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nsparker · Aug 4, 2006, 11:37 AM

Hi, I've used Windows all my life (22 years), and I'm sick of it. I'm making the switch. I've had enough of the crashing, slow down, spyware and viruses.

I've recently become gainfully employed in the web development industry and have since saved enough money to buy a nice Mac. I'm really partial to the iMac's design and Intel processors (and, as you can imagine, it's capability of running the Windows OS).

I guess my question is, with the WWDC next week, and probably some revamps and such to the iMac, how long do I need to wait before I buy an iMac. I don't want to have the problems that come with being an early adopter (should there be such a significant upgrade), and I don't want to buy it too early and miss out on any new stuff I'm going to wish I had waited for.

Thanks for any input.

Googer-Giger · 04:48 PM

It all depends on if the current iMac is good enough for you, how long you can and want to wait. Macs become obselete just like Pcs, the thing is, when your mac is obselete, you have a lot of time before you can't run current software, a lot longer than Pcs. You can run the current Mac os on a mac from like 1999. Yeah and kiss viruses and driver installs goodbye.

mduell · Aug 4, 2006, 02:30 PM

The iMac is (over)due for an update; it has been 200+ days since the Core Duo iMac was launched, and Apple has historically updated the iMac twice a year.

I doubt they will bump the iMac at WWDC, but I'd expect the bump within a few weeks of WWDC.

Buy the day the update is announced.

larrinski · Aug 4, 2006, 02:47 PM

The new intel imac 1st gen was not a huge redesign. In fact I have owned a 1st gen G5 imac and now the 1st gen intel imac, and the intel imac has far less problems with it. Generally major revamps cause concern(like the macbook) but I think you are safe to buy at any time now. I would probably wait until WWDC just in case there is a new model with the new intel chips as they are stinkin' fast, but the current intel imac will last you quite some time... just get RAM!

Welcome to the Mac community!

nsparker · Aug 7, 2006, 02:23 PM

So, after no new announcements about the iMac at the WWDC, is it safe to buy one now, as in today? Or will they be releasing a new one in the middle of fall, causing me to cry uncontrollably?

mduell · Aug 7, 2006, 02:33 PM

No. The iMac is due for an update any day now.

larrinski · Aug 8, 2006, 02:42 PM

I don't see it the same. The intel imac will last you for years. You can wait, but no one "knows" when an update will happen. Just buy the machine and start using your Mac! If mduell is correct, and you have bought the 1st gen imac, then you still have a fast (really fast) machine, and you shouldn't regret it... As I said before, the new imacs don't seem to have the same amount of problems as the 1st gen G5 imacs. Go for it!

And as a 1st gen G5 imac purchaser who had problems, Apple replaced the machine with a new intel imac under warranty. i-e. If you have any problems with it, Apple is excellent with their warranties!

brokenjago · Aug 8, 2006, 07:41 PM

I'd wait, personally. Like mduall said, it's due for an update any day now.

nsparker · Sep 6, 2006, 09:19 AM

Oh God dammit. Although, I did just get a credit card with a $5000 limit...

Gee4orce · Sep 6, 2006, 11:22 AM

was that a 'godammit I already bought one' ? or 'godammit these are so nice I think I'll have to get the 24" one ' ?

scottiB · Sep 6, 2006, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Gee4orce

was that a 'godammit I already bought one' ? or 'godammit these are so nice I think I'll have to get the 24" one ' ?

My guess is the former.

nsparker · Sep 6, 2006, 02:30 PM

Yeah, the former. I bought one the second week of August. I could've gotten the 24" with the same specs (but faster processor obviously) and wireless mouse/keyboard for $200 more than I spent... Oh well, guess I can wait til about this time next year and buy a 24" right before they upgrade to a 30".

larrinski · Sep 6, 2006, 08:25 PM

With technology, it is always the same problem. Most people love to buy a new machine, and feel a bit disappointed a couple of weeks/months later. I love my imac, even if it is 50% slower...
Buy what you want/need and never look back.
The good thing about Macs, is that the machine will have a longer life. My powerbook seems just as fast as my friend's new PC, and it is a couple of years old.