The base model XPS One is 899. The previous generation iMac can be purchased for 999. The iMac has better graphics, looks much better and has the huge advantage of OS X, and iLife.

The iMac at 999 is a much better deal than the XPS One at 899.

 

[CP123]

If you want a PC, get a PC. If you want an iMac, get an iMac. This, however, is a forum about Mac products. I understand your disappointment, but hey, we all have choices. I for one will never, ever, go back to PCs, especially Dells. I have 3 Dell laptops in my home and I work on one. I also have an iMac and 2 macbooks at home. It all comes down to personal choices. If I had to do it all over again, I would never buy another PC.

I don't understand the need for those whose dislike Apple's business and creative decisions, to come on these sites and bellyache. Buy whatever you want and start a forum for that brand.