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Switching to Mac - What mac should I start out with?

M

MrWanatabe

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 16, 2010
8
0
Okay, my ultimate goal is to get the highest available imac model. I've been wanting to switch from PC to Mac for a long time and as being a first time Mac user I wanted to know which mac would be right for me to start off with.
-My family is currently under a budget so i don't want to start out big.
-I'm thirteen
-I'll be using the mac for mostly schoolwork, internet, IM'ing, etc. (In the future gaming)


...And yeah! I will be patient if it takes time for me to save up for the mac or wait for a refresh. I was considering switching to a mac because it seems to have an ease of use and easier to navigate. What I'm planning on doing is buying a mac that I can start out with and then later sell it. I'm hoping in the future to get the highest model imac to clear some desk space and do some gaming (now that steam on mac is available or using bootcamp) Thanks!!! :D

P.S. Are you able to upgrade your mac in the future rather than just selling it?
 
Ram is about all you upgrade. Hard drive easy-ish to upgrade, but still not like taking the side panel off your tower and pulling the hard drive tray out.

I say if your current computer is up to par, you can most certainly wait.
 
Macs aren't nearly as easy to upgrade as PCs are. Parts are comparatively harder to find and in some cases you need special tools to unlock parts of the chassis.

Since you said gaming, you probably want to avoid the Mac Mini as this tends to cater to the low end, but realistically the entry-level iMacs aren't exactly "blistering" in terms of performance regarding games.

If you're hoping to play intensive games like Starcraft 2, Diablo 3, and Portal 2, you're probably looking at one of the iMacs that exceed $1500 USD. And since you just mentioned you had a budget rather than what the number was, I'm grasping at thin air.

Keep in mind, though, that the iMac is essentially a souped up Mac Mini (though I am oversimplifying some of the major differences like CPU architecture and GPU) and one of their gorgeous LED Displays in one - and the display itself runs around $750 or more...
 
If your looking to game, I would stick with a PC, especially since you don't have the budget for a high end mac, and anyway even with the highest end mac you will not be able to play games like crysis at high settings, and with the entry level macs you will not be able to play games at native resolution, even some of the old ones..

I would suggest you install OSX on your PC, just make sure you buy compatible hardware, and your good to go, If you have the right hardware you will be able to do updates without any issues, the only thing that won't work is power management features, but the rest will be fine..

I actually started out using snow leopard on PC, and eventually switched to a Mac.. Just my thoughts, I mean you could build a much fast PC for the price of the lowest end mac mini.. and at the same time do some hardcore gaming.. but don't buy branded PC's, build your own, its pretty easy..
 
Thanks for your suggestions! Err, what i meant buy upgrading is like if you had a mac mini, that in the future your somehow eligible to upgrade to something like an iMac rather than just selling the mac mini and buy and get the iMac after.
 
thoughts

I'd recommend holding off til the next update on the iMac. Based on the update cycle, the iMac should be updating soon. (1-2 months max?)

the 27" iMac is a fantastic machine for games. I play WoW on mine. Though admittedly I play every game under Windows still. (That's ALL I use Windows for) Look at any benchmark, and you'll see that games are faster under Windows (which makes sense, since GPU drivers have been put through the RINGER on Windows for 10+ years).

I'd recommend holding off for the next 27" iMac, then buying the version with the non-integrated GPU. If you were to look at today's current iMac models, it's the $1699 option. As of right now, Apple doesn't MAKE a 27" with the cheaper GPU, but it is always possible they will, so make sure not to get that one.

Enjoy your Mac; I am a HUGE fan :)
 
czeluff said:
I'd recommend holding off til the next update on the iMac. Based on the update cycle, the iMac should be updating soon. (1-2 months max?)
Click to expand...

The next gen iMac should be here in a few years, not a few months.

As for your first Mac, don't get a new one. You should get like and PowerMac G4 and see what that's like.
 
your age + MacBook Pro

If you're anything like my 13yr old daughter you will get more use out of the MBP than a desktop.
 
There is no such thing as eligibility when you're buying a mac. It's not like a phone, you can get what you want when you want it. I'd say go for a laptop. MBP or MB.
 
After reading you post, and seeing what you want to do with the Mac, I think the MacBook 13" will suffice.

I recently got my very first Mac as well, which is a MacBook 13". It works extremely well, the display is big enough to do the stuff you like to do. I can even play WoW at medium settings + AddOns at around 40 fps.

For what you want to do, and the budget you have, this MacBook is (I think), the best choice.
 
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