Help I'm going to buy a Mac!

[Gary]

After a disaster weekend with my laptop (Acer EISA partition with very basic xp to use as a shell for another program corrupted) and no way to fix it, as the restore DVD's don't restore that partition, I have had enough of Windows, Management consoles, registry hacks and layered security that gets false positives (this started the issue) and Windows in general.

So iMac, looking at the 24" but heard they will be releasing new ones soon, between now and October as the present iMac is at the end of its life cycle. Has any Mac users here advice, for me will it all work with my router etc as is just help and advice appreciated in any way. 

[Rik]

I'm just wondering how long before we need to open a dedicated Mac board, Gary.

[Gary]

I'm just wondering how long before we need to open a dedicated Mac board, Gary.

May be a good idea, Rik. For me Windows 7 is just more of the same, I love my iPhone, I am fed up of registry issues odd partion problems etc also I want something with the same clean GUI and less risk of viral attack, the iMac would be perfect, I have the money for it, but will not buy if they are about to bring out new ones, I'd kick myself. Oh the acer may end up with coffee spilt on it, these things happen 

[Dangerjunkie]

Hi,

I'm no great Mac user but I'm sure there will be one here somewhere.

Have you thought of installing Linux on the Acer. It's not a million miles away from Mac OS as they are both based on Unix. I would certainly be happy helping you get it going and try it out.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Glenn]

Mac Care 

[glen]

Hi,

I'm no great Mac user but I'm sure there will be one here somewhere.

Have you thought of installing Linux on the Acer. It's not a million miles away from Mac OS as they are both based on Unix. I would certainly be happy helping you get it going and try it out.

Cheers,
Paul.

And it's free.

[Technical Ben]

Apparently Apple will have a few new releases in February. So it might be best to wait then (although it's always better next year with computers ).
Also, wont partition magic fix anything? It always seems to list a tool for any hdd mess up I can think of.

[Steve]

Not sure there is ever a right time to buy there's always something else around the corner,the imac 24 is a great machine but you can't carry it around. I would suggest a trip to an Apple store if you can manage it and spend some time using one or other. Your router should be fine wired/wireless.

[Rik]

I think that's key with any technology purchase, Steve. Whenever you buy, something bigger, better, faster will be released soon afterwards - you have to dive in when you want to or you'll never get there.

[Gary]

Not sure there is ever a right time to buy there's always something else around the corner,the imac 24 is a great machine but you can't carry it around. I would suggest a trip to an Apple store if you can manage it and spend some time using one or other. Your router should be fine wired/wireless.

The laptop I have now is an 18 3/4 inch screen, its not a carry around thing its a desktop replacement, its huge. I will cannot get to an apple store sadly I cannot go that far due to my disability so its a from home decision.

[Gary]

Hi,

I'm no great Mac user but I'm sure there will be one here somewhere.

Have you thought of installing Linux on the Acer. It's not a million miles away from Mac OS as they are both based on Unix. I would certainly be happy helping you get it going and try it out.

Cheers,
Paul.

Really not into playing with an operating system and getting drivers etc to work, I need a machine tht works out of the box, I'm past using a computer as a hobby, but thanks for the idea

[Gary]

Apparently Apple will have a few new releases in February. So it might be best to wait then (although it's always better next year with computers ).
Also, wont partition magic fix anything? It always seems to list a tool for any hdd mess up I can think of.

Its the fact that the partition has a Acer version of XP although very basic on a Vista ultimate machine to run the instanton offline boot for that a media feature, once it's corrupt you cannot recreate it, you would need Acer to do that, well hey would re image the drive at an outet as its their technology sadly.And rcovery disks dont do that. Also I want to move away from Windows to a mac anyway.

[Steve]

The laptop I have now is an 18 3/4 inch screen, its not a carry around thing its a desktop replacement, its huge. I will cannot get to an apple store sadly I cannot go that far due to my disability so its a from home decision.

Solutions inc Chichester? http://www.solutions-inc.co.uk/storelocator/index.php, I wonder if they do home demos

[Gary]

I think that's key with any technology purchase, Steve. Whenever you buy, something bigger, better, faster will be released soon afterwards - you have to dive in when you want to or you'll never get there.

I have seen rumours of October for new iMacs so Ill wait till my Birthday and see what happenes, this is an expensiove purchase so I treading carfully, the Acer can struggle on   hopefully till then, but I so hate windows after all this time, I want something smoother more intuitive and made in a factory not installed by me.

[Gary]

Solutions inc Chichester? http://www.solutions-inc.co.uk/storelocator/index.php, I wonder if they do home demos

I never knew they did Macs! Thats 4 miles away from me  Thanks Steve  or that they even existed, i'll call them tomorrow

[Steve]

NP. Looking at the potential costs I would strongly advise some time spent using one alongside someone who knows what they are doing, otherwise you'll just try to use it as you would a Windows machine initially.It after all may not be what your looking for!

[Gary]

NP. Looking at the potential costs I would strongly advise some time spent using one alongside someone who knows what they are doing, otherwise you'll just try to use it as you would a Windows machine initially.It after all may not be what your looking for!

I understand that Steve, my friend Stephen uses one greatly and so I have some insight now, I liked what I saw and used, but will check it all out further, tbh though I think my mind is made up though 

[lozcart]

I wouldn't buy a iMac at the moment as it is rumoured that upgrades and possibly cheaper prices are likely very soon. Your printer, routers and other USB items should work just fine.

This site gives a good gauge of when updates are due

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

I've owned Macs since 1984 and have never owned a PC. When I use PC at work I hate it and would like to throw the computer out of the window than actually use Windows

[Simon]

This is very exciting, Gary, and I can't want to hear how you get on! 

[Gary]

I wouldn't buy a iMac at the moment as it is rumoured that upgrades and possibly cheaper prices are likely very soon. Your printer, routers and other USB items should work just fine.

This site gives a good gauge of when updates are due

http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

I've owned Macs since 1984 and have never owned a PC. When I use PC at work I hate it and would like to throw the computer out of the window than actually use Windows

Thats what I have heard so I will wait and see, but its hard when you want to get started 

[lozcart]

I would anticipate an announcement in the next few weeks, so the new machines are ready for the Xmas market. It is rumoured the iMac may have a redesign with a new case, keyboard, mouse etc. Apple often pick Tuesdays for announcements so  for next week.

Further rumour here:

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/09/29/apple_warns_of_near_term_imac_mac_mini_constraints.html

[Dangerjunkie]

Hi Gary,

Really not into playing with an operating system and getting drivers etc to work, I need a machine tht works out of the box, I'm past using a computer as a hobby, but thanks for the idea

That was true a couple of years ago but Linux really isn't like that any more. Ubuntu installs on my laptop out of the box. Everything works. The only real things I have to do are open the hardware drivers wizard and confirm that I want to use the non-open-source nVidia driver and then tell the package manager I want to install the restricted extras (all the patent codecs and stuff.) Of the dozen machines I've installed it on I've only had one that required specialist attention to get it running.

By comparison, installing Vista on the same machine is a nightmare. It ended up with the graphics card, wireless and Ethernet not working and having to download the drivers on another machine and carry them across on a USB key. One of the things I like about Linux is how little I have to mess about with it compared to Vista or XP. I spend 99% of my time with my laptop using it rather than fixing it or cleaning up the latest piece of spyware that's sneaked in past the big-name antivirus that promised to keep it out.

I'd be happy to come over make sure it all goes right for you. It won't cost you a thing other than your time to try it. If you're going to reformat anyway it seems like a good time.

Cheers,
Paul.

[Gary]

Hi Gary,

That was true a couple of years ago but Linux really isn't like that any more. Ubuntu installs on my laptop out of the box. Everything works. The only real things I have to do are open the hardware drivers wizard and confirm that I want to use the non-open-source nVidia driver and then tell the package manager I want to install the restricted extras (all the patent codecs and stuff.) Of the dozen machines I've installed it on I've only had one that required specialist attention to get it running.

By comparison, installing Vista on the same machine is a nightmare. It ended up with the graphics card, wireless and Ethernet not working and having to download the drivers on another machine and carry them across on a USB key. One of the things I like about Linux is how little I have to mess about with it compared to Vista or XP. I spend 99% of my time with my laptop using it rather than fixing it or cleaning up the latest piece of spyware that's sneaked in past the big-name antivirus that promised to keep it out.

I'd be happy to come over make sure it all goes right for you. It won't cost you a thing other than your time to try it. If you're going to reformat anyway it seems like a good time.

Cheers,
Paul.

Thanks for you offer, I appreciate that, Its Justina's birthday today so I have to get into Chichester so I can buy her a present she wants and look at the macs while I'm there as it hurts so much to get into town. This Acer will need reformatting but some of the keyboard is acer specific touch control for the cinedash, I do wonder if it would be as easy as you say, no harm trying and if it fails it can be dealt with  The iMac is the way I want to go though, both for the OS and also aesthetics, and my iPhone could have babies with it then 

[Sebby]

As others have mentioned, wait for the predicted new model, but otherwise, I found it to be a very easy transition. You'll have no problems.

[Gary]

As others have mentioned, wait for the predicted new model, but otherwise, I found it to be a very easy transition. You'll have no problems.

Thanks Sebby