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Is 27" too much show off?

D

dbmnk

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 6, 2009
43
0
I'll have to buy my own computer to use in the student office at uni, and have eyed the 27" but I am the only foreign student, and the other students use 20" Dells probably provided by their professor.

While I would like the screen size I am afraid that I'll be regarded as showoffer. I plan to be in the office for three years, so I try to give fellow students best possible impression of me in order to get along building friendships.

Now what would you think of a new guy dragging along the pinnacle in computing estate?
 
If by showoffer, you mean the most awesome person in the room, the hell yes you will be.
 
I wouldn't care for one minute what people would think of me based on what I buy. Especially like the 27" iMac, if anything the other students will admire it, if they act weird and don't want to befriend you then "F" em. What kind of people would hate on a person for having something nice and admirable? Not any kind of friend I would want. Get the 27" OP and enjoy it. You're buying it for YOU, not your classmates.:)
 
Well.. first of all, they should like you for who you are, not for how awesome your computer is.

And second, you'll only look like a show off if you act like one.
Just don't make a big deal out of it and treat it like a normal computer.
 
I think it'll be fine. You have to please yourself, make yourself happy first. You'll be working on it and that's what's important. Will it be safe from harm there?
 
Why do you have to buy your own but the other students were provided by professors?

Honestly? It's your money. Who cares what they have.
 
Thanks for your points of view, help me decide.

I do care, though, what they think of me since this is a totally different culture, and I don't know what is kosher and not, but I'd like them to help me out and be as friendly towards me as possible. But your probably right, it'll all come down to how many beers I buy them anyway... :)

I'll have to buy my own cause I'm a foreigner, or because they only provide japanese computers, I guess. And being in Japan, the iMac probably be pretty safe in office, not much crime here. I will put a footlock on it anyway, I think it is possible, right?
 
I wouldn't worry about crime. Granted I don't know where you live, most crime that i've heard of is white collar crime, ID fraud, not really computer theft.

Also, if you're that concerned with what others thing, go with a Dell, or if you're dead set on a mac, get a low-end mac. While I agree a 27" quad-core 20gb of RAM iMac is nice, sometimes you're exactly right that people will judge you and it's easier to be judged when you have a smaller, more typical mac.

At my current university, I could get away with a mac, but my old community college, a mac sticks out. Yeah you shouldn't worry what others think, but if you're trying to fit in, you've got the right attitude...
 
dbmnk said:
I'll have to buy my own computer to use in the student office at uni, and have eyed the 27" but I am the only foreign student, and the other students use 20" Dells probably provided by their professor.

While I would like the screen size I am afraid that I'll be regarded as showoffer. I plan to be in the office for three years, so I try to give fellow students best possible impression of me in order to get along building friendships.

Now what would you think of a new guy dragging along the pinnacle in computing estate?
Click to expand...


I see your point, I have the 27' iMac and it definately stands out.. But if thats what you want I cant see there being a problem.
 
you only have to say:

"-hey dude, it's only 7inch wider them your's, what's the difference"

lolol

seriously, don't know the culture there, the habits of the japanese people, if thy are cool and don't care about those thing's at all, or if there kinda bitchy.

To make sure, say that you're interest in buying a 27" imac, and see what they say...other than that, buy it! it's your money, it's your decision.
 
HLdan said:
I wouldn't care for one minute what people would think of me based on what I buy. Especially like the 27" iMac, if anything the other students will admire it, if they act weird and don't want to befriend you then "F" em. What kind of people would hate on a person for having something nice and admirable? Not any kind of friend I would want. Get the 27" OP and enjoy it. You're buying it for YOU, not your classmates.:)
Click to expand...

In other words if they do not like Apple computers tell them to f*** off, and try to hang out with other elitist kids at school, poor kids will ruin you image/style ;)

Its human nature to feel jealousy.... I believe the I believe the might feel ackward having something so awesome in their room while most students need to use computers in the IT lab.

My advice, get whatever gets the job done and spend the rest on booze and chicks, Uni is about having a huge party and getting laid, not about showing off IT gear, Uni is all about image, I guess a 27 mac says RICH, and a bit nerdy.
 
It's more than a bit of a show off for an office, especially when everyone else is getting by w/ lesser equipment. If it was for your apt. or dorm it would be a different story. In an office where everyone has basic desktops you'll be like the kid in high school whose dad bought him a new Porsche 911 when everyone else is working to pay off their used Honda. The kid gets a rep as being an arrogant brat, deserved or not.

I don't even know why you'd want to keep such a nice machine in a public or semi-public space (I'm assuming you don't have a private office and you are the only one w/ the key). If you are going to try and be different you will probably be treated as such, and not in a good way.

Do yourself a favor and get yourself a POS Dell like everyone else. At least that way no one will want to steal or damage it, and if they do who cares (as long as your data is backed up).
 
Why don't you get the 21.5" iMac if you're concerned? It's still a Mac, still a great machine, and if you get the upgraded version of the smaller machine it's the same spec as the low-end 27" iMac. The 21.5" iMac has a terrific screen in its own right. It will still look great, but be a bit more discreet on your desk.
 
I've never been to Japan but I've heard they're very into new technology. If that's true they'll like your new computer.
 
Enjoy your new computer and get whatever you want to get for YOU. You're buying this yourself, so I can't see any reasonable people getting upset that you have a nicer machine than what the school provided for them.

Good luck with your studies and enjoy your Mac!
 
I agree with all the posts but I understand the concerns. I say go with your conscious. If you feel uncomfortable, than don't do it.
 
At my school, some people have iPhones, and if they talk about them people's reaction usually is "yeah but not everyone can afford iPhones and they're not all that good anyway", yet when people without them talk amongst themselves they always say how great it is. It's kinda funny really, and makes me laugh coz I have the 3GS :p

Anyway, point is, people only act weird about it if you talk about it. Like others have said, just treat it like a normal computer, and you'll be fine.

Also, enjoy your iMac!

PS: if it was me, I'd get the one with the i7 then proceed to show off like hell :D
 
stonemann said:
Why don't you get the 21.5" iMac if you're concerned? It's still a Mac, still a great machine, and if you get the upgraded version of the smaller machine it's the same spec as the low-end 27" iMac. The 21.5" iMac has a terrific screen in its own right. It will still look great, but be a bit more discreet on your desk.
Click to expand...

I second this option. For an office, the only real reason to get the 27" is if you need the raw processing power of the i5 or i7 or you really need the pixels. If everyone else in the department gets by on 1680x1050, you probably don't really need the pixels.

In my department there are a couple of us with iMacs simply due to preference. It's no big deal. Of course I could use as many pixels as I can get my hands on (as most people probably can), but it would be a bit strange to replace the 21" with a 27", particularly when the politics of external funding for projects comes up from time to time.
 
I understand the caution and it's a nice, respectable thing. I also think it's important not to make other people feel bad. If I was concerned about it, I'd treat the 27'' machine as something everyone can enjoy.

When it comes time to put the books away for a bit, you and your machine will deliver the best, funny youtube clips. For the whole room.

Or if theres a bit more time, and everyone's studies are done, and its after normal study time you can throw in a quick movie that everyone will enjoy right there on the spot.

Instead of your study mates thinking it's just your over-the-top computer, make it as something that is there for everyone and they'll see it as the go-to point when someone or everyone really needs to something clearly, or just wants to relax. Because its more useful and would bring some extra fun to the room this could actually help create a good perception.
 
If it is for work, use what you need. There is no reason to apologize for more screen real-estate if you will use it. Especially if you are buying your own.

I would ask why you would want to buy a desktop at all? I would get a laptop and an external monitor for the office if needed.
 
Gotta say I totally understand the sentiment. When I first got my iPhone (back on launch day when they were $$$) I was obsessive about keeping it hidden from co-workers, friends, etc. I'm glad my 27" iMac will be tucked away in the study at home where nobody can see it.

Based on this personal experience, I'm always amused when some troll comes in arguing that people only buy Apple products as fashion statements.
 
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