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Purchased a new iMac...now what?

S

sportdan31

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 15, 2005
55
22
Well, I finally came to the realization yesterday that it was time to upgrade to a new iMac. The final nail in the coffin was twofold. A cd is lodged in my 6 year old Power PC G5, and it continues to make a nosie as if it's ejecting, but of course it's not. And secondly, I read where there will be no more new updates or support for the G5 PPCs. Additionally, the iMac is very much showing it's age. My 9 year old son has now assumed ownership...lucky him!

Fast forward to last night where I picked up my shiny new iMac. I purchased the 21.5" base model, and it's plenty fast and powerful for me. So, I ask what programs would you recommend getting? I will use the computer mostly for email, web browsing, light photo editing, music, office, etc. We also have an iPad 2, so I imagine the two will go hand in hand with one another.

I saw Numbers set up on an iMac and thought that might be a useful program. Does anyone use that for budgeting?

Thanks!
 
It's great to see that computers are living well past 3 years, which used to be the life of a computer a number of years ago. But as you mentioned, being a PPC Mac is going to limit it, and more and more software is going to become Intel-only.

For new software, I would assume you'd want to find the most recent versions of whatever software you commonly used on your iMac G5.

Enjoy the new iMac.
 
E-Mail, Web, and iPhoto will not require additional software. You bought a friggen MAC!!! You might want to get iPhoto 11. It's about 14.99 at the App. Store. If you want to put a donkey head on your grandma you might get Adobe Photoshop Elements 9. $79.99 with the $20.00 rebate.
 
My previous iMac lasted 6 years. 2006 Intel iMac 20in.

Never had one issue with it until a few months ago when the HDD started clicking. I had Time Machine so all data was safe so no problems. It died, but all it needs is a replacement HDD and it would be as good as new.

Got the new iMac last week and hopefully it will last for many years as well. Prior to Mac's I was using Dell's, Gateways etc and they would last two years at most.
 
The Mac will come with everything for your needs minus the office software. I have Office for Mac, but seriously considering getting the iWorks suite.
 
Indeed, an awesome beautiful & powerful machine... just take your time, learn what it can do, and then as you are playing, and thinking, jot some notes down of what you'd like / wish that it could do,,, if only it had this or that s/w. Also, look at the hobbies / interests that you / your family has,,, what s/w could you tie together with those? Read other threads / forums, see what others are doing,,, again, explore (with open mind and patience! ;) ),,, and have fun.
 
Just a couple handy little programs for starters (google download links yourself)

Caffeine: keeps your computer from sleeping or dimming display as long as it's enabled. Disables or enables with one click from the status bar.

ScreenShader: allows to further dim the brightness of your screen, especially useful late at night when minimum brightness is still too bright,

smcFanControl: to control temperature inside the iMac, especially the fan RPM (speed), in case they are too noisy or whatnot.

BetterTouchTool: a complete must in my book. Allows for customized gestures with both trackpads and magic mouse (more effective on the trackpad of course).
 
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