hey all..
i have been lookin @ a new iMac to replace the arcahic dell i have as a desktop from eons ago and want to know if anyone here runs one also?
any good/bad points etc to enlighten me would be appreceiated greatly..
a key ideal i want is so i can run an M Box 2 with Pro Tools on it and these iMacs apparently are the ducks guts for such programs..
cheers for you input
paul

VWMA is designed entirely on iMAC. Very stable for graphic work. I run the adobe suite - Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, Acrobat and GoLive.

Not too sure about your software.

I use a macbook. Very good indeed. Also have bootcamp to use autocad.
cheers tom

Macs are the way to go....Have been using one for over 10years.

I program this forum on a Mac. Been on the road for a while, so things have slowed down a bit but honestly, the Mac makes development fantastic.

Andrew

I use a Mac, and it is brilliant. OS X is fantastic, you can browse the web without cumbersome antivirus / anti spyware software. I couldnt go back to windows after experiencing OS X. For design the apps are brilliant. If you simply cant do without windows, the new intel Macs will run windows natively too, I set it up on my mates Mini to try it out and it worked flawlessly, better than the last windows box I setup. So no more excuses not to Switch, DO IT !

And they very rarely breakdown

Take a look over at Apple
http://www.apple.com/macosx/leopard/ 

I have about 30 iMacs - last of the white ones - they are great value at about $1400 on the run out. The new ones are slightly faster with a bigger hard drive and better screens and a swish new case. Apple's eternal problem is that they don't fit big enough hard drives - one day they'll figure that out.

Whichever you buy, make sure you run 2gig of RAM, they are run like a dream. It's a couple hundred more and well worth it.

Apple don't discount, so the prices will be the same everywhere. BUT ask for a freebie, dealers will give you something like a Nano if you ask nicely.

If you've got a kid, take them to the Apple shop, tell them its for education and ask for 10% education discount. Apple offer Edu discounts.

Download OpenOffice (Mac version) Neo Office - its Office but FREE.

Most people how buy Parallels (to run XP), ditch it after a while as there is no real benefit to run duel OS. Boot camp it. Then when you boot it, just select the OS you want. Most people only use XP 10% of the time - or to play games. Boot Camp runs like a dream too.

The only stuff up they've done - is in iMovie 08 which will come with it. They know it's borked, so give you iMovie 06 too - in fact Apple are now offering iMovie 06 as a free download cause they go much flack over it. It's a nice idea, but goes against the linear edting established model of video editing for no good reason.

Once you have a Mac, you will become far less tollerent of Windoze's crashing and lagging. The only thing XP does on a Mac is suck down hard drive space IMO, but having it on there for PC converts is a comfort thing. Eventually you'll take off your training wheels and go for it.

If you have to bux, buy a MacBook Pro, they are awesome and well worth the price tag. I don't think PC Laptops ever get near a MacBook Pro no matter what price.

And iPhone is comming ... wooohooo ...

ps Apple will give you the OS update if you buy now, just ask. If you buy Apple care, you'll get everthing they updgrade to for the next 3 years!

I buy from a dealer, its the same price and they actually know what they are talking about - unlike high street chains. I use CompNow in North Sydney. Best service in Sydney.

I work in a Ad Agency and have worked on a mac for the last 13 years. Would never go to the dark side. If you dont intend to move it I would go for the duel processor G5. Awesome. That is what I run at home and at work. Will kill 300mg files in photoshop without blinking while you have 3 other programs open. The only product Mac makes I hate are ipods.
T54

also if you work for the govt you can ask for govt pricing which is the same as educational price. ive been using a a mac for years as well the new system should be provided if you dont get it even if its at a discounted price

For Music (which I do all day) You should consider Logic 8 unless you're already a protools user. eMagic is owned by apple and works beautifully, also the new version is only $500 which is ludicrously cheap for what you get. Also i use a powermac G5 dual 2... The more ram (random access memory) you have, the more programs you can have open without the speed of the computer being effected. You buy cards with ram on them, so get as much as you can afford..

ahh cool.. thanks for that..
yep protools user.. :P
taa paul

hey fellow mac peeps..
well here i am on my first outing on my spankin new mac just outta the box earlier..
i must say it'll take a wee bit of getting used to but thats cool..
i ended up getting a 24" imac and running 2 gig of ram as suggested..
now off to load pro tools and i'll be super stoked..
cheers for your advice and confidence as i have indeed left the dark side and am maybe starting to see the light!
gods speed
h

And they look nicer too!
Hope it all goes well. I just picked up a G4 Ibook for my 75yr old grandfather to introduce him to the world of the web. Going to hook it up for him on the weekend so he can talk to friends in italy.
I suggested it so I could troubleshoot for him over the phone but also because they are so easy to operate.
T54