Reverse Switcher

[mrfrosty]

Yeah, I'm building a supercomputer "next year". I'll call it a cray ten million and it will use lasers and quantum theory, perhaps even a probability engine.

The problem is that it will still run a crappy operating system. My point being that i don't care how fast a new computer is. A **** OS is still a **** OS even if it is running as fast as a peadophile in a prison.

 

[rainydays]

The problem is that it will still run a crappy operating system. My point being that i don't care how fast a new computer is. A **** OS is still a **** OS even if it is running as fast as a peadophile in a prison.

Linux isn't a crappy OS though. But I doubt any gamer would be satisfied with it.

 

[ViperDesign]

I was a PC user for around 20 years and I finally moved over to apple. I feel it was without a doubt the best move I could make. I am beyond happy with how this system works! I don't have to purchase 20 different programs to do one thing, everything on a mac is integrated into the system.

I saved a ton of money buy purchasing this thing! lol Yeah I spent over 2 grand, but with a pc i would spend that and more with software and what not to get it where I needed it to be.

With the mac everything I needed pretty much came with the system. How cool is that!

I have the 24 inch model and I have done some video editing and I have very impressed. My PC that I got rid of had SLI 7900 GT cards, 2 GB 800 RAM, C2D 2.4ghz E6600 (I think it was that one) 24 inch monitor Dell Widescreen, 10,000RPM Main drive with a 500GB second drive. This thing was loaded, but it was also a MESS and a b1tch to move around.

I had so many dang wires it was killing me! With the iMac I don't have all those great things, but it does the same and more at the same speed! I only play one game, yet it plays it the same and it looks the same. Video editing is as fast or faster then on the other machine.

Plus the great thing, if I want to visit windows I can just boot into it and play my games. I get two operating systems for the price of one computer.

I will never go back to a PC as my main desktop again, I love not having a million wires and I love the look of this machine.

Call me a very happy camper!

 

[Red-red]

I think the problem for most of us is we want OSX and the performance. But we can't have both.

It is a question of gaming on a 360/PS3 ( Which isn't no were near the same as PC gaming) and using a imac for everything else and being able to enjoy OSX in it's glory. Or having to using vista which is just awful imo but being able to play the latest games looking amazing. Me personally I am 50/50 and either way I go I am losing out on something I love.

 

[wakerider017]

Some of you guys need to chill out in this thread. Aren't I entitled to my own opinion? I mean I am the one who started the thread haha...

I told everyone in the opening post that I LOVE OS X, but I hate the hardware.



I think every sensible user on this forum will agree,
The new iMacs have a great OS (As do all the other macs), The iMac looks pretty cool, but they are seriously seriously lacking when it comes to hardware.

Unlike others in here who have expressed hardware performance is not a priority, It is the number 1 priority on my list.

Pretty looks, lack of wires and compactness are nice, but not a priority for me.

And for the guy (I think it was Leemo) who says he lives "Final Cut Pro, Motion, and Photoshop" on his 20" imac.

Best of luck to you with that 2400XT, DDR2 667 Mem and Merom chip.

I think you could ask any "Pro" user on here and they would tell you that computer is FAR from optimized for what you are trying to do.

If you want to see a knife slicing through butter check out the dual quad Mac Pro. Or maybe keep an open mind and check out a custom PC...


This statement is not directed at everyone, but this is for a select few of you in here...

Some of you guys think everyone must have the same mindset as you and if not that person must be stupid or just plain wrong.

I think it is a good thing to be able to see fault in something you like... It is not good to defend something blindly, just because your "Pro Apple" or b/c your defending your very expensive purchase...

Just my Opinion. Please Please Please Don't flame me to death...

P.S. I still own an iPod, so I can't be all that bad can I?

 

[wakerider017]

Just buy a 360 and get over it! Gaming is a money pit that I tend to avoid on computers. Even if the new iMac had a card that was decent for gaming, how long do you think that would last, considering the design? You can't change it, so what's the point? It's like those goobers who come into my store and want a bad a$$ gaming laptop, how dumb is that really? What a waste of money, buy a tower! If you can run games for the time being on your iMac/laptop, then that's great, but Apple isn't interested in making the iMac for the hardcore gamer. For the money, the iMac is the best all-around solution for style, size, functionality, software and harware. I just put up the new iMac yesterday, and it's fantastic! 99% of people looking for a computer would love it, it's pure sex. I love gaming, been at it since the intellivision, but it has it's place. The majority of Mac buyers, could give a rat's a$$ about gaming, save for the round of Jewel Quest or two...Sorry, Apple was right on the money with this one, fella's. Did you see the last iMac at all? What else would they have done that wouldn't have sky rocketed the price? You have to remember that
Apple is a business, they don't just make toys for YOU.

A console should not HAVE be the solution.

If the majority of "Mac buyers, could give a rat's a$$ about gaming" then why are so many large titles coming out for Mac?

Truth is a great deal of Mac owners DO CARE about being able to game on a Mac.

Kinda upsetting when the iMac struggles with current games that have already been released.

Who says prices have to skyrocket? Did you know that the Nvidia 8600GTS (A decent video card) can be had at local retailers for $140? Who knows what Apple could get something like that for. (additionally I am not sure how much a mobile card would cost)

I would estimate at most an $80 price difference. I would not call that skyrocketing...

 

[Lord Blackadder]

I certainly think it's a valid point to chose a PC over Apple to get the latest hardware, though I have to disagree when you say

The new iMacs have a great OS (As do all the other macs), The iMac looks pretty cool, but they are seriously seriously lacking when it comes to hardware.

Do the iMacs have the latest CPU/GPU? No. But, to be honest, what apps require that you have a CPU better than Merom and a GPU better than a 2600 PRO in order to get decent performance? Most don't, and that includes popular pro apps like Final Cut, Creative Suite and so forth.

Unless you play 3D games and demand high framerates with the latest games, the iMac's spec is not "seriously lacking". But I do agree that the iMac is not focused on gaming, which is obviously a problem for you and others that want better gaming performance from Apple.

I would like to see a mid-priced gaming machine from Apple too, but it won't happen for the forseeable future, leaving us with the option of either getting a PC to game or dual booting with a Mac Pro.

So going back to the PC is certainly a valid option for gamers who don't feel Apple is quite ready to serve the needs of gamers looking to go Mac.

 

[rainydays]

I think every sensible user on this forum will agree,
The new iMacs have a great OS (As do all the other macs), The iMac looks pretty cool, but they are seriously seriously lacking when it comes to hardware.

Unlike others in here who have expressed hardware performance is not a priority, It is the number 1 priority on my list.

Pretty looks, lack of wires and compactness are nice, but not a priority for me.

So you are basically saying that anyone who has different priorities aren't sensible?

Please. I do understand your concern. And it's a shame that no Mac can meet your demands.
But a company who tries pleasing everyone ends up making crappy products. That's a fact based on history.

The thing is that Dell, HP, Sony etc. has no products that fits my needs. Actually, no company has that. But Apple is currently the closest one.

I'm not complaining about Dell not caring about my needs. I understand that their target is a completely different market than the one I'm in. Sure I can write them an e-mail but it wouldn't result in much.

I'm not very loyal to any company out there. I buy whatever works for me. And right now, Apple makes those products. If they stop that I will leave and find something different.
But the thing is that you will never find a product as complex as a computer that fits you 100%. There's always some sacrifices and compromises to be made.

I've moved between lots of operating systems and platforms over the years. I really miss some of them (especially BeOS), but there has always been a reason for moving on to something else. It's just the way it is.

So just send Apple an e-mail and move on.

 

[wakerider017]

So you are basically saying that anyone who has different priorities aren't sensible?

I do feel you are reading out of context. I made it clear that those were my personal priorities.

For many people (including my little sister who has an iMac) clean design is much more important that the actual hardware function of the computer. This doesn't mean that she is not sensible, this just means that we have different needs.


I also don't feel that I am the only who's needs are not met. Apple has a HUGE gap in their product line... it is not a matter of tailoring to each individual customers needs...

It is a matter of not having a high end desktop or for that matter a average desktop.

Please don't say the Mac Pro is a high end desktop (It simply is not, The mac Pro is a computer that is meant for professionals), Also please do not say the Mac Mini is an Average desktop. (It simply is not, I would consider this a very low end computer. Again it uses mobile parts and has very skimpy specs).

I think it is safe to say that every other desktop computer company out there has a computer that uses DESKTOP parts and can be classifies in the high end and average desktop range.

It is obvious that Apple is much more concerned with the design, than the actual hardware.

If that was not the case then the would not be using mobile products so that their computer could be thinner.

This is fine, but it is not my cup of tea. I hope you guys can respect that, and I hope that I will be able to return to Apple at a later day.

 

[ViperDesign]

how about a new iMac called, iMac Pro. Just like the MB and MBP, this one would have better graphic card, more of everything....

I think in time they will do something like that, I mean they really have not taped into the gaming market and that is a huge market.

If a iMac Pro did come out I think it would bring even more people over to the "bright" side.

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

To the OP

The new iMac features the Santa Rosa chipset, not Merom!

Quit your whining, the iMac is basically classed as a pro computer. It has the same specs as the MacBook Pro.

I think you've got caught up in this 'gaming' malarky.

Good luck with Windows.

 

[wakerider017]

To the OP

The new iMac features the Santa Rosa chipset, not Merom!

Quit your whining, the iMac is basically classed as a pro computer. It has the same specs as the MacBook Pro.

I think you've got caught up in this 'gaming' malarky.

Good luck with Windows.

Chipset and CPU Core are two different things

Napa was the old chipset and Santa Rosa is the new improved chipset.

Merom is the code name for the CPU core. Back when iMac's where using the Core Duo chips they were Yonah.

The next gen mobile chip will be called Penryn



Hope this clears things up for you.


Edit: I have since read your edited post in which you have taken a different tone.

If I should quit my whining, then maybe you should quit your blabbing, going around trying to correct people when you are DEAD WRONG!

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

Chipset and CPU Core are two different things

Napa was the old chipset and Santa Rosa is the new improved chipset.

Merom is the code name for the CPU core.



Hope this clears things up for you.

It's basically what's inside the MacBook Pro though, and we didn't get this response when that was announced.

 

[wakerider017]

It's basically what's inside the MacBook Pro though, and we didn't get this response when that was announced.

Ya,

But when I am buying a MBP I am buying MOBILE computer...

When I buy a iMac I am buying a NON-Mobile computer...

One NEEDS to use mobile components for battery,heat and space reasons.
The other doesn't

In My Opinion the 2 computers should not be mimics of each other.

 

[rainydays]

I do feel you are reading out of context.

Yes I did.

I fully understand your needs. And as I said, it's a shame that Apple doesn't have a product for you.
Who knows, perhaps they are developing one? I wouldn't bet on it though. As a large part of their customers are moving to notebooks that's where their focus is.

Not saying that I wouldn't mind a more powerful computer though. But I have to make some compromises.
Since I do music production a quiet computer is just as important as a fast one. But I find that the iMac is powerful enough for pretty much any project, and it's also very quiet.
That's not the only factors though, I just brought up two of them.
Saving desk/floor space is another one that's important to me, as well as having an aesthetically pleasing computer.

Having experienced a lot of OSs, OS X isn't all that amazing to me. But I can't stand Windows (or Microsoft), so it's pretty much the only other option for media creation right now. There is also a lot of great third party software available for OS X. Generally much better quality than for Win and Linux.

 

[wakerider017]

Yes I did.

I fully understand your needs. And as I said, it's a shame that Apple doesn't have a product for you.
Who knows, perhaps they are developing one? I wouldn't bet on it though. As a large part of their customers are moving to notebooks that's where their focus is.

Not saying that I wouldn't mind a more powerful computer though. But I have to make some compromises.
Since I do music production a quiet computer is just as important as a fast one. But I find that the iMac is powerful enough for pretty much any project, and it's also very quiet.
That's not the only factors though, I just brought up two of them.
Saving desk/floor space is another one that's important to me, as well as having an aesthetically pleasing computer.

Having experienced a lot of OSs, OS X isn't all that amazing to me. But I can't stand Windows (or Microsoft), so it's pretty much the only other option for media creation right now. There is also a lot of great third party software available for OS X. Generally much better quality than for Win and Linux.

I wouldn't mind a Apple Notebook. I think their notebooks are fantastic computers...

There are rumors of a superportable... mmmm

Of course I would still need a powerful desktop computer.

 

[wakerider017]

Just on a side note, the bigest thing that has me sad about leaving mac is loosing EyeTV.

I am in love with that program!!!

 

[bonafide]

Personally I would take an OSX-equipped machine with a mediocre video card over a Vista machine with an extremely fast one. I like to play 3D games but not so much that I'm willing to give up OSX and iLife.

Agreed!... well said!

 

[cmvsm]

I'm disappointed in the GPU offerings of the new iMac, that's why I'm sticking with the 24" that I have. Hopefully, Apple will respond as they did last year with the 7600GT and offer a BTO option for a GPU. The iMac is NOT a desktop tower, and it was never meant to be a powerhouse machine. You are paying for the asthetics, small footprint, awesome 24" integrated monitor, virtually wire free system that runs an unbeatable OS and lifestyle programs that most will use for 100% of their computing experience. This is where the iMac can stand up to any PC and crush it. This is why I bought one in the first place.

That said, all of the positives of the iMac and OSX outweigh the negatives of going back to Windows. There are so many problems with that OS, I don't know where to begin. If 85% of my time is spent surfing the net, manipulating photos, watching videos, and catering to my music collection, then I'll prioritize the OS over everything else, as that I primarily what I'm dealing with. With Windows, you are flipping the percentage. Yeah, I can play most any game, but I'm dealing with countless operational issues that defeat the whole purpose of computing in the first place.

In regard to the Xbox or PlayStation 3, this is where games are heading according to the industry whether one likes it or not. PC games are quickly becoming a minority. Ever go into an EB Games store and see the teeny tiny PC games selection versus the game boxes? Same in Best Buy and Circuit City. When the game boxes will allow you to surf the net from your main living room television or watch a Blue Ray DVD, its really a no brainer.

 

[Denali9]

The Imac

Just my two cents, I think the iMac is a great computer but for everybody who likes games, there is a big gap in Apple lineup. Something between the iMac and the Mac pro would be nice. Hence this is why that I have a MBP and will probably stick with Apple for laptop but I will keep a windows desktop because Apple does not accomodate my need. Would love it if they could offer a form factor that would accomodate an Intel Q6600 with a graphic card, memory and hard drive that are user replaceble. The IMac with its current specs have a place and will be a great buy for the baby boomers and everybody else who is a casual to pro computer user who do not play games or use Motion.

Hence I agree with your move, if I could not afford a laptop and a desktop Apple would not be in my life. Just wish I could only use Apple hardware. I can onl hope that as they capture market share they will diversify their offering a bit more.

 

[wakerider017]

I'm disappointed in the GPU offerings of the new iMac, that's why I'm sticking with the 24" that I have. Hopefully, Apple will respond as they did last year with the 7600GT and offer a BTO option for a GPU. The iMac is NOT a desktop tower, and it was never meant to be a powerhouse machine. You are paying for the asthetics, small footprint, awesome 24" integrated monitor, virtually wire free system that runs an unbeatable OS and lifestyle programs that most will use for 100% of their computing experience. This is where the iMac can stand up to any PC and crush it. This is why I bought one in the first place.

That said, all of the positives of the iMac and OSX outweigh the negatives of going back to Windows. There are so many problems with that OS, I don't know where to begin. If 85% of my time is spent surfing the net, manipulating photos, watching videos, and catering to my music collection, then I'll prioritize the OS over everything else, as that I primarily what I'm dealing with. With Windows, you are flipping the percentage. Yeah, I can play most any game, but I'm dealing with countless operational issues that defeat the whole purpose of computing in the first place.

In regard to the Xbox or PlayStation 3, this is where games are heading according to the industry whether one likes it or not. PC games are quickly becoming a minority. Ever go into an EB Games store and see the teeny tiny PC games selection versus the game boxes? Same in Best Buy and Circuit City. When the game boxes will allow you to surf the net from your main living room television or watch a Blue Ray DVD, its really a no brainer.

A lot of you guys act as if OS X is a God Send... It is great, but not with out its own flaws...

It does lock up, it does have it's problems and if you don't believe take a look around the forums... You guys may not want to talk about it, but I quite often have to use force quit and I have gotten 1-2 kernel panics in a year. The OS is not perfect... It has problems.

How about the problem with macs where you can't turn off the auto dim. there is an option to turn it off, but it does not work... Apple knows about this problem, but there is no fix....

To be quite honest I have found OS X Tiger to be no more stable than XP.

Also EB GAMES is undoubtedly gear toward console games. There are quit a few PC Games in both circuit city and best buy. Just b/c you don't see a bunch of PC games on the wall in a brick and mortar store does not mean that no one wants them... I can tell you right now there are more PC games out there than all your consoles put together.

ALso did you think that a lot of games are now purchased from online stores like newegg... If you have a PC and play games, chances are you have the internet and know how to you use. A lot of games can even be downloaded now.

 

[skubish]

Computer nerds don't/shouldn't buy Apple.
ciao!

 

[elppa]

Software makes the computer, not the hardware.

If there was no good software people would have no use for computers.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

No need to turn this into a flame war, people.

I think it's fair to say that Apple does not meet everyone's needs as far as a PC goes and that Macs do have their flaws. We have had threads in the past about "switching back" that were started by trolls but I don't think that's the case here so let's keep it civil.

With the current Mac lineup being what it is, two related groups of computer users are still largely dissatisfied with Macs: people who spend a lot of time playing 3D games at high-res and people who build/overclock for the fun of it. Macs can't be built from components (legally anyway), and the problem with a "gamer" oriented machine is that it uses some specialized hardware that the vast majority of other computer users do not need.

I think the best solution to this would be for Apple to release an iMac or (preferably) Mac Pro derivative specially designed for and marketed to gamers that would slot in somewhere between $1600-$2000 and would focus on a high performance single CPU/GPU combo using an off-the shelf motherboard design similar to those popular for gaming PCs. It would essentially mimic the specs of some popular gaming PCs but also feature OS X and iLife.

 

[cal6n]

I started to read this thread but it comes down to this:

"Bye! Don't let the door slap your arse on the way out!"