new 24" iMac

[golfbarefoot]

received the new 24" iMac today and just configuring it. I'm blown away at the size but this thing is really incredible. I actually only wanted a 20", but I was able to get the 24" with 4GB ram, and a TB HDD for $1300 so I pulled the trigger.

I finally get to update my iphone 3G to the 3.0 OS too.

I've been a *NIX guy for a long time as well as a Mac guy and it's crazy how inferior windows truly is matched against MAC OS, Solaris, Linux and just about any flavor. I'm stoked and it feels like christmas.

Honestly, may take some time to get adjusted to the 24" screen, its a little nutty, but it makes coding with Xcode and eclipse so clean with a ton a workspace area.

pull the trigger on a Macintosh if your on the fence, the new ones are blazing fast even compared to my previous G5.

[Andycapped]

It's going to be a while before I buy another Apple product. I bought a Macbook Air and was in love with it. One day the hinges broke. This day was a week after the warranty expired. I Googled around and apparently an extremely substantial amount of people have had this problem with the Air. It's absolutely a manufacturing defect. Apple refused to repair the hinges and even required me to pay $800 to replace the entire monitor... I walked out and have been using a $400 Dell Mini9 ever since :) I'd like a new Mac, but I'm pretty good at holding grudges

[golfbarefoot]

That's unfortunate. Almost as unfortunate that you have to run windows on your Dell and can't run Mac OS....

Seriously, I would write them. Did you have the extended apple care warranty? I've never really used the books, only iMacs and PowerMacs.

[Andycapped]

That's unfortunate. Almost as unfortunate that you have to run windows on your Dell and can't run Mac OS....

I'm running Ubuntu; so it's not terribly far from OS X (both built off Unix and I can customize Ubuntu to look almost exactly like Leopard)

OS X will also run just fine on the Mini 9, I just haven't felt like spending the time backing up files and installing a new OS

[opie]

I've got an older 13" Macbook that I use. HD has been upgraded and so has RAM so it works pretty well. I like some things about the MAC OS, Some things I'm not as big a fan of though but that goes with any OS. I have been looking at a MAC desktop for a "family computer". Post back after you use the iMac for a while, how you like it etc..

Right now my desktop is a linux mint x64 box. 2TB HD, Quad Core Q6600 proc and 8G of RAM.. Needless to say.. I like it

[iacas]

It's going to be a while before I buy another Apple product. I bought a Macbook Air and was in love with it. One day the hinges broke. This day was a week after the warranty expired. I Googled around and apparently an extremely substantial amount of people have had this problem with the Air. It's absolutely a manufacturing defect. Apple refused to repair the hinges and even required me to pay $800 to replace the entire monitor... I walked out and have been using a $400 Dell Mini9 ever since :) I'd like a new Mac, but I'm pretty good at holding grudges

I used to work for Apple (in the stores in two roles - for a year as a Mac Genius) and for corporate Apple too doing some development.

We'd have not given a "week out of warranty" computer a second thought: we'd have repaired it free, with an exception code, without even pointing out to you that your warranty had expired (unless, of course, we pointed it out just to show how nice we were being). I've extended warranty repairs a month out past the warranty pretty easily. I just write "customer was on vacation and unable to bring in computer" in the notes. So I dunno. Part of me doesn't believe your story, exactly, because I've never met a Mac Genius who won't do something for someone a week out of warranty (abuse being the exception), and from what you wrote it doesn't sound as though you even tried very hard. And beyond that, for a portable, AppleCare is a pretty good investment. The most basic repairs of portable computers, as you found out, cost a bit of money. Heck, just getting a new battery in your MacBook Air after 2.5 years would have made the AppleCare worthwhile. Not saying that to convince you... just to give other potential Mac owners a bit of the other side of the story. Or perhaps a tip on how to get a just-out-of-warranty repair done free. P.S. My family's entirely Mac-based, and nobody I've ever helped switch to a Mac (they do so mostly on their own - I just help them get set up with some of the basics) has ever switched back. Apple consistently ranks really high in customer satisfaction and service.

[pinhigh27]

That's unfortunate. Almost as unfortunate that you have to run windows on your Dell and can't run Mac OS....

I like windows just fine thank you. Sure Macs might be easier for less knowledgeable people, but my co-workers(IT) and I agree that at our level of computer knowledge that the advantages are pretty even for both sides.

I would support apple more if they didn't rely on the "hip factor" and charged so darn much. Their OS is based on a free one, so why do I have to pay a grand more just for the OS and a shiny white case?!

[deadsolidperfect]

Am I on the right website? Is Mac code for Mizuno and Dell code for Titleist? Where am I?

[GDWindowpane]

Not to high jack this thread but if there are any Mac Genius' out there that can help me get Exchange 2003 free/busy time to update in Entourage I would be forever grateful. We have 2 Mac users in our Marketing Department that can't see everyone else's free/busy time.

If anyone can help, please shoot me a PM.

Thanks!!!

Chris

[iacas]

I like windows just fine thank you. Sure Macs might be easier for less knowledgeable people, but my co-workers(IT) and I agree that at our level of computer knowledge that the advantages are pretty even for both sides.

I could say so much to that, but I'll sum it up as this: "That sounds exactly like what someone in IT would say."

Oy.

Am I on the right website? Is Mac code for Mizuno and Dell code for Titleist? Where am I?

This is the Grill Room...

If anyone can help, please shoot me a PM.

Two Microsoft apps not working together? Talk to MS.

[HytrewQasdfg]

I like windows just fine thank you. Sure Macs might be easier for less knowledgeable people, but my co-workers(IT) and I agree that at our level of computer knowledge that the advantages are pretty even for both sides.

Thanks for some common sense.

I've been working on computers longer than many people on this board have been alive (back to Unix on a PDP-11.) The bottom line is Apple OS, Windows (particularly the server versions), and Linux/Unix are all good operating systems. Anyone that says otherwise is just showing their ignorance. The choice of OS should depend on one thing: the applications you plan on running. Desktop graphics/publishing - Apple. Business applications/everyday computing - Windows. Web/file server - Linux (although Windows Server 2000/2003 are darned good.) High end cgi (Pixar) - Unix. Embeded systems - Linux. It really tickles me when people get into the "my os is better than yours" stuff. Apple people seem particularly prone to this (although hardcore Linux guys can be just as bad--"hey dude, it's Unix with a different name." Invarialby they show some "bells and whistles" application or talk about how easy it is to use. I can't help thinking "this is like telling me your car is SUPERIOR to other cars because it has a lot of cup-holders, heated seats, and comes in pacific blue."

[iacas]

Desktop graphics/publishing - Apple.

The mid-90s called. They want their generalizations back.

[amcquay]

All three operating systems are just tools, and each can have their place. I'm part of a network engineering team that runs an all Linux and Cisco datacenter, I work from a Mac, and have a few years of Windows support in my background. They're all useful for different things, although I do prefer the *nix world for its overall security and stability. I also love the beautiful world that is open source software.

Although I must say, I hope Microsoft goes "a little more XP and a lot less Vista" with Windows 7 this October. However, from what I've seen during my time testing RC1 it doesn't seem like they will.

As for the OP, glad you're enjoying the new iMac. I'd love to add a 20" to my home office in the next few months!

[HytrewQasdfg]

The mid-90s called. They want their generalizations back.

No, they still hold.

The reason Windows is a better platform for most people is: 1. cost, 2. there are simply more windows applications. There are some great Mac applications. But the fact still remains that for every great Mac program, there are a dozen various Windows applications of the same type (primarily because developers tend to target Windows first because of its larger user base.) Take golf swing analysis software. There are at least a half dozen Windows products (ranging from free to $1000+ programs) available for Windows. For Mac? I don't know, but I would wager the range isn't nearly as wide. I have nothing against Macs (in fact, I'll probably be purchasing one soon as I have a child that wants to major in graphic arts in college), but I understand that picking the right OS does depend on what you want to do.

[HytrewQasdfg]

Although I must say, I hope Microsoft goes "a little more XP and a lot less Vista" with Windows 7 this October. However, from what I've seen during my time testing RC1 it doesn't seem like they will.

Windows server 2008 looks a lot like Vista, so I tend to think you are right. They have probably commited to far in that direction to go back.

[amcquay]

Windows server 2008 looks a lot like Vista, so I tend to think you are right. They have probably commited to far in that direction to go back.

That saddens me, but I'm of the mindset that a server shouldn't have a GUI at all

. They're much more efficient when they don't have to devote resources to pretty stuff, give me a command line!

[iacas]

No, they still hold.

I stand by what I said. You're stuck in a really outdated mindset.

The reason Windows is a better platform for most people is: 1. cost, 2. there are simply more windows applications.

The cost thing's been done time and time again. In a wide variety of situations, Macs are just as cost effective as PCs. I've seen comparisons made with laptops - Dell vs. Apple - and Macs are often less expensive when similarly configured. And more reliable. And rank higher in customer satisfaction. And so on...

And to point #2, the old joke is "how many word processors do you need?" That along with the fact that something like 30+% of Windows software sold is anti-virus, anti-spyware, and/or repair/removal/fixing type utilities and applications, and, well... Additionally, I've got Windows installed. Right here on my Mac. Can't do that on a PC (run the two OSes).

There are some great Mac applications. But the fact still remains that for every great Mac program, there are a dozen various Windows applications of the same type

I'd rather have one great application (or three) than 20 crappy ones and 10 that are so-so. Again, the joke is from the mid-90s too, but how many "x" do you need?

[HytrewQasdfg]

That saddens me, but I'm of the mindset that a server shouldn't have a GUI at all

I would have to agree, plus there are many applications (like an os embedded into an appliance) where a gui is impractial.

The last generation of even computer science majors just aren't geared to using a command line (even most programming environments are heavily gui based.) I've had to help people (very computer savvy people) several times who had graduated college and were working with computers as a career, and they had never used a command line.