Oct
25
2008
Should You Buy an iMac
I have had the opportunity to use an iMac for the past week, and I have to tell you that I was quite impressed. I’ve long been interested in alternative desktop Operating System (meaning Not Windows) and once worked for an entire year at home with Linux (I’m now running WinXP). The iMac has been getting a lot of press (and has cute commercials) So I jumped at the opportunity to test one out.
Here is what I Used
Hardware
iMac with Intel 3.06 Ghz Core Duo Processor, 24″ Monitor, 320 Mb HD, 4GB RAM Memory: Cost $2499
Additional Software
Microsoft Office For Mac: Cost $399
VMware Fusion (To run windows with): Cost $79.00
MS Windows XP Professional Edition: Cost: $289.00
(The 24″ 266 version is one of the higher end versions, but some start at low as $1199)
As you can see I installed windows on the machine as well, using a VMware Fusion , which allows you to run Windows Applications on the iMac. You will have to install windows yourself within the VMware Fusion product. (There is also another product called Parallels which also runs Windows) I need Internet Explorer and a few other applications that are not available for Mac.
What I liked
1. Speed. This machine was fast. The OSx operating system is optimized with the hardware, and it has a lot of horsepower. Everything ran faster than my other machine. (To my Windows machine’s defense it is only running a single core processor) . I never waited long for anything on the machine to happen.
2. Users Desktop Interface: Its clean an uncluttered and you can setup 4 different work spaces ‘Screen’s and customize your windows by task, and easily move from screen to screen. It has a ‘dashboard’ feature, that lets you setup ‘widgets’ (mini programs) that pop up over your screen so you can check your stocks, the weather, and news. It also has an application called Expose that brings all of your open programs to the front so you can see whats running in a workspace, and find the application that you need.
3. Simplicity of the hardware. the iMac consists of what appears to be a flat screen monitor (actually its the entire computer) and, a wireless mouse (optional) and a wireless keyboard(optional). It only used one electrical outlet, and has built in wireless so you don’t even have to plug in a network cable if you don’t want to. (it does have Ethernet, USB, and Firewire ports on the back of the ”monitor”). There is a slot on the right side of the “monitor” for CD’s and that’s the whole thing.
3. Applications. Office for Mac works almost exactly like Office XP for Windows. There was almost no learning curve. The Safari browser is easy to use. The version of an the iMac that I had has a camera in it so I can video chat with other iMac users.
What I didn’t Like
1. Cost. Even if I bought he base system (Starting with the lowest end model, with Windows compatibility and MS Office) I still couldn’t have the setup i need for less than $1800. I could easily get a workable equivalent Windows PC (1GB ram,250GB HDD,20″ Monitor, XP PRO) with MS office Small Business for less than $1100.
2. Setting up and running two operating systems. You have to install, and setup, and use windows as well if you are going to need it for any applications
What I’m not sure about
There is no expandability once you get the hardware. If you need to have the computer fixed, you will have to go to apple. All of the hardware is proprietary. While I don’t think this is a big problem. If they system fails you are at the mercy of apple.
My Recommendation
If money is no object. I think this a great machine, its fast, cool looking and has great features. If on the other hand you are on a budget, you will pay quite premium for to have the apple. You also are going to have to deal with a windows compatibly package, if you run the chance of needing a windows application or even windows Internet explorer compatibility.
