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Is the iMac for me?

F

FlintAlt2

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 23, 2008
112
0
Hello all Im posting this thread to seek help to find out if the iMac is for my needs.

I've been a windows user for nearly 13 years now and I have finally decided to switch :cool:.

I am 17 and an aspiring Graphic Designer; Logos,Banners,Web graphics etc etc. Thinking about going into a Design Academy as Im currently just at home doing random things. Im seeing a lot of people saying that the glossy screen is a problem for artists. Is this the only truth or is just matter of opinion.

Im thinking about getting a iMac with the following specs:

3.06Ghz
4GB RAM
750GB HDD
8800 GS
Wireless Mighty Mouse ( Isn't the sensor on that better than the cabled mouse? )
Cable Keyboard (do not like the other one + this gives me 2 extra usb Ports)
iWork

Im buying it from the Spanish apple site at around 2.200 euros.

I cannot afford a Mac Pro nor could I possibly justify the need for it.

Much thanks for the advice before hand ;)
 
Buy the RAM from a third party retailer. Have you considered the need for portability? Will your target Design Academy have requirements that your new computer must meet?

Glossy screens are matter of opinion. The 24" is a very good screen by all accounts.
 
flopticalcube said:
Buy the RAM from a third party retailer. Have you considered the need for portability? Will your target Design Academy have requirements that your new computer must meet?

Glossy screens are matter of opinion. The 24" is a very good screen by all accounts.
Click to expand...

Portability mm... Maybe I would take it from place to place maybe once or twice every couple months.

I do not think that the Design Academy has any requirements that I must meet apart from having a computer which can run the Adobe suit.

Thanks for your reply.
 
I don't actually think glossy screens are as bad as people say. It really depends on the quality of the screen and the 24" iMac screens are very high quality.

I wouldn't really worry too much about whether or not you'd be ok with the glossy screen because it's really the only option if a Mac Pro is too much (unless you go for the other end of the spectrum and get a Mac Mini) or choose a Macbook Pro.

If you think the need for portability is going to increase, I would consider getting a notebook. You can hook it up to an external display for desk use and then take it with you when you need to.

I am looking at buying a Mac Pro soon, but I couldn't be without my MBP (I went with a 2nd hand one of ebay for £650 and upgraded the hard drive rather than £1300 for a new one).
 
FlintAlt2 said:
Portability mm... Maybe I would take it from place to place maybe once or twice every couple months.

I do not think that the Design Academy has any requirements that I must meet apart from having a computer which can run the Adobe suit.

Thanks for your reply.
Click to expand...

It is a big piece of furniture to move a couple of times a month. I don't think I would do it, but I've had friends traveling with their PowerMac G5's every week. I guess it comes down to the type of person you are.

I wouldn't hesitate to do digital media graphics work on my screen in a small scale. When push comes to shove, I can always test and fine tune it on one of my friends professional monitors. However if I was to live of it, I would have to get a reference monitor, especially if it is printed media. You could do a lot worse screen-wise as a student (unless you are unlucky and get one of the problem riddled ones). The glossiness is not what bothers me.

I would be more worried about the travel-part of the plan.
 
Thanks for all the replies.

Im mostly do non-print designs ( I don't currently work as a designer ) I mostly like to do things for websites,wallpapers and the occasional logo ( I guess the logo could be printed ).

I really would like to have a desktop though. Im thinking maybe in 8-10 months I could by myself a Macbook Pro.

The reason for this is that If I go to that Design Academy it wont be before the 2009 September time as this year I do not have the finance to afford it.

So ill be a year without the need of portability. At the most extreme I would have to come round to a clients house and show them the designs ( then I would need a laptop ). However I could get by with a pen drive/uploading to the internet.

Mmmm so many options :eek:
 
I was wondering. Can I order a BTO iMac from a apple retailer? Because I cannot pay for it with the credit card as their is a limit.
 
2,200 euros?!? Wow! That's $3,466.32 (according to Google).

I just bought that same system but with a 1TB HDD (and without iWork and the wireless mouse) for about $2400 from the Apple U.S. online store -- and that includes tax!

My suggestion is see if you can somehow pay in dollars.

Edit: I just remembered I also had an educational discount. See if you can get one of those, too (you'll also get a free iPod Touch out of it).
 
I can't. I wouldn't get support and what not if anything happend.

But can I order an iMac BTO from a apple reseller? ... I can't remember if you can configure your iMacs in the store.
 
Well that really sucks big time as the credit card I use has a limit and I cannot get the iMac with the card. I can only in Cash.

no iMac for me :(
 
FlintAlt2 said:
Well that really sucks big time as the credit card I use has a limit and I cannot get the iMac with the card. I can only in Cash.

no iMac for me :(
Click to expand...

You can call the credit card company and get them to up your limit as your making a large purchase, and get them to lower it afterwards ofcourse too to remove temptation haha
 
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