The new iMac G5

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Chris T

Yes, Microsoft has pretty much trounced Apple, for the time being at least, but I still reckon that given a level playing field Mac OS, and the iMac, would fare vastly better against Windows XP than it currently does. M$ has been trying to make its OS more like Mac for years now, precisely because it knows that this is what the customer wants. In that sense, all you hardened XP users have Apple to thank

Not sure what you mean by a level playing field, as in same speed processors etc? If that's the case, the Athlon FX-53 runs at 2.2ghz, it was benchmarked against a DUAL 2ghz G5 and left it in it's dust (even running that awfully slow Microsoft Windows )

Why are we, mac users, wrong to use a mac because you, a windows user, tell us that we are stupid and wrong to use a mac?

Surely we are best placed to pass jugdement on the mac rather than you?

But why do you feel best placed to tell us that macs are crap? we are the users of the products so we should know best.

Originally Posted by Bifta

Not sure what you mean by a level playing field, as in same speed processors etc? If that's the case, the Athlon FX-53 runs at 2.2ghz, it was benchmarked against a DUAL 2ghz G5 and left it in it's dust (even running that awfully slow Microsoft Windows )

Nope, I was thinking about market penetration etc ... clearing away Bill Gates' canny business dealings and some of Jobs' less canny ones, and presenting them as two complete products with an equal amount of software available ... based purely on the look, feel and performance of the systems as consumer products (which is not how you see it, but is certainly how the majority do).

As for the processor issue, I concede, Apple's been caught with its pants down here. Raw power has always been at the core of its proposition to professional users, I wonder whether it has been distracted with its chip supply chain problems over the last couple of years. Don't forget, though, that the iMac is a consumer machine, and should be compared with similarly priced consumer PCs, not top-of-the-range workstations.

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Chris T

As for the processor issue, I concede, Apple's been caught with its pants down here. Raw power has always been at the core of its proposition to professional users, I wonder whether it has been distracted with its chip supply chain problems over the last couple of years. Don't forget, though, that the iMac is a consumer machine, and should be compared with similarly priced consumer PCs, not top-of-the-range workstations.

How about we compare it with Richards £1100 machine?

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Damien

Why are we, mac users, wrong to use a mac because you, a windows user, tell us that we are stupid and wrong to use a mac?

Surely we are best placed to pass jugdement on the mac rather than you?

But why do you feel best placed to tell us that macs are crap? we are the users of the products so we should know best.

If you're going to take part in this debate, at least give your replies some substance, take a lesson from Chris T.

Originally Posted by Bifta

How about we compare it with Richards £1100 machine?

If he bought it as a complete, all-in-one package and hasn't had to have the case open to add anything, why not ... but only if it also passes the Mrs Towny test as well (it needs to look pretty).

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Chris T

If he bought it as a complete, all-in-one package and hasn't had to have the case open to add anything, why not

How about if he'd built it for someone else, who would have then purchased it as a complete unit?

... but only if it also passes the Mrs Towny test as well (it needs to look pretty).

There's a fair few cases on the market now that even my mrs. wouldn't object to having around the house (as opposed to my radioactive looking antec)

Originally Posted by Bifta

How about if he'd built it for someone else, who would have then purchased it as a complete unit?

No, this is part of my point ... you get the iMac from a retailer who is your single recourse if/when it needs support of any kind, and who may offer an extended warranty (My iMac was covered by John Lewis for two years, IIRC), up to and incuding just replacing the entire thing if it dies.

I know you can get a high-spec PC damn cheap from Richard, yourself or any one of a large number of people (my first PC, a 286 I got in 1992, was assembled by the IT specialist at my dad's work), but that's the case with a lot of things in life if you're prepared to put the effort in. I could save a fortune building my own house instead of buying one, but I don't want to (extreme example, I know). Most people do want an iToilet, and are prepared to pay a little more to get it. I think the fair comparison here is between an iMac and a comparable Dell PC, as was used in the article I linked yesterday.

There's a fair few cases on the market now that even my mrs. wouldn't object to having around the house (as opposed to my radioactive looking antec)

I'm not letting Mrs T see them because I just like OSX and I don't wanna change TBH it's as much the all-in-one aspect of it as anything else ... she'd never let me have a Power Mac, because despite being a very smart piece of kit, it is the traditional separate box and monitor.

[Bifta]

I think the fair comparison here is between an iMac and a comparable Dell PC, as was used in the article I linked yesterday.

I don't think that's a fair example at all tbh, Dell's build quality and spec's have degraded severely over the last few years, I personally, if I had to buy a machine prebuilt from a large e-tailer would avoid Dell and go for someone like Carrera, Mesh, Evesham or Alienware.

I'm not letting Mrs T see them because I just like OSX and I don't wanna change

You need to stick your foot down Nedworth

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Bifta

I don't think the ability to mount something on a wall would be a selling point for me, neither would it being what looks like almost legacy free. As for things like bluetooth and wireless, you can add them to a PC for next to nothing, as I recall, it cost me £2.50 to add a bluetooth dongle to my machine.

I have to admit, I like the new iMac. I wouldn't buy one, but then I am not in the target market as I would wish to upgrade at some point.

But, I will say that in my experience, bluetooth and wireless networking are far more reliable under Mac OSX than under XP (even with service pack 2).

I also like the idea of a almost totally wireless computer..

Originally Posted by scastle

I also like the idea of a almost totally wireless computer..

Our new house has one more bedroom than our current one, but as we're planning to have a proper guest room and a bigger family, we don't want to put the computer in one of the bedrooms any more. That means we're a little stuck for a study or home office-type room, which is a bummer as I have a nice computer desk with slots, holes etc for all the cabling, that really isn't going to fit anywhere now.

We had started thinking about looking at a laptop for our next computer but with this new iMac I think we can dispense with that. I love the idea of perching it on the coffee table in front of the sofa and playing with it via Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. If/when we get one, I will also be looking for wireless printing and, if possible, scanning. That way, it won't matter that I can't have a big computer desk any more.

You need to stick your foot down Nedworth

Thing is, I love it - give and take, love and co-operation and all that...

[Steve H]

Get yourself a Shuttle and a TFT then. Wireless net, mouse, kb in the shuttle and you've got yourself no wires bar the monitor cable & power cable.. & you'd have a power cable on the GF. Shuttle & TFT placed back to back are probably the same size & look better imo.

Bifta


1) chill out for hells sake....each person has a like and dislike just because you don't like i-mac's and think pc's like yours are best thing since sliced bread good for you no need to go mental over it we heard you first time

2) macs are good computers i myself and ordering a E-Mac soon as a online workhorse due to they are more stable in <<<MY VIEW>> perhaps not everyones.

I also like look of them but thats my view and as for the G5 if i could afford one I would have one, but again thats my view but i sure as heck aint gonna call them crap because i dont like them bit childish that.

Rant over

Originally Posted by Steve H

no wires bar the monitor cable & power cable.. & you'd have a power cable on the GF.

No wires except for two wires then? The monitor cable severely restricts the portability of that whole set up. You can only go a certain distance from the case, or else buy a huuuuuge wire, and the case, incidentally, would have the USB and Firewire ports in it, and the optical drive slot. The new iMac is a complete unit. If I want to edit my latest home video, then I can plug my camcorder into it right in front of me on the coffee table. If I want to watch a DVD while Mrs T is watching telly, I can slot a DVD into it right in front of me on the coffee table and plug in my headphones. Despite its weight (about 8kg), Apple has basically produced a truly portable desktop computer.

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by Chris T

The new iMac is a complete unit.

So's my laptop