PC or iMac

Kashkai

Hi

My current PC is a DELL 8300 which is now approaching its 8th birthday. I've upgraded it over the years with new graphics and sound cards and given it 4GB of RAM. However it is very slow and clunky these days and its hard to get time on it as the kids hog it most of the time. So I'm debating getting a new pc or a mac.

My wife bought a Macbook Pro a year ago and its a very impressive machine. As I have an iphone, I find the Macbook very easy to use as the apple software is easily identifable. However, while I acknowledge the ease of use and general portability of laptops, I prefer desktops mainly due to the large screens, faster processors etc that can be utilised (I have a 26 inch lcd screen on my pc). So the issue is whether to get a new pc or go with the iMac. While my pc has served me well, Windows annoys the hell out of me with its clunkiness, constant updates and of course the myriad of viruses that feed on it. The iMac looks so much more advanced but I'd be worried about a (perceived on my part) lack of software for it as most software is written for pc as far as I can see.

So which way to go? I like Apple products, find them easy to use and fault free but would a pc be a better bet for compatability reasons? Btw, I use the pc for making movies out of footage filmed from cameras attached to radio controlled planes, photos, some office based work (word/spreadsheets etc) and general internet use such as Skype, surfing etc.

Finally, finally, Apple brought a new Macbook Pro out 6 weeks after my wife bought hers which didn't go down well as the salesman forgot to mention there was a new one on the way:D. So should I hold off for a new model iMac, if I go the Apple route?

yoyo

Just on the point of Windows, common sense will avoid viruses, Windows 7 is very secure out of the box, and will only get a virus like with OSX malware if you "let it". You seem to want to go the Apple route from your post so if you don't mind paying the huge cost well thats an option. A Windows machine will work out much cheaper though.
If you would need to load Windows 7 on your Mac remember that would be the cost of a new retail license (OEM Window licenses arn't allowed be installed on bootcamp afaik) so make sure you factor this cost in.
You could get a mini Mac if you already have a decent 26" LCD, they have f*ck all processing power in them though. If processing power is what your after a self build pc would be the best option

Nick

ScumLord

If your editing video the obvious choice may seem to be Mac but Windows seems to have better support for Adobe stuff at the moment with windows only features in the CS5 bundle.

You could get one hell of a PC for Mac money, if you like editing in HD your going to need that power too.

Kashkai

Thanks guys. I know the apple carries a premium price and I'm not too flush with money (who is?) at the moment and so a pc might be the way to go but, but......

I like apple products and have built up a strange dislike for windows (probably due to my current clunky old pc) which is why I'm veering in that direction.

I used to be well informed on what the latest hardware were in pcs but I've lost touch with what is the best chips, graphics cards etc. Can someone point me towards a good well spec'ed machine so I can get a good benchmark against which I can judge a new pc/iMac.

Thanks

PogMoThoin

You've been experiencing Windows on a clunky 8 year old POS PC, get your self a new Windows 7 PC and be as blown away as you were with your wives Mac.

cnocbui

The iMac by a country mile. Enable bootcamp on it, Install windows in a separate partition and you can then lower your standards and user experience when running those rather rare bits of software that don't have a Mac equivalent.

kirving

Lower standards and user experience? Seriously?

Any particular issues you're talking about, or do you just have a dislike for PC's? On virus', havent had one on Winodws 7 in 2 years, it is an extremely stable OS, despite people saying it crashes while OSX doesn't. 7 isn't clunky, doesn't bother me with updates and in general has no issues.

A €300 netbook is what a lot of people base their opinions of windows on. Similarly, people have a bad experience with a cheap Android phone's and claim it's rubbish.

OP, I'd go with a PC as you'll get for more power for your money and you can keep your current LCD. If you don't want to build a PC since you say you're not sure on specs, have a look at the Dell XPS. For me, the spec I wanted was cheaper than building my own PC, but I knew that upgrading it would be slightly more difficult in the future. Got it Jan 2 years ago, so I think there was a slight sale on.

ScumLord

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I like apple products and have built up a strange dislike for windows (probably due to my current clunky old pc) which is why I'm veering in that direction.

Windows 7 is a great OS. I've had few problems with it. For mac money you could get a PC with Solid state Hard drives that are something like 4 times faster than a standard hard drive which makes the PC extremely quick. I think it's one of the most noticeable speed increases out there. You'll get the same graphics card or better for half the price of the mac version. There's little to no comparison between a new win7 machine and an 8 year old XP machine.

I used to be well informed on what the latest hardware were in pcs but I've lost touch with what is the best chips, graphics cards etc. Can someone point me towards a good well spec'ed machine so I can get a good benchmark against which I can judge a new pc/iMac.

Thanks

Building and upgrade forum will source all the parts for you at the best price. I've bought two PCs based on recommendations in there, the first one lasted 7 years and didn't let me down I just wanted a new PC for video work. It's still a fairly relevant PC.

cnocbui

Yes, seriously.

My son has an iMac and does 3D modelling and game development on it. he has to switch back and forth between windows and OSX. He is forever giving examples and moaning at how awful windows is.

Today's was: when OSX catches you trying to do something it thinks might not be good Idea, it pops up a window demanding you enter an admin password. in windows, if you are running a few tasks, the whole screen can go black for a few seconds, scaring the hell out of you, then a dialog box pops up demanding you deal with it - OSX you can just temporarily ignore the warning and continue to do things before dealing with it. Windows just gives yo a warning and presents a button you can click to authorise the suspect task or not. No option to do anything else. I personally think that is less secure.

In OSX, plug in a phone, camera or any USB device and it just works. Pops up on the desktop and you can use it. I have yet to find something that didn't work first off.

Windows Eh What! Where is it? Oh yea, launch explorer and scroll down and try and find it or deal with some popup telling you you have to search the internet for a driver or insert a disc with a driver on it. Lifes too short

This guy: My God this thing is good, damn!



Who is he? CEO of Hewlett Packard - in his own home.

ScumLord

cnocbui wrote: »

Windows just gives yo a warning and presents a button you can click to authorise the suspect task or not. No option to do anything else. I personally think that is less secure.

For the most part these things pop up when your making changes to the registry IE, installing software. If your in the process of installing software it seems pointless to be able to put off allowing the install to continue.

In OSX, plug in a phone, camera or any USB device and it just works. Pops up on the desktop and you can use it. I have yet to find something that didn't work first off.

What version of windows is he using? plug just about anything into a win7 PC and it'll work. I'd even say it has more compatibility than any mac product because macs aren't intended to be compatible with everything just mac hardware, that's how they avoid hardware conflicts, by not trying in the first place.

Windows Eh What! Where is it? Oh yea, launch explorer and scroll down and try and find it or deal with some popup telling you you have to search the internet for a driver or insert a disc with a driver on it. Lifes too short

I don't understand this either. How do you find stuff on macs? If you need to find anything on a windows machine just click start and search for it. Nobody seems to make use of the windows search feature even though it's right in front of your face every time you press the start button.

mathepac

Apple products (hardware and software) are designed and built up to a standard rather than down to a price. Their user-interface standards are exemplary and make the user experience a truly enjoyable one - intuitive, consistent and easily learned.

The dreaded "driver conflict" issues on Windoze machines don't exist with well-written, well-tested and well-documented interfaces to systems software and hardware; there's no need to go fiddling "under the hood" you can sit behind the wheel and enjoy the spin.

IRQ conflicts and all those other quirks that have plagued every release Windoze from day 1 are still around and if you want to do a bit of trouble-shooting, you do your <ctrl><alt><delete> to "exit to DOS" to figure out what's wrong; Microsoft lied and told us DOS would be gone after Windows 95.

A Mac puts power where it belongs, in the hands and finger-tips of users on hard-ware that's as easy to use and reliable as a photo-copier.

yoyo

mathepac wrote: »

Apple products (hardware and software) are designed and built up to a standard rather than down to a price. Their user-interface standards are exemplary and make the user experience a truly enjoyable one - intuitive, consistent and easily learned.

The dreaded "driver conflict" issues on Windoze machines don't exist with well-written, well-tested and well-documented interfaces to systems software and hardware; there's no need to go fiddling "under the hood" you can sit behind the wheel and enjoy the spin.

IRQ conflicts and all those other quirks that have plagued every release Windoze from day 1 are still around and if you want to do a bit of trouble-shooting, you do your <ctrl><alt><delete> to "exit to DOS" to figure out what's wrong; Microsoft lied and told us DOS would be gone after Windows 95.

A Mac puts power where it belongs, in the hands and finger-tips of users on hard-ware that's as easy to use and reliable as a photo-copier.

Your a few years behind the times m8! Sure wasn't Lion a disaster for Apple, didn't Snow Leopard wipe users files doing an "upgrade install". Windows has come a long way since then!

Nick

mathepac

yoyo wrote: »

Your a few years behind the times ...

I doubt it. I make my living designing specialist software to run consistently on a multiplicity of platforms.

yoyo wrote: »

... m8! ...

Sorry, but I'm not a character in one of your English soap-operas. You can refer to me by my user name or given name if you know me.

yoyo wrote: »

... Windows has come a long way since then!

Evidence?

cnocbui

ScumLord wrote: »

For the most part these things pop up when your making changes to the registry IE, installing software. If your in the process of installing software it seems pointless to be able to put off allowing the install to continue.

What version of windows is he using? plug just about anything into a win7 PC and it'll work. I'd even say it has more compatibility than any mac product because macs aren't intended to be compatible with everything just mac hardware, that's how they avoid hardware conflicts, by not trying in the first place.

Actually that bit is my own experience using Windows7 on a laptop I have. Plugged my Samsung phone in it didn't work. Vista had the same issue with a SE phone. Had to go looking for a driver in both cases. Plugged it into my Macbook and it and it's memory card popped onto the desktop as removable drives first go. Same for two SE phones. I have even connected printers and found the correct driver was already available

My experience with Macs and other hardware is that most devices work and are accessible from the first time they are connected.

I don't understand this either. How do you find stuff on macs? If you need to find anything on a windows machine just click start and search for it. Nobody seems to make use of the windows search feature even though it's right in front of your face every time you press the start button.

They just appear on the desktop and several other places, such as in the side-bar of every OS related window. No searching or going looking, always right there in front of you. Ejecting a USB device on W7 is just as arcane and convoluted as finding the thing after you have inserted it. On the mac, two finger tap on the drive/device icon on the desktop, or wherever you see it's icon, (equivalent to right clicking on windows) and choose eject, or just drag it's icon to the trash icon.

Of course you can search for just about anything on OSX. It even indexes file contents and emails as the Spotlight search function is pervasive.

My son had a particular problem with Blender. Under W7 if it encountered a fatal error the terminal window summoned by the program would just close when it crashed, along with any error messages that might have been helpful in working out why. In OSX, the terminal window would persist after a crash, revealing the error messages that would allow you to trouble shoot.

In terms of writing software, out of the box OSX has Ruby, Python, Perl, a C compiler, Java compiler and Cocoa pre installed. My son thinks W7 doesn't even come with a C compiler. Oh yes, X-code, the OSX development environment also comes on the install disc if you need it.

yoyo

mathepac wrote: »

Apple products (hardware and software) are designed and built up to a standard rather than down to a price. Their user-interface standards are exemplary and make the user experience a truly enjoyable one - intuitive, consistent and easily learned.

I don't think not having a right click button or putting the on button for the machine behind the screen is user friendly, my personal opinion though. I don't see how OSX is more user friendly than Windows 7 either, from expierience using both.

The dreaded "driver conflict" issues on Windoze machines don't exist with well-written, well-tested and well-documented interfaces to systems software and hardware; there's no need to go fiddling "under the hood" you can sit behind the wheel and enjoy the spin.

You have a point here, due to Apple only using a certain set of hardware you are less likely to run into driver problems than with a pc due to the wide range of different hardware used. Having said that with the PC you have the advantage of being able to purchase machines of different configurations, compared to the standard ones Apple releases now and again which are usually far behind the top PC hardware (Think video cards). My PC, Laptop and Netbook never blue screen, I lie my Windows 7 PC blue screened once (Been using Windows 7 since RC1) and not since then.

IRQ conflicts and all those other quirks that have plagued every release Windoze from day 1 are still around and if you want to do a bit of trouble-shooting, you do your <ctrl><alt><delete> to "exit to DOS" to figure out what's wrong; Microsoft lied and told us DOS would be gone after Windows 95.

This may have been the case over 10 years ago alrite, but since Windows XP SP1 Windows has not had that many issues, I certainly havn't come accross IRQ issues with Windows lately, and I do fix a fair few machines for people (majority caused by user error, I've had to look at Macs for people as well)

A Mac puts power where it belongs, in the hands and finger-tips of users on hard-ware that's as easy to use and reliable as a photo-copier.

The design of Mac machines is pritty much similar to PCs, I would argue a machine with an on button at the front is more user friendly than one at the back, but thats my opinion. Its obvious that a €1700 machine will be more relyable than a crappy €300 e-machines, but that isn't comparing like with like.

mathepac wrote: »

I doubt it. I make my living designing specialist software to run consistently on a multiplicity of platforms.
Sorry, but I'm not a character in one of your English soap-operas. You can refer to me by my user name or given name if you know me.

Ok mathepac

Evidence?

See above,

Nick

mickoneill30

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

My current PC is a DELL 8300 which is now approaching its 8th birthday. I've upgraded it over the years with new graphics and sound cards and given it 4GB of RAM. However it is very slow and clunky these days and its hard to get time on it as the kids hog it most of the time. So I'm debating getting a new pc or a mac.

Try twisting that around a bit. You have an 8 year old PC and it's due to be replaced. Do you know anybody with an 8 year old Mac? You seem to have gotten fairly good bang for buck from your PC.

Personally I wouldn't go with Mac, but that's because I'm happy enough with Windows. I don't love it, it's just a tool to make me money and mess around on when bored.
My PC doesn't get viruses, its reliable (I normally reboot it on patch Tuesday, so once or twice a month), it's cheap and normally I'd use a PC for about 4 or 5 years before replacing them. My current one is a year and a half old, it cost me €400 (monitor excluded), I did upgrade it to 8GB RAM. I use it for Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Flash, VmWare and a pile of other apps. I don't seem to have a lot of the problems the guys above post. Maybe I'm just lucky, but a lot of people are able to get the same experience.

mathepac

yoyo wrote: »

The design of Mac machines is pritty much similar to PCs, I would argue a machine with an on button at the front is more user friendly than one at the back, but thats my opinion. Its obvious that a €1700 machine will be more relyable than a crappy €300 e-machines, but that isn't comparing like with like.


See above,

Nick

Sorry but I'm afraid you've missed the point of my post. Case in point - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056477432

OP buy a Mac you won't regret it.

yoyo

mathepac wrote: »

Sorry but I'm afraid you've missed the point of my post.

How so? That your a developer and prefare developing for Unix systems?, fair enough, I replyed to your other responses

Nick

Appleguy

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

So which way to go? I like Apple products, find them easy to use and fault free but would a pc be a better bet for compatability reasons? Btw, I use the pc for making movies out of footage filmed from cameras attached to radio controlled planes, photos, some office based work (word/spreadsheets etc) and general internet use such as Skype, surfing etc.

Think your half answering your own question Dave

Apple stuff is easy to use, fault free, has iMovie for making your movies, Pages Numbers and Keynote cost (€45 for the lot) or Microsoft office for mac is a little more expensive and any mac is more than capable of Skype and surfing.

You also have the option to install windows on the Mac with bootcamp if theres a program or two you cant do without. And can boot up in either from startup. So you really have the best of both worlds.

What i would say is keep an eye here: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

It will tell you when updates are expected, if i were you i'd wait a couple of months and get an order in when the new one is released.

yoyo

mathepac wrote: »

Sorry but I'm afraid you've missed the point of my post. Case in point - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056477432

OP buy a Mac you won't regret it.

Are there any games out for OSX that support 3D? Because if you read the thread, you'd see thats what was OPs issue, that I missed. LCD monitors on Windows are "plug and play"

Nick

yoyo

Appleguy wrote: »

Think your half answering your own question Dave

Apple stuff is easy to use, fault free, has iMovie for making your movies, Pages Numbers and Keynote cost (€45 for the lot) or Microsoft office for mac is a little more expensive and any mac is more than capable of Skype and surfing.

They are computers, and any computer can have faults, I'm suprised how poorly Apple actually respond to customer problems with the known defective Nvidia hardware, see here.

Nick

Kashkai

Phew, now don't fall out over my query on buying a new computer guys:D.

Plenty of food for thought there and I appreciate all your comments. Yes my 8 year old Dell has served me well but is now pretty antiquated despite the upgrades I've given her over the years. She takes almost 4 minutes to boot up from cold and has a habit of freezing if too many users, i.e. my kids, have left IE or other programmes running in the background:rolleyes:. The almost daily upgrades to the software are bloody annoying and I even had to do a system restore a while back when the latest XP upgrade caused IE to stop working. Since then I've turned off the software upgrade feature in case it caused any more issues. When I then use my wife's Macbook, this runs silky smooth which is why I'm impressed by the Apple software (plus I love my iphone:o). However I know that comparing my 8 year old Dell to an almost new Macbook is not comparing like with like.

I think the best thing I can do is go to PC World and get my hands on a Windows 7 machine and an iMac to see how they run side by side and then take it from there.

mickoneill30

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

The almost daily upgrades to the software are bloody annoying and I even had to do a system restore a while back when the latest XP upgrade caused IE to stop working.

If your machine is updating almost daily there's a problem there.

I look after the Windows updates for my company. I can see that on the 9/11 Microsoft gave 36 new updates, then the next were 3 on 17/11 and the next was 23/11. That's for Windows 7, servers, XP etc.
If you go to here http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/bulletin you can search to see that Microsoft have released 7 updates for XP in the last 3 months.

But if the PC is 8 years old I wouldn't bother trying to fix it. I'd do what you're doing and look around for a replacement. Formatting and putting XP on it would probably be fine for the kids though.

ScumLord

cnocbui wrote: »

Plugged my Samsung phone in it didn't work. Vista had the same issue with a SE phone. Had to go looking for a driver in both cases. Plugged it into my Macbook and it and it's memory card popped onto the desktop as removable drives first go. Same for two SE phones. I have even connected printers and found the correct driver was already available

I've had anything but this experience, windows 7 will go online and find a driver if it doesn't have something locally to suit. I've had no problems connecting phones, printers, steering wheels, projectors. For the most part a generic driver will sort out most devices unless it's some odd device.

They just appear on the desktop and several other places, such as in the side-bar of every OS related window.

Shortcuts on the desktop then. Or are you saying every program on the computer is on the desktop, that would get a bit crowded wouldn't it. Or is it like the windows taskbar where you can pin programs to the start bar?

In OSX, the terminal window would persist after a crash, revealing the error messages that would allow you to trouble shoot.

Event viewer your looking for under windows.

In terms of writing software, out of the box OSX has Ruby, Python, Perl, a C compiler, Java compiler and Cocoa pre installed. My son thinks W7 doesn't even come with a C compiler. Oh yes, X-code, the OSX development environment also comes on the install disc if you need it.

Why would people need a code compiler? It's nice the mac comes with a load of free software but it's irrelevant bloat to most people as they'll never have any use for it.

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

She takes almost 4 minutes to boot up from cold and has a habit of freezing if too many users,

My PC will reboot in 1 minute. :cool: SSD baby.

yoyo

Plugged my Samsung phone in it didn't work. Vista had the same issue with a SE phone. Had to go looking for a driver in both cases. Plugged it into my Macbook and it and it's memory card popped onto the desktop as removable drives first go. Same for two SE phones. I have even connected printers and found the correct driver was already available

There is some truth in this, Windows also tries to activate all the phones features, ie use it as a modem, which needs drivers, I have noticed Windows needing drivers for certain phones, using bluetooth. wired etc for all operations. It detects my Android automatically though :pac:, couldn't say the same about an Iphone now can ya :P

Nick

Mr. Presentable

Appleguy wrote: »

Think your half answering your own question Dave

Apple stuff is easy to use, fault free, has iMovie for making your movies, Pages Numbers and Keynote cost (€45 for the lot) or Microsoft office for mac is a little more expensive and any mac is more than capable of Skype and surfing.

You also have the option to install windows on the Mac with bootcamp if theres a program or two you cant do without. And can boot up in either from startup. So you really have the best of both worlds.

What i would say is keep an eye here: http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

It will tell you when updates are expected, if i were you i'd wait a couple of months and get an order in when the new one is released.

Appleguy, eh? Anyhow the bolded bit, apart from the squeeze as much from the customer as possible price (oh, and the cringeworthy names for features: airport for wi-fi, time machine for backup etc) is a big reason I never made the move to Apple. I have never felt the need to install Mac OS on a Windows PC, but the reverse is common hereabouts.

OP, only you can choose. Only you know what you need. IMHO a Mac is a semi specialist tool and a Windows one a more general purpose one. Arguments re viruses and compatibilities of phones are spurious in my opinion.

srsly78

Yeah it's pretty funny how all the mac guys have windows installed :P

cnocbui

ScumLord wrote: »

I've had anything but this experience, windows 7 will go online and find a driver if it doesn't have something locally to suit. Shortcuts on the desktop then. Or are you saying every program on the computer is on the desktop, that would get a bit crowded wouldn't it. Or is it like the windows taskbar where you can pin programs to the start bar?

Which is fine if you have an internet connection at the time, I have had occasion when I haven't. As an example. I was somewhere with my Macbook pro without an internet connection and I needed one. Connected my at the time SE phone to it and was able to configure it as a modem and off I went. I know for a fact I would have been stuffed had I been using my W7 laptop.

All Drives or Network connections you have an open connection too appear on the desktop automatically. No, they are not the same as a shortcut or alias. No clutter as they disappear on removal of the device or the connection is terminated.

Programs generally appear in the dock, which is like the task bar in the same way a Ferrari is like a Nissan Micra. Applications you use frequently you tend to put in the dock permanently. Any others have their icon appear in the dock if they are running.

Why would people need a code compiler? It's nice the mac comes with a load of free software but it's irrelevant bloat to most people as they'll never have any use for it.

Most people wouldn't but for those who do it's a nice touch and given the size of HD's their size is near irrelevant.

srsly78 wrote: »

Yeah it's pretty funny how all the mac guys have windows installed :P

Yes, and just as funny how they all vastly prefer to use OSX and will use Windows only when there is no other option.

ScumLord

cnocbui wrote: »

Which is fine if you have an internet connection at the time, I have had occasion when I haven't. As an example. I was somewhere with my Macbook pro without an internet connection and I needed one. Connected my at the time SE phone to it and was able to configure it as a modem and off I went. I know for a fact I would have been stuffed had I been using my W7 laptop.

That's fair enough but the same can be done with W7, especially if your using all Microsoft tec like having a win7 phone. I haven't had to many issues plugging in popular phones into windows is all I'm saying.

All Drives or Network connections you have an open connection too appear on the desktop automatically. No, they are not the same as a shortcut or alias. No clutter as they disappear on removal of the device or the connection is terminated.

Are you saying if you plug in a USB stick it appears automatically? That's the same as windows, it pops up asking you what you want to do with it. You also don't have to dismount them, just unplug them.

Programs generally appear in the dock, which is like the task bar in the same way a Ferrari is like a Nissan Micra. Applications you use frequently you tend to put in the dock permanently. Any others have their icon appear in the dock if they are running.

Still sounds exactly the same as windows 7, fair enough windows may have copied the idea but you can pin programs to the start menu you can even go as far as to skin it so it even looks like the mac one. Maybe I am being naive though I haven't used a mac.

Yes, and just as funny how they all vastly prefer to use OSX and will use Windows only when there is no other option.

They may have a preference for macs but it seems they have a requirement for windows, it doesn't work the other way around.

mickoneill30

From Failblog the other day.

http://failblog.org/2011/12/07/funny-facebook-fails-failbook-mac-vs-pc-the-truth/

I don't care whether it's true or not. It's funny.

deconduo

21.5' Imac with 2.8GHz i7 + 8GB of RAM: €1,849

I'll build you a better, faster computer with windows 7 for almost €1000 less.

yoyo

deconduo wrote: »

21.5' Imac with 2.8GHz i7 + 8GB of RAM: €1,849

Is that really the price for a 22" all in one machine :eek::eek:. fu(kin hell, would expect a 26" at least paying that price. Sure an excellent 22" display can be got for €250 odd, and obviously less cheaper lesser quality ones

Nick

deconduo

yoyo wrote: »

Is that really the price for a 22" all in one machine :eek::eek:. fu(kin hell, would expect a 26" at least paying that price. Sure an excellent 22" display can be got for €250 odd, and obviously less cheaper lesser quality ones

Nick

You can get a decent 21.5' IPS for €150, you can get the U2412M for €240. I wouldn't pay anything close to €250 for just the iMac screen.

yoyo

deconduo wrote: »

You can get a decent 21.5' IPS for €150, you can get the U2412M for €240. I wouldn't pay anything close to €250 for just the iMac screen.

Ahh I know, I was saying you'd get top of the range better than Mac screen for €250 or less, I honestly can't believe someone would pay nearly 2k for that spec, wow :eek::eek: . If you really want OSX for whatever reason getting a Mac mini and a decent spec PC for a resonable price seems like the best option

Nick

RoyalMarine

I wanted to go the route of an imac myself a few weeks back.

sadly, the price tag of a decent spec imac made me physically ill...
as decondou stated, 21.5' Imac with 2.8GHz i7 + 8GB of RAM: €1,849,

i built my own rig for about €700 and its better than that...
i7 @ 4.6ghz
12gb ddr3
6890
22" acer full hd monitor

and its running mac os x lion....
sadly this forum doesnt allow discussion of how to do this.. but google is your friend.
best OS ive ever used. I was a windows 7 fanboy until I ran lion. now I only ever use windows 7 in a VM if I really need something thats just not available on mac.