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  1. Member
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    Ok, 80% chance I'll be making my first Mac purchase after years of marginally proficient PC use. My timetable for making this purchase is 2-4 months.

    Reason for possible switch: the usual..

    My current 5 year old Micron PC is probably nearing the end, certainly from a speed standpoint, though it otherwise has held up remarkably well. Hasn't given me much trouble at all, though I've probably avoided much experimenting or adding lots of programs out of some subconscious fear of courting headaches.

    Now, I'm looking for a more elegant, satisfactory experience, free of virus/firewall and software conflict-type worries. Also, seems like now, more than ever, there is a fairly seemless ability to go back and forth, as necessary, between the Mac and PC platforms (sharing files and such).

    My intended uses:

    Mostly wordprocessing, web-surfing, some occasional DVD editing (mostly correcting and enhancing stuff I will be recording on standalone DVD recorder). Some Virtual PC work for business-type stuff. Not too much gaming, really. Then, whatever other trouble I can get myself into (the fun kind, hopefully).

    Curtain #1 - 20" iMac - In keeping with the argument that your best value is in buying 80-90% of the latest technology, small footpriint (should I somehow decide to get another PC machine as well, this would help), may be powerful enough for what I'm doing. I would be concerned about the fact that the monitor will likely outlast the computer. With the small footprint of this iMac, I suppose if I were to replace the iMac with a bigger G4/G5 type traditional cased computer down the line, the size of the iMac would still be pretty small even if only to be used for the monitor.

    Curtain #2 - fastest dual proc. G4 - Again, 80-90% of technology/best value argument. Also, can add more memory down the line than the iMac.

    Curtain #3 - 1.8 dual proc. G5 - Under the "Buy as much as you can possibly afford" argument, for ultimate longevity. I have the available cash to splurge on this if it's the smartest play, but it's probably more than what I should be budgeting for a computer in my overall financial situation (very good cash position, though current salary is just ok).

    Curtain #4 - mystery "prize" computer - I've heard that it's common for new product and price change announcements to be made in June. If so, sit tight and wait to see what's going to happen and make a decision then.

    If you've made it this far, THANKS!

    Feel free to advise, based on your collected experiences and wisdoms here...
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  2. Member The village idiot's Avatar
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    I'm not positive but I don't think you can use the monitor from an Imac with any other computers. I don't think it has a cable that can be unplugged.
    Hope is the trap the world sets for you every night when you go to sleep and the only reason you have to get up in the morning is the hope that this day, things will get better... But they never do, do they?
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  3. Member WiseWeasel's Avatar
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    Don't get the iMac, they can't be upgraded (unless you don't play games). If you can wait, you'll get a much better deal on a current G5 model once the next ones come out. Then, you should be able to get that dual 1.8 GHz for <$2000.
    I like systems, their application excepted. (George Sand, translated from French), "J'aime beaucoup les systèmes, le cas d'application excepté."
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  4. Member galactica's Avatar
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    if you want to do any sort of video editing, shoot for the towers. iMac's [while nice] are more for the average every day mac user

    If you can afford it, go for the G5
    otherwise, a G4 1.25 works wonders [its what I have]
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  5. Member
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    Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'll sit back and hope for some price-cut announcements in June then.

    galactica - is your G4 a dual processor?

    One other question and then I'll give it a rest for a while...

    What is the Mac communities feeling for the current crop of monitors? Are these held in high regard, or are many users purchasing other brands to use with their Macs?
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  6. Member WiseWeasel's Avatar
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    I say you can't go wrong with a $100-150 19" CRT monitor. Screw the prices on LCD monitors.
    I like systems, their application excepted. (George Sand, translated from French), "J'aime beaucoup les systèmes, le cas d'application excepté."
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  7. I'd suggest that you go for one of the towers, preferably the G5. However, youdid mention waiting till June....well....Big Steve did promise a 3GHz G5 within the year....
    Visit me at www.virtualaftershock.com/ for all your Custom DVD cover needs.
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  8. Member galactica's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by GregN
    Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I'll sit back and hope for some price-cut announcements in June then.

    galactica - is your G4 a dual processor?

    One other question and then I'll give it a rest for a while...

    What is the Mac communities feeling for the current crop of monitors? Are these held in high regard, or are many users purchasing other brands to use with their Macs?
    It sure is.
    dual g4 1.25 with 2gigs of ram

    likewise, for monitors i cant recommend anything but viewsonic
    I have This one.

    I also just got This Apple Monitor which kicks some serious butt. but if $ is more of an issue the viewsonics are less expensive and really good monitors
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  9. Member WiseWeasel's Avatar
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    The best CRT monitors are Mitsubishi Diamondtron monitors. They also sell the bare tubes to other manufacturers, so you can find a good deal on diamondtron monitors from other manufacturers. Apple CRT monitors were Mitsubishi diamondtron when they still made them. Viewsonic are also very nice, and I believe most use the Sony Trinitron tubes, if memory serves, also very respectable. I have a cheapo Samsung one, which has a nice picture, but the screen is kind of curvy, which is not too good for glare.
    I like systems, their application excepted. (George Sand, translated from French), "J'aime beaucoup les systèmes, le cas d'application excepté."
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  10. Member
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    Yes, the 20" LCD looks really sweet to these eyes of mine. I like the lighter presentation of it too, instead of the more traditional black or dark framing/base of most LCD screens that I see.

    I really want the thin presentation of such a screen as well. It would be nice to be able reclaim some desk space from my existing Micron Trinitron 17" CRT, which is now 5 years old.

    I don't know how long monitors typically last, but this one has held up well. (But it just wouldn't feel like I'm getting a new computer if I use the same old monitor with it. )
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  11. Member
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    Prices on these LCDs should be going down soon as well, just as they have in the television LCD market.
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