View Full Version : apple imac ?
I'm off to buy my son a new imac, he is going to get the 21.5 inch model, I'm trying to decide if it is worth $300.00 extra to upgrade to the next model up. the $300.00 bucks gets a 1tg hd over 500gb and a AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB over a AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB graphics processor, that seems to be the only two things. he wont even need 500gb so the graphics card would be the only sticking point, is it worth the $300. extra or no? ETA: it does look like one has a 2.5 ghz intel i5 chip, and the other has a 2.7ghz i5 intel.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac/select
10mm-man
08-11-2012, 10:20
I'm off to buy my son a new imac, he is going to get the 21.5 inch model, I'm trying to decide if it is worth $300.00 extra to upgrade to the next model up. the $300.00 bucks gets a 1tg hd over 500gb and a AMD Radeon HD 6770M with 512MB over a AMD Radeon HD 6750M with 512MB graphics processor, that seems to be the only two things. he wont even need 500gb so the graphics card would be the only sticking point, is it worth the $300. extra or no?
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac/select
What does he need the additional graphics for?
I say come up with $25 more and buy this instead: http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=59411
[Beer]
What does he need the additional graphics for?
I say come up with $25 more and buy this instead: http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=59411
[Beer]
I would but I have one already [Beer] as far as the graphics he dont need it i'm sure, but if it's worth the extra i'll go with it, it looks like the main processor is a 2.7 instead of a 2.5 on the lower model as well.
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/rruusseell1/101_0702.jpg
Bigger IS better. [Weight]
What is he using it for? Does he need the extra horsepower?
Me, I'd got the extra $300.
depends what he needs it for. IMHO I don't think its worth the upgrade at all.
Rooskibar03
08-11-2012, 11:08
On a Mac unless he's starting up a production studio the processor bump isn't needed. Max out the hard disk space because IIRC it is not upgradable on the user side.
Only really worth it for the hard drive space, maybe. And you can get a 500Gb external hard drive for a lot less than $300
This
Hell, you could put up a nice home NAS.
Edit: I predicted what Ridge would say in the future. :D
Zundfolge
08-11-2012, 12:40
Just go up $150 and get the better machine from Apple's Refurb Dept (http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC812LL/A).
Yes its not NIB, but its refurbished by Apple, not some third party (and frankly I've found that refurb equipment is better because its been tested).
Only really worth it for the hard drive space, maybe. And you can get a 500Gb external hard drive for a lot less than $300
This
Hell, you could put up a nice home NAS.
Edit: I predicted what Ridge would say in the future. :D
Seriously. WTF just happened?
Seriously. WTF just happened?
One of the server clocks is screwed up... some of us are on regular time, some are on the bad server time (like 20 minutes behind). Fix is in the works.
OR you could buy a real computer that's much faster... None of that over priced mac junk.
Processor & Memory:
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ i7-3770 Processor 3.4GHz Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 up to 3.90GHz
16GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1600MHz
Drives:
2TB (7200RPM) SATA Hard Drive
16x DVD+/-RW
Operating System:
Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Graphics & Video:
1GB AMD Radeon HD 7570 Graphics
Communications:
10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN
Dell Wireless 1703 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth v4.0 +LE
Audio:
Internal High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio with WAVES MAXX Audio
Keyboard & Mouse:
Dell™ KM632 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo
Expandability (Total Slots):
Total Memory Slots: 4 DIMMs
3x PCIe x1
1x PCIe x16
2x Sata 3
2x Sata 2
1x Mini-PCIe
6x Internal USB 2.0
Top I/O Ports & Slots:
2x USB 2.0 (One Powershare)
Microphone/Headphone Port
Front I/O Ports & Slots:
2x USB 3.0 Ports
1x 19-in-1 Media Card Reader
Rear I/O Ports & Slots:
4x USB 2.0
2x USB 3.0
Audio Jacks
RJ-45
VGA
HDMI
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?prodid=11762149&whse=BC&topnav=&cm_sp=RichRelevance-_-categorypageHorizontalTop-_-PopularProductsInCategory&cm_vc=categorypageHorizontalTop|PopularProductsInC ategory
Zundfolge
08-11-2012, 13:17
OR you could buy a real computer that's much faster... None of that over priced mac junk.
Except then you're running that windows junk (unless you want to do this (http://www.hackintosh.com/) which in all seriousness is THE WAY to go if you know what you're doing).
Nother good Hackintosh source. (http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page)
We took our iMac in to get a couple minor things done, some RAM added, that sort of thing...all it cost us was the RAM. Everything else was free. I have no problems with my macs, meanwhile my issue work computer (dell laptop) lasted 16 months and then got the blue screen of death 4 weeks ago. You can keep those windows-based machines.
I'd get the larger hard drive and max out the RAM.
Macs get blue screens, too. They just don't have useful information on what went wrong like Windows does...
http://media27.onsugar.com/files/2011/11/46/5/247/2470609/4613929065ab864b_photo.xxlarge.JPG
Zundfolge
08-11-2012, 14:21
IMHO. Windows is for people that actually know how to use a computer.
Mac is best for those that don't know how to use a computer.
1992 called, they want your opinion back. [Stooge]
As someone that uses Windows, Macs and Linux machines I call hooey on your comment.
Troublco
08-11-2012, 14:21
We took our iMac in to get a couple minor things done, some RAM added, that sort of thing...all it cost us was the RAM. Everything else was free. I have no problems with my macs, meanwhile my issue work computer (dell laptop) lasted 16 months and then got the blue screen of death 4 weeks ago. You can keep those windows-based machines.
I'd get the larger hard drive and max out the RAM.
1992 called, they want your opinion back. [Stooge]
As someone that uses Windows, Macs and Linux machines I call hooey on your comment.
I agree with him. Macs are for people who want things to just work. They don't care how, but it just has to work.
Windows is for people more familiar with computers. People that know how to update drivers and things like that.
Linux is for sadists that want to punish themselves for daring to use a computer.
IMHO. Windows is for people that actually know how to use a computer.
Mac is best for those that don't know how to use a computer.
Besides... Everyone who buys a mac ends up having to install parallels to run windows specific programs, and then you're back to square one of running windows =P
I wouldn't buy the upgrades unless your son is a gamer.
Besides... Everyone who buys a mac ends up having to install parallels to run windows specific programs, and then you're back to square one of running windows =P
The best is when they blame their mac problems on windows when software in their windows emulator crashes. What can people expect, especially when running nested operating systems???......
Computers are all tools. Whatever works best for an individual is what they should get. I just hate when people are snobby about their macs.
Just got back, thanks for those who gave me answers to my question, no thanks to those who wanted to turn this into another ak vs. ar debate, I got the lower priced model, they gave me a decent deal after much debate and questioning, I think they just wanted to get rid of me, but I got it for $1019.00 instead of the msrp of $1199.00 I'm setting it up now we will see how he likes it when he gets home from scout camp on Sunday.
I wouldn't buy the upgrades unless your son is a gamer.
The best is when they blame their mac problems on windows when software in their windows emulator crashes. What can people expect, especially when running nested operating systems???......
Computers are all tools. Whatever works best for an individual is what they should get. I just hate when people are snobby about their macs.
His school went all apple this year and they gave them iPads, so I figured it would be easier to do and save his school work if he could just plug it in at home and sync everything. He needed a new one anyway, his old one is unreliable and runs vista... And there is nothing good about vista IMHO
As far as set up it is much easier than any pc I have ever dealt with, just one cord and done, and after I plugged it in there was no two hours of updates and patches that need to be downloaded and installed before you begin, Just plug and play so far.
Rooskibar03
08-11-2012, 15:23
As far as set up it is much easier than any pc I have ever dealt with, just one cord and done, and after I plugged it in there was no two hours of updates and patches that need to be downloaded and installed before you begin, Just plug and play so far.
Welcome to the wonderful hassle free world of Mac ownership. Things get really sweet if he's got an iPad, iPhone. Everything talks to one another and try are updated together.
I have to ask though, did you manage to get the Apple store to cut you a deal? If so you are a god among men.
Byte Stryke
08-11-2012, 15:48
The funniest part of this entire thread is that Mac has been using PC parts for years and everyone still thinks its super high speed proprietary...
its not.
a Mac... in its simplist terms is no more original than Dell's Alienware.
its an overpriced PC with Apple plastic on it and a modified Unix OS.
get what you need and let the hype be damned.
EDIT: you can get a 3TB drive now for less that $150
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0364652
Byte Stryke
08-11-2012, 15:51
http://www.dailyhaha.com/_pics/new_mac.jpg
Scanker19
08-11-2012, 15:53
the last two Macs I've bought have not been nice. I'd trade them both for my 2009 model back.
OR you could buy a real computer that's much faster... None of that over priced mac junk.
Chevy vs Ford
I run both PC and Mac. Mac wins hands down.
I worked for IBM in the late '90s. Visited their big printer rooms a few times. These guys could use any computer on the market. All the work stations had Mac desktops.
Just got back, thanks for those who gave me answers to my question, no thanks to those who wanted to turn this into another ak vs. ar debate, I got the lower priced model, they gave me a decent deal after much debate and questioning, I think they just wanted to get rid of me, but I got it for $1019.00 instead of the msrp of $1199.00 I'm setting it up now we will see how he likes it when he gets home from scout camp on Sunday.
Not a bad deal. I use Mac Shack pretty much exclusively.
Will Son be able to pry it out of Dad's hands? [Coffee]
Welcome to the wonderful hassle free world of Mac ownership. Things get really sweet if he's got an iPad, iPhone. Everything talks to one another and try are updated together.
I have to ask though, did you manage to get the Apple store to cut you a deal? If so you are a god among men.
I just looked at the receipt again I was off by a couple of bucks, it was $1020.99 I got $79.00 off sale price and they gave me a $100.00 discount to get rid of me. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/rruusseell1/f7b33ee8.jpg
I'm sure your son will love the computer you got him.
I just looked at the receipt again I was off by a couple of bucks, it was $1020.99 I got $79.00 off sale price and they gave me a $100.00 discount to get rid of me. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/rruusseell1/f7b33ee8.jpg
WTF... Taxes.... At least your discount covered those. Make sure you write that $hit off this year.
Troublco
08-11-2012, 16:47
IMHO. Windows is for people that actually know how to use a computer.
Mac is best for those that don't know how to use a computer.
Besides... Everyone who buys a mac ends up having to install parallels to run windows specific programs, and then you're back to square one of running windows =P
Yeah...ok. Windows is for people who don't mind dealing with viruses and crap like that. I'd say that the majority of people wouldn't need to do anything on a PC that they couldn't do on a Mac.
I got Parallels when I first got this MacBook. I used it for a few months, but I got tired of dealing with it so I just replaced the one or two programs I was running on parallels. No more windows.
I'm forced to use a laptop PC for work...but it just reinforces my belief that my mac works better. My 14 month old issue Dell died (system failure) a month ago. My 5+ year old MacBook Pro continues to work perfectly. Like I said, you're welcome to your PC's. IMHO.
Byte Stryke
08-11-2012, 16:53
I just looked at the receipt again I was off by a couple of bucks, it was $1020.99 I got $79.00 off sale price and they gave me a $100.00 discount to get rid of me. http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd27/rruusseell1/f7b33ee8.jpg
Ahh, I see you got the one with the INTEL I5 Processor...
[ROFL1]
ruthabagah
08-11-2012, 18:11
The (computer) age old Mac vs pc thing!
It all user perception. And some fact....
Fact: I am running a dell laptop for work, and in the last 12 month I had one bad hard drive, a replacement LCD, and last week the mobo died. I am getting a Lenovo next week. 1200$ last year for the dell, 1600$ for the Lenovo.
Fact: I have an iMac at home that I use for general home stuff, media hub, photo storage. It has been on since October 2008 (paid 1100$), I never did a shut down (couple of program install reboot). I never had a problem and when I upgrade this fall with a 2012 iMac, this one will go to one of the kids.
Yeah...ok. Windows is for people who don't mind dealing with viruses and crap like that. I'd say that the majority of people wouldn't need to do anything on a PC that they couldn't do on a Mac.
Macs have viruses too believe it or not.
Zundfolge
08-11-2012, 20:08
Macs have viruses too believe it or not.
Yeah, ironically most of the viruses that attack Macs are MSWord/Excel macro viruses :p
But for every virus that will attack Mac OS there are thousands of Windows viruses. MS should have dumped the registry ages ago and gone to a UNIX like kernel like Apple did with OSX.
That said, I'm perfectly happy running Linux on most of my machines (only time I run Windows or MacOS is if I need Adobe).
How is the new toy working, Car-15?
I'm bouncing around upgrading my MacBook. [Coffee]
Good so far, I got hauled away to the in laws for a BBQ so I haven't had much time with it.
Troublco
08-12-2012, 03:03
Macs have viruses too believe it or not.
Yup, they do...and they're so uncommon that they're really a non-issue. I've had zero problems from them with mine.
Byte Stryke
08-12-2012, 09:16
last comment.
"none are so blind as he who will not see."
last comment.
"none are so blind as he who will not see."
what do any of your comments in this thread have to do with the original question? mods please lock this before I get banned. mac was bought thanks again to those who helped!
Aloha_Shooter
08-12-2012, 18:23
LOL @ the fool calling a Mac crap then recommending a Dell.
I built my own x86 computers from 1990-2006. I've run every Windows version from 2.0 through Vista (and from DOS 2.11 through 6.2 prior to that). A few years ago I just got tired of the Microsoft garbage and started migrating to Macs. Do I pay more for the hardware than if I built it myself? Yes but I haven't had any of the frustrations that my ONE Vista laptop continues to give from time to time.
I'll call BS on the non-upgradeability issue as well -- I upgraded my MacBook Pro from its stock 325 GB hard drive to a 750 GB hybrid (part flash, part HDD) while eating breakfast at The Egg & I. That's right, while eating breakfast.
Upgrading to Mountain Lion -- if I choose to do so -- will cost me $20 and I can use it across all my Macs. Upgrading my Vista laptop to Windows 7 Pro 64 cost me $120 for a single license. Windows 8 would be a downgrade that will cost even more. Yay.
Oh yeah, I have NEVER bothered with Parallels. I've used CodeWeavers' CrossOver Mac to run PC-based games but won't even have to do that soon as the one game I still play is introducing a Mac client on their next release (already in beta).
clublights
08-12-2012, 20:08
Every notice that Anti gun and anti-mac "talking points" are about the same?
uninformed bullcrap
Every notice that Anti gun and anti-mac "talking points" are about the same?
uninformed bullcrap
You don't need a proprietary operating system with a high capacity drives?
Get a Mac-Mini with a good display.
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