Hi all,
I've enjoyed reading these forums and getting to know the Mac discussions better. I plan to switch to an iMac 24-inch once Leopard (and any other new updates) are released. I've been using a desktop PC for 15+ years, often time building them myself (from the case, motherboard, and components up). I love the integrated design of the iMac, but it will take some getting use to the fact that I can't open it up and tinker with it. However, I'm looking forward to not having to tinker with it in the first place!
Anyway, I have a few questions about peripherals, since I have so many already at my disposal I'm hoping to reuse some where it makes sense. Any guidance you can provide is appreciated.
(1) Speakers. I have some older Cambridge Soundworks FPS2000 speakers (4.1, meaning 4 satellites and a sub). They sound great and I would love to keep them. In my current config, there is a mini-jack that plugs into the "Front L/R" output on my PC sound card, and a 2nd mini-jack that plugs into the "Rear L/R" output on my PC sound card. Each of those then go into the Front or Rear mini-jack input on the sub. I see the iMac has a headphone out and a optical digital out. How will I get both plugs into the Mac and retain the true Front vs. Rear distinction? I'm envisioning some sort of Y cable as it comes from the iMac and splits to two inputs of the sub. But not sure what, exactly, the jack format is for the iMac output and if it can be split like that.
(2) Keyboard. I have the old Logitech Comfort Keyboard (wireless) which is currently going into my PC's keyboard-in jack (PS2 format). I have a PS2 to USB converter, so I think I can still use this keyboard. However, I'm not sure about drivers (called Logitech iTouch) for the Mac. It's an older keyboard, but I like the "natural" (split) keyboard design and must have wireless. I'd like to keep this one, but am open to switching of I absolutely must. Are there any real advantages that would compel me to use the Apple wireless keyboard or should I shop for a different one (with natural ergo layout) if I have switch?
(3) Mouse. Currently using the Logitech MX700 cordless laser optical mouse. Again, this is a bit old but I just love the comfort of it as it rests in my hand. I know the wireless Might Mouse may offer nearly the same options, but I just don't find it all that comfortable. Again, not sure about drivers here and if I'll even be able to use the full features of this mouse with the Mac. I've heard the Bluetooth Mighty Mouse is a bit flaky, and I think that would drive me bonkers.
(4) Printer. I'm using an HP Laser Jet 3150. Again, an older device but it works fine and does everything I need. Never any issues with it. However, it connects to my PC via parallel cable and I understand iMac only has USB connections for printers. So, this is the one device I may definitely have to replace. Which kind of irks me, because it does everything I need right now. Is there a way to convert a parallel connection to a USB connection? Even if there was, would I end up in "driver hell" since it's so old and not intended for use on a Mac?
(5) LCD screens. I running a dual display (extended desktop) on my primary PC. I'm not sure if I'll still need an extended desktop when I go to the 24" iMac, but may want to attach my 19" Samsung (non-widescreen) just to add more real estate. It has DVI and VGA inputs, so I don't think this will be an issue as long as I get the mini-DVI to DVI or VGA cable. Are iMac's optimized for wide-screen display, meaning that if I hook this non-widescreen up next to the 24" wide screen it will look wierd or distorted with the extended desktop. Does the desktop truly extend so that the dock goes across both screens (I don't think I'd like that).
(6) External HDD. I have a WD 250GB external drive that I use for backups between two systems on my network. It's USB. It's formatted in NTFS. Is that compatible with the iMac so I can just unplug it from the PC and plug it into the iMac and viola, everything is fine? Or will I need to move everything off to a PC, reformat the HDD in something Apple will recognize, and then move everything back over? What format will Mac recognize on external drives? I plan to use my other internal PC drives as external drives down the road (but putting them in external HDD enclosures) -- just for extra archiving & backup when necessary.
(7) Scanner. I have an older Epson Perfection (1240U) scanner that I still use from time to time. Would like to keep using it if possible. It's USB.
(8) USB. With iMac only having a few USB ports, are there any issues using a USB hub? Some of my devices (scanner, camera cradles, printer, card readers, etc.) are on a separate desk behind me. I currently have a long USB cable (maybe 12-15') running around to that desk where I have a USB hub that branches off to all those devices. Any issues with a setup like that?
(9) CD/DVD Burners. I have two (NEC DVDRW ND-2500A, and NEC DVDRW ND-3550 dual-layer). I really like having two, especially when copying DVDs. Put the original in one and a blank in the other and let it roar. I'd like to take the faster one (3550) out of the PC and put it into an external enclosure and hook up via USB or Firewire to the iMac. Not sure if this is possible (due to drivers maybe?) or if I'm better off just buying a second external CD/DVD drive for the iMac. Again, just trying to use what I have.
(10) iMac configuration. Lastly, my current rig is a AMD Athlon64 2.04GHZ with 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9550 (256MB) dual video, dual CD/DVD burners. It's running great and handles pretty much everything throw at it. I'm not a gamer anymore, I do some minor video editing & DVD burning, frequent DVD copying, and lots of photo work (relatively minor, not Professional or multi-layer Photoshop stuff). I'm thinking the iMac I build (again, pending any upcoming updates) would be the 24-inch, standard (2.16) CPU, 2GB memory, and maybe 256MB Graphics. With the way the iMac operates, would a Mac like this be a step up in power, a step down, or about on par with what I have today? How long can I expect to operation the new Mac before getting to point of needing to replace it? (Again, I'm used to just updating a CPU chip, or a HDD, soundcard, power supply, or a display, etc. depending on the need -- not replacing the entire system).
Thank you very much for taking the time to read all this and for any input you can provide. I'm very excited about moving back to the Mac (it's been about 15 years when I had a Mac LC II) and can't wait to make the switch!
PS --- 1 PC for sale.
Cheers!
jobberphoto
I've enjoyed reading these forums and getting to know the Mac discussions better. I plan to switch to an iMac 24-inch once Leopard (and any other new updates) are released. I've been using a desktop PC for 15+ years, often time building them myself (from the case, motherboard, and components up). I love the integrated design of the iMac, but it will take some getting use to the fact that I can't open it up and tinker with it. However, I'm looking forward to not having to tinker with it in the first place!
Anyway, I have a few questions about peripherals, since I have so many already at my disposal I'm hoping to reuse some where it makes sense. Any guidance you can provide is appreciated.
(1) Speakers. I have some older Cambridge Soundworks FPS2000 speakers (4.1, meaning 4 satellites and a sub). They sound great and I would love to keep them. In my current config, there is a mini-jack that plugs into the "Front L/R" output on my PC sound card, and a 2nd mini-jack that plugs into the "Rear L/R" output on my PC sound card. Each of those then go into the Front or Rear mini-jack input on the sub. I see the iMac has a headphone out and a optical digital out. How will I get both plugs into the Mac and retain the true Front vs. Rear distinction? I'm envisioning some sort of Y cable as it comes from the iMac and splits to two inputs of the sub. But not sure what, exactly, the jack format is for the iMac output and if it can be split like that.
(2) Keyboard. I have the old Logitech Comfort Keyboard (wireless) which is currently going into my PC's keyboard-in jack (PS2 format). I have a PS2 to USB converter, so I think I can still use this keyboard. However, I'm not sure about drivers (called Logitech iTouch) for the Mac. It's an older keyboard, but I like the "natural" (split) keyboard design and must have wireless. I'd like to keep this one, but am open to switching of I absolutely must. Are there any real advantages that would compel me to use the Apple wireless keyboard or should I shop for a different one (with natural ergo layout) if I have switch?
(3) Mouse. Currently using the Logitech MX700 cordless laser optical mouse. Again, this is a bit old but I just love the comfort of it as it rests in my hand. I know the wireless Might Mouse may offer nearly the same options, but I just don't find it all that comfortable. Again, not sure about drivers here and if I'll even be able to use the full features of this mouse with the Mac. I've heard the Bluetooth Mighty Mouse is a bit flaky, and I think that would drive me bonkers.
(4) Printer. I'm using an HP Laser Jet 3150. Again, an older device but it works fine and does everything I need. Never any issues with it. However, it connects to my PC via parallel cable and I understand iMac only has USB connections for printers. So, this is the one device I may definitely have to replace. Which kind of irks me, because it does everything I need right now. Is there a way to convert a parallel connection to a USB connection? Even if there was, would I end up in "driver hell" since it's so old and not intended for use on a Mac?
(5) LCD screens. I running a dual display (extended desktop) on my primary PC. I'm not sure if I'll still need an extended desktop when I go to the 24" iMac, but may want to attach my 19" Samsung (non-widescreen) just to add more real estate. It has DVI and VGA inputs, so I don't think this will be an issue as long as I get the mini-DVI to DVI or VGA cable. Are iMac's optimized for wide-screen display, meaning that if I hook this non-widescreen up next to the 24" wide screen it will look wierd or distorted with the extended desktop. Does the desktop truly extend so that the dock goes across both screens (I don't think I'd like that).
(6) External HDD. I have a WD 250GB external drive that I use for backups between two systems on my network. It's USB. It's formatted in NTFS. Is that compatible with the iMac so I can just unplug it from the PC and plug it into the iMac and viola, everything is fine? Or will I need to move everything off to a PC, reformat the HDD in something Apple will recognize, and then move everything back over? What format will Mac recognize on external drives? I plan to use my other internal PC drives as external drives down the road (but putting them in external HDD enclosures) -- just for extra archiving & backup when necessary.
(7) Scanner. I have an older Epson Perfection (1240U) scanner that I still use from time to time. Would like to keep using it if possible. It's USB.
(8) USB. With iMac only having a few USB ports, are there any issues using a USB hub? Some of my devices (scanner, camera cradles, printer, card readers, etc.) are on a separate desk behind me. I currently have a long USB cable (maybe 12-15') running around to that desk where I have a USB hub that branches off to all those devices. Any issues with a setup like that?
(9) CD/DVD Burners. I have two (NEC DVDRW ND-2500A, and NEC DVDRW ND-3550 dual-layer). I really like having two, especially when copying DVDs. Put the original in one and a blank in the other and let it roar. I'd like to take the faster one (3550) out of the PC and put it into an external enclosure and hook up via USB or Firewire to the iMac. Not sure if this is possible (due to drivers maybe?) or if I'm better off just buying a second external CD/DVD drive for the iMac. Again, just trying to use what I have.
(10) iMac configuration. Lastly, my current rig is a AMD Athlon64 2.04GHZ with 1GB RAM, ATI Radeon 9550 (256MB) dual video, dual CD/DVD burners. It's running great and handles pretty much everything throw at it. I'm not a gamer anymore, I do some minor video editing & DVD burning, frequent DVD copying, and lots of photo work (relatively minor, not Professional or multi-layer Photoshop stuff). I'm thinking the iMac I build (again, pending any upcoming updates) would be the 24-inch, standard (2.16) CPU, 2GB memory, and maybe 256MB Graphics. With the way the iMac operates, would a Mac like this be a step up in power, a step down, or about on par with what I have today? How long can I expect to operation the new Mac before getting to point of needing to replace it? (Again, I'm used to just updating a CPU chip, or a HDD, soundcard, power supply, or a display, etc. depending on the need -- not replacing the entire system).
Thank you very much for taking the time to read all this and for any input you can provide. I'm very excited about moving back to the Mac (it's been about 15 years when I had a Mac LC II) and can't wait to make the switch!
PS --- 1 PC for sale.
Cheers!
jobberphoto
