Thinking about getting a Mac.

[Kimo]

So yeah, I have three Windows computers already and I want to try something different. I'm currently looking for a cheap Mac, something to start out on. Problem is, I have absolutlely no idea what do look for in a Mac. So (Reenee) I need some advice on what to look for in my Mac. I just want it to get me online and to run StepMania, if that helps.

[GOD GODDY]

You're getting a Macintosh because you want to play StepMania?

Uh, I'd just save my money for something better or wait until I have a better reason to buy a Macintosh, such as editing.

[dat shit cray]

Originally Posted by TyTigeriku

a cheap Mac

Oxymoron

[Nomi]

Get a Mac Mini or something, use your existing monitor. It's the cheapest Mac solution if you're looking to buy new (and you should, what with Boot Camp and all). They're pretty good machines.

[WiLLiSTER]

Look for something like a Powermac G4 or something.

Mine is a 450mhz AGP Graphics model, and while it may look seem slow, with OSX Tiger (10.4.x) it's pretty decent. There are processor upgrades for it too. They range in between $200-$500 depending on how fast you want it. Stepmania is doable on a 450mhz, but it does lag a little. I would say, get a G4 and upgrade the processor and throw in more ram if it isn't atleast 512.

Mac minis are nice too, but powermac G4s are probably going to be the cheapest. Maybe even a G3...

EDIT: If you do end up going with an intel-mac and want to use windows apps, use Parallels, not boot camp. The experience is so much better.

[DeusExMachina]

Just get the MAC OS on a PC system. Its much cheaper for nearly the same performance.

Edit: Hmm actually macs aren't THAT expensive.

Looking at the Imac 20 inch 2 GHz intel core duo

20-inch widescreen LCD with 1680 1050
2.0 Ghz Intel Core Duo with 2 mb shared L2 cache
512 MB 667 DDR2 ram
250 GB Sata
ATI X1600 128 MB GDDR3

All for 1699

On a PC all that would cost about...

1100

Macs aren't particularly great for gaming. But if you arent a gamer go nuts on mac.

[alphabet55]

I don't know about you, but after I saw those new "mac vs. pc" commercials I vowed to never buy a mac.

[EMAGDNIM]

Originally Posted by Irob

Oxymoron

Nope its' called buying a used one online...

[AkiraKinyota]

I want to get a Mac. The only sad thing is that I can't run most of the IIDX sims or Pop'n sims. I'm not much of a PC gamer (save for Morrowind), it's more of the Bemani sims that I'm going to miss out on if I get a Mac. And they're a bit pricey too... ;_;

[dj Outlaw]

Originally Posted by TyTigeriku

So yeah, I have three Windows computers already and I want to try something different...
...I just want it to get me online and to run StepMania, if that helps.

So you really just wanna try something different? I've got another idea aside from the Mac.

How about Linux? Knoppix, Fedora, Ubuntu... You can run it off a live-CD to try out several distributions, run it off a good number of architectures (x86, 64 bit, powerpc) and play Stepmania (assuming it likes your video card... this is another problem with Linux)

If you hate what you see on the live CD, just take it out. That simple. Otherwise, you can dedicate a whole PC to it and start doing some Stepmania and Firefox. Be warned that Linux is even worse of a gaming platform than Mac and requires more hands on work to get it to do what you want. But hey, it's free.

I think Mac's are fine computers but just a tad overhyped and many (...not all.) users seem to suffer from a ridiculous hubris that they're nearly invincible. The machines are very attractive though.

[DeusExMachina]

As far as video editing goes there is nothing a Mac can do that a PC can't. The reason video editors use macs is due to tradition and that most advanced software for editing video is made for macs only. I wouldn't discredit, PC to being an inferior tool to macs in terms of less processing power. After all now they even use the same CPU.

[Paul]

If your into editing anything (photos, movies, music) Macintosh is where it's at. Some people buy them just too look hip and cool with an expensive machine, but keep your pirated mp3's and games on your PC.

[Eight]

Originally Posted by red shoe paul

If your into editing anything (photos, movies, music) Macintosh is where it's at. Some people buy them just too look hip and cool with an expensive machine, but keep your pirated mp3's and games on your PC.

I like to look hip and cool with my badass Alienware lappy. It may be over a year old and beat up case wise (I use the damn thing as a portable computer, after all!) - but it is still a badass system. I get a alien head with glowing eyes while Mac pbooks get an apple.

That and Macs are very very white. I can't stand how white they are.

/rant.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Eight

I like to look hip and cool with my badass Alienware lappy. It may be over a year old and beat up case wise (I use the damn thing as a portable computer, after all!) - but it is still a badass system. I get a alien head with glowing eyes while Mac pbooks get an apple.

That and Macs are very very white. I can't stand how white they are.

/rant.

Oh yeah?

Well, my Powerbook is silver, shiny silver with a glowing apple. iBooks are the pure white ones.

[DeusExMachina]

I dont like "pimped" out cases.

A Black antec tower has served me nicely for years.