iMac

Back Prince

i really really want to get a imac and i am just need a few questions answered does mac install programs like .exe i worry cause i have a few programs that are .exe and i dont want to lose them and does any body know wat the imacs prices are i prob be looking at 20" and 2.4 ghz and 1/2 gb of ram thanks in advance

ZENER

Back Prince wrote: »

i really really want to get a imac

Why? No, really, why do you want a Mac ? Is it the looks or the (superior ) operating system ?

. . . . does mac install programs like .exe i worry cause i have a few programs that are .exe and i dont want to lose them and does any body know wat the imacs prices are i prob be looking at 20" and 2.4 ghz and 1/2 gb of ram thanks in advance

Seriously mate, I'm not being smart but you should do some research on Macs before you buy one. Macs don't run Windows or DOS they run Mac OS X which natively does not run .exe programs. These are Windows or Dos programs and will require the installation of Windows XP on the Mac to run. If that's all you want to run then buy a PC with Windows.

ZEN

Ham'nd'egger

Back Prince wrote: »

i really really want to get a imac and i am just need a few questions answered does mac install programs like .exe i worry cause i have a few programs that are .exe and i dont want to lose them and does any body know wat the imacs prices are i prob be looking at 20" and 2.4 ghz and 1/2 gb of ram thanks in advance

Mac's don't normally install .EXE files so you would need to find similar Mac versions of the relevant softwares to run instead. If you could let us know the programmes you run on Windows you need, we can suggest Mac based alternatives

If you are unable to replace the programmes on a Mac or happier with them, there are several options available to run Windows on the Mac; Parallels, Bootcamp, VMware Fusion and Crossover will let you do this.

As to iMac prices, they are on the Apple webshop.

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/irlstore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=7B72369C&node=home/shop_mac/family/imac

Breezer

I wouldn't be buying any computer with half a gig of RAM in this day and age, 1 gig as an absolute minimum IMO. Unless of course you planned to upgrade it yourself with cheaper components. As for the iMac, you can't buy a new one with less than 1GB, and I'd suggest upgrading this to 2 at minimum - buy the RAM from a source other than Apple though.

As ZENER said though, I would really do some reading up on Macs before you buy one. While excellent, they are different to Windows PCs. If you expect them to run .exe files, the chances are that every single thing about them is going to frustrate you because you won't be able to get anything to work. Nothing wrong with this, it's a learning process (first time I sat in front of a Linux box I attempted to make it run a .exe about 10 times before I decided to read up on what was going wrong - would probably have been the same had I tried a Mac before that.) Learn a little about the different ways of doing things and you'll love your Mac rather than hate it.

aidan_walsh

Seriously mate, I'm not being smart but you should do some research on Macs before you buy one.

I'm sorry, but just WTF do you think he is doing by asking relevant questions for his situation?

Dont be at yourself

I'm sorry, but just WTF do you think he is doing by asking relevant questions for his situation?

I think Zener was just highlighting the apparant fact that the OP has already made up his mind that he "really, really wants a mac" despite seemingly knowing next to nothing about them.

To the OP: Don't buy a mac. They're massively different to Windows PCs and are only going to cause you headaches. To some (myself included), that's a huge reason to own a mac. However, I'd wager you'd be better off picking up a dell or something similar, judging by the specs you quoted and software requirements.

Scobius90

Back Prince wrote: »

i prob be looking at 20" and 2.4 ghz and 1/2 gb of ram thanks in advance

me thinks the OP means 1 OR 2 gbs of RAM not 0.5gb ..... or i would hope he does

on a more serious note, sometimes posters on this forum or any other forum on boards.ie are just looking for help and are often using boards.ie as a kick-off point for their queries. comments like

Seriously mate, I'm not being smart but you should do some research on Macs before you buy one.

are not in any way helpful and more often or not, IMO, antagonize the OP.
As aidan_walsh said why do you think he is here?

I have always found that long time users of boards to be very helpful and diligent in answering any and all of my queries. Twould be nice if this was always the case??

faceman

OP in order for us to give you helpful advice, please tell us what you use your computer for and what apps etc you use.

dieslippers

faceman wrote: »

OP in order for us to give you helpful advice, please tell us what you use your computer for and what apps etc you use.

Are you a gamer?

Breezer

Scobius90 wrote: »

me thinks the OP means 1 OR 2 gbs of RAM not 0.5gb ..... or i would hope he does

When posting at midnight one does not stop to consider such matters. I withdraw my earlier comment

Scobius90 wrote:

I have always found that long time users of boards to be very helpful and diligent in answering any and all of my queries. Twould be nice if this was always the case??

It would, and in fairness ZENER is almost always incredibly helpful.

While I agree that discussion forums are useful for asking questions, and I'm really not a fan of the 'Google is your friend' or 'RTFM' brigade, I can't help feeling that in this case a quick Google would be well worth the OP's while. Sure, we can explain that Macs won't run .exe's. But it's likely that if he wasn't aware of this, there's a lot more he's not aware of too. Suggesting that he reads one of the numerous articles floating about the web on the differences between Macs and PCs might save him an awful lot of headaches in the future.

Anyway, I've nothing better to do, so I'll try help:

Macs come with the Mac OS X operating system, which doesn't run .exe's. Depending on what the programs are, you may be able to get your licences transferred to the Mac vesion, and a Mac CD sent out to you (Adobe do this if you ring them, for example). Other programs usually have very good Mac alternatives. While there is less software available for Macs than Windows, in general that just means there's less bloatware floating about. Check out sites like Mac Update and Version Tracker when looking for Mac software.

If all that doesn't appeal to you, there are ways of running Windows on a Mac, though you will need to buy a copy of Windows separately. Boot Camp is a means of running Windows natively, as if you were running it on any ordinary PC. Parallels and VMWare Fusion allow you to run Windows at the same time as OS X, within its own window, but these are separate programs which must be bought in addition to Windows. Finally, Crossover allows you to run some Windows programs on a Mac without the need for Windows at all. Your mileage may vary with Crossover and I wouldn't really recommend it.

Macs aren't a good gaming machine, if you're into games. Some titles are available for Macs, and you can run Windows via Boot Camp for Windows games. The problem is that with the exception of the very expensive Mac Pro, it's hard to upgrade many components of a Mac, including the processor and graphics card.

If all you want is the looks and 'coolness factor' of a Mac, I suggest you think again and find a decent-looking PC. They're usually cheaper, usually have a longer warranty as standard, can be upgraded and you won't have the learning curve. If you like OS X and are willing to accept its advantages/disadvantes, then go for the Mac, but I really would do some reading about them before you spend that kind of money.

If you do decide to go for the Mac, prices can be found on Apple's Website. You won't usually find the latest models much cheaper elsewhere. Apple sets a flat price for all dealers. Occasionally places like PC World will reduce the price to sell off old stock.

Hope that helps

triple h

i had a dell windows 98 up until i got my imac in november 2006. I must have been saying to myself for 2 years before that,' i must get a new computer'. Lucky enough i held on to my windows 98 for a bit longer because i did not think much of macs back then. I remember the dark ages when i would say ' why would anyone buy a mac'.

But one day in june 2006 i picked up a mac magazine ( pure fluke how it ended up in my hands) I started to read it. Between june 2006 and november 2006 i must have bought close to 20 magazines all about windows and macs. I read peoples blogs on the internet and i came in here once or twice.

After my 6 months research i choose the imac, it seemed the correct option for me and i am over the moon. I never plan to leave mac.

I reckon anyone buying something ( computer, camera, tv or whatever.. ) should read read and read up all about every option.

Oriel

aidan_walsh wrote: »

I'm sorry, but just WTF do you think he is doing by asking relevant questions for his situation?

Yes but at the same time, why does he come here to ask for the price? JFGI.

ZENER

I do try to be helpful here within the constraints of the boards.ie rules. I stand by my original post as it was not meant in any way to be smart or insulting. A quick search on the OPs other posts lead me to believe he's a gamer - nothing wrong with that of course but the Mac would be a rather expensive gaming machine if the OP had no interest in Mac OS.

My first question, based the the OPs only post here so far was a valid one imo. It was meant to get the poster to think of what he/she wanted a Mac for and if it was really a Mac that was required or just a cool looking computer. Their second question got more to the heart of the OPs query - is the Mac like a PC, will it run Windows programs. Yes of course it will but again I say - it's an expensive Windows machine. iMac 24" is 1750 euro, a copy of Windows Vista basic is another 280 odd ! that's over 2000 euro to run Windows ! Surely the better advice here would be to recommend a Windows box, no ?

If the OP feels I've treated him harshly then I'll put my hands up and apologise immediately.

ZEN
ZEN

Back Prince

naw zen it dont matter i was just wondering i was looking up google reviews but for some reason i could find the answer to if the run .exes but i may have to do some think as i seriously dont wont windows vista thats why i taught of mac just checking opitions

ZENER

You don't have to use Vista. You can install Windows XP via BootCamp if you prefer, my point was that you would have to buy a Mac AND a Windows install CD which would work out a lot more expensive than a dedicated Windows box if you had no interest in actually running Mac OS X to begin with.

As said above though, 9 times from 10 you will find a Mac equivalent to a Windows application and the people on here are extremely helpful (when they're not quaffing Merlot - sorry ) and you never know you may prefer the Macs way of doing things.

If you do take the enlightened path you'd be very welcome here.

ZEN

nialler

Hi Guys

Back Prince, if you're buying an iMac get at least 2gb or RAM with it as Leopard is a hungry beast.

Now the new macs will run any .exe file with ease in the mac environment using Parallels or VMware Fusion, just like any mac program on your desktop contained in it's own window. The windows start bar can sit just above the dock or to the side of the dock and behaves exactly like the start bar if you were to boot into windows which you would need to do if using bootcamp.

Now Fusion & Parallels are NOT emulating Windows they're running it natively as intel has virtualised their new chips allowing multiple OSes to run simulataneously (Linux, Windows & Mac OS X).

Zener has pointed out that there are 0000s of mac equivalent programs out there to their PC versions. I have both at home and haven't found anything I can do on a PC that I can't do on a mac with the exception of games which I use an xbox360 for anyway (with all my music, videos & photos streamed from my mac using connect360).

And then there's the malware, now I'm not being smug and I know it's coming but there's nothing in the wild yet this particular mac I'm typing on has been outside the firewall for 3 years and not a sniffle which suits me fine.

As an IT guy I've got my macs but I've also got a couple of DELL pc laptops (couldn't argue with the price) but my day to day user is a mac (although I installed Tiger on one of the Dells).

Go to an o2 experience shop, use one for a while, see how it fits with you and as stated come back here and if you've any queries we'll try and help you out.

Niall
www.techeads.ie

heggie

parallels won't give good 3d support tho. (games etc)

Breezer

Back Prince wrote: »

naw zen it dont matter i was just wondering i was looking up google reviews but for some reason i could find the answer to if the run .exes but i may have to do some think as i seriously dont wont windows vista thats why i taught of mac just checking opitions

You can still buy XP on some configurations, and OEM copies are still floating about on ebay.

Why am I recommending XP? :eek:

nialler

Have we established that his .exe files are for games? When I typed my reply games were the last thing on my mind as I said myself I use an xbox360 for games.

But for 3d support both VMware and parallels are hard at work to rectify this.

llocc

folks you all seem to know what you're talking about but I haven't got a clue what any of you are on about so maybe you could help me out without getting into a debate about who said what when where and why.

I've got a Mac recently, after getting advice from different people. i've got an Ipod as well so this worked quite well.
Unfortunately my Fiancé has gone out and got herself a Creative ZEN stone plus and the Mac won't load the exe. file. In simple terms can you tell me what I need to do in order to get this to work.
What software do I need to get and where do I get it?
Any help here would be greatly apreciated.

aidan_walsh

exe files are designed for Windows only, although you would be able to run them on OS X using an application like Parallels or VMWare Fusion.

Creative don't seem to offer drivers or applications for OS X for the Stone Plus, but the third party application XNJB may do what you need.

faceman

llocc wrote: »

folks you all seem to know what you're talking about but I haven't got a clue what any of you are on about so maybe you could help me out without getting into a debate about who said what when where and why.

I've got a Mac recently, after getting advice from different people. i've got an Ipod as well so this worked quite well.
Unfortunately my Fiancé has gone out and got herself a Creative ZEN stone plus and the Mac won't load the exe. file. In simple terms can you tell me what I need to do in order to get this to work.
What software do I need to get and where do I get it?
Any help here would be greatly apreciated.

the Zen wont work on the basic mac programs, but there is another downloadable app you can use which name escapes me. I will have a think and post back.

In the meantime you could just go onto www.versiontracker.com and do a search for creative zen to see if it shows up in there under mac.

pickarooney

web review of creative stone wrote:

When you connect the Stone to a PC or Mac, it will start charging and a new USB drive will appear on your desktop. There's no need to download or install any software to load the Stone with music, simply drag-and-drop files and folders over. So although there's really no need to download Creative Media Lite, it does allows you to rip audio CDs, limit the Stone's maximum volume and view it's battery status, in addition to providing a basic file copying interface.

Any player worth its salt should be able to read from a mounted USB device, you just may have to access the files through the file manager rather than your music collection.

llocc

Thanks folks for the help. I'm amazed at how little I know about computers seen as how I work with them everyday

Mikey23

I'm happy out with my Macbook Pro and thinking to replace the aging desktop at home with an iMac. What stage in its lifespan is the iMac at tho? Don't want to be the schmuck who buys just before the RAM is doubled/graphics card upgraded etc.

Ham'nd'egger

Current iMacs range from 2Ghz Core 2 Duo to 2.8Ghz. RAM is low but hard drive is 250-500Gigs and all models have graphics cards. If you can hang on until about June, there should a bit of tweaking due soon on this line though nothing excessive as the chip set hasn't moved on too much as of late.

Sad Professor

Yeah I'd definitely wait on the new iMacs. Last update was in August so shouldn't be long now.

K.O.Kiki

If you want a new machine, buy it now.

What's the point in waiting, the only thing you'll ever bother upgrading is the RAM (easy) or the HDD (external, easy).

Graphics cards in iMacs have & always will be low-to-middle of the range, so waiting for a new one is pointless; and current CPU speeds are fine for everyday computing.

And if you want a bigger screen, may I suggest an external for mirroring?

Sad Professor

Rumour is new imacs could appear next week:

The wait for refreshed iMacs could be over before the end of April, according to a rumor circulated Thursday by Geeksugar.

The female technology site refers to "Apple tipsters" who say the update is due next week and will most likely appear on Tuesday, as with most Apple updates. While short on details, the news outlet adds that the sources correctly identified this year's MacBook revision a day before it appeared and also says that processor speeds and hard drive upgrades are the primary candidates for improvement.

Apple is known to be developing a Penryn-based refresh of both the iMac and its Mac mini cousin for the spring, delivering the cooler-running and faster processors to systems that haven't been updated since August of 2007.

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/04/24/imac_rumored_for_next_week_new_iphone_sdk_apple_updates.html

Mikey23

Sweet. Time to warm up the credit card.

Thanks for the advice lads.

conchubhar1

NekkidBibleMan wrote: »

I think Zener was just highlighting the apparant fact that the OP has already made up his mind that he "really, really wants a mac" despite seemingly knowing next to nothing about them.

To the OP: Don't buy a mac. They're massively different to Windows PCs and are only going to cause you headaches. To some (myself included), that's a huge reason to own a mac. However, I'd wager you'd be better off picking up a dell or something similar, judging by the specs you quoted and software requirements.

mod of xbox forum - hmm

if anything a pc would give you more problems