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Is iMac best for a home desktop computer?

fattychalupa said:
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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Oh, absolutely. My current Mac is a 20" and it's been great. That said, you do get double the RAM and more HD space in addition to the bigger screen with the 24". But the one that fits your budget is usually the best choice. ;)

Note: you may want to check out the refurbished machines on Apple's website as well. And vendors like MacConnection are clearing out previous models at good prices.
 
This months PC Pro (UK) recommends the Dell XPs One 24 in their All in One group test.

The UK apple refurb store curently has a current model 20" for sale at the mo as well.

Cheers

Gaz
 
I was wondering about that too, is a 24" inch screen really the way to go? Is 20 inches just too small for a desktop?
 
touchdownjesus4 said:
I was wondering about that too, is a 24" inch screen really the way to go? Is 20 inches just too small for a desktop?
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If you typically have many documents open, or use programs that have multiple palettes floating around, then more screen real estate is worth having. For the typical Windows émigré who maximizes every program, because drag and drop doesn't really work system-wide, then sitting a few inches from a 24" screen can be a lot like sitting in the first row of a movie theater. It's a personal choice.
 
touchdownjesus4 said:
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.
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I used PC (Dell) and Windows OS for many many years and frankly did not know much about other systems. I used Photoshop, Painter, MS Office, Mail and Internet browser. Last year the question of HW upgrade came up and I realised that Windows XP was no longer available and all Dell PC came with Vista. For some reason I did not like it’s interface and complications to perform a simple operation. Cut long story short I bought iMac 24”. Today it’s out family desktop.
1. Very user friendly interface. I use iMac for approximately a year and till today don’t have a need to look into the OS Manual for daily works. Very logical, easy to understand and use.
2. Kids use it without any questions having no previous experience. What impresses me kids navigate in Mac as if their ways of thinking and operating are the same.
3. Maximum two clicks to reach any files or programs
4. No noise at all. I remember my previous PC with two fans…
5. I still use a PC with Windows XP at work – looks pretty ugly compare to mac.
6. Logic in applications – Toolbox. Regardless of apps it’s clear where to find settings.
7. Internet browsing – previously after a week work on Windows I had to “clean” a PC from all garbage that I caught though I had McCaffee.
Today kids browse the Internet, play games, chat on Skype - no “popups” or other "Viagra’s"
 
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.
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Eh, i wouldn;t call them cooler temperature wise. Their like laptops so they actually have to deal with more heat related issues than regular desktops.
 
Get a Mac mini, that way if you decide to go back to PC you can keep your monitor, keyboard etc, and your mini will hold it's value well if you decide to sell on. But in addition if you like the mini and want to upgrade in a few years time, you only have to buy the new mini, you can keep your monitor.
 
A Mac Mini maybe a better option for you if you don't plan to do anything besides surf the web, view photos and/or basic operations

1. Cheaper
2. Cheaper
3. Cheaper
 
To the OP, I purchased a 20" 2.66 ghz iMac for my home/family desktop and I can tell you that it's been fantastic. I can't imagine going bigger than 20", though I'm sure there are other members on here who need the extra screen space.
 
I've been a PC guy since DOS 5. I just bought my first TWO :apple:'s and love them. Initially I was heart-broken because of the lockup issues with the 4850 but since the EFI fix, I've had nothing but fun! My family loves the iMac a whole lot better than my Dell. And I only have 2 apps so far that won't run on OSX so I bootcamp into XP for them...other than that, it's OSX all the time.
 
MTShipp said:
And I only have 2 apps so far that won't run on OSX so I bootcamp into XP for them...other than that, it's OSX all the time.
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Better yet, VMware Fusion. I use Fusion for the Windows-only apps that I need (rebooting is a pain (but a necessary evil for gaming)) and it works great.
 
Wow I sounded really dumb there, oh well. I only have install OEM disks that came with the pcs i own so i cant use bootcamp :(
 
My first ever Mac was a 20" iMac Intel Core Duo, delivered January 2006. Still sitting on the desk, still chugging away, still doing anything we ask of it, still very quick.

Best money I ever spent on a computer!

Even my wife, who is a complete technophobe, loves it!
 
dsnort said:
My first ever Mac was a 20" iMac Intel Core Duo, delivered January 2006. Still sitting on the desk, still chugging away, still doing anything we ask of it, still very quick.

Best money I ever spent on a computer!

Even my wife, who is a complete technophobe, loves it!
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Ok, I will have to go to the apple store and look at the 20" and the 24" inch screens because I don't know if I will even need the 24 inches.
 
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