Making switch to iMac?

[NewMac]

Hello everyone. Long time reader, first time poster. I'm about to make the switch from my home PC to an Apple. I think I am going to get a 17" iMac due to the cost, bundle, size, and way-cool factor. However, I'm just a little bit nervous about lack of expandability and rumoured updates. For the price, I think the 17" is the way to go -- I'm not a techie, don't design webpages or do graphic design, and I don't make pro-masters of audio recordings. I'm a guy drooling for an iPod, who surfs the net, takes lots of digital photos, uses Quicken, and picks up the occasional program from time to time. So here are my questions:

1) I use WordPerfect and Word at work. Should I pick up the Microsoft Office or just use Appleworks -- or should I just go Virtual PC, Windows '98, and run them from there?

2) I'm DYING to get an iPod, but I'm already waiting for the next updated release -- so should I make the switch now, get used to the Mac, and then buy an iPod, or just wait for the next round of everything?

3) Is the expandability issue with iMacs a real issue? In four years I have only added a CD burner and some additional RAM to my PC.

4) Is the L2 Cashe and video bus sufficient for all applications?

I REALLY appreciate ANY thoughts you may have.

 

[icetraxxg5]

answers to your questions:
1) I would pick up Microsoft Office V.X because its only $199 when you buy a new mac.
2) If you really want an iPod go get one, if you want to wait to get the next update to the iPod (it shouldn't be that far off) get the new iMac and wait on getting an iPod.
3) Expandability shouldn't be an issue for you, You can add more Ram to the iMac (1gb), and an Airport card plus add any external firewire/usb devices. The graphics card in the iMac will run new games (except doom III and Quake IIII) with good graphics now and should run new games fine for a few years until it gets obsolete with new games.
4)The bus and cache should be fine unless you are running really big pro applications that would benefit from the L3 cache.

Chris

P.S: How's Miami?

 

[Kwyjibo]

If expandibility is an issue then you may want to get a pmac otherwise i think a dcent config directly from Apple will serve you excellently. I have an iBook 800 and my only upgrade options are more ram (384) and airport. i thik you will be extremly happy with a new 17 imac and they were jsut updated so don't owrry about the actual imac being upgraded. Enjoy your new mac.

 

[KingArthur]

I don't think you are going to have to worry about Apple updating the iMac any time soon since it is still listed as "new" at the Apple store. The iPod, on the other hand, I would DEFINATELY wait on. Although there are rumors that it is going to have a ton of new features, even just the added storage space would be worth the wait in my opinion. (BTW, it isn't listed as "new" at the Apple store, so expect an update really soon)

 

[dynamicd]

If you're thinking about getting word and if you're in colllege, check to see if your school has any partnership with apple. I got microsoft office for about $5. If you're not in school then it's worth checking to see if there are any friends or family members who are.

Also, the cache isn't a problem at all. I'm usually running itunes, safari, ichat, office, hotline, acquisition, and toast at the same time.

 

[comrade]

Can't see any reason not to get the iMac after what you said you use a computer for. I just switched last week after using a Dell laptop for 4 years and its the same idea. It will suit you fine and its a great computer! It comes witha 30 day trial for Office X so you can see if you lke it. Apparently, Appleworks is supposed to open office documents and vice versa, so test it out before you drop the cash. Like the poster above says, sometime you can get the software really cheap through education discounts, so look into that. Go for it, you won't regret it!

 

[Dont Hurt Me]

17 imac is tuff to beat, i would make sure that first slot is full of ram then you can add more yourself later. the 1 giger is going to handle anything you throw at it this moment, and it has the newer architecture with ddr ram so it is good to go. Another great thing about this machine is that any game for the mac will purr on this thing very nicely. Oh one more thing if you are into music it is very easy to get a isub and it will sound very good with the pro speakers that come with it. I know i have the pro's and isub and am very happy with it. the new imac is the coolest computer out there bar none in my opinion.

 

[SoonToGetAMac]

Originally posted by comrade
Can't see any reason not to get the iMac after what you said you use a computer for. I just switched last week after using a Dell laptop for 4 years and its the same idea. It will suit you fine and its a great computer! It comes witha 30 day trial for Office X so you can see if you lke it. Apparently, Appleworks is supposed to open office documents and vice versa, so test it out before you drop the cash. Like the poster above says, sometime you can get the software really cheap through education discounts, so look into that. Go for it, you won't regret it!

You can only get Office v. X for $199 at the same time as purchase of the Mac.

 

[NewMac]

Thanks for all the help! I feel MUCH better now.

Unfortunately, I am NOT in school -- I'm an attorney! I mostly use Word Perfect at the office, but half of my office uses Microsoft Word. I am going to try opening a .doc and saving it using Apple Works. I don't need Excel or anything else in the bundle, so I was trying to avoid the extra $200 -- even it if it s a bundle.

And btw, to answer icetraxxg5's question -- we've got blue, clear skies, it's 82 degrees, and the topless-optional beach is 9 blocks away.

 

[altair]

Apple Works

When you are testing Apple works and Word, make sure you test it the other way around also. I have had tons of success running any document, spreadsheet, etc that originated on a PC, but the hard part is for the PC to open my stuff. Watch out for this.

~altair