Apple Desktop revamp

Steve · Jul 28, 2010, 07:01:18

The iMac has been updated with dedicated graphics from the base models upwards and the use of the latest i3,i5, and i7 processors.

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/07/27/apple-releases-new-imacs-with-upgraded-ati-radeon-hd-graphics-cards/

The Mac Pro has also received processor and graphic boosts and I think the 12 core option will cost the same as a reasonably priced car.

The 27in iMac also now seems to support dual hard drives i.e 1 SATA and 1 SSD as an option.

Rik · Jul 28, 2010, 10:29:46

But will it run Windows?

Bill · Jul 28, 2010, 11:08:23

Quote from: Rik on Jul 28, 2010, 10:29:46
But will it run Windows?

Exactly the same as a PC does:

http://images.dealcatcher.com/products/1stbluescreen.jpg

Rik · Jul 28, 2010, 11:10:16

TheMonkey · Aug 16, 2010, 15:55:10

Hi Steve,

Do you know a lot about IMac's etc?

I'm looking for a bit of advice with what modle to go for as i'm moving away from my PC soon. I wont be playing any games but do a lot of owrk with photos in photoshop.

I'm currently on a quad core PC but not sure if i can spend money on anything higher than the lowest £999 iMac.

Do you think it will fulfill my needs or should i really be trying to find another £500 from somewhere and get an i5?

Thanks for your help in advance. (if you can) Or anyone else who can pitch in with some advice!!

Steve · Aug 16, 2010, 17:29:00

My advice would be if you can is get to an Apple store and spend some time on a machine. Take some photos along and see if it will do watch you want it to do.I've found the stores have a core of staff with a great depth of knowledge of both hardware and software. Plus I've never been given the hard sell and indeed on both the MBP and iMac I bought a lesser spec than I thought I might need as a result of their advice. You don't necessarily need that higher spec machine for photo work,they all now come with a dedicated graphics card and unless you think video editing is an option I would stick to the minimum required. It's a big outlay which ever model you select hence the reason for spending sometime choosing. I think I visited the store 3 times for my last purchase (and it's an hours drive away).

pctech · Aug 16, 2010, 17:31:43

Be fully awake and drink plenty of coffee before you go though as the staff bounce around like Tigger.

To say they are enthusiastic is an understatement.

Rik · Aug 16, 2010, 17:32:28

I wonder what Uncle Steve feeds them on?

Bill · Aug 16, 2010, 17:33:34

Would also suggest keeping an eye on the Apple "refurbished" store:

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/specialdeals/mac?mco=MTM3NTA4Mzk

Not great savings, but it all helps, and they're virtually as new with full warranty.

Steve · Aug 16, 2010, 17:35:49

Quote from: pctech on Aug 16, 2010, 17:31:43
Be fully awake and drink plenty of coffee before you go though as the staff bounce around like Tigger.

To say they are enthusiastic is an understatement.

I fully agree but as I said earlier I've never been given the hard sell.

pctech · Aug 16, 2010, 17:36:12

Until November I can go in and have an hour training session per week on anything such as photo editing, music editing or sprucing up documents.

I asked whether there was any troubleshooting or technical training and was told 'no we don't do that here'

So I haven't taken them up on it.

Tacitus · Aug 16, 2010, 20:50:45

Agree with what has already been said.

Do you have school age children or someone at University? If so you 'may' qualify for 10/15% educational discount. They will want proof of eligibility but the discount is well worth having. Also if you wait until the 'back to school' season - probably towards the end of September - Apple usually run a promotion with the offer of either a free iPod or a substantial discount off one of the higher end versions.

Their offer of training is 'One to One' which costs some £70/80 for one hour per week of training on iPhoto/iMovie etc.

They don't do technical training (for Apple certification exams) themselves, but farm it out to private providers and it's not cheap!! That said if you are into tech support like MCSE or CCNA, the cost is probably worth it.

pctech · Aug 16, 2010, 20:58:42

I'll definitely look into it as I'd like to add to my MS qualification as despite the rumours I'm not biased

Steve · Aug 16, 2010, 21:08:08

http://training.apple.com/certification/all

Gary · Aug 17, 2010, 00:03:13

Quote from: pctech on Aug 16, 2010, 20:58:42
I'll definitely look into it as I'd like to add to my MS qualification as despite the rumours I'm not biased

Of cause you are

*joke* I was talking to an apple tech the other day about jobs within the company, the training courses are pretty good, as many strings to your bow always helps these days.

Tacitus · Aug 17, 2010, 07:57:28

Quote from: pctech on Aug 16, 2010, 20:58:42
I'll definitely look into it as I'd like to add to my MS qualification as despite the rumours I'm not biased

Don't know where you are based but the NTI in Birmingham offer Apple training. Their TM series of OSX basics were public courses and very good value at something like £150/person per day, but I see they now only offer them for block booking for up to 10 people. Might be worth contacting them to see what they can offer; they may simply run a list until they have 10 people and then run the course. Presumably they weren't getting sufficient people to cover the costs.

Mind you their Snow 101 Support Essentials at some £1100 for 3 days is not outrageously priced - £4/600 per day is pretty much the norm for any sort of certification course.

TheMonkey · Aug 17, 2010, 09:08:08

Thats for the advice guys!

I'll take the advice of going in and giving them a good going over. We've had a baby so i will be using iMovie to put some stuff together but won't be doing any 3d work. I know Macs run the chips really well so i'm looking forward to putting it to the test!