[iDotMac]

I need a new mac. My clamshell iMac is about stretched too thin and it's time to upgrade. Let me tell you what I do so I can get an idea of what I need.

I'm self employeed so my home computer is my business computer.

I do some LIMITED web design (self taught to get my business web page up)

I use photoshop and freehand for light to medium graphics and web work.

[Edit]I also use iMovie a good bit. I probably make about 6 movies for work for communication and publicity. I'm hoping to get Final Cut Express soon. [Edit]

Various business tools (excel, appleworks, etc)

I MIGHT need to use VPC. I have some accounting software I might need to use in the future but I am conisdering getting a PC just for that.

On the personal side I don't play too many games though I do like MMORPGs.

That being said...What should I get/do? I'm really pulling my hair out trying to figure out what I need to do. Wait a little longer or buy.

The iMac looks good and has a good price but it's not upgradeable. I think I might resent spending that money.

The eMac is nice but has no USB2. I have a few drives that use USB2.

The G4 Towers are nice.

The G5s are really nice but I've heard that VPC won't run on it.

I don't want another portable for various reasons.

What's a mac junkie to do?

[Cory Bauer]

I think the 17" iMac would suit your needs just fine. Don't get too hung up on the lack up internal upgradability. You can upgrade the RAM, and if need-be you can add an external Firewire hard drive. You can even custom build the 17" iMac now to include a 160GB internal Hard Drive.

If you're still concerned about upgradability, ask yourself these questions:

- would you or have you ever really needed a PCI slot?

- would you ever want to shell out $300 to put a new graphics card in your computer?

- would you ever want to shell out $500 + to put a new processor in your computer?

If you say yes to any of those, then go with the reduce-priced G4 Powermac. If you're like me, you'd rather just save the money you'd spend on upgrades and put that cash towards a new system in 2-3 years. Good luck!

[iDotMac]

Thanks. About upgrading every 2-3 years that's the problem. The wife ABSOLUTELY LOVES the iMac and is clamoring for me to go ahead and get it. However, she thinks it should last at LEAST 4-5 years. She still doesn't understand why I want to upgrade my clamshell iBook...I "just got it 3 years ago!" Anyway I think I might just be stuck with this next computer for some time.

[kcmac]

We have had our iMac DVSE coming up on 4 years now. It runs OS X great and we have heard that Panther will make it seem even a little faster.

We plan on getting a new iMac soon after Panther is released but believe me, we have plenty of future use planned for our current iMac.

[MacPino]

Go with one of the FP iMac's. It's a great model, and as Cory Bauer stated upgradability isn't that important for a lot of people. (you clamshell wasn't upgradable, was it?)

The G5 won't run VirtualPC anytime soon. Microsoft is working on it, but the architectural differences between the G4 and the G5 are quite big. (in depth thread somewhere in the osX software forum)

If your working long times straight, your gonna love having a TFT screen. The screen of the eMac is o.k., but nothing can beat the 17" iMac on that.

Offcourse you can always pick up a "cheap" powermac G4 if you insist on the upgradability.