Posted on 05/03/2011 9:03:20 AM PDT by Swordmaker
Apple today updated its signature all-in-one iMac with next generation quad-core processors, powerful new graphics, groundbreaking high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology and a new FaceTime HD camera.
(Excerpt) Read more at macdailynews.com ...
I guess I don't know where. Was considering getting this (just for gaming on my mac pro), then saw the price. Forget that.
> Then by your own account you did not value your time or your daughter's time by deciding to build those desktop computers.
No, you misunderstand. See my comment in #48:
Note: Sometimes the experience gained in DIY is very valuable -- might be hard to quantify, but it can argue in favor of DIY too, especially when acquiring a new piece of technology.She wanted to learn about multi-boot. Building one was the best way to gain that experience. There was no consideration of "saving money", "getting a computer on the cheap", etc. in that activity.
Remember, my comments about valuing one's time have to do with being honest about adding up the cost of a "cheap" PC. An intentional learning experience is a completely different goal.
Overall, I think we have differing definitions of “good.”
BTW, we’re comparing to an iMac here, so count Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
Yes, you can build a computer for much less than an iMac, but you will get much less than an iMac.
That's a Windows thing. I had a Mac for three years, upgraded in place from 10.4 to 10.5 to 10.6, and it got faster over the years. I finally had to reinstall because of a dead hard drive, took me only a few hours to have the computer exactly back to where it was with all accounts, and most of that time was Time Machine restoring a couple hundred GB of data from the backup. If I'd told it to, it also would have restored all of my applications.
So, the time question. Over the course of a few years you can be reinstalling Windows a few times, and each time taking maybe a day to set everything back, including reinstalling all your programs. Or you can just get a Mac, never worry about the annual reinstall, and when you do have to, it's push a button, walk away, and everything is back to where it was before.
Ya know, I had always figured that comparison was a little too extreme. But a couple months ago I finally decided to upgrade my Macbook from Leopard to Snow Leopard, and put in a larger hard disk. So I put the old hard disk in an external FW enclosure, put the new blank HD in the laptop. Loaded 10.6, and when it prompted for "Do you want to migrate from another Mac?" I pointed it at the external drive.
It not only moved all my personal (user) data, but it migrated all the applications, licenses, passwords, keys, certs, etc. The only app I needed to re-install was Thunderbird, because I was upgrading it at the same time.
I was very impressed by the success of the Mac's migration, since Windows applications cannot be done that way -- it's always a re-install because of the myriad customized Windows Registry settings, etc. Apple's application installation scheme is much simpler in some ways, and lends itself to easier install/uninstall/migration. I really didn't think it would be that easy; almost shockingly so.
Yes, you can build a computer for much less than an iMac, but you will get much less than an iMac.>>>>>>>
I’ll get a lot more buying or building a PC because I’ll take the $400-$1000 I saved and keep it in the bank or spend it on something more worthwhile than an Apple logo with Steve Jobs mug grinning at me http://www.zlok.net/blog/2009/03/29/i-invented-the-apple-logo/
Your specs are all off. Try this:
Didn’t think I’d be saying this but I think it’s worth it.
27” 2560x1440 IPS Display: $1000
Intel Core i5 2400: $190
Radeon HD 6970M: comparable to Radeon HD 6850 (but with less power consumption): $170
4GB DDR3 RAM: $40
1TB 7200RPM HDD: $60
Power Supply (whatever it may be): $60-80
Casing: $100
Peripherals: $100
Total: ~$1750
“All” off? You mean the $1,000 monitor?
How many people actually need that (or would know the difference)?
But to compare apples to apples (no pun intended) Dell was offering a 27” 2560x1440 IPS Display for $719 last December. Prices will come down as more are produced. I have a 27” monitor (HP refurb) I picked up for $300 about a year ago just because it was such a great deal. I certainly don’t need it for my job, but I realize some people do.
i5 2400 is $150 @ microcenter.com.
Everything else we seem to agree on, although I’d use a different gpu and would never pay $100 for a case.
No one said it was a bad deal, just that for under $1k you could build a machine with a lot more hardware (i7 2600, 8 gig ram, 2 TB drive).
Okay, now machine yourself a case from a solid block of aluminum, and don’t forget the ultra - so damn quiet you never hear them - cooling fans, and stuff all those pieces and parts into an all-in-one case. Dont forget to add in your wireless keyboard and magic mouse.
Other than the noise, you know what I don’t miss about my old DiY computer?
The rats nests of cables.
Around this time last year, the UPS man left this box at my door. Upon opening it, I pulled out another box by it’s handle, opened it up, pulled out the beautiful 21” display with stand, put it on my desk, plugged the power cord into it, put batteries in the keyboard and mouse, and turned it on.
About 2 minutes later I was up and running surfing the net.
The damn thing just works, and it looks great sitting on my old antique desk.
In the interests of accuracy, the cost of medium size IPS LED LCD (wow, that’s a lot of alphabet soup) monitors has come down quite a bit in the last few months, with good quality ones in the 22”-23” class now being available in the $200-$250 range. Here’s a good example from ASUS:
http://www.compuplus.com/ASUS-ASUS-23-IPS-LED-1183977.html
Still, when you assemble top quality parts (and Apple pays extra to buy the top 10% of the production from their suppliers) into an all-in-one computer, with an excellent suite of software, you will be in the same price range as an iMac... and the iMac customer service will beat your assemblage in all ways... and will not have the various suppliers arguing about who is causing the problems: software or hardware. I assure you the parts you buy from the bargain companies are not from the top 10% of the production runs...
You know there are millions of computer users that love avocados, me I wouldn’t eat one if they paid me, it is a matter of taste.
If I could build an iMac I would, if you could build one you would, but you can’t. An imitation maybe, but not quite the same is it.
Apple screws everyone, but they are in business for profit, and despite that they are still in business. Who knew capitalism could be so good to socialists. And the socialist tag includes the bunch at micro$oft.
Well how about this -— Across the Apple line-up you have monitors, laptops, iPads. How many are LCD and how many are LED? I have been using LCD monitors since 1999 (first one I got was a 14” Princeton) and have seen how much they have improved over the years. Today’s improved LCDs seem to be very good for 85% of users. Are LED monitors better for gamers and graphics artists? You tell me but they are elite computer users.
The way I see it a good solid Acer, Asus or Samsung LCD monitor of 21-24 inches is what 90% of computer users will be quite happy with
Say what? Dennis? It's obvious you do not have a clue what you are talking about. All of Apple' line of LCD monitors are now LED. the LED refers to how the are illuminated. Older panels were lit by florescent gas discharge tubes which drew a lot of power, required high voltage, and were thicker. New technology is a bar of low energy light emitting diodes, much thinner, and much more efficient.
Say what? Dennis? It's obvious you do not have a clue what you are talking about. All of Apple' line of LCD monitors are now LED. the LED refers to how the are illuminated. Older panels were lit by florescent gas discharge tubes which drew a lot of power, required high voltage, and were thicker. New technology is a bar of low energy light emitting diodes, much thinner, and much more efficient.
Um, are you saying you have, or have seen a true LED screen? Because last time I checked, an LED display meant it was an LCD backlit by LEDs.
I recently read an article that stated that researchers think they have found a way to manufacture green LEDs that have the same luminosity and longevity as the red and blue ones. If that’s true, then that’s the Holy Grail. But I don’t think they’ve worked them into displays yet.
Hmmm... I told you I have owned LCD monitors since 1999. When did you buy your first one? I am well aware that LED monitor is a term used but it refers to an LCD backlit by LEDs
Go knock yourself out. I own very nice thin LCD monitors. If you want to blow an extra $100 or so on LED backlit go right ahead. You are not alone. LED monitors are trendy these days
Outside the Apple universe there is more choice. I can hook an LCD monitor to me desktop or spend extra for an LED backlit LCD monitor. A quick scan at NewEgg shows LED backlit to be about 25% of all LCDs they are selling
I understand the tactic. I don't understand expecting it to work.
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