Buying a iMac

[CommanderCkC]

I would also like to know how many memory do we have on the 20 inches iMac? By memory, I mean the memory to save files, photos, music ... Not the other memory that I don't remember the name

Because you know, I am not a specialist in computers

Well, your friend is wrong, very wrong. I am going to answer some of your questions...
First off, the iMac has great messaging quality, when your friend said it only has msn that is so wrong. The mac features a program called iChat which supports AOL AIM, Bonjour, and MSN and lets you switch between them very easily. I only have an AIM account, so I dont know if Bonjour and MSN have the same video chat and audio chat as the AIM on iChat does, but it runs really smoothly. Second, I am not big on photo editing programs, but my dad is. He has this program called Photo Elements or something like that, and I remember he got it for cheap... you can also get a program called Aperture, which if you are really into Photo editing, that is the program for you. You can also find free photo editing programs on the internet very easily. Let me just inform you now, my dad is very good with computers, but when he got Aperture, he spent weeks trying to figure out how to use it. It is a TOP of the line program that even the modeling businesses use. Third, about the buying a pc and installing vista or w/e. I am not exactly sure of your question, but it is soooo much harder to install vista or xp. If your buying it, the iMac comes pre-installed with leopard and iLife '08. Also, about your memory question, my dad upgraded it when he bought it from best buy, I honestly have no idea. You can check the Apple or bestbuy website. And last, about the photo editing, it comes with a couple programs which allow you to change a couple settings about the photo, nothing high tech like the apps i mentioned earlier. Hope this LONG message helped, lol.

 

[tlarkin]

Thanks again everybody. I have a few other questions because my friend sent me an email about pc and iMac and I would like to have your opinion.

- My friend told me that I have to buy the equivalent of Photoshop because it is not on iMac. Is it true or is there some equivalent programe on iMac and do we have to pay for this?

Adobe makes all their products for OS X and Windows, so you can run everything you want. I have CS3 Premium on my Mac and it works.

- He also told me that with iMac it is nearly impossible to chat with people because they are only on msn and the mac version of msn is about 4 years old and that google talk is not working on iMac. I would like to know if I can chat with somebody with iChat like my msn contacts?

iChat works with AIM, MSN, Jabber and Google Talk, plus there are third party chat apps like Adium that work with everything. He is way wrong.

- He also said that it's better to buy a pc and install Windows Vista or to try Linux on it that to buy iMac with OS. What do you think of this?

Pure opinion and not anything factual.

- He also said that most files that I can use with iMac will not be possible to read it on a PC. Is it true?

Like what media files? VLC is a free open source media player that runs on Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux and plays just about every single media file you can toss at it. Your friend is wrong.

- Did you have problem when using your webcam on iMac?

No, in fact I was video conferencing with co-workers last night.

- And he told me that the programs that allows us to edit photos and videos are not included in iMac (we have to pay for them he said) and they are not supposed to be very good. What do you think of that?

Not included on the Mac? Well, nothing is included like that period, you have to buy it. However, out of the box the Mac can, edit video, record and master audio, author a DVD, edit photos, so on and so forth. Now. those are the included (free) apps when you buy a Mac. Apple also has a professional line of those same applications but they cost money, but they are also the professional level ones. Hollywood uses Final Cut Studio to edit and chop up Hollywood movies. You, probably don't need that level of professionalism just yet.

What does Vista get you out of the box? Not all that, but most likely a virus.

 

[MusicTech]

Well, I just want to answer your first little whoopsie, then get to you questions:

The "memory to hold pictures and stuff" is your hard drive. It's the big filing cabinet in your computer. Unless you are a hidef photo editor or movie editor and are constantly editing and adding many of these files to your computer or have a lot of songs, like 10's of thousands, I would say 80 GB is plenty, 160GB to be safe

RAM (Random Access Memory) to keep it simple is what makes your computer faster, when you run a program it gets loaded into RAM I would say 2GB RAM is plenty, then in the next year invest in another 2 GB, as programs get bigger, better and more complex. The good thing about memory is that's the one thing that Apple will let you change yourself without voiding the warranty.

Try to get this distinction right, if you call you hard drive memory, that irritates a lot of computer people, doesn't bother me, as long as you make the effort to get it right.

As far as photo editing, you can get photshop, if you don't want to sell you car though, I recommend GIMP, it's open-source (meaning anybody can edit, i.e. no copyright) basically it's free and always getting better.

iChat is a beautiful interface and is far less obnoxious than AIM, which I hate. Unfortunately, it only supports one messager per window, Adium is great if want to have friends in with different Messengers (AIM, MSN, Yahoo) in one window.

With boot camp you can actually have Mac, Windows and Linux all at once and boot into whichever you prefer. Linux probably isn't good for you, it's not that it's hard to use (it's actually VERY easy) it's just pretty pointless unless you enjoy open-source/software editing etc. Windows is good just in case there is an application that you REALLY need that doesn't run on Mac, but as far as visual interface, Mac is the best, in my opinion.

as far as the file types go, yes VLC is great as it supports just about everything, and just in case there i something it barfs over, there are all kinds of converters all over the internet

Mac actually offers way more out of the box. Garage Band is great if you're just starting with sound recording and mixing, iMovie is great if you're starting with video editing, and the other iLife apps are great.

THere should actually be a webcam built right in to the top of the monitor, I have never had a problem with any mac software finding it.

Overall, I must say, I recommend Mac OS.

Hope this helps, sorry if it's too longwinded.

 

[Moi]

Thanks again everybody for your help.

I would like to know if it is possible to use or send PC files like in Word, Excel ... to somebody with a Mac and the opposite or those programs only work with PC if it is Word, Excel ...?

For the equivalent of Photoshop, I am not sure if I understand you well but I wanted to know the name of the program that can do about the same fonctions but for Mac and how much does it cost approximately?

For an antivirus, is it included in the package when you buy a iMac?

Thanks again!

 

[tlarkin]

Thanks again everybody for your help.

I would like to know if it is possible to use or send PC files like in Word, Excel ... to somebody with a Mac and the opposite or those programs only work with PC if it is Word, Excel ...?

Yes, Office runs on the Mac. As well as Open Office and Neo Office which open all office files and works fine on a Mac.

For the equivalent of Photoshop, I am not sure if I understand you well but I wanted to know the name of the program that can do about the same fonctions but for Mac and how much does it cost approximately?

Photoshop. It is made on the Mac. The Gimp is a free open source photoshop clone that you can use if you don't want to buy photo shop.

For an antivirus, is it included in the package when you buy a iMac?

That is not really needed as there are no viruses for OS X in the wild.

 

[Nigouki]

Hmm, well your statements are extremely exaggerated and hold about as much truth as an Ann Coulter book.

Exaggeration is the opposite of sarcasm.

Exaggeration for comic effect is called hyperbole (not to be confused with hyperbola, which is a math thing).

 

[tlarkin]

Exaggeration is the opposite of sarcasm.

Exaggeration for comic effect is called hyperbole (not to be confused with hyperbola, which is a math thing).

You used both in your previous statement. For one manly men drink stout beers, whiskey and smoke cigars as well they also have facial hair. They wouldn't ever really care about such a trivial thing like building a PC.

 

[TrainTrackHack]

What does Vista get you out of the box? Not all that, but most likely a virus.

You monster! You made me ROFLMAO in the public library! Ach...

 

[rusto85]

Thanks again everybody for your help.

I would like to know if it is possible to use or send PC files like in Word, Excel ... to somebody with a Mac and the opposite or those programs only work with PC if it is Word, Excel ...?

For the equivalent of Photoshop, I am not sure if I understand you well but I wanted to know the name of the program that can do about the same fonctions but for Mac and how much does it cost approximately?

For an antivirus, is it included in the package when you buy a iMac?

Thanks again!

If you need to run windows, there is a program that comes with all macs called bootcamp, which pretty much allows you to run both OS in the mac.

Macs rarely get viruses, but there are antiviruses; however, they do not come with the product out of the box. You have to purchase it, though like it has been mentioned - it is rare to get a virus on a mac....unless you really look for one.

About the excel, powerpoint, word, etc...you just have to save them on the compatible version of the file like for word would be a .doc file. So, yes! you can send files to other individuals with PCs, just send them the correct file extension.

Photoshop runs in macs....look up the Adobe CS3 suite.

Photoshop for PC = Photoshop for Mac
Premier for PC = Final cut for Mac

You can find many programs similar to what you find in both platforms. I use macs at school for video editing and other multimedia projects. I like them, sure, plus I just got a buddy a new macbook. Although I'm still a fan of PCs....simple it's just the gaming aspect is what keeps me on and the ability to upgrade. I had programs close on me, yes but not a complete system freeze - That's the only problem I found, once a program becomes unstable the OS just shuts it off....not allowing you to save. Always save, save, save. Hope this helps.

 

[tlarkin]

If you need to run windows, there is a program that comes with all macs called bootcamp, which pretty much allows you to run both OS in the mac.

Macs rarely get viruses, but there are antiviruses; however, they do not come with the product out of the box. You have to purchase it, though like it has been mentioned - it is rare to get a virus on a mac....unless you really look for one.

About the excel, powerpoint, word, etc...you just have to save them on the compatible version of the file like for word would be a .doc file. So, yes! you can send files to other individuals with PCs, just send them the correct file extension.

Photoshop runs in macs....look up the Adobe CS3 suite.

Photoshop for PC = Photoshop for Mac
Premier for PC = Final cut for Mac

You can find many programs similar to what you find in both platforms. I use macs at school for video editing and other multimedia projects. I like them, sure, plus I just got a buddy a new macbook. Although I'm still a fan of PCs....simple it's just the gaming aspect is what keeps me on and the ability to upgrade. I had programs close on me, yes but not a complete system freeze - That's the only problem I found, once a program becomes unstable the OS just shuts it off....not allowing you to save. Always save, save, save. Hope this helps.

While no OS out there is "bullet-proof" OS X does not have any self propagating viruses in the wild. Therefore, the malware and trojans that do exist for OS X must be downloaded and installed by a local administrator account to even affect the system. There are some basic steps you can take to avoid this all together

1) Create 2 accounts. 1 admin account and 1 basic account. never log in as admin, and only use the admin credentials to install software and such

2) Only install software from legit places. If some website says you need a codec, don't download and install it with out investigating it first. Windows users are highly subjected to this, and it is now a reality for OS X users.

3) Learn the basics of Unix so you can better under stand POSIX permissions and what certain things should be. So you can better understand the security risk in certain things.

 

[Moi]

Ok thanks again,

So let me recapitulate to see if I understand very well.

- With iMac, it is possible to use iWork and to send files to users of Word on their PC. I just have to save with the proper extension name.

- The webcam works fine with MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk (for the sound only because Google Talk doesn't have image yet).

- There is no problem with the iMac reflecting too much light with the screen.

- The mouse and keyboard are also working fine.

- I saw that iWork is pretty basic for word processing. Is it true that it doesn't have all the options of Word?

- iMac is very good at photo and video editing.

- I have to purchase an expensive program to do some photo editing like Photoshop. If I don't want to buy it, there is a freeware that is supposed to be good.

- With Mac there is almost no virus but it is better to find an antivirus just to be secure.

- To listen music, do I have to buy speakers or they are included with the iMac? If they are included, are they good? If not, I have a set of speakers for pc. Will they work fine on my iMac?

- I also have a scan on my PC (Canascan D646U ex). Will it work on my iMac? If not, what do I do?

- Is there a function that let us copy datas on CD or DVD? How does it woek?

- If I have Photoshop (PC version) and I want to use it. Is it possible to install it with the Bootcamp version and when I need it, I go on bootcamp and after I go back to Mac OX?

Thanks again for your tips. It is very appreciated. I think I made the best choice to join this forum

 

[idealsreturn]

Uhh, as for viruses, the only people who will tell you they don't get viruses have had their head stuck in their ipods for too long! Most viruses today are actually being developed for the mac, its just that all the preexisting viruses are built for pc. This gives the impression that there are no viruses for macs as the new stuff takes a while to hit the shelves so to speak. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Oh, and as pretty as the mac may be, for every app you can get on the mac, free or otherwise, there is 10 times the selection on the pc. Personally I would run linux, but unless you're reasonably confident and tech savvy I wouldn't recommend it. I'd suggest, as has already been said, getting a pc at half the price of a mac, and if looks, video editing etc are that important, just build it accordingly.

For me, macs are like brand name clothes, sure they look nice, but you can get just as good looking stuff without the brand name, or even make it yourself or have it tailored for you!

 

[Kill Bill]

Uhh, as for viruses, the only people who will tell you they don't get viruses have had their head stuck in their ipods for too long! Most viruses today are actually being developed for the mac, its just that all the preexisting viruses are built for pc. This gives the impression that there are no viruses for macs as the new stuff takes a while to hit the shelves so to speak. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Oh, and as pretty as the mac may be, for every app you can get on the mac, free or otherwise, there is 10 times the selection on the pc. Personally I would run linux, but unless you're reasonably confident and tech savvy I wouldn't recommend it. I'd suggest, as has already been said, getting a pc at half the price of a mac, and if looks, video editing etc are that important, just build it accordingly.

For me, macs are like brand name clothes, sure they look nice, but you can get just as good looking stuff without the brand name, or even make it yourself or have it tailored for you!

No. The only virus so far discovered was in a porn for mac installer



- With iMac, it is possible to use iWork and to send files to users of Word on their PC. I just have to save with the proper extension name.

Yes. You save as and it will have word 98 , 2003, etc.

- The webcam works fine with MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger and Google Talk (for the sound only because Google Talk doesn't have image yet).

The web cam didn't work for me with MSN I think, Yahoo & Google should be used with ichat and yes theres video. Anyway try this http://mercury.im/ if you need really msn.

- There is no problem with the iMac reflecting too much light with the screen.

No. Full back lid LED last time I checked.

- The mouse and keyboard are also working fine.

Duh. As all and if you go wireless you get batterys

- I saw that iWork is pretty basic for word processing. Is it true that it doesn't have all the options of Word?

I work has pretty much the same features if not more


- iMac is very good at photo and video editing.


Yes. Of Course it has iPhoto to organize photos take out red eye. You can't draw or anything though. And iMovie 08 is base to make your videos. And if you want GFX get iMovie 06 HD Free off of apple and you can put in visuals.


- I have to purchase an expensive program to do some photo editing like Photoshop. If I don't want to buy it, there is a freeware that is supposed to be good.

GIMP works with mac too


- With Mac there is almost no virus but it is better to find an antivirus just to be secure.


if you look at porn you are at risk if not your fine. If you really want one iAntivirus is perfect and free. Thats what I use.


- To listen music, do I have to buy speakers or they are included with the iMac? If they are included, are they good? If not, I have a set of speakers for pc. Will they work fine on my iMac?

Yea they will work fine. I'm not sure actually I think you might. Check the iMac specs.



- I also have a scan on my PC (Canascan D646U ex). Will it work on my iMac? If not, what do I do?

The scanner is ancient. Have to get a new one. But I'm sure theres one for 50$


- Is there a function that let us copy datas on CD or DVD? How does it woek?

Theres an App called time machine that backs up on your external HD every hour automatically. But if you feel strong about it theres an app for CD/DVD


- If I have Photoshop (PC version) and I want to use it. Is it possible to install it with the Bootcamp version and when I need it, I go on bootcamp and after I go back to Mac OX?

Yes. You hold ALT/Option on start up. and you can choose mac or windows.

Thanks again for your tips. It is very appreciated. I think I made the best choice to join this forum

 

[Moi]

Hi everybody and thanks again for your help. Somebody told me this about the 20 inches iMac and I would like to have a more opinions on this. Excuse the translation because this message was written in french first.

I have a 20 inches iMac and run away from it because his screen is bad. And there is color variation between the top and the bottom of the screen. And the reflection of light is also very bad because it reflects the light too much even if we adjust it to the minimum. This is the biggest cons of 20 inches iMac.

So, what do you think?

 

[ebenezer]

To be very honest, this site is vey interesting and i hope its usful but since i dont have any idea about imac i am seriously looking forward for some information regarding that.
--------------
Ebenezer


Wide Circles

 

[tlarkin]

Hi everybody and thanks again for your help. Somebody told me this about the 20 inches iMac and I would like to have a more opinions on this. Excuse the translation because this message was written in french first.



So, what do you think?

I think that everything you buy regardless of brand has a failure rate, that is also why they give you a warranty. Apple has a great reputation of taking care of their customers as well. If something is going to go bad with your computer it almost always does it while under warranty. They also have done recalls on major repair issues, just research blown capacitors on the G5 iMac logic board. They extended the warranty for three extra years on that model to replace the bad capacitors on them. Not many companies do that.

The bottom line is, if you want a Mac then get a Mac. I have an iMac in my office at work. It is a work machine and it works great. It meets my needs and does what I want it to do, never crashes, runs multiple desktops and is a decent machine. Probably not my first choice for a personal computer, but I don't think they are bad machines by any means.