[Tin-Cup]

Questions Questions!


OK, a new Mac purchase is on the horizon and I'm needing some opinions on what to get

firstly i need to use my p.c. on occasion (and the comp I'm using wont run it in VPC)
i have got a p.c. so I'm not going to ask what to get - i will literally be using it for this one thing

ok, i will be qualified at the end of this year and will be using Macromedia studio and photoshop heavily (big time heavy), i will also be using FCP/express leisurely. then just normal apps (iLife, iWork and office)
i want the pc and the new mac to share a screen if possible (without me reaching behind everytime, is it possible) and i would also like the keyboard and mouse to be shared via bluetooth, would an apple keyboard work with windows? i take it i would have to buy some kind of bt dongle from the pc world shop?


so i would like it to be set up like this if possible





1, shared, permanently connected screen

2 shared, bluetooth mouse and keyboard (mouse i dont mind buying a two buttoned bt p.c. jobbie)

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ok onto the hardware questions

1, I'm torn between 20 inch and 30 inch, as the 23 inch is almost twice as much as the 20 inch in the uk, so i would prefer to get 2x 20 if instead. but a 30 is amazing.

do you think the 20 is going to be big enough for my heavy photoshop/dreamweaver and medium fcp uses? or can you recommend something?

if a 20 is enough i might get a ibook 12 inch for sitting around the house surfing ect (non work leisure) and for the g/f to use. but a 30 or dual 20s will put a big stop on that,


2. which comp?

a powermac is what i have been looking at - and think thats the only real way to go? i think i will be waiting for updates, mainly for a better deal on the 2.5 but ill just have to wait to see what the deals are like. 1gb ram? or 2gb ram? 4x512 sticks wont be that bad price from crucial
graphics card? if the 20 is in order i will probably go with the 6800 gt but the 30 i might want to get the 6800 ultra/x800 (can i have opinions on these cards?)


i would like to stress that money is an issue, but work is going to be important so its a need/money toss up

[Mafia]

look into a dell 2005fpw as it has a dvi and vga input cable. dvi to mac, vga to pc. thats what i do atleast.

[mak_attack]

Hi Tin-Cup,

Well being from the UK i would recommend you look at the Apple refurbished store on a wednesday.

http://promo.euro.apple.com/promo/refurb/uk/

this week they had: single 1.8 for £799 / dual 1.8 £1079 / dual 2.0 £1359 / dual 2.5 £1599.

These are all stock configurations but would be an excellent saving for you.

With the money saved you can upgrade from elsewhere i.e. crucial ram etc. be quick and you could save 4% of ram @ crucial (http://www.hotukdeals.com/News+index-catid-130.phtml)

the dell screen mentioned above is going for £475 via dell's official site and at the click of a button would allow you to change between your different setup.

dual monitor setup would allow you to save money £950 for 3300 x 1050 desktop space. using Macromedia studio this would be an ideal setup becuase one screen can be your permanent design area and the other permanent testing/viewing/preview area.

go for 4 x 512mb as you have 8 slots. this would leave you with 2.5 GB ram inc stock. you would have 3 slots free for future upgrade. going for 512 is way cheaper than a single 1gb.

"i think i will be waiting for updates, mainly for a better deal on the 2.5" - you will be waiting for months or even a day.....with technology you have to bite your tongue and just go with it and be happy.

remember upgrades can be done afterwards (gpu / ram / hdd etc) but not a cpu. so think wisely....

for intensive macromedia studio / photoshop 2gb is more than enough...and a dual 1.8/2.0/2.5 are all ideal.

if fcp is a hobby and turns into something more then a dual 2.0/2.5 is your best bet.

with money an issue:

get a dual 2.0/2.5 now = 1359 / 1599
2 * dell or even 1 for time being = 950 / 475
4 * 512 ram = £46.99 * 4 = £187.96

depending on what you choose between 2021 - 2736

future:
2nd monitor
more ram
better gpu
more hdd

good luck....

[Tin-Cup]

you have put some really good points forward there,

i really wanted the apple screen, but dell does represent quite a saving!

and i can plug both a pc and mac into it?

[Big Mac]

1. You can use monitors and other peripherals with multiple computers if you purchase a KVM switch. 2. It's safe to expect new G5s anywhere from now through June, so if you don't need to buy now, it is advisable to wait. 3. People seem to like those Dell monitors, with price being a prime attraction. I have no experience with Dell displays, but I do know for a fact that buying an inexpensive display can be a real gamble.

[Catfish_Man]

Dell displays as a whole are quite good. The 2005fp uses the same panel as the Apple one, iirc, although a different backlight and chipset.