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thinking about mac....
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: May 2005
Status:
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Hey folks....
Decided to stop in to my local Apple store to check out the new mini mac. I was surprised by how easy it was to use and all of the bundled features (iDVD, photo editing, etc...). On to my question... after reading up on the Mini, it appears to be an "as is" box with very few changes possible (video card, etc.). On the opposite end of the Mac rainbow is the Power Mac. Easily upgradable, same user friendliness, cool case design, quiet.... For a new user to the Mac world, which would be preferable as a starter system? Mini or Power Mac? Secondly, I like to surf and watch tv (via All-in-wonder video card) on my pc. Are there any tv options for the Mac lineup? Also, how do Mac's fair when it comes to viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware? I'm getting constantly attacked on my pc. Will I have to shell out $$$ to get protective software for the Mac?
Thanks to all!
Glenn
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Dedicated MacNNer
Join Date: Jun 2002
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This is such a great series of questions that just screams you want the Mac.
Yes, the Mac operating System is extremely easy to use.
Yes, The bundled "iLife" software is amazing and also a joy to use.
Both the Mac mini and PowerMac are able to watch TV.
For Mac mini: EyeTV
For PowerMac: AlchemyTV
As to date, there are 0 officially registered viruses for the Mac. There are currently over 10,000 for Windows. There is also no spyware or adware for the Mac.
Unbiased, it is very easy to say that Windows XP is no longer of any comparison to OS X, as the Mac is simply years ahead.
I say to go for a bottom-line PowerMac. You will love it, and it will last you for 6+ years to come.
Thanks and Welcome!!
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Addicted to MacNN
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: The bottom of Cloud City
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Why not have a look at a 17 inch imac as unless you have a monitor the Mac Mini isn't as great of a deal.
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"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Washington, DC
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There's always the middle of the road: the iMac. Now, it isn't very upgradeable either, but is a great value compared to the current crop of powermacs.
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Mac Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Belgium
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Depending on your budget ...
If you don't like the "all in one" form factor (iMac i.e.), I would suggest the entry level PM G5. It is evolutive (although I think you won't be able to change the processor in the future). You've got PCI slots to add a TV tuner for example ... And it's a G5 which is great. Just double the HD size and upgrade the video card on the apple store, it is not expensive (only $50 for the video card). The first dual G5 is even better since it has the new DVD burners (16x), etc. and of cours the power of 2 processors which makes a big difference in video applications or iTunes for example ...
On the other side the mini is cheap, easy ... be sure to add some memory before buying it (minimum 512).
Finally I would say one of the best computers today is the iMac. If you see the specs of the iMac G5 20", it rocks. It has absolutely everything !
You will see how great it is to open up your first mac box and read "designed by Apple in California" for the first time hehe 
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S k y p a t
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Baninated
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: http://www.rotharmy.com
Status:
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Originally Posted by BurpetheadX
This is such a great series of questions that just screams you want the Mac.
Yes, the Mac operating System is extremely easy to use.
Yes, The bundled "iLife" software is amazing and also a joy to use.
Both the Mac mini and PowerMac are able to watch TV.
For Mac mini: EyeTV
For PowerMac: AlchemyTV
As to date, there are 0 officially registered viruses for the Mac. There are currently over 10,000 for Windows. There is also no spyware or adware for the Mac.
Unbiased, it is very easy to say that Windows XP is no longer of any comparison to OS X, as the Mac is simply years ahead.
I say to go for a bottom-line PowerMac. You will love it, and it will last you for 6+ years to come.
Thanks and Welcome!!
6+ years ?
with pci express just around the corner ???
you MUST be joking
i'd advise getting an imac 20" or waiting until Apple bring a REAL update to the powermac out
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Originally Posted by eddiecatflap
6+ years ?
with pci express just around the corner ???
you MUST be joking
Just because PCI express "is just around the corner" doesn't mean his machine won't be good in six years.
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Agent69
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Baninated
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: http://www.rotharmy.com
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good for what ? landfill ??
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Moderator  Join Date: May 2001
Location: Hilbert space
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You compare the lowliest machine to the most expensive one
I would rather start the discussion by asking: how much do you want to spend?
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I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute of it.
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: May 2005
Status:
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Thanks all.... I all ready have a DVI monitor and usb keyboard/mouse. Any word on changes being made to the G5? I don't want to plunk down two big if PCI Express and DDR2 are on the way.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Aug 2001
Status:
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glennk: They're "on the way" in that it's fairly inevitable that they'll be used at some point... but the G5 was just updated recently, so I wouldn't expect anything in the next 6 months at least.
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Mac Elite
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: London
Status:
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If you're looking to put down 2 grand, wait until June for the WWDC (world wide dev conference)- Apple will most probably intro some new gear there - its less than a month away and if you plunge now you may kick yourself in a couple of weeks
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Clinically Insane
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Status:
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Originally Posted by eddiecatflap
good for what ? landfill ??
Landfill, eh?  I know you're not seriously asserting that new and recent G5s should be destined for dumpsters, but aside from the obvious ecological concerns, it literally turns my stomach to read that post.
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"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
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Baninated
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: http://www.rotharmy.com
Status:
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yeah , i was out of order , sorry
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Ceres, Calif
Status:
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Originally Posted by glennk
Hey folks....
Decided to stop in to my local Apple store to check out the new mini mac. I was surprised by how easy it was to use and all of the bundled features (iDVD, photo editing, etc...). On to my question... after reading up on the Mini, it appears to be an "as is" box with very few changes possible (video card, etc.). On the opposite end of the Mac rainbow is the Power Mac. Easily upgradable, same user friendliness, cool case design, quiet.... For a new user to the Mac world, which would be preferable as a starter system? Mini or Power Mac? Secondly, I like to surf and watch tv (via All-in-wonder video card) on my pc. Are there any tv options for the Mac lineup? Also, how do Mac's fair when it comes to viruses, worms, trojan horses, spyware? I'm getting constantly attacked on my pc. Will I have to shell out $$$ to get protective software for the Mac?
Thanks to all!
Glenn
Which is preferable? It is always preferable to start at the top, but of course it is not always possible to do so. Depends on your circumstance and what you can afford. A power mac, any of them would be great, but an iMac would be more afforadable, but maybe a Mac Mini is all you can afford. Minis are great if you do the normal letter writing and web browsing and like to look at Aunt Mables picture and listen to mp3's. If however, your more into graphics and graphic editing, the iMac would do a nice job. Then of course if you not only do heavy graphics editing but want to do video editing, then you better be looking at a PowerMac in some form.
At this time the Mac is still fairly safe from viruses and other such little nasties. Of course if the user base keeps growing it will probably be a matter of time till it happens. Unless you will be hooked up to a lan with a bunch of pc's you really don't need a virus program, and that would only be to protect them as it will pass through you to them...
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PowerMac G5 - 2.0 4 1/2 Gig Ram - Tiger 10.4.2
30" Apple Monitor - LaCie d2 Tripple 320 Gig
iMac G5 1.8 1 1/2 Gig Ram 20" - Tiger 10.4.2
Amd64 - Gamer - Water cooled
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: May 2005
Status:
Offline
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Thx to all! I think i'll wait until June to make my decision.... In the mean time, i'll start to upgrade some of the components on my current pc (speakers, etc.) to Mac compatible items just incase I do take the plunge.
What's really funny...I owned an Amiga 500 and 2000 about fourteen years ago. I'm just surprised by how much the Mac and Amiga (Commodore) environments are alike. How do the sound system (sound card?) compare from Mac to PC? When playing identical games on the Amiga and PC 486 w/ 8 bit Sound Blaster Pro, I was surprised by how much better the Amiga sounded. Are there any other benefits to the Mac?
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