Finally converted! [Archive] - MacRumors Forums

Euan

Oct 25, 2006, 04:58 AM

When I bought my current laptop just over 3 years ago I was very close at that point to getting a Powerbook but I didn't.

However, yesterday I finally ordered my first Apple Computer.

Bought a 20" iMac with the following upgrades...

* 2.33GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 2GB RAM
* 256MB Graphics
* 500GB Serial ATA drive

and the wireless keyboard and mouse.

Should arrive next Tuesday! :) :)

sushi

Oct 25, 2006, 05:08 AM

However, yesterday I finally ordered my first Apple Computer
Good for you! :D

Looks like you are getting a nice Mac.

Welcome to the fun side of computing! ;)

Queso

Oct 25, 2006, 05:12 AM

Congratulations Euan. Expect a bit of an unlearning curve at first, but you know where to ask for help if you have a question. :)

Euan

Oct 25, 2006, 05:23 AM

Looks like you are getting a nice Mac.
Yep, decided the 20" with a higher spec was better than the 24". Couldn't justify the price of upping it to 3GB RAM though! :mad:

Congratulations Euan. Expect a bit of an unlearning curve at first, but you know where to ask for help if you have a question. :)
Thanks. Yes, I'll no doubt be here when I come across my first problem although I am very much looking forward to the change. :D

AdeFowler

Oct 25, 2006, 05:47 AM

Congrats Euan. Another Brit around here; our numbers are growing ;)

Be sure to post back with your first impressions and if you need any help.

Euan

Oct 25, 2006, 07:08 AM

Congrats Euan. Another Brit around here; our numbers are growing ;)
And I'm sure they will continue to do so :)

Be sure to post back with your first impressions and if you need any help.
I will do.

BeefUK

Oct 25, 2006, 07:15 AM

I've just switched too, only bought a new mac mini Core Solo. Bargin price (in UK) as highlighted by another thread on macrumors.

Had it bout a week now, gettin along quite well, initially I didn't like it but gettin to grips with things now.

Good luck with ur new purchase

Willis

Oct 25, 2006, 07:30 AM

Brit numbers are increasing. I think the UK has the largest growth in the Apple Europe market. Wouldnt surprise me really.

Congrats on your purchase

thewhitehart

Oct 25, 2006, 07:35 AM

I'd guess from a recent poll on here (can't be bothered to reference it) suggests that there are a lot of British macintosh users, almost as many as there are americans here.

Shadow

Oct 25, 2006, 07:48 AM

Yep, decided the 20" with a higher spec was better than the 24". Couldn't justify the price of upping it to 3GB RAM though! :mad:
Its a known fact that Apple has a high markup on RAM. You could have bought the extra RAM from a 3rd party and installed it yourself. However, I'm not sure how cheap 3GB is and I *think* upgrading the RAM on an iMac is quite hard. 2GB is a good amount, and you'll get a slight preformance increase because both the sticks are the same size.

slackersonly

Oct 25, 2006, 07:54 AM

Congrats!
I love my iMac.
The RAM is simple to upgrade, the screen is beautiful (I was just amazing when my son played WoW at top video settings), and OS X is so easy to use.
I can't wait till I add another iMac for the family is a year or so.

tedster

Oct 25, 2006, 08:45 AM

I just bought my first ever mac yesterday as well. MBP C2D 2.3 Mhz, w/2 Gb RAM and 200 Mb drive.

I have been a lifelong PC user - early adopter and owned an original IBM AT machine!! This is scary for me. I know Windows down to the registry settings. I am sick of Windows problems, though, and have moved more and more toward doing digital media stuff.

My IT staff are not happy about it, because we have a large investment here in Windows server based applications. I keep saying, "I can run that under Parallels if I have to." I hope it works!!!

Queso

Oct 25, 2006, 08:58 AM

Brit numbers are increasing. I think the UK has the largest growth in the Apple Europe market. Wouldnt surprise me really.
That's because we've got Apple Stores. Anywhere Apple opens one, sales go up. They need to get them onto mainland Europe too.

And two in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne. Both big enough for a store, and both home to lots of Mac users.

meepm00pmeep

Oct 25, 2006, 09:20 AM

welcome to the wonderful world of Apple :D

sushi

Oct 25, 2006, 09:51 AM

Yep, decided the 20" with a higher spec was better than the 24".
Completely agree. You can always add another external monitor.

Couldn't justify the price of upping it to 3GB RAM though! :mad:
Just wait a year or so, and the RAM price will be much cheaper. Then you can upgrade! ;)

zerolight

Oct 25, 2006, 10:43 AM

Its a known fact that Apple has a high markup on RAM. You could have bought the extra RAM from a 3rd party and installed it yourself. However, I'm not sure how cheap 3GB is and I *think* upgrading the RAM on an iMac is quite hard. 2GB is a good amount, and you'll get a slight preformance increase because both the sticks are the same size.

Actually in this case, unlike the norm, it's cheaper to get either the 2GB or 3GB upgrades from Apple rather than a 3rd party.

vanzskater272

Oct 25, 2006, 04:49 PM

I hope you enjoy the new iMac I just switched about a week ago. I got a 1.66 mac mini.

Sophia

Oct 25, 2006, 05:04 PM

Congrats! :) It has the exact same custom options as mine.

Ladybug

Oct 25, 2006, 06:28 PM

Grats to all of you..welcome to the community. I made the switch in April myself, no looking back :)

wchong

Oct 25, 2006, 08:30 PM

I Have Been Unplugged!!! :d

Whiteapple

Oct 26, 2006, 07:46 AM

Brit numbers are increasing. I think the UK has the largest growth in the Apple Europe market. Wouldnt surprise me really.

Congrats on your purchase

Can't recall where I read that, but I am quasi-sure France is the most Apple-centric country in Europe. Maybe UK isn't far behind

Euan

Oct 27, 2006, 10:21 AM

Well it's now been shipped, due to arrive 1/2 November!

Am all set for the switch to OS X... will be an enjoyable learning curve.

mongoos150

Oct 27, 2006, 12:01 PM

I'm not sure how cheap 3GB is and I *think* upgrading the RAM on an iMac is quite hard.

It's quite easy, easier than even a standard PC box. Unscrew the RAM plate on the bottom of the iMac, slide the ram into the slot. :cool:

Willis

Oct 29, 2006, 05:54 PM

That's because we've got Apple Stores. Anywhere Apple opens one, sales go up. They need to get them onto mainland Europe too.

And two in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne. Both big enough for a store, and both home to lots of Mac users.

ah yeah, well... good point!

Isnt there a list of projected Apple stores. Im pretty sure I saw one in Rome, 2/3 in Germany.

England needs a couple more, although PC world stocks Apples in.

mattniles007

Oct 29, 2006, 06:45 PM

You will enjoy it!! I recently bought a 20" imac myself. Best purchase I've made in a long time.

Euan

Oct 30, 2006, 04:03 AM

They now estimate delivery tomorrow and the benefits of TNT is that you can follow progress of your package online!

Yes it worked out cheaper getting the RAM upgrade from the Apple Store online than from the local Glasgow Premium Re-Seller.

If Apple did open more stores they would see an increase. They need more in the UK... at least 1 in Scotland - so many students they could tap into.

Euan

Oct 31, 2006, 07:57 AM

Well the box arrived today at work so will take it home and set it up after I get back from a game of 5s :) :rolleyes:

Liong612

Nov 1, 2006, 09:34 PM

Scarlet Fever

Nov 1, 2006, 10:10 PM

why is it that the newbies to Macs always get the best stuff, while people like me have been using them for years and are still stuck with the baseline MacBook... :rolleyes:

Congrats on your buy. Expect some jealous looks from visitors! :D

mulletman13

Nov 2, 2006, 02:55 AM

Excellent! My friend is currently on the edge of getting a Mac Book Pro... I'm just about pushing him over to switch :-D

Euan

Nov 2, 2006, 04:45 AM

Excellent! My friend is currently on the edge of getting a Mac Book Pro... I'm just about pushing him over to switch :-D
I nearly bought a Powerbook 3½ years ago but chickened out. Glad I made the switch this time round but still learning!

Got my FTP software sorted, just need to get Firefox and a few other bits and pieces done tonight as well as uploading the pictures from my Japan holiday... all 15GB of them!

Gosh

Nov 2, 2006, 03:10 PM

Enjoy! I moved over in May - had to bring Windows along with the help of Parallels (is superb)!

OS X is brilliant and intuitive too! Discovered NeoOffice and wonder why people pay for MS Office.

One crucial thing is maintenance. It is supposed to run in the early hours if your Mac is left on (not in sleep mode). Use a third party utility to manage this and keep everything running sweet without generating CO2!

http://www.applelinks.com/p5/index.php/more/mac_os_x_system_maintenance_utilities_roundup/

truz

Nov 2, 2006, 03:21 PM

Euan,

What FTP client are you using? I find Transmit one of the best FTP clients on mac :) cheap too!

Helpful tip.. hold control+click your mouse for a right click :) or turn right click on in your mouse settings (does not work well with the apple mouses tho, I use the single click and hold control when a right click is needed) ENJOY!

Euan

Nov 2, 2006, 04:06 PM

What FTP client are you using? I find Transmit one of the best FTP clients on mac :) cheap too!
I was using CuteFTP on XP but after various recommendations I've installed Transmit and am very happy with it so far.

Just need to find some alternatives to Paintshop Pro and Bannershop GIF Animator. Have installed Intaglio and quite like it - it's got the basic functions I need which is creating basic graphics for websites.

Helpful tip.. hold control+click your mouse for a right click or turn right click on in your mouse settings (does not work well with the apple mouses tho, I use the single click and hold control when a right click is needed) ENJOY!
Thanks for that tip! Works a treat! :)