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cheshamjim · May 2, 2005, 06:33 PM

I will soon replace my 5 year old PC, and I have decided I'd like to replace it with an iMac.

My computer application is strictly in a non-commercial home environment. I do the usual word processing/spread sheet stuff, plus lots of Internet banking and all sorts of information research.

I convert audio from the old LP record format and cassette format into digital files, and I am a big fan of my iPod (all of my old LP albums have been digitized and stored) and iTunes.

I would like to expand my home computer application to include video recording capabilities, specifically TV broadcasts via the Evolution TV technology from Miglia.

I am drawn to the iMac because while I do not need notebook portability, I travel a couple of time a year and would like to take my home computer with me. Seems to me like a wireless iMac might be a little easier to transport than a tower.

I really have one main question: are 2Gb's worth the extra cost over 1Gb, particularly for my intended video application?

I need some hands to hold as I try to understand the Apple-OSX-iMac experience.

Thanks to anyone who cares to reach out.

amesbury · May 6, 2005, 11:13 PM

You seem to know what you want to do. I suggest that you visit the apple store, click support, and look thru the heading and topics "new to MAC". You just might want more system than you are currently contemplating. You may want less, you may want a couple of systems. Good luck!

amesbury · May 6, 2005, 11:35 PM

I forgot to add that another site to view for advice is small dog electronics.

cheshamjim · May 7, 2005, 08:08 AM

Thanks, amesbury. I had given up on Apple's web site too soon. I hadn't tried the "Support" tab (duh).

James41 · May 7, 2005, 02:11 PM

Originally Posted by cheshamjim

I really have one main question: are 2Gb's worth the extra cost over 1Gb, particularly for my intended video application?

I need some hands to hold as I try to understand the Apple-OSX-iMac experience.

Thanks to anyone who cares to reach out.

More ram is always a good thing. Things run smoother, sometimes faster also, and the Mac and OS X like ram and make use of it by caching a lot of things. You really see the difference when running multiple apps at once. With the price of ram what it is today, now would be a great time to max out your system.

Newegg.com has Corsair ValueSelect ram pc3200 400 mhz 1 gig sticks for about $95 per stick. A great buy on very good ram that works very well on the iMac. I have 2 gigs of it in my PowerMack and a gig of it in the iMac. Good quality and life time waranty.

cheshamjim · May 8, 2005, 08:16 AM

James, you answered a question I didn't originally ask: Is it best to buy the minimum RAM offering from Apple and add RAM yourself. It would certainly seem so in terms of cost, buy does user added RAM (or any other component, for that matter) affect Apple's warranty?

Thanks for your advise.

Hodog16 · May 8, 2005, 02:29 PM

The iMacs max out at 2 GB of RAM. To get to there, you would either need to upgrade Apple's initial RAM to 1 GB and then add a 2nd 1 GB stick, or buy two 1 GB sticks and install those and take out Apple's initial 512 MB RAM I guess.

If you just want to upgrade but not max out, then by far it's better to stick with Apple's 512 MB initial offering and add a 1 GB stick for less than $100 total. I don't think installing RAM would void the warranty, at least I hope not!

Randman · May 8, 2005, 02:30 PM

Adding ram won't void the warranty. Apple even has a video on the site on doing it.

cheshamjim · May 8, 2005, 05:23 PM

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advice and guidance.

James41 · May 9, 2005, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by cheshamjim

James, you answered a question I didn't originally ask: Is it best to buy the minimum RAM offering from Apple and add RAM yourself. It would certainly seem so in terms of cost, buy does user added RAM (or any other component, for that matter) affect Apple's warranty?

Thanks for your advise.

Answer is yes, Apple charges to much for ram, simple as that. And no, it won't void your warranty to add ram to the iMac, very simple job to do so.

As for your original question:

Originally Posted by cheshamjim

"I really have one main question: are 2Gb's worth the extra cost over 1Gb, particularly for my intended video application?"

I think my answer was at least in the ball park of your question.