How Good is an iMac?

hyper_piper45 · 30 Oct 2008 at 15:44

Cybertronic said:
Great, another thread that has been derailed. Not surprising since it seems the usual in this section of these forums.

I know it's annoying. You don't get people in the windows section spouting off and saying buy a mac, why do people feel they have to come and say buy a pc in the apple forums all the time?!

LordSplodge · 30 Oct 2008 at 15:51

JimpsEd said:
What law do you break by running OSX on non-Apple hardware, or what precedent has been set to imply such?

Apple said:
2. Permitted License Uses and Restrictions.
A. Single Use. This License allows you to install, use and run one (1) copy of the Apple Software on a single Apple-labeled computer at a time. You agree not to install, use
or run the Apple Software on any non-Apple-labeled computer, or to enable others to do so. This License does not allow the Apple Software to exist on more

LordSplodge · 30 Oct 2008 at 15:54

hyper_piper45 said:
I know it's annoying. You don't get people in the windows section spouting off and saying buy a mac, why do people feel they have to come and say buy a pc in the apple forums all the time?!

Perhaps we should form a collective and go Windows bashing in the appropriate forums?

I get sick of the posts with:

"Apple are overpriced" :rolleyes:

"You can get better Windows hardware for less" :rolleyes:

"OMG build your own!!!" :rolleyes:

Somebody who has got to the point where they are interested in an Apple should be able to get solid advice on purchasing an Apple computer, the best way to do it, any pitfalls to avoid and support on switching.

They should not have to sift through the noise listed above!

Sarduk · 30 Oct 2008 at 16:01

LordSplodge said:
...

That doesn't mean illegal. I said what law do you break by running OSX on non-Apple hardware?

LordSplodge · 30 Oct 2008 at 16:08

JimpsEd said:
That doesn't mean illegal. I said what law do you break by running OSX on non-Apple hardware?

Semantics aside with regards to the exact legality of End User License Agreements it is still prohibited by Apple.

Even if it isn't legally enforceable I certainly don't want to jump through hoops to run OS X on non-Apple hardware.

bigredshark · 30 Oct 2008 at 17:04

JimpsEd said:
That doesn't mean illegal. I said what law do you break by running OSX on non-Apple hardware?

It's a civil matter, not criminal, however it's still breach of contract essentially and you can get sued pretty good for it.

Adrianr · 30 Oct 2008 at 18:01

LordSplodge said:
Somebody who has got to the point where they are interested in an Apple should be able to get solid advice on purchasing an Apple computer, the best way to do it, any pitfalls to avoid and support on switching.

They should, unfortunately, they don't. They get "Buy a mac, you won't regret it", instead.

Irish_Tom · 30 Oct 2008 at 19:04

I don't normally get involved with these discussions because I think it's petty. Both systems will do pretty much the same thing (bar games) equally. Some pieces of software might run better on OSX, some on Windows - I'm pretty sure it balances out in the long run.

The thing that I find funny (coincidence?

) is that the Apple section of the forum is full of people recommending Apple based on positive experiences using Apple products.

Who would have thought that? People use a product, they like it and so they recommend it to others... It's a crazy, crazy world we live in.

What's more crazy is that there are people who come in here and try to negate the views of others based on... I'm not quite sure.

It seems there are a small group of people who dislike Apple just for the sake of it. They might say they have used it and found that they don't like it but I have a feeling that they won't have given it much of a chance before coming to this conclusion. I have a feeling that their strong preconceptions will have clouded their judgment.

This is where I see a big difference. The people that recommend Apple in here have usually had extensive experience with Windows (I know I did before switching) yet they choose to use Apple. This choice is based on experience.

The people that slate Apple usually base their argument on preconceptions rather than experience and any experience they do have has been short and affected by said preconceptions. Perhaps it really wasn't good enough to meet there needs - that's fine, each to their own. It just surprises me how forcefully they try and pass on this message to others.

Panzer

Sarduk · 30 Oct 2008 at 19:08

The people that slate Apple usually base their argument on preconceptions rather than experience and any experience they do have has been short and affected by said preconceptions.

Not in my case

Vita · 30 Oct 2008 at 19:08

Cybertronic said:
Great, another thread that has been derailed. Not surprising since it seems the usual in this section of these forums.

Vita had a set of requirements which the higher end iMac are perfectly capable of fulfilling them. He did not ask for a cheaper alternative or an alternative that boasts higher specifications for a similar price. In fact he was deciding which size iMac would be ideal for himself until all hell broke loose.

Vita, it seems that the high end 20 inch iMac (if you think the screen quality is fine) or the low end 24 inch iMac are the ideal choices for you.

Tbh my Requirements arn't that big. I would just prefer a Mac over a PC now. It saves space and I'm sick of Windows so would like a change. Yes I know I could build a good computer with the money but then again I just don't want to stick with Windows.

I was thinking of going for the 24" 2.8GHz iMac with 4GB RAM and the nVidia card instead of ATI. But don't know which would be better? I could stretch to the 3.06GHz but don't know if the CPU speed would matter that much.

And also, are they overclockable? Lol.

Irish_Tom · 30 Oct 2008 at 19:11

JimpsEd said:
Not in my case

That's fine, I'm not suggesting everyone is going to love Apple stuff - I didn't try to deny the existence of people who prefer PCs - I'm saying that most of the comments we see in here seem to be unfounded.

Panzer

LordSplodge · 31 Oct 2008 at 10:01

Adrianr said:
They should, unfortunately, they don't. They get "Buy a mac, you won't regret it", instead.

You are bound to get some of that. Same with any kind of Fanboism.

Panzerbjorn said:
The thing that I find funny (coincidence? ) is that the Apple section of the forum is full of people recommending Apple based on positive experiences using Apple products.

Who would have thought that? People use a product, they like it and so they recommend it to others... It's a crazy, crazy world we live in.

That's what a lot of people don't seem to get. Apple has such a following because of these positive experiences as well as the products they make are fashionable.

If a product is good it gets recommendation but for some reason and I can only assume it is the fear of the unknown Apple products come in for the same old tired diatribe that gets rolled out here and elsewhere on a regular basis. You would think that they could at least come up with new excuses as why people should not get a Mac. Gods knows what they will think of the new laptops that don't have any mouse buttons. I mean they threw enough of a fit over Macs only having one (despite having right click for years!)

Vita said:
I was thinking of going for the 24" 2.8GHz iMac with 4GB RAM and the nVidia card instead of ATI. B

Rule of thumb. Get the best iMac you can afford. It is a good investment as Apple computers tend to on average have a longer usable life than Windows (down to OS X not really being a gaming platform and the fact that OS X runs better on older hadrware than Windows)

Hope you enjoy it and if you have any questions regarding switching then post here and we will help. Oh and you are going for the Higher Education discount, aren't you?

Darryn · 31 Oct 2008 at 10:05

LordSplodge said:
Rule of thumb. Get the best iMac you can afford.

I agree with everything you said, but, id like to suggest that you dont get Apple to fit addition ram to your system and instead buy Crucial or similar and fit it yourself, huge saving that way... Also OSX loves ram so get plenty.

RoleyBirkin · 31 Oct 2008 at 10:45

Panzerbjorn said:
They might say they have used it and found that they don't like it but I have a feeling that they won't have given it much of a chance before coming to this conclusion.

Agree. I think you need to really let OSX soak in over weeks, if not months before arriving at a conclusion (with clear mind).
I think your exposure to Windows is also a factor. I used Windows/DOS for over 20yrs before moving.
I was initially a stubborn switcher, craving Windows features I'd come to rely on. But you adapt, much like moving to a new city or county, and then only after time do you appreciate the possibilities your new environment(OSX in this case) offers.

Vita · 31 Oct 2008 at 10:45

LordSplodge said:
Oh and you are going for the Higher Education discount, aren't you?

Omg. I wasn't

. Time to check for Higher Education Discount versions lol.

LordSplodge · 31 Oct 2008 at 11:14

Darryn said:
I agree with everything you said, but, id like to suggest that you dont get Apple to fit addition ram to your system and instead buy Crucial or similar and fit it yourself, huge saving that way... Also OSX loves ram so get plenty.

Agreed. I forgot to add that little caveat!

Sarduk · 31 Oct 2008 at 11:35

Darryn said:
I agree with everything you said, but, id like to suggest that you dont get Apple to fit addition ram to your system and instead buy Crucial or similar and fit it yourself, huge saving that way... Also OSX loves ram so get plenty.

So there goes "it just works" out of the window. So much for Macs being a good value option for people who "don't want to build their own" PCs.

Sarduk · 31 Oct 2008 at 11:39

LordSplodge said:
You are bound to get some of that. Same with any kind of Fanboism.

It isn't just some - only a minority of Mac users here are capable of approaching the subject and giving advice with a level head.

Rule of thumb. Get the best iMac you can afford. It is a good investment as Apple computers tend to on average have a longer usable life than Windows (down to OS X not really being a gaming platform and the fact)

Its not a "better investment" for goodness sake. The difference is minor. XP has been going for 10 years, and will continue to be usable for at least the next 6.

OS X runs better on older hadrware than Windows

So OSX runs 'better' on 'old' hardware than Windows XP? This is rubbish, OSX has a higher footprint than XP does (memory, video processing time and disk space).

See, this is the exact thing I am talking about. Irrational, unfounded comments.

LordSplodge · 31 Oct 2008 at 12:10

JimpsEd said:
It isn't just some - only a minority of Mac users here are capable of approaching the subject and giving advice with a level head.

Its not a "better investment" for goodness sake. The difference is minor. XP has been going for 10 years, and will continue to be usable for at least the next 6.

So OSX runs 'better' on 'old' hardware than Windows XP? This is rubbish, OSX has a higher footprint than XP does (memory, video processing time and disk space).

See, this is the exact thing I am talking about. Irrational, unfounded comments.

1. Using these forums as an example I fail to see your point. Most posters on here give good advice. Sometimes it should be taken with a pinch of salt but that rule applies to any advice given on a forum.

2. OS X 10.5 runs far better on older Apple hardware than Vista does on older hardware at least from my experience. Also, again from people I know they have kept a Mac and used it for a lot longer than a Windows machine before upgrading. Thus they are getting a better return on investment and logically that makes the Apple a better investment.

3. From my experience and that of others it does. Now that could be empirical but it doesn't make my comment unfounded nor irrational.

4. Regarding you post to Darryn. How on Earth does his comment go against Macs just working? If you buy a Mac then out of the box it will work fine even if it comes with 1GB or 2. He was just pointing out that if you want (and can fit it and that isn't hard) it is better to get memory from other sources rather than Apple.

I think rather than me being irrational I think you are simply trolling these forums.

hyper_piper45 · 31 Oct 2008 at 12:10

JimpsEd said:
Its not a "better investment" for goodness sake. The difference is minor. XP has been going for 10 years, and will continue to be usable for at least the next 6.

It is a "better investment". They do last longer and you can sell them on for more money, making them a better investment.

So OSX runs 'better' on 'old' hardware than Windows XP? This is rubbish, OSX has a higher footprint than XP does (memory, video processing time and disk space).

Just because something has a larger footprint does not mean it runs slower.