I think it's time for a new Mac for me?

SET Man · « **on:** 26 Dec 2010, 05:33 am »

Hey!

OK, to my surprise I got an iPad today for Xmas. Never thought I would own one. So, I hook it up to my old PowerBook and guess what? It doesn't work, it need to be set up with iTune I think... that what it said on screen and in the manual. Bummer!

And this got me thinking. I have been using my 12" PowerBook G4 1Ghz since 2004.... I think I got it in April of that year.

It had been working fine for me and actually longer than I expected with it running 10.3.9. Lately there are things that I can't do any more. I can't play some videos on the net, Flickr and youtube said that my old browser (aka obsolete) and I need to upgard

Well, I'm running the older version of Firefox because I can't upgrade to the new one due to the 10.3 OS And even an iPod that I got for my Mom last Jan wouldn't work with my PB now

Also, I'm doing some photography and it is getting slow on that one too and this is just with 12MP DSLR files. Oh! Yeah, I want to get the Lightroom but I can't because it will work only with 10.4+ OS I think. Yes, I can look for the 10.4 upgrade disc but I don't think it will help now, maybe for a little while but still there stuffs today that would need more than that and not to mention it won't run any faster.

Well, look like the world have moved on. My PB G4 still work like it should be but everything else around it got more complex and I think it is time. I think a new MAC would be good for me especially with my photography of which is my second job sometime.

OK, that was a long rant. Anyway, I have been holding for sometime now. I've been checking the new iMac 21" and I think it should fit my need fine.

But one thing I'm wondering is why Apple haven't put Blueray in their MAC yet? It will be suck if I buy it next week and next month a new MAC with blueray come out.

Why they are taking this long? Also, it is worth it to get one with i5 Core instead of i3 Core?

Take care,
Buddy

goorackerelite · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Dec 2010, 05:58 am »

Hey,

I'm an ex-apple employee and hopefully can help with your questions. Steve Jobs is dead set against the Blue ray standard, he thinks that it's just going to be a trend and will not thrive in upcoming years. As internet speeds are increasing, the next generation of storage media of choice is going to be "cloud computing" and hi speed internet streams. So don't worry about blu ray, I bet Apple is just going to skip that format all together. If you're deadset on having blu ray, you might be able to get an external one for your i-mac.
As far as the i3 vs the i5 debate. I'd go for the i5, as it's got two cores per dye, meaning that there are 4 cores in the processor as opposed to the 2 in the i3. The i5 will be more future proof, and judging by how long you keep your computers (g4) I think you'll appreciate he extra time that the i5 will buy you.

and please purchase the apple care, you will absolutely be needing it at least once in your three year ownership of the imac, they just don't make macs like they used to.

Best
min

JohnR · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Dec 2010, 08:57 am »

Hey Buddy, good strategy, I try to go 5 years, altho for laptops it doesn't work out that well. Try them out, I found that I really liked the 21" for general work but ended up with the 27" for photography work. That was a year ago. Re Bluray, do you really need that on your computer? Players are getting very cheap now.

Stercom · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Dec 2010, 01:05 pm »

Quote from: goorackerelite on 26 Dec 2010, 05:58 am

please purchase the apple care, you will absolutely be needing it at least once in your three year ownership of the imac, they just don't make macs like they used to.

Ditto that!

Atlplasma · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Dec 2010, 01:36 pm »

On iTunes, do you have version 10 loaded? That's needed to interface with the iPad.

SET Man · « **Reply #5 on:** 27 Dec 2010, 12:26 am »

Quote from: goorackerelite on 26 Dec 2010, 05:58 am

Hey,

I'm an ex-apple employee and hopefully can help with your questions. Steve Jobs is dead set against the Blue ray standard, he thinks that it's just going to be a trend and will not thrive in upcoming years. As internet speeds are increasing, the next generation of storage media of choice is going to be "cloud computing" and hi speed internet streams. So don't worry about blu ray, I bet Apple is just going to skip that format all together. If you're deadset on having blu ray, you might be able to get an external one for your i-mac.
As far as the i3 vs the i5 debate. I'd go for the i5, as it's got two cores per dye, meaning that there are 4 cores in the processor as opposed to the 2 in the i3. The i5 will be more future proof, and judging by how long you keep your computers (g4) I think you'll appreciate he extra time that the i5 will buy you.

and please purchase the apple care, you will absolutely be needing it at least once in your three year ownership of the imac, they just don't make macs like they used to.

Best
min

Hey!

Hmmm.... I see. Very interesting about Steve and the Bluray. The reason is not for playing movie but rather more about storage. I would like to have a physical medium to back up the HDD. And with Bluray I will use less space. But on the second thought, CD and DVD will still be a preferred medium to hand over to clients. So, yeah I guess it is not very a deal breaker I guess.

Yes, I was leaning toward the i5 since it will cost me not much more and everything else like RAM can be added later.

As for the Apple Care. I got it for my good old PB G4 too when I bought it. And I only called them once I think 3 months after I got it. And unfortunately the stock HDD died a year after the Apple care expired

Well, I did managed to change it myself and it work fine every since. But yeah I will get the Apple Care for the new one for sure.

Quote from: JohnR on 26 Dec 2010, 08:57 am

Hey Buddy, good strategy, I try to go 5 years, altho for laptops it doesn't work out that well. Try them out, I found that I really liked the 21" for general work but ended up with the 27" for photography work. That was a year ago. Re Bluray, do you really need that on your computer? Players are getting very cheap now.

John, when I got my PB G4 I planned to use it for 5 years max. But it somehow last me longer than I expected. I got this one as a refurb around April 2004, so it might be an early late '03 or early '04 machine.

My plan was to get a new iMac to stay at home and use this old PB for outside but since I now have iPad I might as well just use the iPad for out and about. Still don't know how this will work out.

I work with 27" iMac at my boss' studio and it was very good. But due to limited space at my apartment I think 21" will be just fine. Well, I have been adjusting all of my photos on this little 12" machine since I got it and it was fine but having a 21" would be a big improvement.

So, now I'm looking at a 21" iMac 3.6Mhz i5 Core, 4GB RAM. I think this should last me at least 5 years. Well, maybe

Quote from: Atlplasma on 26 Dec 2010, 01:36 pm

On iTunes, do you have version 10 loaded? That's needed to interface with the iPad.

Yes, I know but I think iTune 10 required 10.5+ OS I'm still have 10.3.9 in this old machine

Man! This suck.... I got an iPad but can't use it

Take care,
Buddy

nathanm · « **Reply #6 on:** 27 Dec 2010, 04:31 am »

I can totally sympathize. My G4 MDD is becoming cumbersome. Something goofy with the power supply. Usually it would boot if I unplugged\plugged the power cord back in but then it stopped doing that. After one finger-crushing-power-button ordeal it finally started up and I decided I would never turn it off again, just put it to sleep and schedule it to wake up at a certain time. (which doesn't always work either, sometmes the USB bus doesn't wake up) *sigh*

The very first thing I would do if I were you Buddy is to install 10.4.11 on that thing, update what needs updating and see if the iPad connects. That's surely the simplest route. Obviously a sweet new machine would be uh, sweet, but my first thought when I read your post was, "He's still using 10.3!?"

SET Man · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Dec 2010, 04:53 pm »

Quote from: nathanm on 27 Dec 2010, 04:31 am

....but my first thought when I read your post was, "He's still using 10.3!?"

Hey!

Yup, that's right!

One of the local AC member have the 10.4 OS discs. But at this point I don't know... maybe it is time.

Like yours my old guy have some problem too. Lately sometime it wouldn't shut off and stuck with the blue screen until I have to the "finger-crushing -power-button" maneuver

The thing that got me thinking is that photography is my second job sometime and this old guy cause me to turn in work late recently. So, even with 10.4 in it I will still stuck with the old processor speed. With all the photos files I think it will be more productive with the new machine.

Anyway, so now the question is where to buy a Mac? Had anyone shop from Mac Mall? Look like they got a pretty good price there with free shipping and look like they are in CA so I don't think I have to pay sale tax... NY's sale tax is 8.875%

Take care,
Buddy

nathanm · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Dec 2010, 05:30 pm »

I haven't bought from them myself, but at work we got all our Macs used from macofalltrades.com. I think we bought about ten machines and there weren't any major problems. If you don't want the absolute latest models buying from a place like that is probably a step above eBay. It's incredible how quickly the 2nd place models drop in price.

Yeah, I totally miss having a damn reset button on these things. On mine you have to hold the damn thing in for like 30 seconds. Do they honestly think these things NEVER lock up? Geez!

As far as I know the old rule still applies - whatever you do, don't buy extra memory direct from Apple! They totally soak you if you want to buy it configured with the total amount of RAM you want.

I would also recommend the 'ol standby stuff like: repair disk permissions, do a Safe Boot\Restart every now and then, turn off fonts you don't need and by all means get yourself a Disk Warrior CD. That has saved my ass and my hard drive many times.

Philistine · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Dec 2010, 05:48 pm »

Another purchase option is an Apple Refurb from the online site: I picked up a 21" iMac and saved about 15% off list. Warranty is 12 months, same as new models.

Levi · « **Reply #10 on:** 31 Dec 2010, 10:35 pm »

+1

I agree on the 27" screen for Photography work. Perhaps for gaming as well.

My son wants a new computer so I bought the baddest 27" iMac. He said he wants Windows XP on it. No Problem. It actually works much faster running Windows in it.

Lucky kid

Windows XP installation in progress

Bemopti123 · « **Reply #11 on:** 31 Dec 2010, 10:55 pm »

Quote from: Levi on 31 Dec 2010, 10:35 pm

+1

I agree on the 27" screen for Photography work. Perhaps for gaming as well.

My son wants a new computer so I bought the baddest 27" iMac. He said he wants Windows XP on it. No Problem. It actually works much faster running Windows in it.

Lucky kid

Windows XP installation in progress

Dude, where were you when I was 13???? hehehe. That is one awesome gift for your son.

My son and my daughter already worry me with their perchant of playing with my small touch electronics...I am glad I have not been tempted enough to get an Ipad...that would be an expensive toy.

PAUL

Levi · « **Reply #12 on:** 31 Dec 2010, 11:22 pm »

Kids nowadays are smart.

I tried to convince my son to get an iPad instead of the iMac. My wife loves her iPad, she said it was a big iPhone.

The good thing about the iMac is that running Windows XP truly flies! The Best of Both Worlds. Well, it is like buying two computers anyway.

I can also use it as an external monitor for my MacBook Pro.

MaxCast · « **Reply #13 on:** 31 Dec 2010, 11:27 pm »

Do you have to buy xp to run on the mac?
Also, will widows 7 run on the mac?
I am concerned about remote desk top between a pc and mac.
anyone have experience with these?

Levi · « **Reply #14 on:** 31 Dec 2010, 11:32 pm »

Yes. A legitimate Windows XP SP2 or higher is needed. Windows 7 home, premium, ultimate also works!

You can probably use GoTo My PC.

Levi · « **Reply #15 on:** 1 Jan 2011, 12:03 am »

I loaded Office 2007 plus and opened up Microsoft Excel. I can see across A to AM and 1 to 59.

27" screen is the way to go!

shadowlight · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Jan 2011, 12:12 am »

Buddy,
In case you are interested in the previous generation of Mac Air. MacMall has it on sale for 1099 for 13":
http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Air/product~dpno~7836990~pdp.ffebjic

SET Man · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Jan 2011, 02:28 am »

Quote from: Philistine on 27 Dec 2010, 05:48 pm

Another purchase option is an Apple Refurb from the online site: I picked up a 21" iMac and saved about 15% off list. Warranty is 12 months, same as new models.

Hey!

Actually my old PowerBook I'm using right now was a refurb. I was thinking about that but with refurb you can't customize it.

Quote from: shadowlight on 1 Jan 2011, 12:12 am

Buddy,
In case you are interested in the previous generation of Mac Air. MacMall has it on sale for 1099 for 13":
http://www.macmall.com/p/Apple-MacBook-Air/product~dpno~7836990~pdp.ffebjic

Well, that is a pretty good price but at this point I would prefer more computer power than portability.

Quote from: Levi on 31 Dec 2010, 10:35 pm

+1

I agree on the 27" screen for Photography work. Perhaps for gaming as well.

My son wants a new computer so I bought the baddest 27" iMac. He said he wants Windows XP on it. No Problem. It actually works much faster running Windows in it.

....
Lucky kid
....

Well, lucky kid indeed. Too bad my dad ain't rich

Levi, it is for you or your son, really?

Yes, 27" is pretty cool to have. I do work with 27 iMac at my photography job, Apple does use good screen for sure. But I don't really have space in my apartment for the 27". Actually my TV is a 27" LCD!

So, I'm setting my sight on a near fully loaded 21" right now i5 Core with 8GB RAM. Well, all my digital photos have been done on my good old 12" PB G4 since I got it and it was fine. So 21" would be a big improvement. I think at this point I will be better off spending money on computer power than bigger screen.

I'm thinking of getting this one....

http://www.macmall.com/n/macNavLinks-307?q=8183582

But with 8GB RAM and i5 Core upgrade. I don't see that they have i7 Core for this

Otherwise I wouldn't mind having 21" but with i7 Core if it doesn't cost too much

Well, I'm still deciding... believe it or not. Wish I could just drop a grand or two anytime but I can't

I'll see, likely a week or two from now.

Take care,
Buddy

MaxCast · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Jan 2011, 02:51 pm »

Quote from: Levi on 31 Dec 2010, 11:32 pm

Yes. A legitimate Windows XP SP2 or higher is needed. Windows 7 home, premium, ultimate also works!

You can probably use GoTo My PC.

Thanks Levi,
I hope to get a new optiplex for work (win7, office 2000 and quickbooks) and would love to buy my wife a new imac. Being able to remote desktop or work from home would help solidify the deal.

shadowlight · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Jan 2011, 03:15 pm »

Quote from: MaxCast on 1 Jan 2011, 02:51 pm

Thanks Levi,
I hope to get a new optiplex for work (win7, office 2000 and quickbooks) and would love to buy my wife a new imac. Being able to remote desktop or work from home would help solidify the deal.

Max,

Which direction do you want to go for remote desktop? Is it Mac to Windows? If yes, you can use Remote Desktop Connection for Mac - http://www.microsoft.com/mac/remote-desktop-client.

If it is from Windows to Mac you can use one of the VNC server/clients. I believe VNC server is already installed on the Mac you just need to activate access, for client you can use realvnc, tightvnc, etc. If you have a ipad/ipod touch/iphone I believe there are clients that you can install on them which will also allow you to control the Mac.

Will let current Mac users confirm if I am blowing smoke or not