PC user considering purchasing an iMac

[erat]

Hi All:

I've been a long time PC user and I want to get an iMac for my next computer (24", 3.06GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB Drive). I got a MacBook Pro from work and I instantly loved it!

Sorry if I'm asking silly questions, but Macs are new for me.

1. Can I leave the iMac on all the time? That's what I do with my PCs now; just leave them running. Will this cause any problems down the road?

2. More than likely I'm going to wait until Macworld 2009 is over before buying anything, but I work for a University and I can get some really great deals now. Should I just bite the bullet, chance it, and buy now?

3. Reading through some posts, I have noticed people complaining about the iMac screen and having to return them because of dead pixels and color issues. What things should I look for to make certain that I have a "good" screen?

Thanks in advance!

[Samarium]

Hi. Well I can answer your questions.

1. Yes. You can leave your Mac on, or Sleeping and it will not affect in anything whatsoever.

2. If you want/need one now, well get it. The current generation is outstanding so, get it now.

3. The best method is not to look for any defect, because if you know that there is one, you will be always seeing it and it will make go mad.

Congrats for the switch + future purchase. :):apple:

[Sorkvild]

I highly recommend getting a refurbished mac. You save hundreds and in almost all cases it's impossible to distinguish a new one from a refurb. You get everything that is normally included with a new one, and it is thoroughly tested to ensure it's working right. I will never buy new again :p.

[kevkev]

I switched to an iMac at the beginning of the university year (september) and I have never looked back - Felt like i mastered leopard within hours.
With regards to leaving it on - the only time its actually been properly turned off was when they came to do electrical testing here.

Kev.

[SnowLeopard2008]

Yea, just buy a refurbished one to save some cash with the tumbling economy. And then upgrade the hard drive and ram yourself. But the processor and screen size, etc you can't upgrade. you might want to wait another 1-2 weeks for the rumored October 14 date. Apple is most likely releasing new computers, laptops and desktops alike on that day. It is a rumor though...

[czachorski]

Hi. Well I can answer your questions.

1. Yes. You can leave your Mac on, or Sleeping and it will not affect in anything whatsoever.

2. If you want/need one now, well get it. The current generation is outstanding so, get it now.

3. The best method is not to look for any defect, because if you know that there is one, you will be always seeing it and it will make go mad.

Congrats for the switch + future purchase. :):apple:

I agree with #1 and #2 - especially #2. The last "updates" were a very modest speed bump and no major re-design, and the next ones probably will be more of the same. If you wait, you will just be missing the next 3-4 months without the joys of the Mac.

On #3, I totally disagree. It is reasonable to expect a good screen, and Apple will most likely deliver. However, like any tech product, there are defects out there, and those who get them tend to flock to the forums. Just because defects exist does not mean you should "not look for them". When your iMac comes, give it a good look over, and in the unlikely event that there is something wrong with it, exchange it. Apple will do it. The overwhelming vast majority of people who have bought iMacs are very happy with them!

[craig1410]

Hi,
I leave mine on over night when downloading or encoding movies etc. At other times I just put it to sleep as it goes to sleep in 2 seconds and wakes up completely in about 5 or 6 seconds. The advantage is that it only consumes 3 watts when sleeping versus just under 100 watts when switched on. With the price of electricity these days this is quite important (to me at least).

As for when to buy, Apple aren't likely to completely redesign the iMac for a while yet so don't expect any major changes in the near future. I'd just go ahead and buy the 3.06 machine you mentioned although I'd be tempted to just get a standard 2GB/500GB machine and then buy an external drive or time capsule for storage expansion. See how you get on with the 2GB of RAM and if you need more then buy it from Crucial or similar.

For information, I switched from 20 years or so of PC ownership having used Windows, OS/2 and Linux. I bought my iMac a few days after the aluminium and glass model was released. It's a 24"/2.4GHz/4GB/320G which I upgraded myself using Crucial memory. I've also bought a 500GB Time Capsule for backup and storage and I have a 250GB external drive for movies etc. I can easily say it is the best machine I have ever owned and is such a pleasure to use compared to all the machines I have owned before. You won't regret switching!!

Good luck!
Craig.

[bobr1952]

I switched in January and am very happy with my decision to leave the PC world behind. I leave my iMac on all the time and put it to sleep at night. I've had it up for over a month at times. As for the screen, I guess my view on that is to certainly look for an obvious defect but try not to imagine things that may not be there or things that may just be unavoidable aberrations. I did not notice any problems with my screen and the resolution is superb. Could someone else find problems? Perhaps--but it looks great to me.

[Touchy]

When "going to a Mac" what do you do with all the data on programs you have been accumulating for years on the PC, such as the contacts, calendar data, etc in Outlook? Is it necessary to run MS in parallel if you want this data? Likewise, what do you do with all the "documents" folders created on the PC, can they be transferred over?
I would love to switch to an iMac or MacPro but I need to have an answer to these questions. Thanks.

[Sijmen]

When "going to a Mac" what do you do with all the data on programs you have been accumulating for years on the PC, such as the contacts, calendar data, etc in Outlook?

There might be better methods, but you can sign up for a MobileMe trial and have them all synced. When you wish you can cancel the trial and the contacts will still be on the Mac.

Is it necessary to run MS in parallel if you want this data?

I'm not sure what you mean by this. If it's about running Windows next to OS X, yes that's possible. You can either use Boot Camp (which comes with OS X) but switching operating systems will require a reboot. You can't run both at the same time.

Using a tool like VMware Fusion or Parallels (both very decently priced) you can actually run Windows inside OS X, and even drag and copy paste between them. You can even use a combination of Boot Camp and either VMware Fusion or Parallels, then one of the latter will use the Boot Camp partition and run it as a so-called virtual machine.

Likewise, what do you do with all the "documents" folders created on the PC, can they be transferred over?

Sure, just copy them over the netwerk or use a thumb drive, portable hard disk or another writable medium such as a blank DVD.

Most files will just work as-is on the Mac. For some files though, you need software, the most notable being Microsoft Office of course.

I suggest adding your photos to iPhoto and your music to iTunes after you've transferred them to your Mac. They're the de facto way to manage your media.

I would love to switch to an iMac or MacPro but I need to have an answer to these questions. Thanks.

Have fun :)

[Touchy]

Thanks for the information. I am really getting itchy to do this but will wait for 10/14 for any further info about changes in $/hardware/components to the MacBook, Pro, or iMac. Then hopefully make a move. Stuck between the MBP 15" vs the iMac but what a quandary to be in (with nothing else to worry about)!!. Lucky I guess. Thanks.

[musukosan]

Thanks for the information. I am really getting itchy to do this but will wait for 10/14 for any further info about changes in $/hardware/components to the MacBook, Pro, or iMac. Then hopefully make a move. Stuck between the MBP 15" vs the iMac but what a quandary to be in (with nothing else to worry about)!!. Lucky I guess. Thanks.

Don't buy the iMac with 4Gigs of RAM. Just buy the standard 2gigs and save yourself a lof of money. Once you get your iMac, you can buy the RAM cheaper online and upgrade it yourself. It's super easy and doesn't void your warranty.

[Topher15]

Hi All:

I've been a long time PC user and I want to get an iMac for my next computer (24", 3.06GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB Drive). I got a MacBook Pro from work and I instantly loved it!

Sorry if I'm asking silly questions, but Macs are new for me.

1. Can I leave the iMac on all the time? That's what I do with my PCs now; just leave them running. Will this cause any problems down the road?

2. More than likely I'm going to wait until Macworld 2009 is over before buying anything, but I work for a University and I can get some really great deals now. Should I just bite the bullet, chance it, and buy now?

3. Reading through some posts, I have noticed people complaining about the iMac screen and having to return them because of dead pixels and color issues. What things should I look for to make certain that I have a "good" screen?

Thanks in advance!
1. Yep. I just set it to seep after half and hour of no activity.

2. Wait a few weeks as there are good rumours of major notebook updates (redesigns) and you never know if iMacs get something too? It's unlikely but it's only two or three weeks away. If you need one now, yet it, otherwise wait till MW09 where there probably will be an iMac update.

3. Never had a dead pixel on any Apple product.

[illutionz]

Hi All:

I've been a long time PC user and I want to get an iMac for my next computer (24", 3.06GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB Drive). I got a MacBook Pro from work and I instantly loved it!

Sorry if I'm asking silly questions, but Macs are new for me.

1. Can I leave the iMac on all the time? That's what I do with my PCs now; just leave them running. Will this cause any problems down the road?

2. More than likely I'm going to wait until Macworld 2009 is over before buying anything, but I work for a University and I can get some really great deals now. Should I just bite the bullet, chance it, and buy now?

3. Reading through some posts, I have noticed people complaining about the iMac screen and having to return them because of dead pixels and color issues. What things should I look for to make certain that I have a "good" screen?

Thanks in advance!

Hi!!

1. Yes you can... heck, I left my MBP on all the time and it works fine

2. You can get refurbished one... I believe the model you want (24", 3.06GHz, 4GB RAM, 1TB Drive) is selling for $1899 but with 2GB RAM and 500GB HDD... however, the RAM can easily be upgraded by buying more from Newegg.com and the HDD can be extended using external HDD.

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6341/picture5ct9.png

Now, one rule of thumb is that I will never EVER EVER EVER upgrade RAM from Apple store because they definitely overcharge for it... ($200+ lol) I get 2x2GB for $60 from newegg.com shipped.

You mentioned you want to wait until Macworld 2009 to upgrade... I say no... There will be Macbook and Macbook Pro upgrade later this month (October 14th) but I doubt there will be MAJOR iMac upgrade... I would suspect a speed bump and or graphic card upgrade during this October event. Otherwise, this event "should" be dedicated to MB and MBP like many in rumor mills have been saying.

Unless you want the latest and greatest everytime, just grab the refurbished one for $1899 + tax NOW because it's a great deal and again please do not get the 4GB from Apple... it's a RIPOFF!!

Otherwise, you can wait until the October event or Macworld to see what new options you can get... By the way, the refurbished I showed you there, the first one is the older gen whereas the last 2 are the current gen

3. I believe the color issues only affects some fraction of people... I believe most commonly in the 20" model since it's using TN panel as opposed to a better panel that the 24" model is using

Enjoy and again, no RAM from Apple!!!!

[erat]

Thanks for all the information. Very helpful.

[bflowers]

welcome to the Mac.

That said, I would not pay for RAM from Apple. It is easily upgraded, and you can save several hundred buying quality RAM from a 3rd party supplier. I would recommend one that I have used for years, but am not sure it is allowed. Spend that money on the biggest hard drive and processor speed.

[akdj]

Recent Mac convert...PC's for 20 years! Actually, first computer was an Apple 2E, than the X86 families through PC's.

My wife and I switched last year (April 2007) and I will NEVER own a PC again. We now have 5 Macs in the house (we own a sound/lighting/video company). We have two laptops (MB and MBP) and I just recently bought an iMac. Don't really need the MBP anymore! I bought a 20" iMac and an iLugger carrying case...it's nice to be able to use the 3.5" drives and have a semi-portable package with the iMac for what we do. Also, the more powerful processors compared with the notebooks.

You're going to wonder why you waited so long. Maybe, October 14th is justifiable...but NOT next year!

Take care

J

[musukosan]

Recent Mac convert...PC's for 20 years! Actually, first computer was an Apple 2E, than the X86 families through PC's.

My wife and I switched last year (April 2007) and I will NEVER own a PC again. We now have 5 Macs in the house (we own a sound/lighting/video company). We have two laptops (MB and MBP) and I just recently bought an iMac. Don't really need the MBP anymore! I bought a 20" iMac and an iLugger carrying case...it's nice to be able to use the 3.5" drives and have a semi-portable package with the iMac for what we do. Also, the more powerful processors compared with the notebooks.

You're going to wonder why you waited so long. Maybe, October 14th is justifiable...but NOT next year!

Take care

J

I don't know why, but I think I will wait until MW09 if nothing comes out this month. (And I'm really not expecting anything this month). I don't NEED a new computer. But I want a faster, more updated machine (my two laptops are 2 and 5 years old). But I REALLY REALLY want an iMac. I've waited this long, I think I can wait until January. I think.:o

But then again, what if I do wait until January and still nothing comes out and I loose patience and buy one and then the next month something DOES come out.... oh the torture never ends...:confused:

[Dan04MCS]

Linux user for 10 years and a XP user for games. After putting leopard on my intel box I fell in love with the Leopard OS. Purchased one of the refurbished 24" 2.4 ghz Imac from Apple and I am as happy as could be. The machine works great the screen is awesome, no defects that I can see. Have it dual booting into XP when I need my BF2 and BF2142 fix.

Dan

[akdj]

"But I want a faster, more updated machine"

For what?

Doesn't matter which iMac you choose. They can all run every program available to the public today...and run them well! Hell, I can run MS Flight Sim quicker (better frame rates) on an iMac 3.06 than a Windows Quad Core system, both with the same Nvidia cards. Both on Vista.

The Mac Pro that I own is starving for software that can take advantage of its power. It's overkill for what's available. Maybe that will change with Snow Leopard and more concentration on multi-core programming....but right now, and for the forseeable future, the power of the iMacs is not lacking. You will not be disappointed if you buy now. I think I can speak from experience. I bought a new iMac just a couple of weeks ago. After thinking all summer about purchasing one for my business, I did. In fact, I bought the basic 20" Bumped the RAM and HD capacity and couldn't be happier. Definitely, for what I need it for, it's more than adequate...and I own a dual quad core 3ghz Mac Pro. I am surprised at how snappy the performance is in the iMac. I am loading Final Cut Pro this weekend, as it is a computer for off load in the field and for clients to view raw footage on video shoots. This may be a bit more taxing on the system, but I doubt it...as I have a MBP from 2007 (2.2g, 15") and it handles video perfectly....and we are transferring 1080p at a gig a minute (storage wise). We do store the footage on external drives, but the computer is in between.

My point to this diatribe is if you want one now, can afford one now, get one now....well, maybe wait at least til next Tuesday, as that is the rumor around here:) Course, there is always another Tuesday...and the hardware is well in advance of the software:)

Take care

Jer

[stkflote]

i switched from a pc to a imac, but i find it very difficult
i have to say a pc is very easy compared to a apple imac,
for instance its not easy to uninstall programmes it can be hard to install progs as wel ,i find font colouring hard its also harder to copy and paste, im self taught can find loads places to teach about pc,s but none about a mac

[Shownarou]

i switched from a pc to a imac, but i find it very difficult
i have to say a pc is very easy compared to a apple imac,
for instance its not easy to uninstall programmes it can be hard to install progs as wel ,i find font colouring hard its also harder to copy and paste, im self taught can find loads places to teach about pc,s but none about a mac

Difficult to uninstall? To uninstall a program you just delete it from the Applications folder, if you're having trouble with it leaving stuff behind you can drop it into a program like appzapper. Installing is exactly the opposite, drop the application in the Applications folder. I don't understand what the problem is. Copying and pasting is done just like on a PC, except that you use the command key, instead of control.

[rfruth]

138581

[stkflote]

been trying to uninstall scanner so i can try and reinstall it ,but it wont uninstall its on a imac 20in just about 9 months old and to be honest i do find it difficult ,no such thing as computers when i was at school :(:(

[stkflote]

[QUOTE=Shownarou;6373918]Difficult to uninstall? To please tell me how to delete from application ,ive just tried it clicked on on it nothing happens l it doesnt even say delete

[Shownarou]

[QUOTE=Shownarou;6373918]Difficult to uninstall? To please tell me how to delete from application ,ive just tried it clicked on on it nothing happens l it doesnt even say delete

You can click and hold on the application, and drag it to the trash can. It's located in the far right hand side of the dock.

[akdj]

LOL...The first week I had my Mac Book (wife's) last Spring, I was going nuts, totally frustrated trying to uninstall a program. I finally went back to the store I purchased it from and asked the dude that sold it to me.

"Just drop the program in the trash"...Salesman

"That's it?"...Me

"Yep...might want to empty the trash too, but that's it!"...Dude that knows Mac

"No uninstall programs, no dialog boxes, no "add/unistalll programs" in the control panel like XP" Me

"No...just throw it in the trash...makes sense, right!" Mac Guru

"Yes, sure does....huh...I'll call you soon:))" Me

Just drop it in the trash stkflot. Any remnants you find, throw them away too. Kind of easy if you ask me. ESPECIALLY compared to Windows. I have been a convert for 15 months. I bought the yellow/black book, OSX for Dummies....read it over a weekend in front of my Mac. You don't need to read the whole thing....as you get deeper into the machine, you'll find it to be more and more intuitive. Obviously, there is a bit of a learning curve, but like the Mac Guru told me....Everything is dyslexic on the Mac compared to PC. Enough to get me started. Setting up peripherals in my world has been just as easy. Course, I bought a new printer at the same time I was doing my Mac purchases....a nice Wireless HP that was recognized immediately on the network by all of my machines (including PC's)_ Again, we (wife, I and a couple of P/T creative employees) share a (our) Home office:) My Macs immediately recognized the network with my Linksys Wireless b/g router (about 3 years old), my 8 year old Microsoft Sidewinder joystick. A game pad controller, etc. You get my point. I have never had issues with my Macs, especially compared to the PC world. The only time I have EVER received a kernel panic was when I unplugged something that the directions specifically told me NOT to unplug while in operation. 14 months, 4 Macs (two notebooks, iMac, and Pro) and a 23"ACD and not ONE problem.

I did drop my iPhone at 2:30pm last week and they had me a replacement FedEx'ed to my office at 10am the next morning.

I find my experience with Apple so far, again, being completely ignorant as a 20 year PC user....my experience has been fascinating! Seriously...I cannot believe how everything I have purchased has just "worked!" They don't even send much of a manual with their gear...Hell, the iPhone only has a 8 or 10 page color pull-out:)

Good Luck for me, for sure. I am (obviously) sold 100% on Mac products. The commercials got me to try, why in the world did I wait!

Jeremy

[Topher15]

Read Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual.

You can preview it at Google books: http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Kq-Eqmvb8B8C&printsec=frontcover

The general rule however is this: don't use a Mac as if you were using Windows. I'm guessing many of the problems switchers have is trying to do things the 'Windows way', and when that does always work, think the Mac isn't very good. Once you figure out the 'Mac way' you will usually find it much easier.

[Richard.John]

Windows users can't see the wood for the trees. I had the same trouble upon getting my new iMac. I thought installs were too simple, surely I needed to do more than just copy/drag them to the apps folder. I quickly learned the Apple way. :D