Need advise on my first Mac please......

[Kerrlos]

Hi all,

Ive searched the forums to help me but I felt I still needed abit more adivse from you guys...

My PC finally gave up the ghost just before Christmas and Ive decided to get a Mac now

I waited for MacWorld to see the 'new' updates of the iMac and Mac Mini. As we all know nothing happened.

The advise im after is more about what Mac is right for me rather than the normal ''shall I wait until the new ones are out''. I will mainly be using the Mac for internet, emails and Football Manager games etc. I think I will get a Refrub one off the Apple Store. Ive got a couple of questions if someone could help me...

1) Would the 20'' iMac 2.4Ghz be enough for my needs? Or is it worth spending abit more and add more memory etc?

2) Would the new iMac's really make a difference to me with my light usage?

Thanks in advance and I'm looking forward to joining the Mac world

Gaynor.

 

[mcavjame]

If that is really all you are doing, then you won't even begin to stress your iMac. Where you really start to see the benefit of added processing power is video rendering and video encoding/transcoding. The extra processing really translates into time saved.

When you ask about spending a bit more is that for a 24" unit? Memory is always cheaper from third party vendors rather than buying from Apple.

 

[Hellhammer]

1. If you can spend little more, get that 2.66GHz or 2.8GHz model. 2.4GHz has crappy GPU

2. You won't notice difference in such light use.

Buy 4GB RAM later from 3rd part.

Also, what you think about buying used? You could get it quite cheap becouse people are waiting for new ones

 

[Flying Dutchman]

1. If you can spend little more, get that 2.66GHz or 2.8GHz model. 2.4GHz has crappy GPU

2. You won't notice difference in such light use.

Buy 4GB RAM later from 3rd part.

Also, what you think about buying used? You could get it quite cheap becouse people are waiting for new ones

First of all, his doesn't NEED a better GPU since Football Manager isn't that much of graphics monster. Second; why the F are you giving him the advice to buy 4 GB of RAM if he is probably not even going to use the full 2? And, refurb... used... isn't that what he said already?

PS becAUse

 

[Hellhammer]

First of all, his doesn't NEED a better GPU since Football Manager isn't that much of graphics monster. Second; why the F are you giving him the advice to buy 4 GB of RAM if he is probably not even going to use the full 2? And, refurb... used... isn't that what he said already?

PS becAUse

Base model iMac goes fine with his needs NOW. I bought this PC 1,5 years ago, thinking that I'll just use it for very easy tasks. Then about half year after that I falled in for photo editing and also wanted to play few games on it. It didn't have enough power... And spending 300€ more then, and I'd have no need of new computer. Now on if I buy something, I also think about future, not just "today". That was just my advice, I doesn't want that he makes same as I did.

4GB mem. costs only like 50$ so it's almost nothing nowadays. Everyone buys it.

 

[Kerrlos]

If that is really all you are doing, then you won't even begin to stress your iMac. Where you really start to see the benefit of added processing power is video rendering and video encoding/transcoding. The extra processing really translates into time saved.

When you ask about spending a bit more is that for a 24" unit? Memory is always cheaper from third party vendors rather than buying from Apple.

Yeah I was meaning the 24'' with more memory aswell. Thanks alot for your help

 

[Kerrlos]

1. If you can spend little more, get that 2.66GHz or 2.8GHz model. 2.4GHz has crappy GPU

2. You won't notice difference in such light use.

Buy 4GB RAM later from 3rd part.

Also, what you think about buying used? You could get it quite cheap becouse people are waiting for new ones

Ok thanks, I was looking at the 2.8Ghz mostly.

Is it easy to fit the extra RAM??

Yeah I wouldnt mind buying a used one either.

Thanks for your help

 

[mastershakess]

Ok thanks, I was looking at the 2.8Ghz mostly.

Is it easy to fit the extra RAM??

Yeah I wouldnt mind buying a used one either.

Thanks for your help

I'm sorry but these questions have been asked so many times, I doubt you searched the forums. Do you really plan to pay $1799.99 (new) for a computer to surf the internet and run football manager? If you really want a mac, couldn't you just buy a Brand New Mac Mini (seems more appropriate to want you want to do) 599.99 and get a very nice 20-24" LCD Screen to got with it for so much less? Just trying to save you money

Ram takes 2-3 minutes to replace max! Super easy on iMac.

 

[Kerrlos]

I'm sorry but these questions have been asked so many times, I doubt you searched the forums. Do you really plan to pay $1799.99 (new) for a computer to surf the internet and run football manager? If you really want a mac, couldn't you just buy a Brand New Mac Mini (seems more appropriate to want you want to do) 599.99 and get a very nice 20-24" LCD Screen to got with it for so much less? Just trying to save you money

Ram takes 2-3 minutes to replace max! Super easy on iMac.

I did search the forums but couldnt find the same questions of usage as myself and what Mac to go for. If they have been mentioned before then I apolgise.

Thanks for the advise, Ive taken note and will consider a Mini too.

 

[Consultant]

iMac has better price / performance ratio than a Mini.

I would do iMac if your budget allows. It also let you do video chats, voice chats with the integrated webcam / microphone.

 

[Kerrlos]

iMac has better price / performance ratio than a Mini.

I would do iMac if your budget allows. It also let you do video chats, voice chats with the integrated webcam / microphone.

Oh ok cool - I didnt think of that. I think iMac is definetly the way forward for me.

 

[thomastu628]

Unlock my iMac

I bought a used iMac from an auction. The front panel is not with the unit. Can you tell me where to buy it and how much? What is the part numner?

The unit is password locked. How can I unlock it? I can not go past the initial lock-in screen. Very frustrated experience.

Thank's,

Thomas

 

[czachorski]

Oh ok cool - I didnt think of that. I think iMac is definetly the way forward for me.

I second that. A 20" refurb iMac sounds perfect for your uses. Not a lot of good deals there now, but think I remember seeing a 20" for as low as $949. Of course, that will be for a lower spec model, but given your uses, that shouldn't be a problem - your light needs will allow you to get very good deal on the price. Good luck!

 

[Nero Wolfe]

Before you decide between the 20" and 24" please go see them in person if you can. The difference in screen quality is night & day. I've had both and there is no comparison. The 20" uses technology similar to the MacBooks whereas the 24" uses the same panel as in the ACDs. The minute you shift viewing angles on the 20" you will see what I mean. If you can at all afford it, I highly recommend the upgrade.

 

[czachorski]

Before you decide between the 20" and 24" please go see them in person if you can. The difference in screen quality is night & day. I've had both and there is no comparison. The 20" uses technology similar to the MacBooks whereas the 24" uses the same panel as in the ACDs. The minute you shift viewing angles on the 20" you will see what I mean. If you can at all afford it, I highly recommend the upgrade.

I have noticed a some people are sensitive to this, and others are not. I think its great advice for the OP to go look at them in person.

 

[Kerrlos]

Before you decide between the 20" and 24" please go see them in person if you can. The difference in screen quality is night & day. I've had both and there is no comparison. The 20" uses technology similar to the MacBooks whereas the 24" uses the same panel as in the ACDs. The minute you shift viewing angles on the 20" you will see what I mean. If you can at all afford it, I highly recommend the upgrade.

I went into my local PC World which have iMacs on show, I was very impressed with the 24'' screen. Thanks for advice.