Help with new purchase

[Foozle]

Hi,

My first post to this forum and have not owned a mac before, although my first computer back in the day was an Apple 2. I've been dos/windows since then but am now interested in trying the Mac.

I'm interested in converting a bunch of old videos into DVDs and am pretty heavy into gaming. Cost isn't a big concern, but don't want to spend more than $3000. I'm planning on the following and would like any suggetions/comments:

IMac 24 inch, 3.06 ghz intel duo core
wired keyboard/wireless mouse
4gb memory
1 terabyte hard drive
Nvidia GEforce 8800
Applecare protection plan
free printer (after rebate)

Total is right at $3,000. Anything I should consider before pulling the trigger?

Thanks in advance,

Foozle

 

[Tallest Skil]

Welcome to MacRumors. Don't buy the RAM from Apple.

 

[Foozle]

Welcome to MacRumors. Don't buy the RAM from Apple.

Is this because of cost or quality?

 

[Tallest Skil]

Cost, of course, the quality's as good as gold. Buy from OWC.

 

[Foozle]

Cost, of course, the quality's as good as gold. Buy from OWC.

Thanks for the input. How about the hard drive upgrade? When I spoke with the tech person at apple they said the hard drive in the Imac isn't really user swappable, so I'd void the warranty if I tried that.

The memory is user swappable, and the cost difference is around $130, so worth considering I suppose.

 

[DaveF]

I suggest budgeting for an external hard drive for Time Machine (or other backup system).

You'll also need a copy of Windows XP to install into BootCamp for your games.

How heavy into gaming are you? In you're "hard core", you play daily, etc., you should rethink getting a Mac. For gaming specifically, I think your $3000 would buy a much faster PC. And you'll have to reboot into and out of Windows when you play games. I do this; it's not a huge thing. But if I was a chronic gamer, it might be overly annoying in the long run.

 

[Foozle]

I suggest budgeting for an external hard drive for Time Machine (or other backup system).

You'll also need a copy of Windows XP to install into BootCamp for your games.

How heavy into gaming are you? In you're "hard core", you play daily, etc., you should rethink getting a Mac. For gaming specifically, I think your $3000 would buy a much faster PC. And you'll have to reboot into and out of Windows when you play games. I do this; it's not a huge thing. But if I was a chronic gamer, it might be overly annoying in the long run.

Most of my gaming is on mainstream games that have Mac versions (world of warcraft, etc.), so the rebooting shouldn't be an issue. I looked at similarly specced Dells and they are pretty equivalent in price. Also, I'm pretty set on trying out a Mac since I've used PCs so long I want to see what the other side has to offer. Also, XP crashes a lot and Vista scares me.

Thanks!

 

[DaveF]

Most of my gaming is on mainstream games that have Mac versions (world of warcraft, etc.), so the rebooting shouldn't be an issue. I looked at similarly specced Dells and they are pretty equivalent in price. Also, I'm pretty set on trying out a Mac since I've used PCs so long I want to see what the other side has to offer. Also, XP crashes a lot and Vista scares me.

Thanks!

I thought you might play games like Bioshock, for which there is no Mac version. I just played through the Half Life 2 Orange Box via BootCamp (again, no Mac version) -- it works fine, but it's a bother.

As for PC specs -- for $3000, you can definitely buy a better gaming PC than the equivalent iMac. In particular you can get a much better video card. I'm a modest gamer (I'm replaying Diablo II, I'm so out of date ) and my MacBook Pro runs Half Life 2 perfectly. For a "hardcore" gamer, I'm convinced a PC is better solution. But if your games have Mac version, all the better.

As for Windows XP crashing -- there's something off with your system. Simply put, XP is as stable as OS X. I use it daily at work, running 10+ applications and it never crashes (and my coworkers would tell the same tale). I use it via Parallels and BootCamp on my Mac and it never crashes.

I don't want to dissuade you. I "switched" last summer for home use, and it's great. No regrets. I play my games. I do my finances, email, etc. If you want a Mac, go for it!