Desktop Opinions?

[stumpleg]

My parents currently have a Dell Desktop and have been having trouble with viruses and such. I am trying to bring them from the PC side to the Mac. I have no clue on where to start on suggesting what desktop would work the best for her (I say her, because my mom is the primary user). I have a Macbook, so I have been around the Apple products. She basically uses it for pictures, internet, and bills / records, ect. Can you all suggest what we should look at that would suit her needs?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

It all depends on the budget I suppose..if they already have a nice monitor, keyboard and mouse..then the Mac Mini would be a good bet..or the 21.5" iMac C2D..

Regards

 

[Rottie]

Hi there,

Another vote here for the Mac Mini option - Wonderful machines, IMVHO.
Do you have a Mac that you can leave with your parents, for a week or so, in order for them to get a "feel" for the OS, before committing to buy a Mac?
Some people make the transition from PC to Mac relatively easy, whereas others cannot do it at all, so by leaving a spare machine with them, they can "test drive" it, to see whether or not it meets their needs.

If you do loan them a Mac to test drive, make sure you set them up with a standard, non admin account, totally separate to the one which you would use.

Hope this info helps.

 

[Slydude]

+1 for everything that has been said thus far. The Mini is probably going to do everything they are doing now and then some. I would also suggest, if possible, going somewhere and looking at the iMac's screen in person. Even if they already have a monitor, there might be enough difference in picture quality to justify the extra cost of the iMac.

 

[stumpleg]

Does the Mac Mini hook up to the moniter you currently have? I'm not too familiar with what it is / does.

 

[Slydude]

Here's a link to the specs Apple - Mac mini - Technical Specifications. The Mac mini can indeed connect to a variety of monitors including DVI and VGA though in some cases adapters are needed. I merely meant that if their existing monitor is not the best quality or is more than a few years old the iMac's screen might be enough of an improvement to justify the additional cost.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The Mac Mini expects that you already have a monitor, keyboard and mouse..so it's just the PC..it's VERY tiny, quiet and nice. Either way, if your current monitor isn't good enough, you can upgrade to a better one and the Mini will drive resolution up to 1920x1200 without any problems..

But as I initially stated, depending on budget, the iMac is a good alternate, but I think based on usage, those are really the 2 options you have..

Visit a Apple Store and check both of them out..

Regards

 

[Rottie]

Does the Mac Mini hook up to the moniter you currently have? I'm not too familiar with what it is / does.

Hi again,
I have the current model of the Mini; in my case, 2.26GHz processor, with 2Gb RAM, Super drive and 160Gb HDD, which comes as the base spec.

In the box, you get a Mini DVI to DVI connector, which you would then plug your DVI lead into for your monitor, provided, of course, that your monitor has a DVI input.
See below for a pic.

If your monitor uses VGA, then you can get a Mini DVI to VGA connector, which, unfortunately isn't included with the Mini, but is available from apple, amongst other places (eg: amazon, ebay, etc) at an additional cost.
See below for a pic.

Hope this info helps.

 

[chas_m]

I'd suggest you learn up on the Mac Mini (and the iMac) as options for your folks (plenty of info at apple.com), but remember the main selling point (in their case) is NO as in N-O viruses.

Here's another thought, though: if all they use the computer for is very basic stuff (email, IM, surfing, "card" games etc) you might consider getting them an iPad. I personally think the iPad is all the computer about 75% of the public actually need, and when combined with a MobileMe membership so they can store things "in the cloud" (Apple will be making some BIG MOVES on this front later this year), it could easily function as the sole "computer for people who don't really use computers much."

If you're sure they want a "full" computer, however, yeah the Mac mini is the budget choice, since it allows them to use their existing monitor, and the iMac is the "WOW what a screen!!" option.