| Forum Home | ||||
| Press F1 | ||||
| Thread ID: 115491 | 2011-01-20 19:23:00 | Buying a Mac desktop computer | Beemer (6956) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 1171265 | 2011-01-20 19:23:00 | First up, I don't want to hear from those who hate Macs and think I'm an idiot for even considering one - I've used them before, went away to a PC and now want to return to the Mac platform! What I do want is some advice before I start looking so I end up with the best computer for ME. This is what I have currently (and yes, I know it's not that great): Compaq Presario SR5065AN desktop computer Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 x 2 Dual Core Processor 4200+ 2.20 GHz Memory (RAM): 3070 MB System type: 32-bit Operating System I currently run Photoshop CS2 and Microsoft Office 2003. I have InDesign CS3 installed too, had to get it for a course I was doing but probably won't bother getting that for the Mac as I rarely use it. I have an external hard drive attached to it and a printer, plus a modem and wireless router (I think that the iMacs have the wireless stuff built in but I may be wrong). I'm an editor and photographer so mostly use the computer for word processing and photo processing. I have a 21" flat screen monitor with my PC and find that's fine, although a little larger wouldn't go amiss at times. I don't play games, watch movies on my computer (we live in the country and broadband is not that fast!) or do anything that requires huge capacity or high speed, but I want a decent Mac that will do everything I need and I won't be wishing I'd got the next model up a few months later. We don't have any dedicated Mac dealers here in Levin (only Noel Leeming) and I'd rather have a bit of knowledge before I go shopping. I currently have an iPad and an iPod Touch, which is one reason I am tending towards a Mac. I have a wireless keyboard for the iPad and see that Macs appear to come with them, so I am hoping I can swap that for some other accessory when the time comes to buy. I'm not that technologically literate, so advice in simple terms would be great! If you need any more information from me before you can give advice, just ask and I'll pop back later and answer any questions. |
Beemer (6956) | ||
| 1171266 | 2011-01-20 19:41:00 | As you already have a keyboard and a reasonable monitor you may like to consider the Mac mini. It has all the features of a normal Mac desktop without the monitor and keyboard. www.apple.com |
Safari (3993) | ||
| 1171267 | 2011-01-20 19:42:00 | Budget? Personally I'd go for the 27" i5-based iMac if forced to go with Mac, because it's the only one they currently have with a true quad-core CPU (without stepping up to the Xeon-based Mac Pro), and I've been decidedly underwhlemed by the i3's so far. | inphinity (7274) | ||
| 1171268 | 2011-01-20 20:20:00 | You can buy online: nz.shop.yoobee.com I have to say though, Macs are expensive, but have a look, you can ring them to discuss what's suitable for you. I have no idea so not going to even suggest anything. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 1171269 | 2011-01-20 21:11:00 | I'd go for the i5 Quad Core iMac. But it is really better value to go for a macbook or macbook pro and buy an adapter for your screen. You could buy direct from apple ( i recall that anything over $100? the fast ship for free). www.apple.com | icow (15313) | ||
| 1171270 | 2011-01-21 04:32:00 | I suggest making a trip to wellington, there are two dedicated mac shops. Magnum mac in the city and another in lower hutt(can't think of name) as well as DSE and HN. | plod (107) | ||
| 1171271 | 2011-01-21 05:11:00 | There are 9 Official Apple dealers in NZ. Magnum Mac Auckland, ubertec Auckland, Logical Systems Auckland, AppleCentre Waikato, Technology Centre Tauranga, DSTL Palmerston Nrth, MagnumMac Wellington, MagnumMac Christchurch, MagnumMac Dunedin | icow (15313) | ||
| 1171272 | 2011-01-21 06:35:00 | Thanks everyone and thanks to the person who sent me a PM as well. I bought my first Mac from Magnum Mac (in Christchurch, long before the Wellington store existed) and had fantastic service and after sales support, so I'd be happy to go back to them. Have been a bit underwhelmed by the service from computer outlets in Palmerston North so far. It looks like it may be best for me to go in and talk to the guys selling them and see what they suggest - then come back here and say "they said I should buy this" and see what you guys think! My monitor is okay, but not that great - it's a Philips 220WS and has one or two dead pixels that annoy me when processing photos. It wasn't very expensive so I don't think I'd be that worried about replacing it. |
Beemer (6956) | ||
| 1171273 | 2011-01-21 07:29:00 | Thanks everyone and thanks to the person who sent me a PM as well. I bought my first Mac from Magnum Mac (in Christchurch, long before the Wellington store existed) and had fantastic service and after sales support, so I'd be happy to go back to them. Have been a bit underwhelmed by the service from computer outlets in Palmerston North so far. It looks like it may be best for me to go in and talk to the guys selling them and see what they suggest - then come back here and say "they said I should buy this" and see what you guys think! My monitor is okay, but not that great - it's a Philips 220WS and has one or two dead pixels that annoy me when processing photos. It wasn't very expensive so I don't think I'd be that worried about replacing it. You can pickup flat screens real cheap second hand i got mine for $60. Or for $202 you can get a asus 20" screen. |
icow (15313) | ||
| 1 | |||||