Thinking of getting an iMac (First Mac).. Advice?

[Baasha]

Guys,

I'm thinking of getting the new iMac. Never had a Mac before and don't really fawn over them. I have a badass PC that fills my computing needs well.

My dad's PC on the other hand is a piece of dog turd that freezes more than a Taliban looking down the scope of a Barrett .50 Cal sniper. My dad is also not very computer savvy but he needs it for basic word processing (typing letters, sending/receiving email), browsing the web, and syncing/charging his iPhone.

What is the best combination of options for the iMac you guys recommend? I know they have a lot of customization possible but I don't think my dad is doing any 3D modeling or video editing so I don't need 8GB of RAM etc. Just a solid computer with a robust OS, keyboard, mouse that will turn on or off when he wants it to.

I like the iMac because it is basically an all-in-one and it is compact. I will most likely get the 27-inch model but I'm open to all useful suggestions.

Thanks.

 

[BrianP]

There is a 27" at the Apple refurb store for $1269 that suits your needs.

 

[TheStu]

Well, if you father has poor eyesight (like my father) the dot pitch on the 27" might be too high, though you could set the res to like 1280*720 I guess... but that just seems crazy.

Honestly, the basic configuration should cover him nicely. 4GB RAM, Core i3, 1TB HDD.

 

[Baasha]

There is a 27" at the Apple refurb store for $1269 that suits your needs.

Definitely want to get brand new.. not used/refurb..

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Definitely want to get brand new.. not used/refurb..

Why wouldn't you want refurbished?

 

[Ns1]

Definitely want to get brand new.. not used/refurb..

mac mini + monitor will be way cheaper and do everything your dad wants

not sure why you're getting him such an overkill iMac

 

[Heller]

Get it, my parents will illiterate to computers. I tryed teaching them on windows before but they just did not get it. then we got that a macbook pro, they can now send /receive emails /surf the web/etc with ease and they admit that the OSX operating system is much easier for them to operate compared to windows xp(i know windows xp is easy they just couldn't understand it)

I highly recomend OSX for the new to computer crowd. Get the refurbished though, you'll save a ton and its the same thing just without the fancy box.

 

[TheStu]

Apple refurbed are not scratch and dent. They are fully re-certified systems that have either been repaired or returned. You can save 10%+ easily and they come with the same warranty (and can get AppleCare). The only difference is that it comes in a plain brown box instead of the fancy one. Oh, and they have to be ordered online.

 

[Kadarin]

Whether you get new or refurbed, the base configuration iMac would be an excellent choice for your dad. To give you an idea, my 70yo mom is using the same G4 iMac from 2002 and I've had to do only very minimal tech support for her on it. I just bought her a new Mini for her birthday this year...

 

[nerp]

Go for it. Even the standard issue new iMac has decent ATI graphics and have solid i3 processors so they should be able to handle anything you throw at them from a general user perspective. If there is some Windows app they can't live without, buy Parallels desktop and use an existing Windows license. It's nice running Windows apps within the OSX interface as if they're native apps.

 

[Baasha]

Go for it. Even the standard issue new iMac has decent ATI graphics and have solid i3 processors so they should be able to handle anything you throw at them from a general user perspective. If there is some Windows app they can't live without, buy Parallels desktop and use an existing Windows license. It's nice running Windows apps within the OSX interface as if they're native apps.

If I want to run Windows on it, how do I use VMWare Fusion instead of Parallels?

 

[Baasha]

Guys,

Thanks for the advice. I want to get brand new because I just don't buy used stuff. Not to sound weird, but I've had several bad experiences with so-called refurbished goods in the past. I've never dealt with Apple's refurbished stuff so I cannot comment on it but my peace of mind is worth the extra +/- 10%.

 

[TheStu]

If I want to run Windows on it, how do I use VMWare Fusion instead of Parallels?

Roughly the same way. Install software (they both offer trials), put in Windows disk, install Windows in VM, install applications to Windows normally. They both offer modes that allow you mask the Windows desktop and just see the programs, such as a standalone Minesweeper window next to iPhoto.

I personally prefer Fusion over Parallels, but I haven't tried Parallels in a while.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Guys,

Thanks for the advice. I want to get brand new because I just don't buy used stuff. Not to sound weird, but I've had several bad experiences with so-called refurbished goods in the past. I've never dealt with Apple's refurbished stuff so I cannot comment on it but my peace of mind is worth the extra +/- 10%.

Just trying to help you save some money, no problem. But yeah, the low end iMac would be find for your needs. If you want to save even more, you can always go with the Mac Mini.

 

[Emulex]

get applecare no matter what.

imo the best deals are used systems people leave the applecare on them.


if they can't produce the original product/receipt they can't cash it out (in most states) or transfer it to new product.

i picked up a macbook air rev.B for $650 with 2yrs left on applecare. took it in first week for a bad wifi card (really poor signal,unusable). didn't bat an eye. the applecare is tied to the machine not the owner.

damn thing is so sweet. i might have to pick up an SSD rev.B or rev.C (the rev.A sucked).

 

[Ns1]

I guess I have huge balls then cuz I didn't buy Applecare and I'm about to hit the 3 year mark.

 

[Heller]

I guess I have huge balls then cuz I didn't buy Applecare and I'm about to hit the 3 year mark.

I spent ~$1100 for the refurb macbook pro, my 1 year warranty is going to be up in November, i have no problem dishing out the extra c note for piece of mind.

 

[Ns1]

I spent ~$1100 for the refurb macbook pro, my 1 year warranty is going to be up in November, i have no problem dishing out the extra c note for piece of mind.

I got a refurb mac mini, still debating whether or not I should get AC for it.

 

[Narse]

I am also still debating AC. I got the refurb macbook pro. Also OP, the Apple refurbs are just like new, they are wrapped in plastic just like new, have the same warranty and can get AC. You are crazy not to refurb from Apple if you can IMO.

 

[Heller]

I got a refurb mac mini, still debating whether or not I should get AC for it.

Look on ebay, if you can afford it grab it, its worth it IMO

 

[sportage]

I've enjoyed the mac experiance with the 27 imac. But also adding parallels is a must for me for one reason. Dvdfab.

 

[Kadarin]

One of my PCs self-destructed a couple of weeks ago, so today I decided to pull the trigger on a new iMac. I got the high end model; left out the SSD, but otherwise... 2TB HDD, i7, 8GB 27" ATI 5750. My reasoning is that I want a stable yet powerful (and quiet!) machine with a fairly compact form factor that can store my personal documents and projects and whatnot for some years to come. If I decide I need a gaming PC with more powerful graphics, I can always build another one (it's not like I can only afford one computer lol).

Looking forward to unboxing this in a few days

 

[nerp]

Enjoy, Kandarin. Working on my 27 inch iMac is a real pleasure. The keyboard is garbage. Thankfully I have my trusty Unicomp Model-M in the sliding keyboard tray under the desk. This way the machine remains clutter free on the desktop but I write with my usual clickety-click.

 

[Baasha]

I just learned that the iMac's optical drive does NOT play Blu-ray. WTF? why not?

How on earth do they get away with putting a lame "DVD" drive instead of a blu-ray one?

arrghhh....

 

[Narse]

Apple does not support blu ray. If you had a drive you would have to boot into windows to use it.