Mac or PC

[pingdum]

I just got aG5 iMac.

 

[pro00]

I just got aG5 iMac.

17" or 20"

So far, how do you like it?
Pics?
Thanks
I saw the Imac G5 at the store, the 17 inch, but not the 20. I am dying to see what the 20" looks like

 

[pingdum]

17, It'll be here in a few days. I have an iMac 333 that I cut my teeth on and love. Now I want to make videos so I'm going G5!!!

 

[jred321]

uses : forums, downloads (not alot though), a lot of pics and dvd's, movies. school work which is word, excel, powerpoint, and programs for school, searching for refrences and music ofcourse.

if that's all you use it for, any $500 computer will do, just make sure you get a big hard drive to store your pictures and movies. if you do movie editing then that's different, but from what you described you won't even push the limits of what a $500 computer is capable of using office and surfing the internet.

that being said, if i were getting a new computer now, which i'm thinking of in the next year or so since mine is a 5 year old dell, i'd definitely go with a dual core athlon 64 for a processor, a lot of memory and run XP pro/vista when it comes out. i would not get the XP media center edition

my little brothers just bought a different video card or something for their computer that has cable input and can record shows/movies etc... i think it cost maybe $200, probably not even that much, and they do it on XP home

 

[Rainman]

I just got aG5 iMac.

Types "Lucky Bastard!," on his G4 15" Powerbook.

R

 

[Rainman]

Now that Macs will be using Intel chips this whole issue will become obsolete. You will be able to buy a Mac, partition your hard drive, and run Mac OS X natively on one partition, and Windows XP (or whatever) natively on the other.

Furthermore, Mac architecture will become considerably cheaper since its design is not based completely on the proprietary specifications of the smaller market share platform.

R

 

[chuyler1]

People are way overbuying computers these days. I am currently setting up a computer for my aunt. She got it from my cousin when they liquidated a bunch of computers at her workplace. Pentium II 350MHz, upgraded to 128MB RAM (I had some sitting around), 8GB HD, and 64MB ATI graphics card. The hard drive is a little slow but it runs great for cruising the net, email, music, and word processing. That's all she needs.

The trick to running old systems is to 1) max out the RAM, 2) upgrade the hard drive to a 5400RPM or 7200RPM non-oem drive, 3) Install Windows XP SP2, 4) install antivirus and spyware software, and 5) Do not install any additional software other than what is necessary. That means refrain from installing little task bar apps, games, and other junk.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

as much as i love macs and apple as a company, i could never switch from a pc

 

[mountjonas]

i <3 my macs. although the g4 tower is starting to chunk on me on avid xpress. maybe it's time for a g5 quad....

 

[slayer4u]

Well I was just sitting with my mother and sister discussing birthday present ideas. And well my laptop that I got to use for college is a PIECE OF s***. Basically I all these issues with it. It randomly freezes, overheats, freezes some more. And I suggested a new computer. My mom thought about it and said maybe. Then I said, how about money to build my own computer? And my sister was there and suggested a Mac. Now I sit here and contemplate Mac or PC. Basically I use the computer to do work every now and then, chat online, check the boards, surf the internet, and an occasional World Of Warcraft. So I am thinking of making the switch. I dislike laptops because this one turned out to be a POS. Damn dell, yes I know they are cheap but its what i was given. Anyways, I am thinking about a Mini Mac. Saves space, good power, and useable in many places. We have a 19 in lcd monitor sitting around at my house on my desk, only thing would be a keyboard and mouse which I would get apple wireless. I am really considering making the change but I dont know. I need help/suggestions so please let me know.

Mac mini is a nice concept but Apple could have done better. They are very slow and have very little graphics capability. However the prosessor they used works VERY well in small unventalated places such as notebooks. It will be by far the most quiet descktop ever. It also uses the same amount of energy thier powerbooks use. wery low wattage. People accually use them as carputers.


Now I would recomend a refurb from PowerMAX

I got my powerbook titanium(the case is made of titanium) from them and was very satisfied. You can pick up a decent Ibook from them for around $500-600.

I have used macs all my life with the exception of my current PC. I have always found them to be faster, more reliable an more user friendly than any computer on the market. WOW will work wonderfully on a mac as it was made on a mac.(

 

[chuyler1]

The next big thing from Apple is going to be the Intel powered Macs. They should be out sometime next year. We have one at work that we've been playing with. You might want to hold off if you are considering a Mac.

 

[slayer4u]

reseructing the thread back to life....

I have read all the responses, many to which I agree.
I am a pc user for life and thinking about going all out for a new computer. The one in mind is the Imac G5, 20" 1.5ghz, an insane hard drive size bluetooth everything, and the 3 three year warrenty. uses : forums, downloads (not alot though), a lot of pics and dvd's, movies. school work which is word, excel, powerpoint, and programs for school, searching for refrences and music ofcourse.

I know the G5 is a monster that could handle that, but i am not sure how long could it keep up with the technology out there.

please convince me for either to get it or go and build a pc.....

Thanks!

edit : btw, the new windows have the option to record/watch movies/showes from the cable/tv line, which i think is hot. the Imac G5 can't do that, but a "tv tuner" seems to fix the problem. you think it is a good idea?

That Imac would be an exce,lent choice. I say go for it! Do not worry about advances in technology. Apple uses components in thier computers that are compatible with every aspect of thier OS. Windows isa more of a general OS most computers will work decent with it but not all computers are completely compatible.Windows tends to out-pace certain components causing deminished performance and errors. (your 2.4GHz PC will run like a 500MHz PC should.)Apple OS will not out-pace components making the computer much more efficiant with very little errors. Your Imac will be much faster than any windows PC for a very long time.

 

[slayer4u]

The next big thing from Apple is going to be the Intel powered Macs. They should be out sometime next year. We have one at work that we've been playing with. You might want to hold off if you are considering a Mac.

I think that was the worst Idea apple had and I think the reasoning came from microsoft which holds the controling intrest in Apple. Unless apple decides to re-invent thier OS just for these processors then this will be a disaster. Apple OS has always been designed for (IMO the far superior) Motorolla processors. The day apple stops useing the G sieries is the day I op buying macs.Not even if they used AMD. (btw I'd take an athlon/turion 64 over any intel CPU.)

 

[rjmhotrod]

I've been using Macs now for about 10 years and I can't imagine going back. Not because I'm an Apple snob, but because I haven't used a Windows OS since Win 95. I have an eMac G4 700MHz (nearly 3 years now). It does all those things which you describe well. I am typing this on an iBook G4 1.33GHz, which I've had since Feb. It works well too. Would like to have a G5 someday. I built this iBook as a portable ProTools recording (audio) system and it does a decent job of it.

Go to an Apple store (if you can) and play with the iMac until they kick you out. This way you'll get a good feel for what it can and can't do. But from what you've described, it'll do all that you need it to (for now).

 

[Dimitrios]

Now that Macs will be using Intel chips this whole issue will become obsolete. You will be able to buy a Mac, partition your hard drive, and run Mac OS X natively on one partition, and Windows XP (or whatever) natively on the other.

Furthermore, Mac architecture will become considerably cheaper since its design is not based completely on the proprietary specifications of the smaller market share platform.

R

Mac OS 10.5 will check the hardware to assure that it will let it boot. Apple is pretty much confirmed (http://daringfireball.net/2005/08/trusted) to use Chipzilla's TPM technology - http://www.intel.com/cd/channel/res...h_and_intel_alliances/new_tech_init/66384.htm when the Mactels show up. Remember, the the developer Mactel is just that: a developer box to get applications working with Universal Binaries via Rosetta.

Any hacks you may have seen to run on x86 boxes will be someone's 15 seconds of fame by the time Mactels ship next quarter.

Apple makes gobs of cash on the hardware (margins upwards of 40% on some products). To let Mac OS X install on any box would be business model suicide.

 

[motchai]

mac all the way, i've had PC for more than 10 years now and 2 months ago, i bought a powerbook 15, oh man LOVE it, i'll never buy PC ever again. iMac is my next project, once i have the budget

 

[cable43]

MAC
I have a Dual 1.5 Gig G4, a Dual 2 Gig G5 and a 15" PBook at work
A 733 G4 and my wife's 533 G4 at home

(and a MSI micro atx PC with a 2.5HD and slim DVD chillin' in the corner that will be a car pc soon -but that doesn't count)

 

[Dimitrios]

I think that was the worst Idea apple had and I think the reasoning came from microsoft which holds the controling intrest in Apple. Unless apple decides to re-invent thier OS just for these processors then this will be a disaster. Apple OS has always been designed for (IMO the far superior) Motorolla processors. The day apple stops useing the G sieries is the day I op buying macs.Not even if they used AMD. (btw I'd take an athlon/turion 64 over any intel CPU.)

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but you need to get informed as well.

IBM wasn't able to deliver a 3 GHz G5 (Motorola --> Freescale...Motorola is out of the chip making business, is cranking out embedded "Gx" processors - mostly G3 and G4 variants, and not any of the 970x processors which are the G5...oh, the "G series" is at the consumer level....you know, because saying "My Mac has an MPC7447 CPU.." instead of "My Mac has a G4", doesnt' quite roll off the tongue the same way.

Don't get me wrong, IBM is cranking out some bad ass s*** for Microsoft (the Xbox 360 runs on 3 PowerPC "G5", dual-cores), Nintendo, etc. But when they can't deliver the processor they promised 2 years ago, there's a problem....where's 3 Ghz? Where's a G5 Powerbook? Why the **** do we need liquid cooling at 2.5Ghz?....the G5 is great, but it's hot.....

That said, at the end of the day, IBM doesn't need Apple to survive. They and Freescale are cranking out embedded, server (Power5), and console chips like mad. 5% Mac marketshare doesn't mean much to them any more. But OK, so the PowerPC is a more "elegant" processor. CISC is gay, RISC is the bestest ever....one can argue that all day. And I agree that the PowerPC is fundamentally better than the archane, "layered" approach to CPUs that Intel (and unknowingly, in needing to stay "compatible", AMD).

But why are you so pissed? Apple needs to make a transistion for business sake- the transition from 68k to PPC was no less significant (but PPC was better at that time).

Also, Apple doesn't have to "reinvent" their OS. Darwin (the BSD underpinnings of OS X) has been available for x86 since day one (take a visit to http://www.opendarwin.org/ or http://developer.apple.com/darwin/ sometime).

But somehow, I think you weren't aware of any of this...

 

[pro00]

well, let me clarify....I do all that i described.....all at the same time.
So, it is a load on the computer. I would like to pause a movie, play some music while watching some pics. then surf and download pics and arrange my folder while searching for journals for my paper. so, after a while, my computer gives out. I know it is nuts, but that is me.....

I am really, really leaning to the Imac G5. I'll take your advice rjmhotrod and play with an imac till they kick me out.

 

[pro00]

hmmm....so, from your opinion Dimitrois, should i wait till apple starts incorporatiing intel in their board or go for it in a week or two?
Thanks in advance....