Moving to an iMac

spudbynight

spudbynight

spudbynight

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I am thinking of getting an iMac soon to replace my desktop PC.

Currently I have an i7 920 @4Ghz with 6GB of RAM and a GeForce 470

This PC requires constant cleaning to remove dust which can cause it to overheat. It also comes in an Antec 900-2 case with some nice fans - which make noise. I also doubt it has kept too much of its value.

I am thinking of getting a decent iMac - I play less games than I used to so less of an issue than it was before. I am also thinking about moving abroad in the next year and an iMac is just easier to move.

What should I look at? I want a 27" machine and I think I should probably wait a few weeks for the expected Mac refresh.

In general what sort of buying advice to I need to factor in when buying a Mac? What extra stuff do I need to make sure I get?
 
Don't pay Apple for any extras, upgrade RAM yourself etc. It is a bit hairy changing the HDD I think (you need suction cups for the screen).

I'd probably go with the cheaper 27" model, and swap out the magic mouse for a trackpad.
Then get 8/16GB RAM from crucial, depending on your needs.

It may or may not be an issue, but bear in mind the only iMac with hyperthreading is a build-to-order option on the top-end 27" - a minimum extra spend of £400+ over the base 27".

I think the iMac refresh might be a couple of months out (sounds like they'll upgrade the MacBooks first), so depends how desperate you are.
 
Back off the overclock, get some quieter cooling and create some positive pressure inside the case. This will cost you almost nothing compared to the price of a new iMac. There are many reasons to buy a Mac, but a dusty PC isn't one of them!

However, if you actually want a Mac then the above advice is sound. Personally I would keep the PC and look at the MacBook offerings. Best of both worlds IMO.
 
Best to buy the HDD from Apple. Newer iMacs use slightly customised drives with inbuilt temp sensors. Standard drives set the cooling in a tiz.
 
theheyes said:
Back off the overclock, get some quieter cooling and create some positive pressure inside the case. This will cost you almost nothing compared to the price of a new iMac. There are many reasons to buy a Mac, but a dusty PC isn't one of them!
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That was actually the reason I got my iMac back in 2008. :p
 
Upgrade the ram yourself but get the top of the range model. It will serve you a long time and you will also still be able to play games on it. Get the SSD model and it will be a dream to use.
 
Why not just get some quieter fans and some filters (or cut stockings) for your current system? No matter how you look at it, it will work out cheaper than buying an iMac now (and you will end up spending less money to get a faster system if you move abroad). It just isn't economical.
 
It might be cheaper to buy a non Apple PC but Apple kit has a better residual value.

SSD prices are silly though aren't they from Apple.

Where does one stand on warranty cover if you replace a Mac HD?
 
spudbynight said:
It might be cheaper to buy a non Apple PC but Apple kit has a better residual value.

SSD prices are silly though aren't they from Apple.

Where does one stand on warranty cover if you replace a Mac HD?
Click to expand...

True, better residuals but not buying one and buying a few bits for the current machine is still cheaper :P

Depends on the machine. For the current range, the MBP and Mac Pro are the only models with user-replaceable drives.
 
Amp34 said:
You mean that was the excuse you used...:p

Reason is a bit of a strong word there...!
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Yeah, that and I had so much money I didn't know what to do with it. I miss having a well paid job. 9 weeks until I graduate and I can get back to earning loads. :p
 
lamboman said:
True, better residuals but not buying one and buying a few bits for the current machine is still cheaper :P
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Yes, but I then have to rely on individual warranties on my components. I have to troubleshoot everything as well.

I am in my mid 30s now and the tweaking and fiddling is losing its interest for me. I have been playing with computers for 30 years and I want to just simplify things a bit.
 
pingwing said:
Can't that be overridden with SMCFan control??
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Don't think so. Thermal cooling is so tight in the iMac (especially the higher end i7 models) that it relies on knowing the HDD temperature.

I'd get the best HDD you can from Apple as BTO and whack 16GB of RAM in from OCUK. It's an easy install. I love my 27" iMac and will be upgrading to Ivybridge when they come out. My 2009 iMac has served me well and will be a nice treat for the wife.
 
i had the magic trackpad and my logitech g5 hidden behind the imac and just pulled it out when needed
 
spudbynight said:
I assume the Magic Mouse is pretty poor for gaming?
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Nope, the magic mouse is far from poor. It's diabolical for gaming :D

I use an old Logitech MX518, I tolerate the magic mouse for daily use, but for a few games here and there I personally don't rate it, saying that it's better than the mighty mouse.
 
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