07-10-2006, 02:21 PM

Hi All,

I am currently thinking about switching to a 20" Intel iMac, with 2gb Ram, 500Ggb hard drive and 256mb graphics card, instead of buying a new PC, as I really want to get away from windows.

However I currently have some concerns. Mainly that with the upcoming release of leopard (few months), I'm a bit worried that I will purchase this new iMac and then have to fork out for the upgrade to leopard, or that a new better iMac will be released, better graphics or cpu (core 2 duo being as that is also out later this year) etc.

So being as I have absolutely no experience with Apple I was wondering how likely something like this is to happen, as at least with a PC I can just get a new graphics card or more memory etc.

Also I was considering getting an external chassis for my existing hard drive and DVD writer. As my current DVD is faster. So does anyone have any recommendations on manufacturer etc?

Thanks again and sorry if these appear to be daft questions.

07-10-2006, 02:46 PM

You'll never be on the bleeding edge of technology.

Leopard isn't due out until 2007 and the newer iMacs will probably just be a bump in clock speed.

If you need an iMac, get one. If you can wait, wait.

07-10-2006, 03:24 PM

We shouldn't see upgrades to hardware until October this year, Apple is focused on expanding software, developing leopard and probably working on the iPod and expansion of iTunes video.

Leopard will only be previewed next month. Steve announced Leopard to be released beginning 2007 or end 2006 "around Vista".

So if you want a mac, get it now. Tiger is a very fine release and I wonder if leopard will even be so "huge".

07-10-2006, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Grez

Hi All,

I am currently thinking about switching to a 20" Intel iMac, with 2gb Ram, 500Ggb hard drive and 256mb graphics card, instead of buying a new PC, as I really want to get away from windows.

However I currently have some concerns. Mainly that with the upcoming release of leopard (few months), I'm a bit worried that I will purchase this new iMac and then have to fork out for the upgrade to leopard, or that a new better iMac will be released, better graphics or cpu (core 2 duo being as that is also out later this year) etc.

So being as I have absolutely no experience with Apple I was wondering how likely something like this is to happen, as at least with a PC I can just get a new graphics card or more memory etc.

Also I was considering getting an external chassis for my existing hard drive and DVD writer. As my current DVD is faster. So does anyone have any recommendations on manufacturer etc?

Thanks again and sorry if these appear to be daft questions.

There will always be something better around the corner, no matter what or when you buy. The graphics in the iMac are not, IIRC, upgradable, so you'll get what you get. If you want to be able to upgrade, wait for the Intel replacement of the PowerMac line and you'll likely be able to upgrade both the Graphics and the processor in the future.

If you buy a Mac now, you have to pay the $129 price for Leopard when it comes out.

07-10-2006, 03:58 PM

with computers as good as they are today, you almost have to ask yourself when enough is enough. i bought my powerbook g4 almost a year ago, and then a few months later the macbooks came out. instead of running out and buying a new one, i realized that my powerbook is more than enough for what i do, and that i dont need anymore. there will always been newer, better computers being realeased. if you think that imac wont be enough for what you need, then id wait. if not, then i think that youll really enjoy the imac

07-10-2006, 04:45 PM

I was thinking the same things when I bought my Mini Mac last week, but it is THE BEST money I have ever spent. Get it; you wont regret it.

07-10-2006, 05:19 PM

man I just got my 20" iMac last week and I'm loving it. It feels sooo good using a superior OS, once you get away from Windows you'll never wanna go back. Like others have said, new stuff comes out all the time, you'll never stay "up to date" so just get a Mac and worry about upgrading later

07-10-2006, 05:42 PM

Cheers everyone, thanks for the comments.

I'm off to the Mac shop at the weekend to have more of a "play" with one before I commit.

I guess I was just worrying that I would buy one and then be able to get more for my cash in a few months.

I assume that nothing has been announced by Apple though??

Thanks again..

Grez..

P.S. Any links to websites I should be looking at would be greatfully received.

07-10-2006, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Grez

I guess I was just worrying that I would buy one and then be able to get more for my cash in a few months.

Well, to be honest... that applies to just about anything you buy these days.
:black:

07-10-2006, 10:56 PM

PC world is just the same. Advancements will ALWAYS be just around the corner. Sometimes predictable; usually not. If you want/need something new, by all means go ahead -- with the knowledge that six months from now it will be obvious that you should have waited. It's no different with cars, appliances, or anything else.

07-11-2006, 01:16 PM

Eh, get the barbie doll Mac. Forget about what programs, OS's, hardware, etc. is about to come out in a month, a year, a decade. Just get it now and if you WANT to get Leopard when it comes out...do it. You will NOT regret getting that Mac!

07-11-2006, 05:26 PM

I was worried about the same things, but honestly the macbook i got does everything I need it to and more. Waiting for core 2 duo to come out or for leopard is a pretty long time in either case so I figured that it was a pretty darn good time to buy something new right now. I am also going off to college in september so I really don't have a whole lot of time to wait

07-11-2006, 06:13 PM

Originally Posted by m0bster

Eh, get the Mac. Forget about what programs, OS's, hardware, etc. is about to come out in a month, a year, a decade. Just get it now and if you WANT to get Leopard when it comes out...do it. You will NOT regret getting that Mac!

no, Wait until august 7th-11th after WWDC. But then again your with in a month so they will upgrade your OS for free I believe or like 19.99

07-11-2006, 06:35 PM

well apple never releases a newer model that is alot better than the previous one. As someone stated above a processor bump is most likely. Apple does not upgrade as fast as PC's. you cant really drive home with a PC without there being an upgrade released. I would go for it now, if you say well maybe in a month it will be better you will never buy one.

07-11-2006, 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by Graphite

no, Wait until august 7th-11th after WWDC. But then again your with in a month so they will upgrade your OS for free I believe or like 19.99

they aren't releasing leopard at wwdc, they're just previewing it. leopord probably won't be out until december or january.