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iMac or Dell - I can't decide...

Something else to consider when comparing any version of Windows with OS X is the feeling that you always get (well, I certainly do) after a few months that Windows is starting to get bloated and you feel the need to wipe the hard drive and start again with a fresh install.

At work I was given a new Dell laptop last november (I develop software in .Net for my sins!) and here we are in May and it's had that much crap installed that already I'm wishing I could start over. Yet at home I have a 2 year old 20" core duo iMac that feels as fresh as the day I unwrapped it and considering you can get an iMac that's a lot faster and considerably cheaper than the £1600 I paid, I still feel it was worth every penny.
 
gazfocus said:
Yeah, I did notice that the Mac Pro worked out cheaper than the Dell. My only concern is, I know alot about PC's (I'm an IT Support Techie) but some of the issues with RAM and Mac Pro's confuse me, such as why you can only use very specific RAM, etc.....normally VERY expensive RAM too.
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Because its server/workstation RAM. Fully buffered, ECC. Its not Apple's fault, that type of RAM is required to use Xeon processors. All other Xeon/Opteron workstations (not desktop pc's, workstations) use the same RAM.
 
Well, what are you going to do with the computer? The specs on that Dell sound nice, but are you enough of a "power user" for those extra processors/HD space/graphics power to mean anything?

Unless you do some pretty serious heavy lifting with either pro apps or games, the imac is going to be more than enough power already, so that nice quad core will go to waste.

On the other hand, no matter what you do, Leopard is going to be a much nicer experience than Vista.

My opinion is that for most users, the OS and surrounding applications make a far bigger difference in the overall computer experience than the hardware because these days, processing power on even decently specced computers far outpaces what the average user needs.
 
richthomas said:
"We think most people will buy the Ultimate version…"



true that.

get an iMac. i guarantee youll be happy with it unless you need multiple hard drives, PCI-e slots, 2 x desktop cpus -> then get a Mac Pro.

"Once you go Mac you never go back."
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Not true. I went back because after 4 years I gave up on the idea of Apple ever releasing a mid-tower. I might buy a psystar system next year if they still exist.
 
Dustman said:
Not true. I went back because after 4 years I gave up on the idea of Apple ever releasing a mid-tower. I might buy a psystar system next year if they still exist.
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yea i have no idea why apply is not selling to this market! I am sure once they make a expandable, mid size tower... their sales are going to sky rocket (even more so than now!) I would definite buy it... (hopefully they announce something like that this june ... very unlikely though :apple:!!! c'mon)


OH BTW

32bit vista only recogonizes 3326MB of ram (of a total of 4GB).... even with many games running i still have yet to run the 2.7GB mark in ram usage.... so 3gb of ram is more than enough
 
my top reasons for buying a Mac vs. PC

1. macs get less viruses, so if you leave your laptop at work or whatever it wont be dead by the time you get back.

2. its LINUX based, its the most stable and secure thing in the world.

3. better hardware, we dont need all that BS, if you can find a game that rums on mac and pc and put an 8800 series card in the PC and an x1900 card in the mac it will look just as good becuase we use OpenGL NOT DirectX. DirectX is a memory hog, you dont need a gig of ram just to run openGL.

4. Faster: 8 core Mac Pro nuff said

5. Better Resale value, some G4 macs sell for higher than some brand new PC's

6. it runs Windows, so if you absolutely NEED it you CAN run it.
only a small percent of hardcore gamers tweak their machines to get everything they can out of it, but for the casual gamer macs are fine.

7. 64 bit, top to bottom, cant get that for PC unless you fork up $400 for vista ultimate. 64 bit OSX Leopard $129.95

8. its just easier to use
 
You also need to consider something else..

How much time do you spend 'fixing' windows, multiply that by what you think your time is worth per hour and add that to the price of the Dell.

Yes, spec for spec a lot of the Mac's seem expensive, but throw in OSX and it suddenly doesn't seem as expensive.

The OS is probably the main reason why most of us use (and love!) macs. (how many times have you heard people raving about their new Asus laptop?)

Its a joy to use and I'm an order of magnitude more productive on one. Give it a month or so to make the switch and I guarantee you won't be going back..
 
st9046 said:
However...I can get a Dell desktop for £100.00 (about $200.00) less, and it has quad core processor, larger L2 cache, double the graphics memory and much bigger hard drive. (I'd buy an iMac with 2GB memory.)
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Vista is going to eat up more of that extra hard disk and eat up double the RAM OSX uses and still perform slower if your Vista computer is gonna be anything like what I am using right now. In that sense getting more hardware for the same price is a bit of a mirage. Does it matter whether you have more hardware in your box if it is slower (and prabably more loud) in the end? It seems I either pay for the hadware with the inefficient OS or pay more for a better OS, but end up with lower specced hardware.
 
I have the answer you have been seeking ;

Buy from the heart and the head - buy a mac : grow to love your computer, be creative, be happy.

Buy from some outdated concept of computing based on 'how things were 5-10 years ago' - buy a PC : grow to hate your computer, become apathetic (like most PC users), become angry , lose creativity, become miserable.
 
I switched in Feb '07, and so far I'm absolutely loving it.

After 6 months with a new Windows machine, I was already starting to look forward to my next one. Not dying for one, but kinda sorta wishing time would pass quicker, so the time for a new one would come. Why? Because my Windows machines all showed noticeable signs of slowing down by 6 months. It was actually much faster than that (1-2 months), but it started to hurt a little by 6 months. My supercomputers (I've never been shy about over-spending on computers) turned into average machines way too fast.

The reason: A bazilion little DLL files scattered about, and a bloated registry.

My Mac is still as fast as it was the day I took it out of the box and plugged it in. Rather than looking forward to the day I'll be able to replace it, I'm hoping I can live with this one for many years. Of course, the software companies will come out with new versions that make my current machine obsolete eventually, but, for now, it's a fantastic experience.
 
Don't forget to check the UK refurb store. Gooood deals on the last models, that might make things more equal between the two as far as price at least.

If you'd have to upgrade the ram to 2gb don't do it through apple - get a 2 or 4gb kit online (you can find them for 70 US dollars here i know) and install it yourself. Takes about 3 min and 2 screws to take out :) Much cheaper then through apple, although the 24 inch of the new models come with 2 already.

Go mac. The OS is amazing and far less of a resource hog then windows (especially vista) easy to use, great for media, great for kids... and you can always run windows too if you need it later.
 
surferfromuk said:
I have the answer you have been seeking ;

Buy from the heart and the head - buy a mac : grow to love your computer, be creative, be happy.

Buy from some outdated concept of computing based on 'how things were 5-10 years ago' - buy a PC : grow to hate your computer, become apathetic (like most PC users), become angry , lose creativity, become miserable.
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:)much better answer than mine:rolleyes::apple::apple:
 
Thanks everyone for the really interesting and thought-provoking postings.

Some stuff really hadn't occurred to me, like how well Macs hold resale value and how much of that extra PC spec Vista will use up anyway. It's true it's unlikely I would benefit from quad-core. The most resource-intensive activity I'll be doing will be recording music but until recently I was doing that on a 10 year old Pentium 2 ! Garageband really sells me too. The music-based peripherals I have all work with Mac so there's no problem.

The security aspects are very appealing too. Even though I've not experienced virus problems I am always nervous about doing financial stuff online in case there's some Spyware lurking about, and now the kids are online I'll feel safer with Mac OS. I use Unix every day at work and have great respect for it.

Yep, I'm sold, and I'm glad ! It's a 20" iMac for me. Yipee !
 
You made the right choice!
When you take it out the box and are surfing the internet 3 minutes later, you will really know it too!
:apple:
 
I know you've made your decision and well done for making the right one.

However, just to make sure, you could pop down to an Apple Store or Apple reseller and have a play with the iMac before buying.
 
I made the switch and I never wanna go back and Ive been a windows tech for years.

Mac OS is very easy to use and you will be up to speed in no time. Not to mention if you need to run a windows only program you can dual boot the machine into windows. I do this when I need to run visual studio or play games.

Also, your mac OS can USE up to 32gb ram. Windows 32 bit can only use 3. It can "see" 4gb and will show it to you on Vista if you get the service pack however it is a limit with the 32 bit OS and can only USE 3gb.


Oh, and you may want to go for a nice logitech mouse. A lot of people (myself included) cant stand the mighty mouse.
 
Post detailed specs.

Tbh you probably will never reap the benefits of a quad core if this is going to be a standard family type computer.
 
I'd go for the iMac. I just like the all in one design and that I can run both OSX (work and media) and XP (play).

I don't think you'll go wrong. The Dell is very powerful but the iMac is an iMac. Either way it's a solid victory.
 
schmidt190 said:
1. macs get less viruses, so if you leave your laptop at work or whatever it wont be dead by the time you get back.

2. its LINUX based, its the most stable and secure thing in the world.

3. better hardware, we dont need all that BS, if you can find a game that rums on mac and pc and put an 8800 series card in the PC and an x1900 card in the mac it will look just as good becuase we use OpenGL NOT DirectX. DirectX is a memory hog, you dont need a gig of ram just to run openGL.

4. Faster: 8 core Mac Pro nuff said

5. Better Resale value, some G4 macs sell for higher than some brand new PC's

6. it runs Windows, so if you absolutely NEED it you CAN run it.
only a small percent of hardcore gamers tweak their machines to get everything they can out of it, but for the casual gamer macs are fine.

7. 64 bit, top to bottom, cant get that for PC unless you fork up $400 for vista ultimate. 64 bit OSX Leopard $129.95

8. its just easier to use
Click to expand...

It's not LINUX based, it's UNIX based. Similar, but there are differences...
 
schmidt190 said:
5. Better Resale value, some G4 macs sell for higher than some brand new PC's

6. it runs Windows, so if you absolutely NEED it you CAN run it.
only a small percent of hardcore gamers tweak their machines to get everything they can out of it, but for the casual gamer macs are fine.
Click to expand...

Those 2 arguments alone have been strong enough for me to help sway some people to the Mac side. You lose your shirt in depreciation on most non-Apple computers. It's truly amazing how well Apples hold value in the secondary market.

I love seeing the confused looks when I fire up a Windows app on my Macbook.
 
I am a Switcher. I was so frustrated with Windows that I bought MacBook Pro 2 years ago. I installed Windows XP on it using Boot Camp because my business requires software that is, and never will be, Mac software. I required the Pro version because the Windows program I use is graphics intensive. So, I have the best of both worlds.

For a while, I used my old Windows programs – MS Office, Photoshop Elements, and some games. As new versions came out for Mac, I bought the Mac versions. Except for work stuff, I am a Mac user.

I experienced a little frustration at first trying to make the Mac work like Windows, but one day it day it just hit me – why make things harder than they are? I started using the Mac to its potential, and I’m happy. I have an iPod, I sync my contacts and calendars to my phone via the Mac, I make family movies…in short I love it.

My point is that if you get a Mac, you can always run Windows. I believe that you will find that the Mac side is just easier and soon you will be on the Mac side all the time.

There are lots of resources for Mac, both here and on the Apple website. Most things are intuitive but help screens are available. It’s not the frustration level of a PC.

Get a Mac, use Time Machine to back up your stuff, assign user accounts for the kids and stop worrying.
 
the imac is not more expensive, its a different machine,

you are comparing an ultra compact all in one computer to a desktop with standard components

if you search for a pc designed like the imac you will find they are actually more expensive (like the gateway one)

it is true that apple doenst make normal desktops, but one step higher the macpro is a damn cheap xeon workstation

so apple is actually very competitive price wise, it just has very limited choise of products
 
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