I just ordered an iMac, but a question.

[plinden]

Late to this thread, but I have the exact same model (only with 2GB and a self-installed 500GB hard drive). First thing you should do is put 2GB in it ... that's the max.

It's still going strong for Mail, Word/Powerpoint, DVD ripping, iTunes music management, and writing software, simultaneously.

But, whether it'll be as fast as the PC you sold ... I doubt it. I find the iMac feels more responsive than the 2.26 Pentium-M laptop I've been using at work for the past three years, probably because of the dual core, but for raw power (namely Java compilation), is almost exactly the same speed. It's also compiles at about the same speed as a Dell desktop I use sometimes, a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4. So the iMac would probably rate about 3400+ on the scale AMD uses.

Incidentally, I'm due an upgrade at work ... asked for a Mac, manager has approved it, and I have a decent business case ... will know the response next week.

 

[Avidan]

Late to this thread, but I have the exact same model (only with 2GB and a self-installed 500GB hard drive). First thing you should do is put 2GB in it ... that's the max.

It's still going strong for Mail, Word/Powerpoint, DVD ripping, iTunes music management, and writing software, simultaneously.

But, whether it'll be as fast as the PC you sold ... I doubt it. I find the iMac feels more responsive than the 2.26 Pentium-M laptop I've been using at work for the past three years, probably because of the dual core, but for raw power (namely Java compilation), is almost exactly the same speed. It's also compiles at about the same speed as a Dell desktop I use sometimes, a 3.4 GHz Pentium 4. So the iMac would probably rate about 3400+ on the scale AMD uses.

Incidentally, I'm due an upgrade at work ... asked for a Mac, manager has approved it, and I have a decent business case ... will know the response next week.

Awesome! That's even better than I was hoping for! :lol:
I have no problem taking a speed reduction if in return I get stability and ease of use. I mean, what good is a high powered PC when you're ripping a DVD and it decides to pick halfway through to crash? I used to play games on my PC, but as the PC market loses it's gaming edge in favor of more versatile consoles, I felt I could move away from raw power and concentrate on quality over quantity, and that's why I immediately considered a Mac.

Plus, if I didn't say it before, they're pretty.
Would you believe the ultimate tipping point for me to pick Mac was the robot EVE, from Wall-E? I liked EVE's design, and one of my friends told me "well they based her off of Apple's computer designs".

I don't think it's wrong to want form and function in a computer. The idea that "this box is all I need" is fine, but when you're very creative and have an unlimited imagination, a little beauty goes a long way.

I'm sorry, I kind of drifted off course there for a second.

By the way, how easy was it to replace your Mac HD, and can you use a regular HD to do it?

J.

 

[queshy]

The best way to learn is just to click around. Pretty much nothing you can do will mess up your computer. So just have fun and discover. MR is an incredible forum, too, as you probably have noticed by now!

 

[Avidan]

The best way to learn is just to click around. Pretty much nothing you can do will mess up your computer. So just have fun and discover. MR is an incredible forum, too, as you probably have noticed by now!

Indeed it is. I've also found it to be a rather friendly and helpful place!

J.

 

[plinden]

By the way, how easy was it to replace your Mac HD, and can you use a regular HD to do it?

No, it's not easy. I'm not a beginner when it comes to taking apart computers but I don't think I want to do it again. Anyway, any 3.5" SATA drive will work.

 

[Avidan]

No, it's not easy. I'm not a beginner when it comes to taking apart computers but I don't think I want to do it again. Anyway, any 3.5" SATA drive will work.

Sweet! Sounds like a challenge.

Although now that I think about it, an external drive might be best, that way no matter what Mac I choose in the future, all my documents and files will be there.

J.

 

[175170]

Wow. I am sure glad that you're switching over!
I used to be a die-hard PC fan, until Tiger came out. I had subscribed to PC Magazine- and they gave TIGER a 4.5/5 rating. At that time- I was baffled.
PC Magazine giving an Apple OS a 4.5 out of 5 rating?
What?
But then, I spent a year reading everything about OS X and Macs, and on Black Friday last year, picked up a Aluminum iMac. Since then, I have been amazed by Apple.
The most amazing part is how everything just works. You have two Macs, and you set them up the way Apple tells you too- by turning on AppleTalk- And your Macs actually see each other instantly.
I used to have a bunch of PCs, and they wouldn't talk to each other at all. They didn't know another computer was on the network!

Anyways, have fun!

 

[ProwlingTiger]

They work with you.

Wow. I am sure glad that you're switching over!
I used to be a die-hard PC fan, until Tiger came out. I had subscribed to PC Magazine- and they gave TIGER a 4.5/5 rating. At that time- I was baffled.
PC Magazine giving an Apple OS a 4.5 out of 5 rating?
What?
But then, I spent a year reading everything about OS X and Macs, and on Black Friday last year, picked up a Aluminum iMac. Since then, I have been amazed by Apple.
The most amazing part is how everything just works. You have two Macs, and you set them up the way Apple tells you too- by turning on AppleTalk- And your Macs actually see each other instantly.
I used to have a bunch of PCs, and they wouldn't talk to each other at all. They didn't know another computer was on the network!

Anyways, have fun!

Yeah, Macs are just so much simpler to use, and yet professional grade. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about PC's, but man, sometimes they just ticked me off when it seemed certain tasks were overly complicated.

Apple, however, simplifies everything. Like the saying goes, "They just work." Right out of the box, my Mac sped off working not merely for me, but with me. And it hasn't slowed a bit, save for perhaps startup times as I've configured my programs a bit differently.

 

[Xorro]

I'm in the same boat as Avidian. A long time PC user and I've always dismissed Macs as being too "out there". However, after having to sort out the mess that is Vista I decided I'd had enough. Every PC I have had, I have wasted countless days fixing crashes, struggling to install applications / hardware and I finally though, "why?".

Went to the Apple store last week and loved the iMac, the OS is so easy to use, smooth and sophisticated. Then I felt dumb for wondering why I'd not done this years ago instead of wasting my life with Windows.

I'm looking to buy an iMac after MacWorld.

 

[Kirjava444]

Hello,

I currently use an Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz 17" iMac with 2GB RAM and a 150 GB hard drive as my main computer. I surf the internet, dual boot windows for the occasional game and for college, play games within OS X, burn DVD's, run VirtualBox, and I used to create home movies with iMovie. It is a wonderful computer and has had no problems handling everything I've thrown at it so far. I hope you enjoy yours!

 

[Avidan]

Wow. I am sure glad that you're switching over!
I used to be a die-hard PC fan, until Tiger came out. I had subscribed to PC Magazine- and they gave TIGER a 4.5/5 rating. At that time- I was baffled.
PC Magazine giving an Apple OS a 4.5 out of 5 rating?
What?
But then, I spent a year reading everything about OS X and Macs, and on Black Friday last year, picked up a Aluminum iMac. Since then, I have been amazed by Apple.
The most amazing part is how everything just works. You have two Macs, and you set them up the way Apple tells you too- by turning on AppleTalk- And your Macs actually see each other instantly.
I used to have a bunch of PCs, and they wouldn't talk to each other at all. They didn't know another computer was on the network!

Anyways, have fun!

OH yeah! I had THAT trouble when I first installed Vista on my primary system. The other PC had XP SP2. So I install Vista, and run the network, and it swears there's no other PC on the network. I was just flabbergasted. The other PC was literally two rooms away, and yet it didn't exist. Oh, and if you talked to Microsoft, it was definitely your fault. I got so tired of that.

Yeah, Macs are just so much simpler to use, and yet professional grade. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about PC's, but man, sometimes they just ticked me off when it seemed certain tasks were overly complicated.

Apple, however, simplifies everything. Like the saying goes, "They just work." Right out of the box, my Mac sped off working not merely for me, but with me. And it hasn't slowed a bit, save for perhaps startup times as I've configured my programs a bit differently.

That is what I'm looking forward to. I wonder how much work I will get done now that I don't have to spend so much time rebuilding crashes and reformatting systems. LOL

I'm in the same boat as Avidian. A long time PC user and I've always dismissed Macs as being too "out there". However, after having to sort out the mess that is Vista I decided I'd had enough. Every PC I have had, I have wasted countless days fixing crashes, struggling to install applications / hardware and I finally though, "why?".

Went to the Apple store last week and loved the iMac, the OS is so easy to use, smooth and sophisticated. Then I felt dumb for wondering why I'd not done this years ago instead of wasting my life with Windows.

I'm looking to buy an iMac after MacWorld.

Agreed. For so much vaunted expertise, I managed to avoid Macs for years, considering them nothing but toys. I guess the equivalent would be like having a car that broke down every other day and making fun of the guy next door whose car rarely, if ever, failed him. It'd be like saying, "Sure your car runs great, but a real man fixes his every other day!" I mean, think about it. It makes no sense!

Hello,

I currently use an Intel Core Duo 1.83 GHz 17" iMac with 2GB RAM and a 150 GB hard drive as my main computer. I surf the internet, dual boot windows for the occasional game and for college, play games within OS X, burn DVD's, run VirtualBox, and I used to create home movies with iMovie. It is a wonderful computer and has had no problems handling everything I've thrown at it so far. I hope you enjoy yours!

Terrific! That's the news I like hearing!

J.

 

[Xorro]

I guess the equivalent would be like having a car that broke down every other day and making fun of the guy next door whose car rarely, if ever, failed him. It'd be like saying, "Sure your car runs great, but a real man fixes his every other day!" I mean, think about it.

I used the same analogy the other day too.

I wish I could get an iMac right now (yes, I know I could, but the MacWorld thing bothers me) - my Vista PC screwed up again last night, did some auto updates, then on my next boot up it crashed #@%£!

 

[Avidan]

I used the same analogy the other day too.

I wish I could get an iMac right now (yes, I know I could, but the MacWorld thing bothers me) - my Vista PC screwed up again last night, did some auto updates, then on my next boot up it crashed #@%£!

As a Windows user for more than a decade, I sympathize.
That being said, I now have my iMac!

Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful machine, and wickedly fast!.
I've taken to it like a duck to water and have already customized it exactly how I like it.

J.

 

[MacHappytjg]

As a Windows user for more than a decade, I sympathize.
That being said, I now have my iMac!
Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful machine, and wickedly fast!.
I've taken to it like a duck to water and have already customized it exactly how I like it.
J.

I would be two if i had yours bahaha since im still using an older machine, actually i dont know the processor is the only better thing

 

[MacDuck]

Glad to see that you ordered an iMac. The machine is more than capable of doing normal computing tasks and the occasional game.

Having used Macs for a long time on and off since 1992 (had an Apple IIgs), with a full-time purchase in 2005 (pre-intel), I can say having a Mac has made my life simpler.

Accumulation of many Macs since my initial Powerbook purchase has only been inconvenienced by having to update 5 computers at the moment at home (MacPro, Powerbook, Uni-body MacBook, MacBook Pro, and a Mac-Mini), not to mention my wife's photography studio's trusty iMac G5 1.8.

I am forced unfortunately to use a Dell Optiplex GX280 at work with WinXP as I work for the state.

I do own however a Dell XPS 710 with a QX6600 at the moment in it and a 8500GT OC for gaming. It has Vista 32-bit on it. To tell you the truth, my Vista experience has not been that bad. I had the fortune of getting Vista 32 and 64 bit editions, Ultimate and Business, for really cheap from my university before I left. That also included Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate. I have not had any problems with it, and maintence seems to be the usual spyware/malware sweeps and updates. For the purpose that I bought the computer for in the first place, I can't complain.

However, I use my Macs for everyday computing as well as for playing games (WoW). For the OP, someone with your skill level will have no problem after awhile to seamlessly transition between OSX and Windows. I don't...I just have to get in my mind that when I am diagnosing a problem on someone else's machine the right OS.

Good luck on your endeavor in the world of Mac computing. You won't need a lot of help.

 

[scorps]

you will love the ease that macs do things

i have built over a 1000 pcs never thought i would ever want a mac but then i bought an iphone and thought to myself i wouldn't mind playing with a mac so went out and bought a 2.8 intel imac, why didn't i use a mac before its so user friendly
i have sitting next to me a PC Intel E5200 overclocked @ 3.5-4GHz 4 gig of ram, ATI HD 4870 graphics card with 512MB of DDR5 500gig sata11 hard drive
running xp . the mac is much nicer to use its a lot quieter than the six fans in the PC and looks brill

you will have no problems switching over from a PC took me an hour to find my way round and within a week you should be able to do almost anything

have fun with your new Mac you'll wonder why you never changed before

 

[Avidan]

Glad to see that you ordered an iMac. The machine is more than capable of doing normal computing tasks and the occasional game.

Having used Macs for a long time on and off since 1992 (had an Apple IIgs), with a full-time purchase in 2005 (pre-intel), I can say having a Mac has made my life simpler.

Accumulation of many Macs since my initial Powerbook purchase has only been inconvenienced by having to update 5 computers at the moment at home (MacPro, Powerbook, Uni-body MacBook, MacBook Pro, and a Mac-Mini), not to mention my wife's photography studio's trusty iMac G5 1.8.

I am forced unfortunately to use a Dell Optiplex GX280 at work with WinXP as I work for the state.

I do own however a Dell XPS 710 with a QX6600 at the moment in it and a 8500GT OC for gaming. It has Vista 32-bit on it. To tell you the truth, my Vista experience has not been that bad. I had the fortune of getting Vista 32 and 64 bit editions, Ultimate and Business, for really cheap from my university before I left. That also included Symantec Anti-Virus Corporate. I have not had any problems with it, and maintence seems to be the usual spyware/malware sweeps and updates. For the purpose that I bought the computer for in the first place, I can't complain.

However, I use my Macs for everyday computing as well as for playing games (WoW). For the OP, someone with your skill level will have no problem after awhile to seamlessly transition between OSX and Windows. I don't...I just have to get in my mind that when I am diagnosing a problem on someone else's machine the right OS.

Good luck on your endeavor in the world of Mac computing. You won't need a lot of help.

Thank you!
Yeah, everything is becoming second nature to me now.
I am really starting to know my way around and I've only had it since yesterday.

you will love the ease that macs do things

i have built over a 1000 pcs never thought i would ever want a mac but then i bought an iphone and thought to myself i wouldn't mind playing with a mac so went out and bought a 2.8 intel imac, why didn't i use a mac before its so user friendly
i have sitting next to me a PC Intel E5200 overclocked @ 3.5-4GHz 4 gig of ram, ATI HD 4870 graphics card with 512MB of DDR5 500gig sata11 hard drive
running xp . the mac is much nicer to use its a lot quieter than the six fans in the PC and looks brill

you will have no problems switching over from a PC took me an hour to find my way round and within a week you should be able to do almost anything

have fun with your new Mac you'll wonder why you never changed before

I'm already wondering why it took so long for me to switch. This Mac performs beautifully, and is so whisper quiet but powerful! *hugs Mac*

Oh, and a pic of my new Mac:

Click Here 640x480 pic

J.

 

[MacHappytjg]

Oh, and a pic of my new Mac:

Click Here 640x480 pic

J.

Oh? Came with the new aluminum keyboard.

 

[sesnir]

You probably noticed by now, but the mouse acceleration might drive you nuts (as it did me).

You can google around, but basically the mouse curve is all screwy. The good news is you can download USB Overdrive to fix that easily.

I have a Mac Mini (just got it in August, my first Mac) and I'll be replacing my windows laptop with a Mac Book Pro in the near future... I'm quite impressed.

 

[Dale124]

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.

Avidan, you hit the nail on the head with the windows issues. I too am tired of all the windows issues, so we have been contemplating getting a mac for a while now. I thought of getting one for our family for Christmas, but it didn't happen. Yesterday, I went to West Edmonton Mall, where they have an
Apple store, so, I thought I'd go in and get some questions answered. The salesman was very knowledgable and helpful, that I actually made the purchase right then and there. I haven't set it up yet, that will come later today (I hope it goes smoothely). It seems to me that from what i've learned, the Mac's have much less issues than windows. I'm also tired of all the controlling aspects of windows. It feels the need to tell me several times each logon, that I have "unused Icons on my desktop". Well, windows, I know I have "unused icons on my desktop", and I choose to leave them there, so shut the hell up about it!!
Also, all the "updates" drives me nuts. As I type this, there is a "Java" update that popped up on my taskbar that I have been ignoring for weeks. I don't care about this update, so, leave me alone!!.

I have a friend at work who is quite a PC genius, and when I told him I was thinking about getting a Mac, he tried to get me to buy a current PC instead.
I will miss his support when I have computer issues, but since I found you nice people, I know I'll be ok.
I'm looking forward to my new computing experience with this new machine
(20", 320gb hdd, 2GB ram, 2.66 mhz duo core).

 

[Ekos]

I switched right before going back to school in the fall, and I have not looked back since. The Mac is a superior machine, and I can actually control it. I originally had updated to Vista and hated the experience. After a failed attempt to step back down to XP, it screwed the machine all up, I purchased a mac Book. The machine runs cool, and I haven't had a problem yet.

I am currently working on my brother, he is a network guy like you. After playing with my mac over the break, I think I created a mac user.

 

[czachorski]

Avidan, you hit the nail on the head with the windows issues. I too am tired of all the windows issues, so we have been contemplating getting a mac for a while now. I thought of getting one for our family for Christmas, but it didn't happen. Yesterday, I went to West Edmonton Mall, where they have an
Apple store, so, I thought I'd go in and get some questions answered. The salesman was very knowledgable and helpful, that I actually made the purchase right then and there. I haven't set it up yet, that will come later today (I hope it goes smoothely). It seems to me that from what i've learned, the Mac's have much less issues than windows. I'm also tired of all the controlling aspects of windows. It feels the need to tell me several times each logon, that I have "unused Icons on my desktop". Well, windows, I know I have "unused icons on my desktop", and I choose to leave them there, so shut the hell up about it!!
Also, all the "updates" drives me nuts. As I type this, there is a "Java" update that popped up on my taskbar that I have been ignoring for weeks. I don't care about this update, so, leave me alone!!.

I have a friend at work who is quite a PC genius, and when I told him I was thinking about getting a Mac, he tried to get me to buy a current PC instead.
I will miss his support when I have computer issues, but since I found you nice people, I know I'll be ok.
I'm looking forward to my new computing experience with this new machine
(20", 320gb hdd, 2GB ram, 2.66 mhz duo core).

You'll be way better off with the Mac as a machine that won't require as much support, then relying on a friend to support a machine that does. Plus, any issues that you encounter are likely to have already been asked and answered in here or some other forum, or to have many users who can answer it. One of the many advantages of the tight Mac ecosystem.

 

[Avidan]

Oh? Came with the new aluminum keyboard.

Yep. Although I'm getting a different keyboard here in the next couple of days. I ordered a classic keyboard (the clear plastic and white keys) because the 'e' on this one doesn't work very well and I have to retype often. LOL

It also came with OS X Leopard. I didn't get iLife w/ it, and I called and asked about it. The very nice woman on the other end explained that they had the choice of adding iLife '06 w/ Tiger or install Leopard and chose Leopard. I think they made the right choice, as I just picked up iLife '08 for $50 on Amazon.

You probably noticed by now, but the mouse acceleration might drive you nuts (as it did me).

You can google around, but basically the mouse curve is all screwy. The good news is you can download USB Overdrive to fix that easily.

I have a Mac Mini (just got it in August, my first Mac) and I'll be replacing my windows laptop with a Mac Book Pro in the near future... I'm quite impressed.

Yeah, the mouse takes some adjusting. LOL
I'm getting used to it, though.

Avidan, you hit the nail on the head with the windows issues. I too am tired of all the windows issues, so we have been contemplating getting a mac for a while now. I thought of getting one for our family for Christmas, but it didn't happen. Yesterday, I went to West Edmonton Mall, where they have an
Apple store, so, I thought I'd go in and get some questions answered. The salesman was very knowledgable and helpful, that I actually made the purchase right then and there. I haven't set it up yet, that will come later today (I hope it goes smoothely). It seems to me that from what i've learned, the Mac's have much less issues than windows. I'm also tired of all the controlling aspects of windows. It feels the need to tell me several times each logon, that I have "unused Icons on my desktop". Well, windows, I know I have "unused icons on my desktop", and I choose to leave them there, so shut the hell up about it!!
Also, all the "updates" drives me nuts. As I type this, there is a "Java" update that popped up on my taskbar that I have been ignoring for weeks. I don't care about this update, so, leave me alone!!.

I have a friend at work who is quite a PC genius, and when I told him I was thinking about getting a Mac, he tried to get me to buy a current PC instead.
I will miss his support when I have computer issues, but since I found you nice people, I know I'll be ok.
I'm looking forward to my new computing experience with this new machine
(20", 320gb hdd, 2GB ram, 2.66 mhz duo core).

It is so nice to know I'm not the only one. There have been many comments in this thread from people who feel the same as we do. It was time to switch, and I am glad I did!

J.

 

[MacHappytjg]

Yep. Although I'm getting a different keyboard here in the next couple of days. I ordered a classic keyboard (the clear plastic and white keys) because the 'e' on this one doesn't work very well and I have to retype often. LOL
It also came with OS X Leopard. I didn't get iLife w/ it, and I called and asked about it. The very nice woman on the other end explained that they had the choice of adding iLife '06 w/ Tiger or install Leopard and chose Leopard. I think they made the right choice, as I just picked up iLife '08 for $50 on Amazon.
J.

interesting i just got my bluetooth keyboard a little bit ago like an hour or something works great and i love it, but wouldnt it come with the white one (I have 2 spare LOL). but i really dislike the white ones after using my macbook for 2 years and gettting an alumium wired.

 

[Avidan]

interesting i just got my bluetooth keyboard a little bit ago like an hour or something works great and i love it, but wouldnt it come with the white one (I have 2 spare LOL). but i really dislike the white ones after using my macbook for 2 years and gettting an alumium wired.

To be fair, though, I think the faulty 'e' key is coloring my perspective of the aluminum keyboard.

J.