Office for mac is pretty good. But I prefer just booting up the devil for number crunching. I have old VBA code coming out my ears. BTW, Pages is more like adobe illustrator than it is Word.
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Tell me why I would want a imac over a PC?
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Office for mac is pretty good. But I prefer just booting up the devil for number crunching. I have old VBA code coming out my ears. BTW, Pages is more like adobe illustrator than it is Word.
I can say I am in the same boat as you. I currently have a thread on another forum asking what PC I should build with a £2500/US$5000 budget and I am being told to use watercooling and stuff I just don't feel comfortable with so I looked into other PCs and then the iMacs and they look great and the high end model looks like great value for money.
I then stumbled upon this website and noticed something about new iMacs coming this month during a WWDC event next week and following that I ran into your thread.
I have been looking at the gaming side of Macs too and it seems there is a selection of good games such as Quake 4, Prey, Everquest 1 and World of Warcraft.
Anyway, I am also very interested in getting an iMac to replace my PC and would like to know why I should buy one instead of a new expensive PC. My current PC is going on for 3 years old so its slow (yes, it isn't even Dual Core) so it is upgrade/new computer time.
Oh, I don't play games on my computer anymore I just got a HDTV, 360 and PS3 for that so that doesn't really matter but if anyone has any Mac MMOs to recommend, please, do so
.
I then stumbled upon this website and noticed something about new iMacs coming this month during a WWDC event next week and following that I ran into your thread.
I have been looking at the gaming side of Macs too and it seems there is a selection of good games such as Quake 4, Prey, Everquest 1 and World of Warcraft.
Anyway, I am also very interested in getting an iMac to replace my PC and would like to know why I should buy one instead of a new expensive PC. My current PC is going on for 3 years old so its slow (yes, it isn't even Dual Core) so it is upgrade/new computer time.
Oh, I don't play games on my computer anymore I just got a HDTV, 360 and PS3 for that so that doesn't really matter but if anyone has any Mac MMOs to recommend, please, do so
.I can say I am in the same boat as you. I currently have a thread on another forum asking what PC I should build with a £2500/US$5000 budget and I am being told to use watercooling and stuff I just don't feel comfortable with so I looked into other PCs and then the iMacs and they look great and the high end model looks like great value for money.
I then stumbled upon this website and noticed something about new iMacs coming this month during a WWDC event next week and following that I ran into your thread.
I have been looking at the gaming side of Macs too and it seems there is a selection of good games such as Quake 4, Prey, Everquest 1 and World of Warcraft.
Anyway, I am also very interested in getting an iMac to replace my PC and would like to know why I should buy one instead of a new expensive PC. My current PC is going on for 3 years old so its slow (yes, it isn't even Dual Core) so it is upgrade/new computer time.
Oh, I don't play games on my computer anymore I just got a HDTV, 360 and PS3 for that so that doesn't really matter but if anyone has any Mac MMOs to recommend, please, do so
Run the program 'Boot Camp', and the magical beans released via this mystical piece of software will allow you to play any game ever made for PC, on your Mac ! Ah, yes, the wonders of modern technology...
Run the program 'Boot Camp', and the magical beans released via this mystical piece of software will allow you to play any game ever made for PC, on your Mac ! Ah, yes, the wonders of modern technology...
Yea I saw that but unless they put a good graphics card (DirectX 10 would be great, 8800?) to go with the Core 2 Duo in the new iMacs I don't think you will get many FPS. I could be wrong...
The new MacBook Pros just got the 8600M cards. I would suspect that the iMacs will get at least the same, if not better.
Buy a Dell and play with Windows ... and stick a "I could have bought a Mac, but the Dell was cheaper" poster on the wall.
After reloading Windows a couple times you may find why OS X is worth the price of the Mac.
I am willing to pay! OS X looks very nice I have had a small play with the OS and it is very responsive and has the "just like home" feeling to it.
Oh and I don't buy factory computers as they are usually worse and full of bloatware. Anyway, back to the iMacs, I hope they do have a DX10 card in them with Parallels 3.0 being able to play DX8+ and OpenGL games right in XP/Vista under OSX.
I don't edit movies, but the INCLUDED iLife software is incredible...you can do anything with it...music,photos,videos,movies, etc. It's super easy to use yet incredibly powerful at the same time.
The best thing about the iMac in my opinion is the design. No other computer is designed so beautifully and uniquely. The iMac is pretty expensive, but it's not a cheap computer you're getting.
Mac OS X is nice because I rarely ever get the "program not responding" message that is so common in windows. And if an application stops responding and you force quit it, it doesn't stop all your other stuff you have running - just that one application. So you're not as affected by system crashes.
Another reason that should convince you to buy a mac is that people know a LOT about them. If you buy for example a dell x593fh3jkf model (that's an exxageration...) youre less likely to find help from people with that specific model. If you come here, there's a whole forum just for iMacs..and all the people here are mac fanatics who truly love computers. You can get incredible help here, if you need it.
Another plus: plug something in, and it really does just work. I plugged in my printer when I got my iMac and thought that the USB ports were broken...! That's because it doesn't bother you or anything, you click print and it just prints - no configuring necessary. Another example - I have two digital cameras. One of htem is a few years old, and yet somehow it still just got "recognized" by iPhoto right away. Very slick. I will note, however, that my scanner was so old that it did require that I install software (designed for Mac OS 9, but still worked!)
I think overall it's the fact that Mac OS X offers the tighest integration between its applications. For example, in every application/window, you get 'spotlight' which is like windows search, but better because it pulls up results instantly as you type. And about integration - you plug in your camera, open up iPhoto, camera pops up, click "import" and done! It files them away nicely for you, too, so you don't end up having a big mess of jpegs all over the place.
Integrated wifi/bluetooth is nice, too, because you can get a bluetooth mk set and it takes away desk clutter.
Also, you don't need to worry about viruses/spyware. Although I really didn't mind updating my antivirus with windows, I realize now that I spend a lot more time just using my computer rather than maintaining it.
Integrated iSight camera is great - it works really great if you know someone with Aim or another mac. Video conferencing is painless.
Another thing: when you first get hte Mac, you don't need to install the "PC decrapifier" (google it...). No junk/bloatware.
Macs aren't what they used to be...there are no "compatibility problems" between common file types, and they're not "slower", or even in most cases, more expensive.
Although my iMac still is audible, my room is much more quiet with it in there. my old PC was super loud and noisy.
There are a lot of nice touches to OS X you may not realize right away. Fundamentally, it's a very easy OS to learn..it took me a few hours to understand most of how it works. But then you start realizing that there are many cool implementations...double click a word to hilight it, and theres an option for looking it up in the built in dictionary, or even to run a search with spotlight. It's things like that you only learn about after having the mac for a little while.
"Expose" is another feature that draws people to Macs. If you have a few windows open, you can push a key on the keyboard that you programmed (F1 for me), and it organizes all of your windows so that you can see all of them at once (i.e. no overlapping windows). I push F2, and it hides all the windows and brings me to my desktop. A small, but extremely useful feature.
Wait for WWDC to buy - you might get a nice software update with it (and maybe some more stuff). Also, look out for the free iPod/printer promo they do.
Oh yeah, it also makes that lovely startup chime
The best thing about the iMac in my opinion is the design. No other computer is designed so beautifully and uniquely. The iMac is pretty expensive, but it's not a cheap computer you're getting.
Mac OS X is nice because I rarely ever get the "program not responding" message that is so common in windows. And if an application stops responding and you force quit it, it doesn't stop all your other stuff you have running - just that one application. So you're not as affected by system crashes.
Another reason that should convince you to buy a mac is that people know a LOT about them. If you buy for example a dell x593fh3jkf model (that's an exxageration...) youre less likely to find help from people with that specific model. If you come here, there's a whole forum just for iMacs..and all the people here are mac fanatics who truly love computers. You can get incredible help here, if you need it.
Another plus: plug something in, and it really does just work. I plugged in my printer when I got my iMac and thought that the USB ports were broken...! That's because it doesn't bother you or anything, you click print and it just prints - no configuring necessary. Another example - I have two digital cameras. One of htem is a few years old, and yet somehow it still just got "recognized" by iPhoto right away. Very slick. I will note, however, that my scanner was so old that it did require that I install software (designed for Mac OS 9, but still worked!)
I think overall it's the fact that Mac OS X offers the tighest integration between its applications. For example, in every application/window, you get 'spotlight' which is like windows search, but better because it pulls up results instantly as you type. And about integration - you plug in your camera, open up iPhoto, camera pops up, click "import" and done! It files them away nicely for you, too, so you don't end up having a big mess of jpegs all over the place.
Integrated wifi/bluetooth is nice, too, because you can get a bluetooth mk set and it takes away desk clutter.
Also, you don't need to worry about viruses/spyware. Although I really didn't mind updating my antivirus with windows, I realize now that I spend a lot more time just using my computer rather than maintaining it.
Integrated iSight camera is great - it works really great if you know someone with Aim or another mac. Video conferencing is painless.
Another thing: when you first get hte Mac, you don't need to install the "PC decrapifier" (google it...). No junk/bloatware.
Macs aren't what they used to be...there are no "compatibility problems" between common file types, and they're not "slower", or even in most cases, more expensive.
Although my iMac still is audible, my room is much more quiet with it in there. my old PC was super loud and noisy.
There are a lot of nice touches to OS X you may not realize right away. Fundamentally, it's a very easy OS to learn..it took me a few hours to understand most of how it works. But then you start realizing that there are many cool implementations...double click a word to hilight it, and theres an option for looking it up in the built in dictionary, or even to run a search with spotlight. It's things like that you only learn about after having the mac for a little while.
"Expose" is another feature that draws people to Macs. If you have a few windows open, you can push a key on the keyboard that you programmed (F1 for me), and it organizes all of your windows so that you can see all of them at once (i.e. no overlapping windows). I push F2, and it hides all the windows and brings me to my desktop. A small, but extremely useful feature.
Wait for WWDC to buy - you might get a nice software update with it (and maybe some more stuff). Also, look out for the free iPod/printer promo they do.
Oh yeah, it also makes that lovely startup chime
I don't edit movies, but the INCLUDED iLife software is incredible...you can do anything with it...music,photos,videos,movies, etc. It's super easy to use yet incredibly powerful at the same time.
The best thing about the iMac in my opinion is the design. No other computer is designed so beautifully and uniquely. The iMac is pretty expensive, but it's not a cheap computer you're getting.
Mac OS X is nice because I rarely ever get the "program not responding" message that is so common in windows. And if an application stops responding and you force quit it, it doesn't stop all your other stuff you have running - just that one application. So you're not as affected by system crashes.
Another reason that should convince you to buy a mac is that people know a LOT about them. If you buy for example a dell x593fh3jkf model (that's an exxageration...) youre less likely to find help from people with that specific model. If you come here, there's a whole forum just for iMacs..and all the people here are mac fanatics who truly love computers. You can get incredible help here, if you need it.
Another plus: plug something in, and it really does just work. I plugged in my printer when I got my iMac and thought that the USB ports were broken...! That's because it doesn't bother you or anything, you click print and it just prints - no configuring necessary. Another example - I have two digital cameras. One of htem is a few years old, and yet somehow it still just got "recognized" by iPhoto right away. Very slick. I will note, however, that my scanner was so old that it did require that I install software (designed for Mac OS 9, but still worked!)
I think overall it's the fact that Mac OS X offers the tighest integration between its applications. For example, in every application/window, you get 'spotlight' which is like windows search, but better because it pulls up results instantly as you type. And about integration - you plug in your camera, open up iPhoto, camera pops up, click "import" and done! It files them away nicely for you, too, so you don't end up having a big mess of jpegs all over the place.
Integrated wifi/bluetooth is nice, too, because you can get a bluetooth mk set and it takes away desk clutter.
Also, you don't need to worry about viruses/spyware. Although I really didn't mind updating my antivirus with windows, I realize now that I spend a lot more time just using my computer rather than maintaining it.
Integrated iSight camera is great - it works really great if you know someone with Aim or another mac. Video conferencing is painless.
Another thing: when you first get hte Mac, you don't need to install the "PC decrapifier" (google it...). No junk/bloatware.
Macs aren't what they used to be...there are no "compatibility problems" between common file types, and they're not "slower", or even in most cases, more expensive.
Although my iMac still is audible, my room is much more quiet with it in there. my old PC was super loud and noisy.
There are a lot of nice touches to OS X you may not realize right away. Fundamentally, it's a very easy OS to learn..it took me a few hours to understand most of how it works. But then you start realizing that there are many cool implementations...double click a word to hilight it, and theres an option for looking it up in the built in dictionary, or even to run a search with spotlight. It's things like that you only learn about after having the mac for a little while.
"Expose" is another feature that draws people to Macs. If you have a few windows open, you can push a key on the keyboard that you programmed (F1 for me), and it organizes all of your windows so that you can see all of them at once (i.e. no overlapping windows). I push F2, and it hides all the windows and brings me to my desktop. A small, but extremely useful feature.
Wait for WWDC to buy - you might get a nice software update with it (and maybe some more stuff). Also, look out for the free iPod/printer promo they do.
Oh yeah, it also makes that lovely startup chime
Great reasons there. For anyone who thinks I came here to "bash" macs with my previous post about deciding to buy a PC or Mac, I didn't, I came here because I am seriously thinking of switching.
Just one of the things I don't understand... Why is there no right click? How do you "right click" with no button to press?
There is a right click. All new Macs ship with multi-button mice.
On old Macs that actually did have only one button, you hold down CTRL and click, bringing up whatever contextual menu you wanted.
"Right clicking" on a Mac = CTRL + clicking
Lift your left finger before clicking and the mouse assumes you are right clicking. Many switchers end up buying 2 button mice from third parties like Logitech.
I understand why you're asking that...the whole "right click" thing is way over exaggerated by some people...
First off, on all mac laptops, there is only a single mouse button. Yes, you can press control and tap the touch pad for a right click, but a much more convenient setting is to set the touchpad to "double tap for right click" - just tap the touchpad with two fingers and it right clicks. This is way better than ANY mouse button because it doesn't make noise, and you don't have to reposition your hand while it's on the touchpad like you ahve to on other laptops to right click. I have an Inspiron 700m that has two clunky mouse buttons, and I never use them...as for the mac, even if there was no "control click", I would be 100% satisfied using the "double tap" method...but that's just me.
Now because you're looking at the iMac and not a portable, let's t alk about that instead. The mouse it ships with is called the mighty mouse...it looks like it has one button but it really has two. However, because it's touch sensitive, you can't have both fingers on the mouse while right clicking. To do that, though, in my opinion, is unnatural - naturally, I remove my left finger from the mouse before right clicking anyway, so I didn't have to adapt to it. But if it bothers you, you can control click, or you can buy a regular mouse with two buttons and right click away. Just make sure that when you turn on your mac for the first time, go into "settings" to tell Mac OS X to recognize your right click as a right click and not as a left click. i.e. mac os x is by default programmed to only use a one button mouse, you just need to change the setting. I;'m telling you this because when I got the mouse I was like "Why the heck wont it right click!!!" - all it required was a simple setting. If I were you I would get the iMac with teh upgraded wireless mouse/keyboard...it's much cheaper to get it then than to get it after. The mouse is good, but not great. Tracking is excellent, but I, like many others, have some problems with the scroll ball sometiems. The keyboard gets a 10/10 though, it's perfect. THe keys have perfect tactile feedback.
Also, as a previous poster suggested, check out apple.com. Although tehy are obviously biased (telling you to buy a mac and what not), there's a lot of great info there. There really is nothing that a PC can do that your new iMac will not be able to do. And if you happen to truly need windows only software, install bootcamp for free, or get parallels. They both work really well.
Sorry for the long post! Don't be afraid to ask anymore questions.
First off, on all mac laptops, there is only a single mouse button. Yes, you can press control and tap the touch pad for a right click, but a much more convenient setting is to set the touchpad to "double tap for right click" - just tap the touchpad with two fingers and it right clicks. This is way better than ANY mouse button because it doesn't make noise, and you don't have to reposition your hand while it's on the touchpad like you ahve to on other laptops to right click. I have an Inspiron 700m that has two clunky mouse buttons, and I never use them...as for the mac, even if there was no "control click", I would be 100% satisfied using the "double tap" method...but that's just me.
Now because you're looking at the iMac and not a portable, let's t alk about that instead. The mouse it ships with is called the mighty mouse...it looks like it has one button but it really has two. However, because it's touch sensitive, you can't have both fingers on the mouse while right clicking. To do that, though, in my opinion, is unnatural - naturally, I remove my left finger from the mouse before right clicking anyway, so I didn't have to adapt to it. But if it bothers you, you can control click, or you can buy a regular mouse with two buttons and right click away. Just make sure that when you turn on your mac for the first time, go into "settings" to tell Mac OS X to recognize your right click as a right click and not as a left click. i.e. mac os x is by default programmed to only use a one button mouse, you just need to change the setting. I;'m telling you this because when I got the mouse I was like "Why the heck wont it right click!!!" - all it required was a simple setting. If I were you I would get the iMac with teh upgraded wireless mouse/keyboard...it's much cheaper to get it then than to get it after. The mouse is good, but not great. Tracking is excellent, but I, like many others, have some problems with the scroll ball sometiems. The keyboard gets a 10/10 though, it's perfect. THe keys have perfect tactile feedback.
Also, as a previous poster suggested, check out apple.com. Although tehy are obviously biased (telling you to buy a mac and what not), there's a lot of great info there. There really is nothing that a PC can do that your new iMac will not be able to do. And if you happen to truly need windows only software, install bootcamp for free, or get parallels. They both work really well.
Sorry for the long post! Don't be afraid to ask anymore questions.
Thanks to all 3 of you for clearing that up. I won't get the wireless keyboard and mouse because I just don't like them. They run out of juice and you have to change the batteries. The Mac will be on a desk anyway so it doesn't matter.
Thanks for telling me about the setting, I will have to make a note of that.
I would ask more questions but I don't want to "jack" this thread any longer. Is a PM ok?
Well, if you don't feel comfortable posting here (not sure why you wouldnt be) , PM me, but when you post here and other members answer, other people can benefit from the Q/A (as opposed to a PM where just you can see it).
I've had my iMac for a few months now, and I leave the m/k on all the time - 24/7. Never switch them off. I just changed my mouse's batteries last week. The keyboard is at 65%, according to a widget I have. For me, I'd rather change the batteries a few times a year than to have a big clunky ugly logitech basestation/charger right next to the gorgeous iMac!
I've had my iMac for a few months now, and I leave the m/k on all the time - 24/7. Never switch them off. I just changed my mouse's batteries last week. The keyboard is at 65%, according to a widget I have. For me, I'd rather change the batteries a few times a year than to have a big clunky ugly logitech basestation/charger right next to the gorgeous iMac!
I'm comfortable it's just that it's WizardHunt's thread and I don't want to "jack" it from him
.
I'm comfortable it's just that it's WizardHunt's thread and I don't want to "jack" it from him
Start a new thread.
Does everyone still believe that this is going to happen this month? I have been waiting to buy an imac (will be my first one), but I don't know if I can wait any longer.
Really looking like the end of June now. Look at the front page for more rumors.