Hello all,
I'm contemplating getting my first-ever Mac - would like some feedback from those in the know to help in my decision making process.
Background - I've been using/programming/building computers for a long time, going back to the early 80's with the Atari 400. My father purchased an Apple II+ around the same time, and I spent many an hour programming on it in languages like Logo and Pascal. Today, I'm a full-time I.T. manager in a shop that is all IBM/Windows. I've built close to 150 PCs, along with the associating OS installs, drivers, configuring, and the rest of that time-consuming mess everyone knows and hates.
I stopped by the local Apple store the other day and was just wow'd by the new 27" iMac. I like the fact that I can learn something new, and have the ability to load and run Windows 7 applications when needed and have the horsepower for both today's applications as well as tomorrow's. I don't do any video editing or serious photography, but do need the ability to convert and create video DVDs on occasion.
I know about the video issues going on with the 27" units, and hopefully they will be all ironed out by the time my unit is built.
Questions:
1) I'm thinking of ordering the 27" quad-core base configuration and going with the 2.8 i7 upgrade - worth it? I know I can add memory later, and can't imagine needing more than 1TB of disk space - can I swap out the drive later if needed?
2) Is ordering iWork with the machine a good deal?
3) Should I order AppleCare now, or wait and see what happens during the first year?
4) I am enrolled in a degree program at a college that is listed on Apple's website, but not taking classes at this moment. Do I need to be in an active class in order to take advantage of the education pricing?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
I'm contemplating getting my first-ever Mac - would like some feedback from those in the know to help in my decision making process.
Background - I've been using/programming/building computers for a long time, going back to the early 80's with the Atari 400. My father purchased an Apple II+ around the same time, and I spent many an hour programming on it in languages like Logo and Pascal. Today, I'm a full-time I.T. manager in a shop that is all IBM/Windows. I've built close to 150 PCs, along with the associating OS installs, drivers, configuring, and the rest of that time-consuming mess everyone knows and hates.
I stopped by the local Apple store the other day and was just wow'd by the new 27" iMac. I like the fact that I can learn something new, and have the ability to load and run Windows 7 applications when needed and have the horsepower for both today's applications as well as tomorrow's. I don't do any video editing or serious photography, but do need the ability to convert and create video DVDs on occasion.
I know about the video issues going on with the 27" units, and hopefully they will be all ironed out by the time my unit is built.
Questions:
1) I'm thinking of ordering the 27" quad-core base configuration and going with the 2.8 i7 upgrade - worth it? I know I can add memory later, and can't imagine needing more than 1TB of disk space - can I swap out the drive later if needed?
2) Is ordering iWork with the machine a good deal?
3) Should I order AppleCare now, or wait and see what happens during the first year?
4) I am enrolled in a degree program at a college that is listed on Apple's website, but not taking classes at this moment. Do I need to be in an active class in order to take advantage of the education pricing?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.