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General discussion

Help me decide about getting a mac

Jul 29, 2005 2:59AM PDT

I have had a windows computer for as long as can remember at home. However, I am sick and tired of how it always crashes or freezes or how I always get stupid spyware and adware. I want to switch to a mac. However, I have only used Macs in school and they were emac G3's and I only used a Power G5 once. So my experience with using them is not that great. I am going to college in the fall for photography and digital imaging and I figured that a mac would be good for that.

But macs dont have as many games as Windows and I cant decide which mac to get. Originally I was going to get a Powerbook G4 15 inch but when I found out I did not need a laptop for school I started looking at the imac G5 17 inch which is cheaper and much more powerful. It would have 160gb hardrive, 1.5 gb of RAM, and a 2 ghz processor. Is that good enough for what I need to do? Again I plan on using photoshop on it, watching a lot of movies, using Final Cut, and playing whatever video games they make for macs. I guess my real quesiton is whether or not macs are user-friendly and are they very durable, will they last a long time and will they not do all of the stupid garbage that Windows PCs do. My main fear is that I will buy one and I will not know how to use it or it will crash or break on me or something. Thanks in advance!

Discussion is locked

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iMac G5
Jul 29, 2005 3:24AM PDT

The iMac G5 17" 2Ghz machine will do everything your need for it to do, and more. It is ideally suited for the type of work you mention.
They are very user friendly, do "not do all of the stupid garbage that Windows PCs do" It will connect to th ecollege netowrk without a problem. Wireless and Bluetooth are already built-in to the system. This average Mac lasts for many years beyond the average Windows Machine.
To be really safe, take out the optional AppleCare extended warranty and help will just be a phone call away. In your chosen field though, I'm sure you will not be the only one at your college with a Mac.

Enjoy

P

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(NT) (NT) Broken Spullchucker, Sorree!
Jul 29, 2005 3:28AM PDT
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laptop/desktop
Jul 29, 2005 5:29AM PDT

As far as the desktop/laptop quandry goes, I almost always say go Desktop. Especially when the Imac is so clutter free and compact that you get many of the advantages of a laptop in it.

However, I am nearing the end of my college days and kind of wish I had a laptop as an auxillary computer (mainly so I'd have a portable photo upload site and because I am trying to go into a career that involves lots of travelling).

I think, however, that if you are going to spend four years in college, that a desktop would do you much better. The power is really much greater, and so is the comfort of a big, ajustable screen with full size mouse and keyboard.

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Consider the G4 or G5 desktop
Jul 29, 2005 9:55AM PDT

If you look at my profile, ,you will see I own 4 Macs + 2 iPods, a 20gb U2 and a 30gb iPod Photo.
My main computer is my G4 desktop, purchased in 2001. It has been upgraded and expanded as my computing needs have grown.
It now sports 500 gb on 5 internally installed drives, one mounted on a PCI card. 1.5 GB of RAM, A new 1GHZ processor card, a new DVR-108 dual layer DVD burning ''Superdrive and a 22'' studio display, and OS 10.4.2.
The only maintainence I do weekly is to run a disk permissions repair and reset the Pram memory.
I also have a 15'' Powerbook which serves as a portable photo lab when I travel overseas.
Macs will let you be creative and concentrate on your work instead of fighting Viruses, malware, and spyware when you boot up.
I've never had a virus on any of my Mac gear. They don't bog down and if you are having software problems, Usually a simple re-boot fixes it.
I favor the G4 desktop because they are very easy to upgrade as you just need to open the side door and all components are accessible and swappable.
I use my macs everyday I've made movies, managed our finances, done our taxes Burned CD collections and processed and edited digital
and film pictures mostly with the software that came with the Machine!
Switch! You'll never look back!

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Macs are great!
Jul 29, 2005 5:03PM PDT

I've owned Macs ever since they first came out and have ALWAYS been happy with them.
I've owned PCs as well and, in my opinion, just take too much work to keep running smoothly compared to the Mac OS. I am an artist and graphic designer and I really beleive that the Mac is more conducive to artists. It's not as technical as the PC (although you can get just as technical if that's what you want to do) and that frees you up to be more creative.

It's only a tool, but as a tool it's like the difference between SNAP-ON Tools and Jet tools. In other words, it's a beautifully crafted and efficient.

With the software you mentioned, I believe you would be best off with a Dual processor G5 with the most RAM and the biggest hard drive you can get. Also be sure to get a Superdrive, Firewire and USB 2. Those programs use ram like crazy and you really will need a huge hard drive. Especially with Photoshop, well, really with both of them.

Some people say you don't need that large a hard drive as you can burn files to CDs. Take it from me, that's a big hassle. You end up with hundreds of CDs and it takes forever to find what you want. Especially if you're like me and can't remember all those file names! So get a big hard drive and if money is tight, just get as big a one as you can now and buy another one later on.

And when it comes to gaming....WOW! They use RAM and hard drive space like nothing else! And better yet, they are finally catching on that Mac people are gamers too. There are more and more games coming out for the Mac all the time. Doom III, Tomb Raider, Fable just to name a few. Check this site out - http://www.gamedb.com/ssps - more Mac games than you'd believe!

I better stop now! I talk too much! Especially when it's on a subject I really like. Feel free to ask questions. Later,

brett

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dual monitors
Jul 29, 2005 10:28PM PDT

my thoughts...
I've worked on macs and pcs - I'd say both are getting much more stable, Macs are much more so. The lack of viruses etc. is a huge plus - in 15 yrs I've never had one on a Mac. Build quality of Macs is excellent.

Which model though is another thing. IMO all new Macs will provide enough performance, but the more RAM (1.5GB is good) the better, and yes, hard disc space - PS seems to eat more HD with each upgrade.

The one thing that I think makes working with graphics apps much better, is lots of space - I've used two monitors for years. Palettes on one, graphics on the other.

As far as I understand though, the imac (and ibook) won't support this (it mirrors the desktop), so there's much to say for getting a powerbook and hooking it up to a large monitor at home. Otherwise, go for the 20'' iMac if you can.

Also - education prices? Software cost considerations?

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Dual monitors
Jul 30, 2005 12:48AM PDT

I have to agree sophyr on this. The more complicated the software becomes, the more palettes there are. Sure you can turn them off and on but that gets to be a hassle. The optimal set up would a larger (the larger the better) monitor for your work and a smaler one for all palettes and whatever other windows you need open for reference or work.

After a while you'll have most of the important keyboard shortcuts memorized, but as I said, these programs are getting more and more involved. Especially software working with video and/or music and sound. So it gets hard to remember all of those.

3D software is even worse since a lot of the time you're working SO MANY different things. From textures to lighting and . . . well, you get the point. (I start repeating myself when I'm really into things!)

Once again I've babbled on long enough.
Until the next time.
hasta luego

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dual monitors on imac, ibook
Aug 12, 2005 10:41PM PDT
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Get
Aug 16, 2005 2:25AM PDT

Get a mac, n00b! Macz r easier 2 use, need less RAM, and, now, cost less than even da d-o dubble jizzle wood pay 4 it. Be a pimp g-unit gangsta, ghetto *****!