recommendations for mac noob...
- Thread starter Grimley
- Start date
If you buy new then you're getting the latest hardware and the 'best' OS X experience than a Mac has to offer. You've also got a 14-day return policy if you find that OS X isn't for you. You will, obviously, pay a premium for this.
If you buy second-hand you'll get a cheaper Mac but not necessarily the same OS X experience that the latest hardware has to offer. And while you gain a cheaper entry-price you lose any chance of sending it back if you find that you don't get on with it. Of course you might be able to sell it off for what you paid, but you may very well lose a little on the deal.
Personally I'd recommend spending some time with OS X to see if you get on with it before you think about your budget and what Mac you want/can afford.
If you buy second-hand you'll get a cheaper Mac but not necessarily the same OS X experience that the latest hardware has to offer. And while you gain a cheaper entry-price you lose any chance of sending it back if you find that you don't get on with it. Of course you might be able to sell it off for what you paid, but you may very well lose a little on the deal.
Personally I'd recommend spending some time with OS X to see if you get on with it before you think about your budget and what Mac you want/can afford.
I've done that, but it I'd like to use OSX on a day to day basis without having a salesperson looking over your shoulder, I'd like to form my own opinion too without getting an opinion from someone who's paid to sell apple computers.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 16,024
- Location
- 9th Inner Circle
May I suggest one of the new 13" macBook Pros or the 13" MacBook?
Great entry into the world of Apple ownership. But beware as 6 months later you'll be spending 2K+ on a Mac Pro!
Great entry into the world of Apple ownership. But beware as 6 months later you'll be spending 2K+ on a Mac Pro!
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 16,024
- Location
- 9th Inner Circle
Then make sure you max out the ram at purchase time as fitting ram to a Mini isn't for the faint of heart!
I still really like the idea of a Mac Mini but I'm struggling to find a good reason to get one because I have a perfectly good desktop and laptop. I'd love to use one for a web/mail server but unfortunately the software isn't there yet.
MDaemon for OS X would rock and I'd buy one like a shot.
MDaemon for OS X would rock and I'd buy one like a shot.
You can just go in and have a play, don't have to be with a sales person.
Mac Mini - it's designed to lure in switchers and you can re-use your existing PC keyboard, mouse and monitor. A basic iMac or MacBook use the same basic parts so performance is very similar.
If you decide you don't like it then they hold their value well secondhand. On that basis I'd buy a new one as the 9400M graphics make for a better experience than the older units with intel integrated graphics.
If you decide you don't like it then they hold their value well secondhand. On that basis I'd buy a new one as the 9400M graphics make for a better experience than the older units with intel integrated graphics.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 16,024
- Location
- 9th Inner Circle
It is if you got a copy of OS X Server to run on the Mac Mini!
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 16,024
- Location
- 9th Inner Circle
Indeed I've never been bothered by a sales person in an Apple Store. I have, however, often been bothered by one in an Apple reseller.
It is? Full multi-domain email software with decent antivirus and antispam?
Before I was dismissive about macs..Bought the aluminium macbook 13' last November, I'm quite the Apple fanboy now..
Depends what you want to use it for. To be honest I cant see why you wouldnt like it, if you can live with Windows, you can at the very least live with OSX.
Depends what you want to use it for. To be honest I cant see why you wouldnt like it, if you can live with Windows, you can at the very least live with OSX.
Associate
- Joined
- 17 May 2004
- Posts
- 1,585
May I suggest one of the new 13" macBook Pros or the 13" MacBook?
Great entry into the world of Apple ownership. But beware as 6 months later you'll be spending 2K+ on a Mac Pro!
Don't even joke about it. I started off with an iPhone 2G, upgraded to the 3G, now I have the following in my sig.
Only problem I have now is that Handbrake takes hours on my mini to rip my DVD's into AppleTV format so seriously thinking about that Mac Pro.
I would look at getting one of the new minis, but say wait till September when Snow Leopard launches
Last edited:
I was in the same boat been a PC man for over 15 years then I made the switch for the first time 4 weeks ago to a Mac Pro 17 inch. to be honest I now wonder why It took me so long to convert! I think it comes down to the risk of trying something totally new.
Good luck with what ever you get! for me I will never go to Windows OS for my home! at work well I will have to use Windows.
Shaun
Good luck with what ever you get! for me I will never go to Windows OS for my home! at work well I will have to use Windows.
Shaun
Associate
- Joined
- 19 Nov 2008
- Posts
- 304
now all of the pro range is a aluminium unibody. the normal macbooks are not, the 13'' got updated into the pro range.
Soldato
- Joined
- 28 Nov 2004
- Posts
- 16,024
- Location
- 9th Inner Circle
Yes and it gets better in Snow Leopard Server.
Not to mention you get all the other features without the need to buy any extra licenses (Calendar, Web, Wiki, Podcast, Streaming Media and so on)
Perhaps a quick look here http://www.apple.com/server/macosx/
I used to admin a OS X Server (as part of a Windows 2003 Domain) providing Web and Streaming Media services as well as domain functions for Mac computers and it was very nice (and the XServe it ran on was the sex)