The Thing That Worries Me Most About iMac

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Hi.... its time for me to get a new Mac. The iMac appeals to me because of the great things I've read about it. I would like to learn more, though, about what it can do in the way of graphics, if anyone would be kind enough to point to good info about it.

The thing that worries me most about the iMac, being an all-in-one machine, is what if something goes wrong with, say, the display, and I need to send it back for repairs. My computer is gone and I'm not able to work til I get it back. Can the hard drive be removed? Could I plug the whole thing into another monitor (even a CRT?) to copy files if I had to?

I worry because I use my Mac for business and would not want to be caught without it.

[miniConvert]

I'd suggest purchasing a fast external harddrive and storing all your important items on there :) Then, if your iMac should die, you've still got all your important items on the external ready to be plugged in to another Mac.

Either that or just regularly back up to an external hard drive.

[Queso]

Apple really don't offer service options that would satisfy your needs on anything other than the XServe. However, there are a number of third-party companies that plug the gap. Although more expensive, it's definitely worth it if you are dependent on the one computer.

Personally I have both a laptop and an iMac, and back both up regularly. So if one dies I can keep running on the other until it returns. Like you speculate, on an iMac you have to take the machine into an Apple Store where they will repair it, but that can take a few days. If you're in a country without Apple Stores there are different arrangements in place.

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I back up regularly, but I rely on the Mac because the print drivers work better for me than the PC drivers. The Mac I'm using now is so old it uses SCSI!! I also have an old Blue & White G3, but it doesn't seem to like Photoshop, so I rarely use it.

I actually do the heavy processing on a PC and transfer files via CD.

[Macky-Mac]

... Could I plug the whole thing into another monitor (even a CRT?) to copy files if I had to?....

unless it's the video card that went out....another way you could access the HD would be by attaching the imac to another Mac and then starting up the imac in target disk mode. That way you wouldn't need the imac display at all

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don't know what I'm so worried about. I've had almost no trouble at all with the older Mac, its all original except for the RAM and the CD player is iffy. I guess I'm just worried I might get a dud, and if I did, I'd be out of business for a week.

[ppnkg]

There's nothing to worry about the iMac...you'll love it!

[skinnylegs]

I use my Intel based iMac for running my business as well as pleasure. I have had absolutely no problems whatsoever with it. I back up my data at least weekly to a Seagate external HD. I use iCal for my calendaring and Address Book for my customer database. Both of these applications have a backup option under File on your menubar.

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Thanks, everyone, for putting my mind at ease. :)