OMG, what have I done?!?!?

[dr. jimmy]

My very first post, thanks for allowing me to join here and pick some brains, ask dumb questions and probably be a nuisance!

So, after years and years of doing the PC thing and burning out hard drives, swearing at blue screens, cursing horrible updates, I have finally decided to jump to the "other side" and picked myself up an iMac with the following specs:

• 3.0GHz quad-core 7th-generation Intel Core i5 processor, Turbo Boost up to 3.5GHz
• 16GB 2400MHz DDR4
• 1TB Fusion Drive
• Radeon Pro 555 with 2GB video memory
• Magic Mouse 2
• Magic Keyboard - US English

Not doing any hardcore stuff, mainly web surfing, paying bills, some music editing (hopefully Audacity will work with a Mac???) no real gaming or heavy video stuff. Was wondering what people think of this setup? I have been a dedicated iPhone/iPad user for years so I hope the transition will be relatively painless! One thing I wonder is that there will be three of us using this, is there a way to setup three separate accounts for it with three separate login/passwords?

My thanks to any and all that read this and chime in with opinions, answers, suggestions, insults and catcalls, all are most appreciated!

Bill

 

[elf69]

I have an old 2007 2.0GHz core2duo iMac

your set up is good unit.

yes audacity works with Mac.

I too was pc but will NEVER go back.
There is a learning curve but it not hard.

Yes can have many accounts.
this is done via, preferences - users

you may create other users there.

 

[dr. jimmy]

Awesome, thanks! Can't wait for it to get here and set it up!!!

 

[elf69]

which version of OSX is it running?

personally I prefer Sierra/high Sierra as to me closer to what I'm used to in windows.

preferences = control panel.

the menu bar at top of screen (bit like task bar at bottom on windows) will change depending on which app your using.
it adapts to the app which is open, this is the bit that thru me coming from windows.

but just play with it.
You will enjoy it.

 

[dr. jimmy]

which version of OSX is it running?

personally I prefer Sierra/high Sierra as to me closer to what I'm used to in windows.

preferences = control panel.

the menu bar at top of screen (bit like task bar at bottom on windows) will change depending on which app your using.
it adapts to the app which is open, this is the bit that thru me coming from windows.

but just play with it.
You will enjoy it.

Actually I don't have it yet so I have no idea what OS it has. I'm kinda hoping for a plug and play (or very close to it) experience, sine most of my experience is with windows and I'm sure I'll encounter an issue or two (probably self induced!).

Thanks!

 

[elf69]

yes it will pretty much be plug and go.

it will not take long to adapt.

the programs for Mac is same as windows, in that word is word.
the difference is how you get to the program but once there it just the same.

 

[madmin]

IMO you should cancel this order and get one with an SSD. If budget is tight go down to 8GB of ram and add more later. You will regret the 1TB fusion drive otherwise.

 

[maflynn]

I would offer advice in that you'll be better off with either a 2TB Fusion drive (it offers a larger SSD then the 1TB), or better yet a full on SSD. The performance difference is quite telling

 

[dr. jimmy]

Will the ssd vs. Fusion difference be noticeable with what I'm doing? Basically just surfing forums, checking email, paying bills and once in a while editing a song here and there. Not watching movies, playing games or doing video work......

 

[NorCalLights]

Will the ssd vs. Fusion difference be noticeable with what I'm doing? Basically just surfing forums, checking email, paying bills and once in a while editing a song here and there. Not watching movies, playing games or doing video work......

No. You'll be fine with the 1TB Fusion.

 

[dr. jimmy]

Thanks. That was the big debate for me, choosing between the two and keeping it within my budget. The 256GB and 512GB wouldn't have the storage that I would like, so I went with the Fusion which was less expensive (and apparently slower) and bumped the RAM to 16GB for a bit of extra speed. Don't know if it makes any logical sense but it fits the budget.....

 

[NorCalLights]

The 1TB Fusion option is the slowest Fusion drive option that Apple sells, but it's still many times faster than a traditional spinning disk. OSX does a good job of managing the combination of SSD and HDD.

I definitely don't think 8GB is enough RAM for OSX these days, and OSX can use any free RAM as a cache. I think you made the right call given your budget.

 

[EugW]

I don't recommend anyone buy a 1 TB Fusion drive. The 1 TB Fusion drive especially is the problematic one, as it has only a 32 GB SSD portion. The 2 TB and 3 TB ones are 128 GB.

With three users, the OS install, and the software install, and you may already have used up that 32 GB without even considering any significant user data.

Check out this thread: Hating my new 27" iMac