[paduck]

OK, for some reason my first post got lost in the bit bucket. Here is what I asked:

I am thinking about getting a new iMac. I have a couple of questions on configuration though:

1. Am I better off with 1.5GB or 1GB (in the form of 2X 512MB chips)? Some of the postings I have read seem to imply that you will get better performance if you have two identical chips instead of two different chips (say a 1BG and 512MB). From a cost point of view, you could get more bang for your buck with the stock iMac at 512MB and later upgrade to 1.5GB. Any thoughts?

2. I am currently on my fourth Mac in ~17 years. I always seem to run out of hard drive space in the final year or so. Should I got straight to the 400GB internal drive up front? Having said that, I only ran out of room on mi iMacDV when I started doing digital pictures AND digital music about a year ago (all those children's CD's have to be protected somehow!)

3. I currently have a Kensington Turbomouse which I love. I imagine there will be a Bluetooth version shortly. My question here is should I go wireless for the extra $60? Is there that much gain?

4. Should I get AppleCare? At the moment, I have a dead CD/DVD drive on my iMac. Fortunately, I have a CD burner which has saved me (still no DVD though). It might have been nice to have AppleCare. Any recommendations? In the rev. B, they should have the kinks worked out with the hot drives. Right?

[Pringlis]

Originally Posted by paduck

1. Am I better off with 1.5GB or 1GB (in the form of 2X 512MB chips)?

I elected to get the 512meg stock and put in a 1gig chip. I don't think that it makes a big difference (if any) if the chips are the same type. The price difference isn't that much more and it should make a fair performance difference to most people. Plus if you go from 1.5gig to 2gig you only need throw away one 512meg chip but if you go from 1gig to 2gig you need to throw away both and buy TWO new 1gig chips rather than one.

2. I am currently on my fourth Mac in ~17 years. I always seem to run out of hard drive space in the final year or so. Should I got straight to the 400GB internal drive up front? Having said that, I only ran out of room on mi iMacDV when I started doing digital pictures AND digital music about a year ago (all those children's CD's have to be protected somehow!)

External firewire hard disks are cheap and decent enough. If it's just for backup or occasional use and you don't need it on the actual computer all the time than an external HD should be fine. I have two LaCie external disks (250gig and 160gig) and the speed over firewire is great.

3. I currently have a Kensington Turbomouse which I love. I imagine there will be a Bluetooth version shortly. My question here is should I go wireless for the extra $60? Is there that much gain?

Not quite sure I get what you mean.. go wireless as in get the Apple Wireless keyboard and mouse? *shrug* I have the wireless keyboard which is great but it's not THAT big a gain, just means I can put it on my lap sometimes and swing back in my chair The wireless mouse is a no go for most due to the lack of scroll wheel. Pretty as it is, I wouldn't touch it.

4. Should I get AppleCare? At the moment, I have a dead CD/DVD drive on my iMac.

No need to buy AppleCare until a year after purchase of the iMac. If it has problems in the interim then buy AppleCare after the free term is up. Otherwise, it's a judgement call. Personally I'd go for it just to decrease hassle...

[yvovandoorn]

For keyboard and mouse combo, just stick to the standard. It really isn't worth the $60 to go wireless. For a few dollars more you could easly go get a Logitech or in your case a Kensington package.

[PeteWK]

Originally Posted by paduck

OK, for some reason my first post got lost in the bit bucket. Here is what I asked:

I am thinking about getting a new iMac. I have a couple of questions on configuration though:

1. Am I better off with 1.5GB or 1GB (in the form of 2X 512MB chips)? Some of the postings I have read seem to imply that you will get better performance if you have two identical chips instead of two different chips (say a 1BG and 512MB). From a cost point of view, you could get more bang for your buck with the stock iMac at 512MB and later upgrade to 1.5GB. Any thoughts?

2. I am currently on my fourth Mac in ~17 years. I always seem to run out of hard drive space in the final year or so. Should I got straight to the 400GB internal drive up front? Having said that, I only ran out of room on mi iMacDV when I started doing digital pictures AND digital music about a year ago (all those children's CD's have to be protected somehow!)

3. I currently have a Kensington Turbomouse which I love. I imagine there will be a Bluetooth version shortly. My question here is should I go wireless for the extra $60? Is there that much gain?

4. Should I get AppleCare? At the moment, I have a dead CD/DVD drive on my iMac. Fortunately, I have a CD burner which has saved me (still no DVD though). It might have been nice to have AppleCare. Any recommendations? In the rev. B, they should have the kinks worked out with the hot drives. Right?

Re:1 For me, more is always better. I tend to push whatever machine I'm using to it's fullest. The G5 iMac is a decent video editor. So I'd stick with the stock 512 and upgrade to dual matched 1 gig chips when you can afford them. Some testing websites claim that the matched memory is about 10-15 percent faster (shrug).

Re:2 I got the 20 inch model with the 250 gig stock drive. I also have a 160 gig external and firewire powered 20 gig for small jobs. If I want a bigger drive, I'll install it myself and save the money. I'll also get the stock one in the offing to put in an external case. It's a Western Digital and not a bad drive at all.

Re:3 I got the wireless option at the Apple Store in Glendale. They always carry a few of the popular build options for people who want them. I like both the mouse and the keyboard. But I also have a wired iOpti Jr laying around for any FPS gaming I want to do. It's two button with a scroll wheel. I would rather use the space bar for scrolling down eBay and I like the Mac mouse for almost everything else.

Re:4 If you qualify for the education discount, the Applecare warrenty is only 119 dollars but only when you purchase the computer. If not, either way is cool. The other benefit to getting it now is that if something goes wrong during say month 5 you have the phone support and that's always nice.

My opinion isn't any better than anyone elses but I hope having a different viewpoint was helpful too you. Regards,

PeteWK