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Some advice please
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Sep 18, 2006, 10:58 AM
 
Hi

Up until now I have been a PC user. However, I am so fed up with the rate I get through PC (I have a habit of overclocking and breaking them) so I have decided to swtch to Apple.

I was going to wait until Leopard came out, but my PC really is on its last breath and I have had to accelerate my plans.

I am about to start a sound design course and I need some advice as to which desktop setup to get. It must be able to run Pro Tools (with MBox2) well.

1. 20-inch iMac
2. Mac Mini (1.83ghz version with 1gig of RAM) and a 20-inch TFT

I cant get a MacBook Pro as I have a limited budget (being a student sucks)

I always replace my computers every 12-18 months to keep up with tech advances, so it must be able to last me that long.

Any advice would be grand.
(Last edited by mainaccess; Sep 18, 2006 at 11:08 AM. )
     
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Sep 18, 2006, 12:05 PM
 
Don't forget you can get Education discount, at Apple.com, Apple stores or resellers!
(Sorry can't answer your query HUGH
24" Intel imac | G4 imac 10.4.7 | G4 TiBook 10.4.7 | 2 x Bondi G3 imacs 9.2.1 | Apple emate | 4G ipod | ipod shuffle.

     
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Sep 18, 2006, 12:23 PM
 
My advice would be to set a budget for yourself, and buy the best machine you can get for your budget. If you can afford the iMac, get one. The more power the better. The Mini is generally less powerful than an iMac.
     
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Sep 18, 2006, 12:30 PM
 
I'd go with the iMac because I detest integrated graphics. More importantly, the iMac is a very good value.

"The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground." TJ
     
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Sep 19, 2006, 01:05 PM
 
I'd go with iMac too since it's an all in one and you really don't have to worry about it much. It's a very solidly built computer . . . . not discounting the MacMini at all . . . it's just that I look at Mac Mini's as secondary computers
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Sep 19, 2006, 01:09 PM
 
id go with the mini if you already have a keyboard and monitor, if not..dont bother with it and go for the imac.
NOW YOU SEE ME! 2.4 MBP and 2.0 MBP (running ubuntu)
     
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Sep 19, 2006, 02:43 PM
 
Hi,

It sounds like system performance is a issue for you. If so, I think you would be a lot happier with the performance of the new 20" iMac Core 2 Duo than a Mac Mini. Keep in mind though you really can not change the internals of either the iMac or the Mini without likely voiding your warranty. You will have to resist your overclocking inclinations with either machine if you want to preserve your warranty.

Hiram
     
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Sep 19, 2006, 08:45 PM
 
Originally Posted by mainaccess
Hi

Up until now I have been a PC user. However, I am so fed up with the rate I get through PC (I have a habit of overclocking and breaking them) so I have decided to swtch to Apple.

I was going to wait until Leopard came out, but my PC really is on its last breath and I have had to accelerate my plans.

I am about to start a sound design course and I need some advice as to which desktop setup to get. It must be able to run Pro Tools (with MBox2) well.

1. 20-inch iMac
2. Mac Mini (1.83ghz version with 1gig of RAM) and a 20-inch TFT

I cant get a MacBook Pro as I have a limited budget (being a student sucks)

I always replace my computers every 12-18 months to keep up with tech advances, so it must be able to last me that long.

Any advice would be grand.
Get the most expensive mac you can get on your budget.

Welcome to Apple and MacNN!

A couple of tips:
1) Don't compare Macs to PCs that make Macs inferior or on the same level as PCs. The fanboys here will tear you up.
2) Beware of the Political/War Lounge. It is a dark and evil place in there.
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