I just ordered an iMac, but a question.

[Avidan]

I just ordered an iMac.
Specifically:

Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz 17" iMac.
160 GB Hard Drive
1 GB RAM
8X SuperDrive
ATi X1600
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

I got it for $600. Now, this is the first Macintosh I will own, and I'm excited about it. I've been a Windows user for years. I ran my own computer repair business. My knowledge of Windows systems is extensive, and I have a reputation among my friends and peers as the "guy who can save them all", for my ability to bring any PC near death back to full life again.

I say this because some of my friends and colleagues are aghast that I have purchased an iMac. The first complaint was that the Mac doesn't have any power, that for a desktop it's very underpowered. They also told me that the Mac can't handle games at all. Some of them have even expressed disdain that I would dare buy a Macintosh. You see, I was the stalwart guy, the Windows user you couldn't convince. I hated the Mac commercials, I felt Macs were a small percentage of the market not because they served a specific purpose, but because they weren't good enough to cut it.

Now, I know this Mac isn't one of those top of the line new models, but from what I was told it's a very capable system. It's a refurb, but according to the vendor I purchased it from, didn't have a previous owner and is brand new, even with all the papers and the forms and boxes. So I thought I would visit this forum as it was the first one on Google for me. Is the Mac I described above a good machine, or did I get hosed?

I type this from an HP running Vista, one I purchased for a family member, and I'm so tired of this OS and all of it's failings. I'm tired of Windows. I'm tired of Microsoft giving me the runaround and telling me failures and glitches are my fault, that security holes are because I made them, even if I didn't know they existed. I'm tired of having to run an anti-virus program, a malware program, dozens of maintenance programs just to keep everything up to speed.

I was so tired of it that I sold my AMD 64 X2 4400+ with 2 GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, nVidia 8500GT and 22" Acer widescreen LCD monitor, and had just enough to buy this iMac. I am that tired. So I ask you honestly, is MacOS going to do to me what Microsoft has done for the past 15 years?

I mean, I'll know in 8 days (that's when my Mac arrives at my doorstep), but I want to be ready for it.

J.

 

[156457]

If it has Leopard on it already then it must have been opened and booted up to install Leopard on it, unless they've just popped the disc in the box. It sounds like a good deal for the price, but I'd check out the more modern and powerful iMacs on the market now. The one you have purchased is discontinued and has been for over a year now.

 

[Avidan]

If it has Leopard on it already then it must have been opened and booted up to install Leopard on it, unless they've just popped the disc in the box. It sounds like a good deal for the price, but I'd check out the more modern and powerful iMacs on the market now. The one you have purchased is discontinued and has been for over a year now.

Thank you for replying!

The problem is that I sold my PC and had just enough to buy this Mac. $600 was my limit, particularly for someone who had never spent more than $300 on a PC. I went for it because the combination of being tired with Windows and seeing the price of that Mac was enough impetus to get me to purchase it. So the newer, more powerful Macs are out of the question for me.

J.

 

[pyramis]

As you said, this is certainly not a top-of-the-line model -- we've come a fair distance since then in terms of speed and power -- but I think your iMac will be a great introduction to Apple design. I experienced a similar disgust and frustration with the Windows world that drove me to the Mac -- and I haven't looked back since. In fact, I totally drank the kool-aid.

You'll feel a little clumsy at first. You're used to being the expert and knowing the subtleties of an OS, its peculiar usability language, the ins and outs of settings. Return to a beginner's mind here and you'll re-learn quickly and satisfyingly.

After you get used to and fall in love with the Apple approach -- it just feels simpler, more intuitive, more comfortable -- you'll find yourself cringing every time you have to use a Windows machine. It's just... icky, clunky, ridiculous.

Come back soon and let us know how it all worked out.

 

[bartelby]

You'll feel a little clumsy at first. You're used to being the expert and knowing the subtleties of an OS, its peculiar usability language, the ins and outs of settings. Return to a beginner's mind here and you'll re-learn quickly and satisfyingly.

This is pretty important. There are lots of switchers who complain OS X doesn't work like Windows and they'd rather look for ways to make it work the same than learn how to use OS X.

 

[Avidan]

As you said, this is certainly not a top-of-the-line model -- we've come a fair distance since then in terms of speed and power -- but I think your iMac will be a great introduction to Apple design. I experienced a similar disgust and frustration with the Windows world that drove me to the Mac -- and I haven't looked back since. In fact, I totally drank the kool-aid.

You'll feel a little clumsy at first. You're used to being the expert and knowing the subtleties of an OS, its peculiar usability language, the ins and outs of settings. Return to a beginner's mind here and you'll re-learn quickly and satisfyingly.

After you get used to and fall in love with the Apple approach -- it just feels simpler, more intuitive, more comfortable -- you'll find yourself cringing every time you have to use a Windows machine. It's just... icky, clunky, ridiculous.

Come back soon and let us know how it all worked out.

Thank you!
Yeah, I've been all over the Apple website, watching every video I can get my hands on, in anticipation. I really am excited. This Mac, to me, offers a new opportunity. You know, I haven't been excited about computing for years. It had all become rote.

Like you said, I'm going to go from expert to beginner. There will be forehead indentations in the wood grain of my desk, I can guarantee that. LOL

However, I am excited. I think, though, what bothered me was the reactions of my fellow Windows users. I went from being the guy who knew how to fix anything and could bring anything back, to someone who needs his hand held when he starts a browser. I kid you not. It's as if by choosing a Mac I suddenly forgot my skill sets. I'm hoping that's not how most people react to someone buying a Mac!

I do have to admit something, and it's not anything I'd tell my Microsoft friends. One of the reasons I wanted the Mac was the culture, the style of the Mac. My friends think the iMac I ordered is ugly. Me? I think it's a beautiful design, and I can't wait to have it sitting on my desk. Yes, I find it pretty.

When I decided that a Mac was the way to go, I fell and fell hard. I started actually looking at Mac, really giving it a close examination. I watched the Leopard video that took me through the basics and some of the features of the OS, and I was astonished at some of the features that come standard with it. I mean, Windows doesn't do anything like many of the features, and what features they seem to emulate pale in comparison to what the Mac's features can do.

Right now I'm trying to absorb as much as I can, and learn about every little feature, tweak, and hint, so that I can, in due time, be an expert on a Mac. I think I'm going to love it, I really do.

J.

 

[pyramis]

Also, required reading:

Key differences between Windows and OS X.

http://www.metzener.com/switcherblog/2008/05/15/differences-between-windows-and-os-x/

http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/features/index.cfm?articleid=265&pagtype=samecat

 

[Cheffy Dave]

a new iMac is just around the corner, rumored with Quad Core, but you wouldn't know that unless you were a regular here.

It could be $1500 MORE than what you just paid, Apple does list there"refurbed" iMacs for significantly less than a brand new one, BUT with the same warranty, and of course you can always buy Apple care within the first year to add another 2 to that.

Enjoy your purchase, use it to acquaint yourself with the Mac, OS/ Leopard, and when you feel proficient enough jump into a new machine, and sell yours for just a little less than you paid.

I left for the same reasons you did, in January 08, I am coming up on 1 year with this awesome MacBook, (we have 2, + 2 iPhones,1 Ipod touch), I just love the seamless integration of everything. THIS is the way computing should be, virus/ spyware free, no anti anything programs running in the background, all computing power goes to what you are doing now.

So to you I say welcome aboard Pilgrim, enjoy the World of Apple. You are hooked!

 

[Avidan]

This is pretty important. There are lots of switchers who complain OS X doesn't work like Windows and they'd rather look for ways to make it work the same than learn how to use OS X.

Don't worry about that, I pay attention when I'm learning new things. I just found out it's not wise to drag one folder onto another, because doing so replaces the old folder with the new one.

Also, required reading:

Key differences between Windows and OS X.

http://www.metzener.com/switcherblog/2008/05/15/differences-between-windows-and-os-x/

http://www.macworld.co.uk/mac/features/index.cfm?articleid=265&pagtype=samecat

I've bookmarked them. Thank you!

a new iMac is just around the corner, rumored with Quad Core, but you wouldn't know that unless you were a regular here.

It could be $1500 MORE than what you just paid, Apple does list there"refurbed" iMacs for significantly less than a brand new one, BUT with the same warranty, and of course you can always buy Apple care within the first year to add another 2 to that.

Enjoy your purchase, use it to acquaint yourself with the Mac, OS/ Leopard, and when you feel proficient enough jump into a new machine, and sell yours for just a little less than you paid.

I left for the same reasons you did, in January 08, I am coming up on 1 year with this awesome MacBook, (we have 2, + 2 iPhones,1 Ipod touch), I just love the seamless integration of everything. THIS is the way computing should be, virus/ spyware free, no anti anything programs running in the background, all computing power goes to what you are doing now.

So to you I say welcome aboard Pilgrim, enjoy the World of Apple. You are hooked!

Oh, I'm sure I'll eventually buy a more current Mac, but I'm looking at what I got and I think I've done pretty well, particularly because I'm relieved by many of the responses so far. It was quite the plunge for me, and it's good to see that I may have made a very good decision by taking it.

As for seamless computing, after watching all of these Apple videos, I'm starting to wonder how I missed all of this. I mean, if these devices work as they're advertised, then it could add years to my life as a reduction in stress from working with so many Windows systems that like to fight one another.

J.

 

[bartelby]

You'll also find no end of help here on MR.

I hope you enjoy using your iMac.

 

[Avidan]

You'll also find no end of help here on MR.

I hope you enjoy using your iMac.

Thank you.
I think this place will be a great resource, and I'll need all the help I can get for a while.

J.

 

[mmsy2144]

I just ordered an iMac.
Specifically:

Intel Core Duo 1.83Ghz 17" iMac.
160 GB Hard Drive
1 GB RAM
8X SuperDrive
ATi X1600
Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard

I got it for $600. Now, this is the first Macintosh I will own, and I'm excited about it. I've been a Windows user for years. I ran my own computer repair business. My knowledge of Windows systems is extensive, and I have a reputation among my friends and peers as the "guy who can save them all", for my ability to bring any PC near death back to full life again.

I say this because some of my friends and colleagues are aghast that I have purchased an iMac. The first complaint was that the Mac doesn't have any power, that for a desktop it's very underpowered. They also told me that the Mac can't handle games at all. Some of them have even expressed disdain that I would dare buy a Macintosh. You see, I was the stalwart guy, the Windows user you couldn't convince. I hated the Mac commercials, I felt Macs were a small percentage of the market not because they served a specific purpose, but because they weren't good enough to cut it.

Now, I know this Mac isn't one of those top of the line new models, but from what I was told it's a very capable system. It's a refurb, but according to the vendor I purchased it from, didn't have a previous owner and is brand new, even with all the papers and the forms and boxes. So I thought I would visit this forum as it was the first one on Google for me. Is the Mac I described above a good machine, or did I get hosed?

I type this from an HP running Vista, one I purchased for a family member, and I'm so tired of this OS and all of it's failings. I'm tired of Windows. I'm tired of Microsoft giving me the runaround and telling me failures and glitches are my fault, that security holes are because I made them, even if I didn't know they existed. I'm tired of having to run an anti-virus program, a malware program, dozens of maintenance programs just to keep everything up to speed.

I was so tired of it that I sold my AMD 64 X2 4400+ with 2 GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, nVidia 8500GT and 22" Acer widescreen LCD monitor, and had just enough to buy this iMac. I am that tired. So I ask you honestly, is MacOS going to do to me what Microsoft has done for the past 15 years?

I mean, I'll know in 8 days (that's when my Mac arrives at my doorstep), but I want to be ready for it.

J.

Hi there Avidan,
I'm a new mac user, only have had it 2 weeks and I love it. I'd been a pc owner for years and years and went through so many systems that when the last one crashed my family, who are mac users, convinced me to make the switch. All my friends have vista on their pc's and do nothing but complain, so why would I even go there? My issues on my very expensive pc had to do with internet explorer and all the protection in the world did not help. You did not get hosed, in my opinion. I ordered mine online and it arrived in 3 days ( from calif to canada), made me very happy. It was up and running in 10 minutes or less. The only issue I've had is the "jumping mouse" thing and this forum helped me sort thru it. Placing the mouse on a black notebook cover seems to control it. Good luck with your mac, enjoy!

 

[Avidan]

Thank you mmsy2144.

Yeah, it came to the point where I was devoting more of my system resources to just keep my system running than I was using them for the apps I needed to run.

I am so excited about this iMac. Of course, now I wish I'd have sprung for the extra $25 to have it shipped 3 day instead of ground.


J.

 

[cherry su]

The iMac is more than enough for day-to-day computing that does not involve encoding movies 24-7 or intensive gaming. I have a similar computer (MacBook Pro: 2GHz Core Duo/2GB RAM/same graphics/slower hard drive) and it runs without a hitch. Consider upgrading the RAM to 2GB, though. Leopard will be a lot smoother. You can get 2GB on Newegg for ~$25.

 

[zombie1210]

For someone with half a brain, the learning curve is really easy.

The biggest adjustment is having the window buttons up in the left corner instead of the right.

 

[czachorski]

Like you said, I'm going to go from expert to beginner. There will be forehead indentations in the wood grain of my desk, I can guarantee that. LOL

Don't worry too much about going from expert to beginner - your expertise will help you learn fast, and better appreciate the many things that make Macs great!

If you get to that point with the Mac of forehead banging, take a step back, and think to yourself - what would be the simplest, most obvious way to do this? 9 times out of ten times, that works for me. It's easy to overthink things on a Mac.

 

[Avidan]

The iMac is more than enough for day-to-day computing that does not involve encoding movies 24-7 or intensive gaming. I have a similar computer (MacBook Pro: 2GHz Core Duo/2GB RAM/same graphics/slower hard drive) and it runs without a hitch. Consider upgrading the RAM to 2GB, though. Leopard will be a lot smoother. You can get 2GB on Newegg for ~$25.

Oh yeah. I was happy to see that installing RAM on the iMac is easy as pie, and I do plan on pumping it up to 2 GB.

For someone with half a brain, the learning curve is really easy.

The biggest adjustment is having the window buttons up in the left corner instead of the right.

Oh, AND remembering that closing the window does not mean it closes the program. I burned that into my brain so that I don't end up with 30 apps running and wondering why the system is slowing down.

Don't worry too much about going from expert to beginner - your expertise will help you learn fast, and better appreciate the many things that make Macs great!

If you get to that point with the Mac of forehead banging, take a step back, and think to yourself - what would be the simplest, most obvious way to do this? 9 times out of ten times, that works for me. It's easy to overthink things on a Mac.

I seem to be learning a lot just from all the tutorials and videos (the tips on this site are great!). Yes, if there is head banging, it more than likely means I've missed the obvious.

J.

 

[dragossh]

Oh, AND remembering that closing the window does not mean it closes the program. I burned that into my brain so that I don't end up with 30 apps running and wondering why the system is slowing down.

From my own experience, you can run a lot of apps at a time and the system won't slow down. Of course, if most of them are idle.

And enjoy your Mac! I sold my desktop PC and bought a White MacBook a month ago and it's running great! No crashes, nothing.

Oh, and here's another thing you will have to get used to: the system actually stays out of your way
Or: plug in something, and it will just work, without useless "Hey! You plugged something into me!" popups.

 

[Avidan]

From my own experience, you can run a lot of apps at a time and the system won't slow down. Of course, if most of them are idle.

And enjoy your Mac! I sold my desktop PC and bought a White MacBook a month ago and it's running great! No crashes, nothing.

Oh, and here's another thing you will have to get used to: the system actually stays out of your way
Or: plug in something, and it will just work, without useless "Hey! You plugged something into me!" popups.

See? That's the old Windows mentality I still have. Run two programs at the same time whether you've got two cores or ten cores, and Windows will treat it like you've just piled everything on top of it. As for those pop-ups, oh man, I remember getting those all the time in XP, then Vista shows up and it's everywhere. "YOU HAVE PLUGGED IN A USB DEVICE", unplug it, "YOU HAVE UNPLUGGED A USB DEVICE", "WINDOWS HAS UPDATED!" followed by "CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT WINDOWS HAS UPDATED!", oh, and the wonderful "PLEASE RESTART WINDOWS VISTA TO COMPLETE INSTALLATION" and the automatic restart of Windows if you don't do anything for ten minutes. I mean, you can turn all of that off, but why not just have it off by default instead of having a barrage of pop-ups?

Or, as Bart would say, "No offense Homer, but I preferred your half-a**ed under-parenting to your half-a**ed over-parenting."

J.

 

[ProwlingTiger]

I was in your same position 5 months ago. I was at a point where I had even become ticked at Linux and had to go back to XP. Then I decided to go Mac.

And you know what?

Best tech decision of my life. And to emphasize how good a decision I made, I had an Apple carved into a computer desk I'm making (more on that in a few days).

 

[petermcphee]

And to emphasize how good a decision I made, I had an Apple carved into a computer desk I'm making (more on that in a few days).

I can't wait to see that.

 

[Avidan]

I was in your same position 5 months ago. I was at a point where I had even become ticked at Linux and had to go back to XP. Then I decided to go Mac.

And you know what?

Best tech decision of my life. And to emphasize how good a decision I made, I had an Apple carved into a computer desk I'm making (more on that in a few days).

I haven't even seen my Mac in person yet but as I read the posts, watch the tutorials, videos and listen to advice from experienced Mac users, my fears are at ease, and I'm really looking forward to this computer. I feel, I don't know, freer somehow.

I can't wait to see that.

Seconded!

J.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

In regards to your curiosity about the way people treat you when you buy a Mac...the large majority of people just won't care. I think you'll find, though, that close friends, or computer people who don't like Macs (whether for good reason or not) will hassle you to no end. A guy who used to date a friend of mine was talking to her one day, she told him she has a Macbook, and he told her "I can't be your friend anymore." and blocked her (this was on an IM thing) and has never unblocked her. A bit ridiculous, yes, but some people just don't get that it's not that big of a deal. My friends constantly badgered me. I had a podcast a while ago and a friend did the website for me. We had a forum and I mentioned the possibility of making the website look a little more original, not quite as bleh, if we got more members. Next post, someone else I know goes "We don't need any useless Mac-like cosmetic changes." It goes way beyond that, and it can get frustrating, but it's best to just ignore it.

Anyways, enjoy your new iMac. It's no top-of-the-line computer by nowadays' standards, but I think you'll find it's an extremely capable machine, and you'll love it.

 

[MacHappytjg]

hey i wouldnt complain my imac was $2000 in the day and its a g5 (parents didnt know better and upgraded hd through apple) and i get worse sorta.

 

[Avidan]

In regards to your curiosity about the way people treat you when you buy a Mac...the large majority of people just won't care. I think you'll find, though, that close friends, or computer people who don't like Macs (whether for good reason or not) will hassle you to no end. A guy who used to date a friend of mine was talking to her one day, she told him she has a Macbook, and he told her "I can't be your friend anymore." and blocked her (this was on an IM thing) and has never unblocked her. A bit ridiculous, yes, but some people just don't get that it's not that big of a deal. My friends constantly badgered me. I had a podcast a while ago and a friend did the website for me. We had a forum and I mentioned the possibility of making the website look a little more original, not quite as bleh, if we got more members. Next post, someone else I know goes "We don't need any useless Mac-like cosmetic changes." It goes way beyond that, and it can get frustrating, but it's best to just ignore it.

Anyways, enjoy your new iMac. It's no top-of-the-line computer by nowadays' standards, but I think you'll find it's an extremely capable machine, and you'll love it.

Wow, that is harsh! How can someone just stop liking someone because of their computer? I'll take your advice, too, and ignore the negative comments (which are starting to pile up now that the rest of my PC friends know). They're jabs more than anything, but they're still not welcome.

hey i wouldnt complain my imac was $2000 in the day and its a g5 (parents didnt know better and upgraded hd through apple) and i get worse sorta.

Oh yeah. PCs aren't much better in terms of price. People forget that a top of the line PC costs as much as a Mac, moreso once you add all the software Macs come with compared to what you have to buy for Windows.

J.