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Buying an iMac, what do I need?
- Thread starter sammyman
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mkrishnan
Moderator emeritus
Sammy, OS X has pretty broad support for accessories, but you will save yourself a lot of headaches if you shop from these lists:
Printers: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/printers.html
and if you want to run your printer wirelessly using Airport Extreme or Airport Express, use this smaller list: (oops, that seems to be gone...if I find it, I will add it to this thread).
Phones and other devices for iSync: http://www.apple.com/isync/devices.html
Scanners: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/scanners.html
Cameras that work with iPhoto: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/cameras.html
Devices not on the list sometimes work, but may not. For instance the printer at my parents home was not on the airport wireless printing list, but it configured without any issues. But the lists will keep you safer....
Printers: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/printers.html
and if you want to run your printer wirelessly using Airport Extreme or Airport Express, use this smaller list: (oops, that seems to be gone...if I find it, I will add it to this thread).
Phones and other devices for iSync: http://www.apple.com/isync/devices.html
Scanners: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/scanners.html
Cameras that work with iPhoto: http://www.apple.com/macosx/upgrade/cameras.html
Devices not on the list sometimes work, but may not. For instance the printer at my parents home was not on the airport wireless printing list, but it configured without any issues. But the lists will keep you safer....
If you are getting a G5 iMac the first thing you need to do is WAIT! There are rumors of an update in early to mid April. Just rumors, but it would suck to buy a machine now and have updates come out a week or two later.
MUST-HAVE: More memory. Buy it from a third party, not from Apple. It is absolutely essential to the usability of the machine. I would suggest picking up at least one 512 MB module. Those are down to $50 or $60 these days.
noel4r said:
I agree. Wait for the update and Tiger. Add Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse, Airport Extreme, upgrade to one or two 512MB RAM modules. If you don't have wireless, get Airport Express for wireless printing and Airtunes. It will be a great machine.
lasuther
noel4r said:
I will need wireless, but bluetooth? What devices do you all hook up with bluetooth?
Artful Dodger
macrumors 68020
If you want a wireless keyboard and mouse, cell phones and a pda for starters. I'm sure more will come out in the near future.
sammyman said:
The most important reason to get bluetooth is because you can't add it internally later. That is the biggest regret I have with my iBook. I wish I ordered it with bluetooth so I could get a bluetooth mouse and cell phone.
lasuther
sammyman said:
MAX out your RAM, and your iMac WILL love it! Bluetooth is a nice function, but do you have anything Bluetooth? I believe iMacs come with a mouse & keyboard, so you don't have to worry about a Bluetooth M & KB.
Airport card will cut down on the wire clutter, but if this will be your main computer, you might wanna just use your ethernet port to connect to the internet. Also, with the Airport card, you'll need a wireless router.
Most printers will work via USB cable.
And get AppleCare.
Take care!