PC User Switching to iMac - Need InPut

[Azathoth]

I still don't understand how people on modern PC architectures (Vista and above) get viruses - apart from running cracked sw (strictly speaking that is a trojan issue, to which Macs are also susceptible). I don't use any AV apart from MS own MSE (free).

I would not count on any computer running for 7 years (Apple or otherwise) - plenty of anecdotal advice that they do, but in practice after about 3 years it's a crapshoot.

From your described uses *any* of the current iMacs will do. Processor speed is unimportant. Hard disk speed is unimportant (HDD don't have 7year MTBFs BTW, and neither does the built in monitor)

 

[sdw]

I still don't understand how people on modern PC architectures (Vista and above) get viruses - apart from running cracked sw (strictly speaking that is a trojan issue, to which Macs are also susceptible). I don't use any AV apart from MS own MSE (free).

I would not count on any computer running for 7 years (Apple or otherwise) - plenty of anecdotal advice that they do, but in practice after about 3 years it's a crapshoot.

From your described uses *any* of the current iMacs will do. Processor speed is unimportant. Hard disk speed is unimportant (HDD don't have 7year MTBFs BTW, and neither does the built in monitor)

To me, it is obvious you can get a virus on your PC without running cracked software. As I stated, I have not had a virus since I got this computer until I switched over to Norton. I have always been very careful about anything that appears suspicious. Also, the computer I am on has been running for 7years, so I guess it is possible some people can use their computers for a long time.

 

[Azathoth]

Also, the computer I am on has been running for 7years, so I guess it is possible some people can use their computers for a long time.

Yes, which I why I said there is evidence, but it's hardly something you can count on.

I've done MTBF calculations on computer hardware, and the results aren't great - and very dependent on the thermal design of the machine. Just because some people live to be 100 years old doesn't mean that I'm counting on getting a telegram from the Queen (which happens when one turns 100 in many countries with monarchies).

All I'm saying is: don't count on 7 year lifespan for the machine - especially if it is fully integrated => very hard to repair/replace.

 

[tkingart]

I recently -past couple of months- traded in my PC for the 21.5" iMac. I'm glad I did it, but sometimes don't think I got full value for money. It's not as fast as I hoped it would be. I have the standard 3.06GHz with 4GB RAM. For over £1,200 I would have hoped for better performance.

My main issues are;

Speed: It's not as quick off the mark as I would have hoped. I get the beachball quite often when running multiple programs and waking up from sleep is sluggish.

Screen: I had a yellow tint on my first one, but as far as I can tell the second one is fine.

Magic Mouse: The batteries don't go a long way, maybe 40/50 days use before changing them. Okay it's not a HUGE problem, but hey, I would hope they last longer.

Graphics: Sometimes on some games/video I get a wavey screen, like the refresh is not quick enough. I don't know if this is a faulty graphics card, or if this is just because it's an old graphics chip, but I am dissapointed it cannot handle some video/games.

Sound: The speakers are not great, however, I had some from my old PC that I could use on this, no problem. So not really a big deal for me, but if you're listening to music through it, I would recommend some external speakers.

Small gripes: No 'minimise all' like windows that I could find. This is really useful for me working of desktop documents on projects. Email cannot be reversed when deleting items, so rather than moving down the list it going up. The aesthetics of the microsoft suit are not great, not sure if this is Microsofts doing, but I don't feel at home using them as I do on a PC.

Other than these small things, everything else about this machine is perfect. I love the fact that it's free from malware (for now), that I get regular and non-intrusive updates, I don't have to click confirm 12 times just to delete a folder or move something. It's seemless with the time capsule and time machine meaning I'm always backed up. Not only that, but it saved me on a second monitor for watching DVDs in bed, as I use this, as the screen is plenty big enough.

Make the move, you wont regret it

This is why I recommend the higher-end 21.5", graphics performance is amazing.

What you described as "waves" is known as "tearing", an issue with older LCD's reintroduced with new LED's with a higher number of pixels (they should have bumped up the refresh rate to compensate). There is a Solution: Turn "Vsync" ON.

There is a "sort-of" minimize all, but all it really does it move all the windows off of the screen (off to the side). One thing I did, was enabled "double-click to minimize", makes for a quick way to get apps out of the way. (doesn't make sense to double-click to maximize as in windows, who wants to quickly maximize all windows?)

The speakers aren't great, better than previous iMac's though, but I also plug mine into an external speaker w/subwoofer.

 

[AdamA9]

This is why I recommend the higher-end 21.5", graphics performance is amazing.

What you described as "waves" is known as "tearing", an issue with older LCD's reintroduced with new LED's with a higher number of pixels (they should have bumped up the refresh rate to compensate). There is a Solution: Turn "Vsync" ON.

There is a "sort-of" minimize all, but all it really does it move all the windows off of the screen (off to the side). One thing I did, was enabled "double-click to minimize", makes for a quick way to get apps out of the way. (doesn't make sense to double-click to maximize as in windows, who wants to quickly maximize all windows?)

The speakers aren't great, better than previous iMac's though, but I also plug mine into an external speaker w/subwoofer.

How do I turn it off? I'm new to Mac and cannot find the setting.

Thanks.