Mac 27 2014 spec

[dtravis7]

Out of Curiosity, is there a brand name anywhere on that Orange bright box? Grin

 

[bigandbald]

It just says bright box router - it's their latest model so it's bang up to date

manufactured by "Astoria Networks"

 

[chscag]

manufactured by "Astoria Networks"

Apparently a German company:

Astoria Networks GmbH
Company Information
Kölner Str. 10b
Eschborn, Hessen, 65760 Germany
+49-61966409986

 

[bigandbald]

I could do a little bit more research and find out some more information - my main reason why I want mac up stairs my wife is a registered childminder and keeping my new mac which has taken me too many years too pluck up courage too buy , in the same. Room, my lounge with small ankle snappers fighting over Toys' and potentially putting missile through my 27" screen is tempting providence lol.
We had a Mac specialist in the town AT computers I live in which operated as a franchised dealer for apple - numerous time I visited the shop not once did anyone approach me to dangle the carrot it would have only taken a little push and boom they would have had a customer for life - I even sent them a e-mail and not even a response. Couple of weeks later I decided to go into the shop and do my usual window shopping the shop that had barely been open six months was gone. It was a shame just a little more dedication and treating customer as you'd expect yourself to be treated would have probably saved that business.
I've now decided to stick to buying from apple direct they seem to know how to look after their customers.

 

[mrplow]

I really appreciate all the advice you guys have given me - the only upgrade I've opted for
Was 8GB to 16GB of RAM not really sure what that is but assume it's something to do with
Processor memory - I might be barking up the wrong tree. One of my close friends recommended that this was necessary.
Just curious I do loads of on line courses for work and was just wondering whether I'm going to have to down load Java and Adobe Reader to get pop ups within the course working?
I feel a little out of my depth because I'm amongst some really gifted and clever individuals
Like yourselves - who obviously live and breathe apple computers. So please forgive my misgivings and short comings and stupid questions.

Just for info:
RAM is system memory. It's the fast, temporary storage that the operating system (OSX Mavericks in this case) uses to load applications and temp files into when you're using the machine.
8gb would have been absolutely fine, especially as upgrading RAM on the iMAc is one of the very easy user upgrades.
That said you can never have too much so having 16gb will give you a little future proofing
We normally advise that people buy ram upgrades after purchase as it tends to be considerably cheaper from crucial, new egg etc than it is from Apple

 

[bigandbald]

Thanks for reply - have u any suggestions on a desk I want something contemporary at the same time isn't going to cost a fortune lol - I'm going to keep mac in my bedroom so don't want a massive office desk nor do I want something that's got a life span of a nat lol?

 

[RadDave]

Thanks for reply - have u any suggestions on a desk I want something contemporary at the same time isn't going to cost a fortune lol - I'm going to keep mac in my bedroom so don't want a massive office desk nor do I want something that's got a life span of a nat lol?

Well, I don't believe that we can give you a specific recommendation w/o knowing the space available in your BR nor its decor (assume you want the furniture to look similar?) - but for starters, just google 'computer desk' and select images - you'll see dozens of examples, many can be ordered online and are of the 'knock down' type (i.e. you will need to put the desk together which is usually simple).

NOW, keep in mind that you will need enough desktop space & storage for equipment you likely will want to use w/ your iMac - e.g. my beginning list would be the iMac (w/ KB & mouse and/or pad), printer (multi-function one if you want copying & scanning - probably an ink jet), storage racks and/or drawers/shelves (for paper et al), and an UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for battery backup if you have power outages. At my computer station, I also have a second laser printer, plus my modem & AirPort Extreme router.

Concerning your router, you should definitely learn more about the 'orange box' - DSL vs. cable, Wi-Fi specifications (802.11 b/g/n or the newer ac), and how to adjust it's settings (an app vs. a web-based URL) - there is likely a manual available someplace online (talk to your ISP) - and finally I'm assuming that your BR connection is an ethernet cable from the router; if the 'router' is central to your house, then hopefully Wi-Fi range (depending on the protocols used) will be fine. Dave

 

[bigandbald]

Many thanks for your suggestions

 

[bigandbald]

Just curious which is better to use the track pad or mouse ?

 

[harryb2448]

Personal preference. If you have the trackpad, try and use it for a week or so exclusively. For me certainly no going back to the old mouse.

And when connected with a Magic Wand docking station - perfection!

 

[mrplow]

Yup, personal preference but I love the trackpad.

 

[chscag]

Just curious which is better to use the track pad or mouse ?

Unlike Harry and mrplow, I'm a dinosaur.... I can't stand trackpads in whatever form they come in. I'm a mouser guy. I even dislike the wireless type and continue to use a wired version. However, having given myself away, the Apple Magic Trackpad is very nice as it matches the keyboard and will immediately pair to your new iMac.

As mrplow stated above, it's a personal preference thing.

 

[bigandbald]

For work I have to use numerous e-training modules - on my windows laptop If the x script settings aren't
Correct the program will not run plus you also have to have the current version of Adobe plus Java to run correctly for similar e-training modules. Will the mac advise me why the program isn't working and what flash drives and other programs will be necessary for the program to work?

 

[Exodist]

Just curious which is better to use the track pad or mouse ?

Thats a tuff decision. The trackpad is really good if your used to a laptop and is very jester friendly and solid built..

The magic mouse is very nice also, its one of the best tracking bluetooth mice I have ever used. The top of the magic mouse is also much like the track pad as it supports left and right click, center scroll and jester recognition.

That said, the magic mouse to me in uncomfortable to use, it burns through batteries, I can barely charge them fast enough to replace them and the left and right jester swiping screws with Lightroom. I end up using my wired Logitech Gaming mouse 98% of the time.

 

[chas_m]

For work I have to use numerous e-training modules - on my windows laptop If the x script settings aren't
Correct the program will not run plus you also have to have the current version of Adobe plus Java to run correctly for similar e-training modules. Will the mac advise me why the program isn't working and what flash drives and other programs will be necessary for the program to work?

The Mac comes with a program called Preview that should be able to do whatever you want wrt opening PDF files. You might look at Adobe Acrobat Pro or PDFPenPro if you need very advanced PDF capabilities.

The Mac doesn't come with Java, but you can download the latest version here:

Mac OS X Java 7 Information for installing and using Java

And this installs a preference pane in your system preferences so you can stay up-to-date on it.