- Joined
- Nov 18, 2007
- Messages
- 318
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 18
- Location
- Auckland, NEW ZEALAND
- Your Mac's Specs
- iMac = 20-inch, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2GB RAM, 320GB HD, Leopard. iPod Nano = 4GB, Silver
Hey Everyone
I'm new to the Mac Fourm and not used a Mac yet I have a physical disability and tend to sit in front of my pc all day unless I'm out and about. I don't work, just a netjunkie, run a couple fourms like this, update my webpage and play online virtual community game.
I've been a windows pc user for 13yrs and have learnt how to maintain the pc, keeping it clean (ongoing), reformat, fix registey, add/remove applications and more. Taking the plunge to a iMac is abit scary. Right now I have this system:
HP PC
1.3GHz AMD
128 GB RAM - upgraded to 640GB RAM
40GB Hardrive
Windows XP Home
17" Monitor
I have a budget of some kind lol and I'm looking at getting an iMac 20" LCD, 2.4GHz, 320GB Harddrive, 1GB RAM (I want to upgrade to 2GB RAM).
I've been researching into Mac's since August and still debating about going for a iMac or Windows PC. The problem I think I'm more worried about is the software and the other thing is can I really afford a iMac (NZ$). Actually the other thing is I really neeed a computer that is realiable (knowing not all things are), and I won't have a ton of problems as once I spend the $$$ on a new pc and software etc, then I won't have a lot of cash left over.
These are the programs I use quite often
Microsoft Office 2003 - Word, Excel, Outlook Email
PaintShop Pro X
Animation Shop 3 (don't use as much now)
DreamWeaver - (to update my webpage)
Cute FTP - to upload webpages and such
WinRAR
Trillian with MSN, AIM messengers
Yahoo Messenger
Spyware Doctor
AVG Anti-Virus
I understand I won't need any virus/spyware protection on an iMac. Which is great as I clean my pc everyday, kinda annoying and slow process. Virus scanning takes 6-7hrs with ZoneAlarm (lots of psp tubes). The messengers I have found replacements with that can be used on iMac. I think I will go with iWork 08 as I only use word and excel for basic stuff and it's cheaper. I've asked around if iWork 08 imports and exports Microsoft Office docs and have been told, it does
It's the graphic program that scares me. I'm worried about how I will move from Paint Shop Pro to Adobe Photoshop (expensive) and is there a similar graphics program to paint shop pro that is a bit cheaper.
At the moment I'm trying out Safari and FireFox browsers as I won't be using IE7 on a Mac. I like them both but FireFox seems to be more like IE7.
Am I worring too much? getting to detailed info? should I just take the plunge (knowing all the above) and get the iMac. I need some convncing
I also need a new printer as I broke mine by accident by pulling it off the table via my wheelchair. I like the Brother multi scan/copy/print one.
I may need an external DVD/CD Drive as the drive on the side of the LCD 'maybe' hard for me to reach/access
I need to get a new modem router too so will make sure it be mac supported.
Also is it worth paying the extra $500 for the 24" LCD? lol maybe not with my budget
More questions I'm sure later..
I'm new to the Mac Fourm and not used a Mac yet I have a physical disability and tend to sit in front of my pc all day unless I'm out and about. I don't work, just a netjunkie, run a couple fourms like this, update my webpage and play online virtual community game.
I've been a windows pc user for 13yrs and have learnt how to maintain the pc, keeping it clean (ongoing), reformat, fix registey, add/remove applications and more. Taking the plunge to a iMac is abit scary. Right now I have this system:
HP PC
1.3GHz AMD
128 GB RAM - upgraded to 640GB RAM
40GB Hardrive
Windows XP Home
17" Monitor
I have a budget of some kind lol and I'm looking at getting an iMac 20" LCD, 2.4GHz, 320GB Harddrive, 1GB RAM (I want to upgrade to 2GB RAM).
I've been researching into Mac's since August and still debating about going for a iMac or Windows PC. The problem I think I'm more worried about is the software and the other thing is can I really afford a iMac (NZ$). Actually the other thing is I really neeed a computer that is realiable (knowing not all things are), and I won't have a ton of problems as once I spend the $$$ on a new pc and software etc, then I won't have a lot of cash left over.
These are the programs I use quite often
Microsoft Office 2003 - Word, Excel, Outlook Email
PaintShop Pro X
Animation Shop 3 (don't use as much now)
DreamWeaver - (to update my webpage)
Cute FTP - to upload webpages and such
WinRAR
Trillian with MSN, AIM messengers
Yahoo Messenger
Spyware Doctor
AVG Anti-Virus
I understand I won't need any virus/spyware protection on an iMac. Which is great as I clean my pc everyday, kinda annoying and slow process. Virus scanning takes 6-7hrs with ZoneAlarm (lots of psp tubes). The messengers I have found replacements with that can be used on iMac. I think I will go with iWork 08 as I only use word and excel for basic stuff and it's cheaper. I've asked around if iWork 08 imports and exports Microsoft Office docs and have been told, it does
It's the graphic program that scares me. I'm worried about how I will move from Paint Shop Pro to Adobe Photoshop (expensive) and is there a similar graphics program to paint shop pro that is a bit cheaper.
At the moment I'm trying out Safari and FireFox browsers as I won't be using IE7 on a Mac. I like them both but FireFox seems to be more like IE7.
Am I worring too much? getting to detailed info? should I just take the plunge (knowing all the above) and get the iMac. I need some convncing
I also need a new printer as I broke mine by accident by pulling it off the table via my wheelchair. I like the Brother multi scan/copy/print one.
I may need an external DVD/CD Drive as the drive on the side of the LCD 'maybe' hard for me to reach/access
I need to get a new modem router too so will make sure it be mac supported.
Also is it worth paying the extra $500 for the 24" LCD? lol maybe not with my budget
More questions I'm sure later..