In the market for iMac - recommendations?

[wstromer]

Wife needs new system. It needs to work with my existing WIFI network (using WEP keys) out of the box. I have all Window systems currently. It's been over 10 years since I've done anything on a Mac (remember the Quadra?). It doesn't need to be a blot-out-the-sun kind of system - just nice and functional.

Recommendations anyone?

[ecsw]

the mini mac? Or the iBook for under $1000cdn.

But really, even Mac is switching to use P4 CPU now, why Mac? I have Mac OS X running on my PC.

[rsm333]

The new 2.1Ghz iMac is a deal. Bluetooth is stock and they have a much better video card than the 1.8 and 2.0 models. I replaced my G4 Powermac and Apple 20” display with one of the first iMac 1.8 Gig models, and I couldn’t be happier…unless I had waited for the 2.1 Gig. Get at least 1 Gig of RAM.

[rickwest]

Macs rule! I steal time on my wife's ibook every chance I get.

Where did you get the OS X for Intel software?? Torrents? I've heard of it out there but have been unable to find it. Are you dual booting or running under vmware?

[waynerd]

I just came in from the dark side and bought a G5 Power Mac and a iBook G4. I bought the iBook from my neighbor for < $700!. The iBook is handy for surfing or e-mail in bed or in my la-z-boy, and takes up a lot less desk space than the G5.

Would it have to be a desktop? You might consider the mini Mac if her current monitor is "modern" enough to reuse.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably just go with the iBook and a backup harddrive.

[CMasten]

Originally posted by wstromer
Wife needs new system. It needs to work with my existing WIFI network (using WEP keys) out of the box. I have all Window systems currently. It's been over 10 years since I've done anything on a Mac (remember the Quadra?). It doesn't need to be a blot-out-the-sun kind of system - just nice and functional.

Recommendations anyone?

Ah Quadras... I made my living for over 10 yeas as a Mac only consultant... then Windows NT 3.51 moved me over to the dark side.. still dabble in both, you need a Mac because the wife likes how it looks or because there is some compatability issues to contend with? I just bought my wife a new Dell Inspiron 6000 with the dedicated ATI graphics and for 699 I could not be happier!

[ecsw]

hehehe.... got it fron torrent and installed on my Athlon64.
But being a windows guy, install of OS X is just for fun.

[wstromer]

Originally posted by CMasten


Ah Quadras... I made my living for over 10 yeas as a Mac only consultant... then Windows NT 3.51 moved me over to the dark side.. still dabble in both, you need a Mac because the wife likes how it looks or because there is some compatability issues to contend with? I just bought my wife a new Dell Inspiron 6000 with the dedicated ATI graphics and for 699 I could not be happier!

Wife doesn't want to admit that she needs a new system. In her mind it's hard to justify a new PC even though the one she is using is a 6 year old Gateway profile - the motherboard in this thing was the same kind they used in the old Barbie computer I've massaged it as best I can to keep it functional but there is only so much you can do with an old computer. She routinely chokes it by attempting to print multi-megabyte graphics files and then wonders why it doesn't work I started my career with Macs and thought they were great machines but also like you got "moved to the dark side".

[wstromer]

Originally posted by waynerd
I just came in from the dark side and bought a G5 Power Mac and a iBook G4. I bought the iBook from my neighbor for < $700!. The iBook is handy for surfing or e-mail in bed or in my la-z-boy, and takes up a lot less desk space than the G5.

Would it have to be a desktop? You might consider the mini Mac if her current monitor is "modern" enough to reuse.

If I had to do it again, I'd probably just go with the iBook and a backup harddrive.

The laptop is certainly an option. I'll just have to see if the performance of a basic laptop vs a mid-level desktop is that great. She prints a lot of pictures so I can see bumping up the drivespace and ram somewhat and that tends to be more expense in laptops.

The monitor is an issue. Her current system is an all-in-one with a built-in monitor. It's not a bad monitor for one of the 1st flatscreens but rather worthless since I can't reuse it for a new system.

[CMasten]

I get the MS software for nothing as part of my MSDN, so that saves me a huge chunk with the OS at 200.00 and Office at 300-400 plus all the other goodies, that becomes a big part of the price of your new computer as you know, if you already have that from the old one, the PC might have the edge over a new Mac.

The Dell Inspiron 6000 series is amazing for the price, built in 802.11G, cd or dvd (dual layer) burning, they all come with the 15.5" screen, but the unit I got has the dedicated ATI controller with its own 64 megs of RAM, the WVGA screen is as good as any 17" I have used, its a really impressive DVD player and surfing machine, but has more than enough horse power to handle just about anything else you want to throw at it.

its a really popular model also so many vendors have accessories for it. the 1 gig memory sticks from Dell are 175.00 but you can go to newegg.com or others and get the same stuff for 69.99. With a 1.6 ghz Centrino its really hard to find anything even close from any vendor for about 700 bucks.

If any of you are into gadgets, http://www.techbargains.com/ is a great resource for discount info and e-coupons... I used them to get 300.00 off my Inspiron and free shipping, next day.

[wstromer]

After the dust cleared I ended up with a iMac G5 with the 20" inch screen. Absolutely remarkable machine IMHO. Use it whenever I can even though I spend 90% of my time on Windows boxes for my work. The wife loves it; now she has the best machine in the house.

BTW: how can I get my hands on the Mac OS for my PC??? Someone said they got a copy from Torrents? What are the system requirements? What about drivers? I'm just full of questions.....

[PNW-Pilot]

Apple just announced today the iMac intel systems. Looks sweet for the price. Hope yours is treating your well.

The torrents are out there, but it's 10.4.x which will not as i understand it run on the IBM clones.

[cwa107]

D'oh! I was just going to reply saying "Wait! - bad time to buy a Mac!"... since they're moving over to Intel CPUs... but it sounds like you've already made the jump.

Fortunately, I think the PowerPC-based Macs will be around a while longer as the major apps are just starting to getting recompiled for x86 CPUs.

Can't wait for the day when I can dual-boot between Mac and Windows on native hardware.... I know Apple has sworn that the OS will always be tied to its hardware, but it's only a matter of time before it's hacked.