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Is iMac best for a home desktop computer?

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macrumors 68000
Original poster
May 11, 2009
1,583
2
Ohio
My family is looking for what our next desktop computer would be and we are contemplating on getting an iMac. My family have been all previous PC users except for me when I switched to a Mac around 4 months ago with the new release of the Aliminum Macbook. From my personal experience, making the switch between OSs is very easy, but i'm not sure if it will be for them, but i am more focused on the hardware right now.

We have gone through around 4 desktop PCs in 6 years and I want everyone else and me to be able to have a computer that lasts a lot longer than one of those. Is the iMac the best choice for a family that will have multiple Users and not really doing anything really intensive like Video Editing with final cut and such.

Suggestions on why an iMac is the best or alternatives would be good.
 
I'll have to look at the pricing for the iMac but i think they are around $1,500 retail just stock for a 24". Which is what we will probably get if we decide to go for the iMac. I really don't want to go back to Windows because we always seem to just run through desktop's extremely fast. Especially Dell Desktops.
 
I will definitely consult these websites when we are ready to buy. Thank you. Is there anything specific that anyone can tell me that makes the iMac better than other desktop computers that you have used? I am not close to being ready to buy yet, I just want an initial idea
 
Compared to your average Dell, they're quieter, cooler (as in temp), and look much nicer (due to lack of wires everywhere). Other than that they are just like PCs. The downsides are that they are difficult to upgrade and the screen is part of the computer so when the computer dies, nothing can really be saved.

OSX is the real draw here.
 
For me they look awesome, save desktop space and have an easier OS to manage and maintain with better support.

I used to hate computers but love my Apple machines because I am never that far from getting a reasonable answer to a question. I hated being told by the guys that made it that it was a Microsoft issue, and Microsoft telling me it was a manufacturers issue.

You can pretty much say good bye to home upgrades apart from RAM but I only ever really upgraded that myself anyway. They are not for everyone but I love mine and it suits what I do so until that changes I am an iMac man.
 
you should be able to set up user accounts also for each family member. overall i also say an imac is your best bet, now the question is which model. At least the $1500 24inch imac I would aim for.
 
That would be nice to clear up desktop clutter, that is always annoying when cords are catching your foot under the desk and you unplug something by accident. We wont be doing any in home upgrades because the stock hardware for the iMac is more than enough for our family. Thank you everyone who has replied, based on this I am pretty much convinced to go for the iMac.

If anyone else has anything to add on the iMac, more input always helps
 
they're nice, but if you're looking for a best bang for the buck type of deal, then a pc wins that one, especially if you'll get windows 7 (which won't be out till fall-winter).

a custom built system would probably be better than anything you'd be getting from dell, but remember that you wouldn't be able to get the warranty to cover the full system. instead you'd get coverage on the parts, so if something doesn't work right, you'll have to go through loops in order to find out what's causing this. if you've built computers before then it's not a problem, but if not, then it could be a headache.
 
Bootcamp

Dont forget also if someone still needs the use of Windows that is still possible via bootcamp. The iMac will meet all your needs and play well with your uMP. Add another vote from me to the iMac.
 
I truly believe that the iMac (in all of its various forms over the years) is the best desktop that Apple offers, all things considered. I've had two iMacs (one G5 and a brand new Core 2 Duo 2.93 I just bought last week) and could not be happier with them.

They really do get more powerful with each update, and are more and more ready for everything you can throw at them.

Its a great computer, and a great experience.
 
My 20" iMac is the best computer I've ever owned or used. 3+ years of great computing. Today I ordered its replacement: a 24" iMac with the Radeon 4850. The old 20" will be retired to the kids. :D

Whisper quiet, small footprint, great looking: the iMac is a fantastic machine. I don't miss my bulky, hot and noisy old Power Macs and homebuilt PCs one bit.
 
flopticalcube said:
Compared to your average Dell, they're quieter, cooler (as in temp), and look much nicer (due to lack of wires everywhere). Other than that they are just like PCs. The downsides are that they are difficult to upgrade and the screen is part of the computer so when the computer dies, nothing can really be saved.

OSX is the real draw here.
Click to expand...

Well said. OSX is the main reason people buy Macs. The imac is very well made, whisper quiet, but OSX is just amazing.

You have to experience "it' to get our meaning. Do yourself a favor, go to a store and play around with one for a hour. You will finally get "it'.

The first time I used a Mac was on my brothers imac, I was instantly hooked. You will get mad at yourself for not buying one sooner, at least I did.
 
touchdownjesus4 said:
We have gone through around 4 desktop PCs in 6 years
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In that case your PCs are a lot more expensive. I've gone through 5 Macs in the last 35 years. All of them, including the original 1984 Mac still work. Eventually they can't keep up with the more modern software.

Admittedly, I keep my machines longer than most. However, 3-5 years is common. The advantage of the iMac is that it is self-contained and does not take up much room. Add a Time Capsule (again, not the cheapest way to go), plug your printer into it, and you have a simple home network you and your family can share. No need to get the biggest iMac. The 20" model will be more than enough. If there are programs on the PC you family loves, make sure you have equivalents.
 
LagunaSol said:
My 20" iMac is the best computer I've ever owned or used. 3+ years of great computing. Today I ordered its replacement: a 24" iMac with the Radeon 4850. The old 20" will be retired to the kids. :D

Whisper quiet, small footprint, great looking: the iMac is a fantastic machine. I don't miss my bulky, hot and noisy old Power Macs and homebuilt PCs one bit.
Click to expand...

My experience with my iMac is just as good, for many of the same reasons LagunaSol described. Throw in the fact that I can boot into Windows and thus haven't lost my investment in my Cakewalk audio software, and it's the ideal situation for me. I've had my iMac since November 2007, and it boots almost as fast as when I bought it, and a lot faster than any Windows machine I've had so far.

As emptyCup insinuates, take a quick inventory of the activities/applications your family uses, and verify that the iMac has equivalents. You'll find that, except for a full-blown version of Microsoft Office, OS X and iLife have you pretty much covered. You can download OpenOffice for a free Office-compatible equivalent, if you don't want to invest in MS Office just yet.

Many other applications are available, and more than a few are downloadable for free, including a new, family-friendly (!) and addictive little multiplayer FPS game called Paradise Paintball. (Who says Macs aren't for gaming?)
 
emptyCup said:
In that case your PCs are a lot more expensive.
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Not to mention a PC is worth pretty much nothing once you open the box (and a home-built machine is worth even less in resale value). Unless you have a very specific PC that's a known quantity, a ThinkPad for example, you'll find it nearly impossible to sell for a reasonable amount. I've never had a problem selling my old Macs - and I always get more than I expect when I do. You can easily keep up with the latest tech every year at a reasonable cost if you so choose.

Try doing that with the laptop "Lauren" picked up at Best Buy on Microsoft's dime...
 
I have stated this here before, and I'll do it again. There is no better computer for home in terms of bang-for-the-buck than an iMac. Get the biggest screen, at least 4Gb RAM, the biggest HDD and the best video card. That's all you really need. The iMac is fast, quiet, easy to use, easy to set up, looks like a million bucks and comes with the best OS on the planet. Have no fear or doubt, it will be the best puchase you make for some time. I used PC's since the 1980's, eventually building my own from components. They are just not as reliable as a Mac because of the simple fact that the same company makes the hardware and the software. They just work, just like the ads say.

Rich :cool:
 
iMac, or Mac Mini?

If you already have a nice display (monitor) which is now idle from one of your prior PC systems, then you might consider purchasing a Mac Mini rather than an iMac. The Minis are astoundingly small for a pretty good personal computer. I bought one for my mother about five years ago.

The iMac line is great for an all-in-one solution. I've owned one of each major type -- G3, G4, G5, and now 2009-era Intel system. They have all lasted multiple years (except the 2009 model, of course!). We generally give-away or recycle the old ones when we have finally replaced them. (We keep two at a time, one for me and one for my wife.)

We have also had a few older Macs (Performa models in the 1980s and early 1990s) plus three Mac laptops. They are all super machines.
 
All of our displays are not very big and I much prefer the new glass display on the new Macbook models so i'm guessing it will be even better on the iMac since the screen is much bigger. We would have to buy another display if we got a Mac mini so i'm guessing its just a better deal to go with the iMac.
 
For roughly the same price as the entry level 24" Imac I ended up going with a Mac Mini and built a custom pc. I wall mounted a 24 inch Samsung monitor over my desk with both the pc and mini hooked into it. I just push a button on the monitor when I want to use the mini and pull out my wireless mouse and keyboard. Its really the best of both worlds as I have the pc for gaming (and the wife as its difficult to get her to go with something shes not use to i.e OS X) and the mini for I-Life, Itunes, and internet surfing.

I understand what you are saying in reference to buying Dell, etc and it being crap. If you are going to have a windows machine in the house the only way to go is build it yourself. Better parts, better system, better price.

With that said an Imac is a beautiful machine and I think as long as your family is willing to make the switch they will be happy and it will serve you well.
 

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What is the usual lifespan of an iMac. I've been using PC's my whole life at a rate of about a new pc per 3 years but I want to keep a Mac if I get one as long as possible to justify the investment
 
fattychalupa said:
What is the usual lifespan of an iMac.
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I've had mine over 3 years and it's still going strong, but its replacement (a 24" iMac with the Radeon 4850) will be here Thursday. :D

I'm sure I could get several more years of solid service from my current machine, but I'm running a lot of VMware and the 2GB RAM limit on this machine isn't cutting it anymore. A typical user would be perfectly content with my 3 year old iMac.
 
LagunaSol said:
I've had mine over 3 years and it's still going strong, but its replacement (a 24" iMac with the Radeon 4850) will be here Thursday. :D

I'm sure I could get several more years of solid service from my current machine, but I'm running a lot of VMware and the 2GB RAM limit on this machine isn't cutting it anymore. A typical user would be perfectly content with my 3 year old iMac.
Click to expand...

And which current model do you think would be the best fit for day to day use. Yeah I know the 24" is the better deal, but is the 20" capable of just as much daily use? (With the extra money I could go get an Airport Express and an Apple remote)
 
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