Former Microsoft employee leaving PC behind, moving to a Mac, need advice

digitalduck · Dec 27, 2012, 05:08 PM

Hi guys! So long story short, I used to work at Microsoft, build my own pcs and love most things Microsoft. That was before I had my 3Gs, ipod touch, Iphone 4 and now Iphone 5. I am getting too much into the ecosystem that I have decided to leave my pc behind and move towards and Imac. However, that is where I am still a newbie in selecting the proper system. I haven’t had a mac since my old LC3. Anyway, I currently have a 24” Dell monitor that is more widescreen then the 24” Imac monitor. I feel that I would benefit more from the 27” because I want to do a lot of video editing etc. and the 24” looks more square. Iwould only have about 1100 to spend so it would have to be craigslist or ebay. I would look for one that still has apple care on it of course. So my question I guess is for basic video editing and streaming to AppleTV would I need a quad core or could I get by with a duo core? Also what happened to Idvd? How can I still get it? Any other system specs to make sure I look out for?

Thanks!!

forty2j · Dec 27, 2012, 05:17 PM

24" iMacs haven't been made since summer 2009. Anything recent is 21.5" or 27", and are all 16:9 widescreen (same as your monitor).

To stream from iMac to Apple TV, you need at least a 2011 model.

bobfitz14 · Dec 27, 2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalduck

So my question I guess is for basic video editing and streaming to AppleTV would I need a quad core or could I get by with a duo core?

You could probably get by with a duo core if you increase the RAM. Going from 4gb RAM to 8gb would be a big performance jump and not too costly, whereas upgrading the processor can be a more pricey.

Quote:

Also what happened to Idvd? How can I still get it?

My MacBook Pro is running version 10.8.2 of OS X and I still have iDVD so I'm not sure what you're referring to here. It still exists as far as I can tell...

Quote:

Any other system specs to make sure I look out for?

A lot of hard drive space would be necessary if you plan on doing video editing or the like. Media (referring to more than just mp3 files) tends to take up a lot of hard drive space so it's nice to have a lot at hand.

Also, having a nice graphics card will help speed up video editing, but I'm not too informed on recent iMac choices because I've been falling behind on hardware updates so maybe someone else could help you here.

MeFromHere · Dec 27, 2012, 05:32 PM

iDVD has been discontinued for a few years, along with iWeb. The rest of the traditional iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band) are still available and are still bundled with new Macs.

I don't think Apple sell iDVD at all any more. You can probably find a used copy on eBay or somewhere. If you have an older Mac that had iDVD, it still works if you upgrade the OS to the latest version, I think.

digitalduck · Dec 27, 2012, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobfitz14

My MacBook Pro is running version 10.8.2 of OS X and I still have iDVD so I'm not sure what you're referring to here. It still exists as far as I can tell...

Hmm, I was informed that the newest versions of Ilife no longer contained Idvd, if that was wrong then that would be great. At least maybe they meant it didnt come bundled and you had to buy ilife seperate?

sounddesigner · 06:59 PM

Have u tried the mac app store for a refurbished model they have 21" with quad core that seems nice for the budget also with refurb straight from apple u can buy apple care so u will have a three year warranty and since u will be doing video editing I would recommend spending all of your budget on it since video can be intensive on every part of your computer

bobfitz14 · Dec 27, 2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalduck

Hmm, I was informed that the newest versions of Ilife no longer contained Idvd, if that was wrong then that would be great. At least maybe they meant it didnt come bundled and you had to buy ilife seperate?

I noticed that iDVD isn't in the "OS X built-in apps" on Apple's website so you may be correct, however I don't think that should be a deciding factor. Not sure why you're concerned about iDVD specifically, however I am absolutely positive you would be able to find an app (whether developed by Apple or 3rd party in the Mac App Store) that works just as good if not better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sounddesigner

Have u tried the mac app store for a refurbished model they have 21" with quad core that seems nice for the budget also with refurb straight from apple u can buy apple care so u will have a three year warranty and since u will be doing video editing I would recommend spending all of your budget on it since video can be intensive on every part of your computer

What he said about buying refurb from Apple. It seems like a very reliable option considering the process they use to refurb machines and the warranty refurbs come with.

biggd · Dec 27, 2012, 10:08 PM

Hey buddy!
I miss building my own PC's, I hope you enjoy your new Mac.
I would encourage you to go to bestbuy or the apple store and try different macs out to get a good feel. Some times I feel like the 27" is too big. But every Mac size has its own "feel".

Question: have you used macs before? What do you think of Mac os? What do you think of Windows 8? Annnnnd what do you think of app stores?

digitalduck · Dec 28, 2012, 08:47 AM

Yes, had a Mac 512k enhanced like 28 years ago and stopped at a Mac LC3. When I had a PC I even had a doc program that simulated the Mac doc at the bottom. Not liking windwos 8 with a non touch screen interface. Since I have a 24" inch now i think the 21 would be too small but at least it keeps the widescreen feel. Also since they stopped the 24" it seems like the 27 would be the way to go, just need a bigger budget. However ill try the 21 and see how it feels lol

Also I wanted idvd, because they have a nice baby template for authoring some movies of my daughter that I seem to like when I saw it.

Dec 27, 2012, 05:08 PM	#1
digitalduck macrumors regular Join Date: May 2008	Former Microsoft employee leaving PC behind, moving to a Mac, need advice Hi guys! So long story short, I used to work at Microsoft, build my own pcs and love most things Microsoft. That was before I had my 3Gs, ipod touch, Iphone 4 and now Iphone 5. I am getting too much into the ecosystem that I have decided to leave my pc behind and move towards and Imac. However, that is where I am still a newbie in selecting the proper system. I haven’t had a mac since my old LC3. Anyway, I currently have a 24” Dell monitor that is more widescreen then the 24” Imac monitor. I feel that I would benefit more from the 27” because I want to do a lot of video editing etc. and the 24” looks more square. Iwould only have about 1100 to spend so it would have to be craigslist or ebay. I would look for one that still has apple care on it of course. So my question I guess is for basic video editing and streaming to AppleTV would I need a quad core or could I get by with a duo core? Also what happened to Idvd? How can I still get it? Any other system specs to make sure I look out for? Thanks!!
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 05:17 PM	#2
forty2j macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NJ	24" iMacs haven't been made since summer 2009. Anything recent is 21.5" or 27", and are all 16:9 widescreen (same as your monitor). To stream from iMac to Apple TV, you need at least a 2011 model. __________________  2012 iMac 3.2GHz 27" 680MX Fusion  iPhone 5  Apple TV 2  iPad 2 
	0

Dec 27, 2012, 06:50 PM	#6
sounddesigner macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2012	Have u tried the mac app store for a refurbished model they have 21" with quad core that seems nice for the budget also with refurb straight from apple u can buy apple care so u will have a three year warranty and since u will be doing video editing I would recommend spending all of your budget on it since video can be intensive on every part of your computer Last edited by sounddesigner; Dec 27, 2012 at 06:59 PM.
	0

Dec 27, 2012, 10:08 PM	#8
biggd macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Calgary	Hey buddy! I miss building my own PC's, I hope you enjoy your new Mac. I would encourage you to go to bestbuy or the apple store and try different macs out to get a good feel. Some times I feel like the 27" is too big. But every Mac size has its own "feel". Question: have you used macs before? What do you think of Mac os? What do you think of Windows 8? Annnnnd what do you think of app stores? __________________ 2007 iMac 24", 240GB SSD, 4GB ---- iPhone 4, 16GB As a PC tech I promise your Mac will run faster, longer & safer than a PC http://www.ifixit.com/Manifesto
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Dec 27, 2012, 05:32 PM	#4
MeFromHere macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	iDVD has been discontinued for a few years, along with iWeb. The rest of the traditional iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, Garage Band) are still available and are still bundled with new Macs. I don't think Apple sell iDVD at all any more. You can probably find a used copy on eBay or somewhere. If you have an older Mac that had iDVD, it still works if you upgrade the OS to the latest version, I think.
	0

Dec 28, 2012, 08:47 AM	#9
digitalduck Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: May 2008	Yes, had a Mac 512k enhanced like 28 years ago and stopped at a Mac LC3. When I had a PC I even had a doc program that simulated the Mac doc at the bottom. Not liking windwos 8 with a non touch screen interface. Since I have a 24" inch now i think the 21 would be too small but at least it keeps the widescreen feel. Also since they stopped the 24" it seems like the 27 would be the way to go, just need a bigger budget. However ill try the 21 and see how it feels lol Also I wanted idvd, because they have a nice baby template for authoring some movies of my daughter that I seem to like when I saw it.
	0