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iMac 20" or a PC?

P

paetrick

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 11, 2007
193
0
My desktop PC crashed today, So my thinking "I will get a new computer when I'm 100% certain on what to buy", but now - I have nothing, and I need a new one fast !

So here's my choices !
(The prices is high because I don't live in the Us /If you are wondering

-------------
PC - 1 380 dollar (3 Years warranty)
Intel core 2 Duo 2.4 Ghz
2 GB ram
320 GB harddrive
DVD burner
Gainward GeForce 8600GT 256MB GDDR3
(Windows vista)

iMac 20" 2.4 Ghz - 1750 dollar (1 Year warranty)
Intel core 2 Duo 2.4 Ghz
1 GB ram
320 GB harddrive
Dvd burner
ATI 2600 PRO

--------------------
PC - Postivite
Upgradeable
Great graphics
Better specs
MUCH cheaper
Better warranty
Cold components :) (Last longer)

PC - Negative
Probably loud
Not good looking
No screen (I already have one though)
Windows Vista

iMac - Positive
iSight
Mic
Very good looking
Silent
Mac Os x

iMac - Negative
Can't upgrade
Very warm (the harddrive will probably die within first year)
Screen isn't that great (which probably wont bother me, as I've always had TN displays (and will if I go with the pc as well)
Support and warranty - In my country apple is probably the most lousy support company of them all.

Use:
I will probably not play that many intensive games, so if the computer can handle games like Unreal tour 2003 without going under 30fps I'm happy.
- I guess both will handle this ;)

It will be used both as a main computer and be connected to an external 40" 1080p tv (used as htpc when watching movies)
- iMac will probably be a better choice as it's very silent

Random things such as chatting/surfing/some video and photo editing.
- Both will handle this great.

--------------------------------
Hmm, which one should I buy =/?
 
paetrick said:
Because it often does when you use it often and the temp is 50-60 C
Click to expand...

One of the biggest causes of failure in hard drives is air conditioning. When the air conditioning turns on it causes a monentary spike in the power lines which can cause damage over time to your hard drive.

The other major cause of failure is damage due to mishandling.

Heat isn't really a problem unless it's really hot!
 
flopticalcube said:
Ask yourself honestly, will you ever want to upgrade? What would you upgrade if you did? Do you want a better graphics card when the rest of the machine is 2 or 3 years old? Is noise and space a problem for you?
Click to expand...

What would you do? :p
 
I would go with the PC if you are looking to upgrade and are price conscious. You already have a screen and gone are the days of the beige box (more or less.)

If you have a lot of money to spend then get the mac - I'm sure it will serve you well.

Sounds like both are suitable for what you want to use it for.
 
flopticalcube said:
I have done the PC route to death. I am sick of upgrading old hardware with a new part. Something else always breaks. My personal time is too valuable to spend repairing a PC, installing drivers, updating software, etc. I would go for the iMac but I'm not you.
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough i've never had your problems. If i ever needed to upgrade a driver i did so of my own volition. Never had to repair any PC of mine unless i did something funky which would probably also break an iMac.

Updating software on the other hand? Doesn't a mac do this too?

Last but not least... it is possible to buy a PC and not actually upgrade it. You can keep the same one for 3 years and then chuck it for a new one.
 
TBi said:
Interestingly enough i've never had your problems. If i ever needed to upgrade a driver i did so of my own volition. Never had to repair any PC of mine unless i did something funky which would probably also break an iMac.

Updating software on the other hand? Doesn't a mac do this too?

Last but not least... it is possible to buy a PC and not actually upgrade it. You can keep the same one for 3 years and then chuck it for a new one.
Click to expand...

Then you have had a better PC experience than my last 20 years of hell. :D

Macs do update but its automatic for the most part and things rarely break when it happens.

Your last point is, of course, valid but then the ability to upgrade should not be considered as a positive. It is moot.
 
I bought my mom a Gateway PC last year, and it's slow as hell. I think Gateway packaged a little too much with their Media Center PC's and that's the reason why it is so slow. I'm very computer savvy, so I have no problem upgrading it to work better. I put 2 GB of RAM into it instead in place of the original 512 MB and it runs decently now. The way I see it, most home computer companies build their computers to run slowly or require more upgrades, Apple doesn't do that, at least from what I can see.

With that said, I would suggest going for a iMac 20". Don't forget that the video card included is HD. And that you won't even need to upgrade it for a few years, and the most you would probably upgrade even then would be the RAM, right? Apple's don't need to be upgraded to work properly, and in 5-6 years when you need a RAM upgrade, I'm sure it won't cause you too much trouble to upgrade it then.
 
faust said:
and in 5-6 years when you need a RAM upgrade, I'm sure it won't cause you too much trouble to upgrade it then.
Click to expand...

Where are you going to buy ram for it in 5-6 years time?

I find it downright impossible to buy SDR Dimms these days!
 
I'm not sure why you are here asking us. You have already made a list of your own Pros/Cons. Decide for yourself. Look into your heart, but is it telling you?

TS
 
paetrick said:
Because it often does when you use it often and the temp is 50-60 C
Click to expand...

If Apple support is really bad in your country, then you probably should not get a Mac. If the Mac hard drive fails, you are done, because you cannot fix an iMac yourself.

If you can install a hard drive in a PC, then you can be quickly running again after a failure. If not, you still have PC support in your country.
 
paetrick said:
My desktop PC crashed today
Click to expand...

Use:
I will probably not play that many intensive games, so if the computer can handle games like Unreal tour 2003 without going under 30fps I'm happy.
- I guess both will handle this ;)

It will be used both as a main computer and be connected to an external 40" 1080p tv (used as htpc when watching movies)
- iMac will probably be a better choice as it's very silent

Random things such as chatting/surfing/some video and photo editing.
- Both will handle this great.
Click to expand...

Have you considered the mini???

Looking at your above concerns and requirements, it seems like it should definately be considered.

Good luck!
 
iMoney said:
Have you considered the mini???

Looking at your above concerns and requirements, it seems like it should definately be considered.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

You are overestimating mini's gaming capabilities.

I have basically the same hardware MacBook and I cannot say it can maintain 30+ fps in UT2004. Of course it can, but on low graphics in a simple 1v1 map.
 
I've used computers for longer than I can remember (First ones being the Xerox 820 and Xerox Star).

I have found that if you treat a computer right, they will take care of you. If you don't, your life will be much more painful. It all comes down to a few factors:
1)Aesthetics (Hardware and Software)
2)Ease of use (which OS matches your way of thinking)
3)Patience and diligence to perform maintenance/virus protection as needed. This is arguably more of a pain on Windows, but some care is still needed on OS X.

I will most likely buy Macs from now on, as I know that I am more productive and relaxed on them. I will also be able to run all my Windows based programs on them as needed.

:)
 
Coprolite said:
I have found that if you treat a computer right, they will take care of you. If you don't, your life will be much more painful. It all comes down to a few factors:
1)Aesthetics (Hardware and Software)
2)Ease of use (which OS matches your way of thinking)
3)Patience and diligence to perform maintenance/virus protection as needed. This is arguably more of a pain on Windows, but some care is still needed on OS X.
Click to expand...

QFT but you also have to remember that as well as treating the computer right you also have to buy the right hardware. Buying crappy SiS and Via chipsets can lead to a world of hurt.
 
Oii! You forgot to factor in the value of a very good 20" screen for your PC!

Also, macs have cool factor.. Which....You cant put a price on :D

Ah!!! Also, mac osx is totally different from XP yar =)

But really, since this is a mac orientated forum, you ain't gonnna get very fair opinions =x
 
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