Apple has released an update to the iMac G5.
So, anyone really rich want to buy me one? C’mon, as a card-carrying member of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, you’d think I’d be getting some evil war profiteering proceeds or something…
New iMacs
Published
So, what if I want to upgrade the RAM or the DVD burner?
IIRC, RAM upgrades aren’t that difficult. The iMac isn’t really designed for people who are fanatical about upgrades – the PowerMac fits that lineup. DVD burner upgrades are also possible, although it’s usually cheaper just to get an external USB2 or FireWire drive – the speeds on those are more than fast enough to handle those tasks.
Macs are products of the VRWC? And all this time, I thought they were boxes for elitist bicoastal latte-sippers who thought they were too good to use Windows like the rest of the hoi polloi…
I’m just recently in the market for a new PC and was considering a mac, but I’m so comfortable with opening the case and poking around a PC, removing cards, replacing hard drives, etc.
Then you’re probably not going to want a Mac. If you’re seriously into that sort of thing, Linux is the way to go. (Windows annoying “activation” BS makes component switching a royal pain.)
My PC is mainly for playing games. My iBook is for getting work done and going on the road, and my Linux box is a great little development system/home server. I wouldn’t recommend a Mac to a gamer nor someone who likes to muck about in hardware. If you’re a graphic designer, web developer, writer, student, UNIX nerd, or just want a machine that just works, then you’re in the Mac market. It’s all about the best tool for the job.
Karl Rove uses a PowerBook when he’s on the road, so apparently Macs have become the official machines of the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy now. Besides, Microsoft tends to give oodles of cash to Democrats.
Either that or Macs are just the best computers you can buy… 🙂
A couple of things. It’s not that I “like” to muck with the hardware, but I do like having the option. After a few years, a few bucks spent on RAM can go a long way. Or on an extra hard drive.
Then, there’s the real kicker that will make you scream “Get a Mac you idiot!” The primary thing I want to use the desktop for is video. I own Adobe Premiere for PC and it is so damn expensive I’m not going to drop more cash on the Mac version.
Alas. I did see a beautiful G5 with a gorgeous widescreen that was probably about 30″ or something. Absolutely gorgeous. The first thing I’m getting if I win the lottery. Before I even go to the car dealership.
And although I have a love/hate relationship with Microsoft now, I do have a level of comfort I’m not ready to disrupt by adopting Linux. I truly am a conservative.
Ah well, while part of me would love to convert, that’s the same part of me that would rather have a Mercedes than a Toyota. 🙂 And anyway, Adam would probably stop returning my phone calls…
The Mac Mini’s always a good deal, especially given that you get iMovie (which while not being Premiere is still pretty capable) as a freebie. The only thing that’s bad about it is the lack of RAM – you really need 512MB to run Tiger.
Winston: Have you tried a Linux LiveCD? It gives you a chance to get your feet wet with the system without committing to a full install. Plus, they can be a real lifesaver in case Windows gets hosed and you need to back up all your data pronto…
No I haven’t tried any Linux of any kind. Mainly because I’m pretty satisfied with Windows XP, which doesn’t seem to have many problems that worry me. Sure, I’m careful. And my problems usually have to do with Microsoft Office rather than the operating system.
Today, I’m thinking, “why not just get the Mac”?
So, how can I compare speeds of Apple and PC machines? For instance, is there a an adjustment I can make to Apple clock speed to approximate a comprable PC? Just for comparison and bang for the buck purposes?
There really isn’t a direct comparison between CISC chips like the Pentium or the Athlon and RISC chips like the G4 and G5. In general, RISC chips are faster than PC chips. Especially when you factor in Altivec, Macs are much faster at things like video editing even at a much lower clockspeed. Apple has the advantage of controlling the hardware platform, so software like iMovie and Final Cut Pro is insanely well-optimized.
If you’re just doing simple stuff, the Mini or iBook are great machines for email, browsing, writing papers and the like. If you travel, the 12.1″ iBook or PowerBook is absolutely wonderful – they’re so light you barely notice them. I’ve done video editing on the 12.1″ PowerBook with iMovie HD, and the biggest limitation wasn’t CPU speed but storage.
For pro stuff, the iMacs are a great buy since you get a super-clear LCD display with them, and a blazingly fast G5 CPU. You do trade off with expandability – but Mac hardware keeps its value a lot longer than PC hardware does. A 600mHz PC is practically a doorstop these days. A 600mHz Mac will run Tiger at a decent speed if you’ve got enough RAM in it.
It does take some time to adjust to OS X, but once you do, it becomes very intuitive and much easier to work with. You never need to worry about spyware, no need for a virus scanner, and security is set properly right out of the box.
Throw on Office 2004 and other than gaming, there’s really nothing that a Mac can’t do that a PC can.
Thanks for taking the time to sell Apple. I’m looking at the iMac but the price of what I would want is running about $500 more than a PC that I would want.
Still, it’s a tough decision. And it occured to me that Premiere may actrually let me “upgrade” to the Mac version.
Decisions, decisions. That iMac is a good looking machine though, isn’t it!