Mac soon, buying advice please :)

Ripper · 10 May 2009 at 12:02

It's not just the numpad either. The home/end/delete keys are a necessity for me. Having to me a combination of two keys to do those functions isn't the same.

Logsi · 10 May 2009 at 13:13

Go for the GT120 as an absolute bare minimum. The 9400m is dire.

I Hate apples pricing on the iMacs, they are practically forcing you to spend more money! The 9400m is junk so you have to spend hundreds more on only one upgrade you want. So silly that you can't get a 2.66Ghz with a the GT120...

Feek · 10 May 2009 at 19:42

Logsi, you keep saying the 9400M is dire, junk, rubbish but it's the card I use 99% of the time on my MBP and I've not experienced a single problem with it and I even game with it! I know this is a bit OT but can you go into more detail about what you mean by that?

apeZ · 10 May 2009 at 20:12

Feek said:
Logsi, you keep saying the 9400M is dire, junk, rubbish but it's the card I use 99% of the time on my MBP and I've not experienced a single problem with it and I even game with it! I know this is a bit OT but can you go into more detail about what you mean by that?

To be fair, the iMac has a bigger screen. From what I've heard it's an excellent card on the MB and MBPs, but it struggles (games wise) in the iMacs.

Still doing lots of research, most likely getting the 2.93/gt120, but not quite sure!

Feek · 10 May 2009 at 20:34

I wasn't trying to be confrontational, I'm genuinely interested to know and what you've said makes sense. What resolution do the iMacs run at?

yashiro · 10 May 2009 at 20:43

24-inch / 1920 by 1200 pixels.

Logsi · 10 May 2009 at 22:30

Feek said:
Logsi, you keep saying the 9400M is dire, junk, rubbish but it's the card I use 99% of the time on my MBP and I've not experienced a single problem with it and I even game with it! I know this is a bit OT but can you go into more detail about what you mean by that?

I knew someone might pick me up, as i admittedly do say it's rubbish a lot!

The 9400m is ok for the native res of the 15" but with my external 20" it becomes a little stuttery, and with the higher res of the iMac it would probably be even more so. I'm bitter because i can't believe apple has put this low rate chip in a desktop computer. The previous generation iMacs had a better bottom end graphics chip.

I just think it's too poor a chip to put in the apple products imo. Also, why can't you get the 2.66Ghz with the GT120? It's a silly pricing strategy for the end consumer as they will end up paying more, but that's what apple wants right... grumble grumble.

apeZ · 10 May 2009 at 23:12

I just hope the GT120 is up to general use, a bit of photo editing and light gaming.

Will be keeping my Windows rig nearby so that I can hop into a game that the Mac can't handle if I want. Should be ordering soon.

One other thing I'm a little confused about is the AppleCare Protection Plan:

AppleCare Protection Plan (APP)

Whether you’re new to the Mac or an experienced user, the AppleCare Protection Plan helps you get the most from your Mac. For up to three years from your computer's purchase date, you get access to Apple's award-winning telephone technical support for questions about Apple hardware, Mac OS, iLife, and iWork. And you get global repair coverage for your Mac — both parts and labour — through convenient service options.

When you purchase the AppleCare Protection Plan and your computer at the same time, you’ll be automatically registered in the plan.

....

AppleCare Protection Plan (APP)

* None
* Higher Education AppleCare Protection Plan for iMac - Auto-enroll [+ £43.70]

Obvious I'm buying with the HE discount; but I don't understand this 'auto-enroll' bit. Does that mean I get it for free?

If I want 3 years warranty, do I have to pay for the AppleCare Protection plan?

Thanks.

mr.sly · 10 May 2009 at 23:17

Logsi said:
I knew someone might pick me up, as i admittedly do say it's rubbish a lot!

The 9400m is ok for the native res of the 15" but with my external 20" it becomes a little stuttery, and with the higher res of the iMac it would probably be even more so. I'm bitter because i can't believe apple has put this low rate chip in a desktop computer. The previous generation iMacs had a better bottom end graphics chip.

I just think it's too poor a chip to put in the apple products imo. Also, why can't you get the 2.66Ghz with the GT120? It's a silly pricing strategy for the end consumer as they will end up paying more, but that's what apple wants right... grumble grumble.

Are you talking about when playing games or just general use?

apeZ · 10 May 2009 at 23:58

Another thing that is confusing me, does the 24" iMac have the GT120 OR the GT120M (mobile version?). Everywhere I look online has conflicting reports, and considering their is quite a difference between a mobile gpu and its desktop counterpart, I'm quite interested to know the answer.

Apple store lists it as GT 120 with no mention of it being a 'mobile' version, but lots of people across various forums are claiming that the 2009 iMacs are using the mobile counterparts, rather than the desktop cards.

Help?

Logsi · 11 May 2009 at 08:48

mr.sly said:
Are you talking about when playing games or just general use?

General use.

apeZ · 12 May 2009 at 18:09

apeZ said:
I just hope the GT120 is up to general use, a bit of photo editing and light gaming.

Will be keeping my Windows rig nearby so that I can hop into a game that the Mac can't handle if I want. Should be ordering soon.

One other thing I'm a little confused about is the AppleCare Protection Plan:

Obvious I'm buying with the HE discount; but I don't understand this 'auto-enroll' bit. Does that mean I get it for free?

If I want 3 years warranty, do I have to pay for the AppleCare Protection plan?

Thanks.

apeZ said:
Another thing that is confusing me, does the 24" iMac have the GT120 OR the GT120M (mobile version?). Everywhere I look online has conflicting reports, and considering their is quite a difference between a mobile gpu and its desktop counterpart, I'm quite interested to know the answer.

Apple store lists it as GT 120 with no mention of it being a 'mobile' version, but lots of people across various forums are claiming that the 2009 iMacs are using the mobile counterparts, rather than the desktop cards.

Help?

Any chance I can have some help with the above two questions?

Thanks.

Feek · 12 May 2009 at 18:23

apeZ said:
One other thing I'm a little confused about is the AppleCare Protection Plan:

Obvious I'm buying with the HE discount; but I don't understand this 'auto-enroll' bit. Does that mean I get it for free?

If I want 3 years warranty, do I have to pay for the AppleCare Protection plan?

Thanks.

We need to get this info added to the sticky, it's been asked hundreds of times!

The HE store includes three years hardware only Applecare. For an extra fifty quid or so (depending on model) you can include telephone support into that Applecare coverage.

Combat squirrel · 12 May 2009 at 20:56

vonhelmet said:
Will it? I'd heard that most of the improvements in Snow Leopard were behind the scenes.

Got a link?

Yes as said, open CL support, using the GPU for general computer performance, i.e. behind the scenes stuff

apeZ · 12 May 2009 at 22:54

Feek said:
The HE store includes three years hardware only Applecare. For an extra fifty quid or so (depending on model) you can include telephone support into that Applecare coverage.

Thankyou