Considering Purchasing an iMac

I can't believe I am thinking about this...moving from Windows to Apple. Kind of like driving a GM car all your life and then purchasing your first Ford. I really do like what I have seen of the iMac.

My question is whether to go with the iMac or a Mac Notebook. I watched the video on the Apple site and the iMac is quite impressive indeed. Anything to consider with getting a MacBook or MacBook Pro over the iMac?

Also, since I have already purchased L4 Windows, I assume if I wanted to use the Mac version later I would have to purchase that. I do understand that I can use Parallel or VM Fusion, but, as I saw in another post, why use Windows on a Mac.

I welcome all and any comments on my first steps towards what some call.....Freedom from Microsoft.

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Comments

J.R. Miller

My question is whether to go with the iMac or a Mac Notebook.

The biggest thing is portability vs. big screen. If I were designing a system, I would get an iMac and if I needed portability get in iPad. I think those two replace the need for a Macbook (at least for all of of my current uses).

Also, since I have already purchased L4 Windows, I assume if I wanted to use the Mac version later I would have to purchase that.

No need to purchase it. Your license entitles you to use your resources on any platform we provide at no additional cost; Windows, Mac, iPod, iPad, library.logos.com... all are licensed for you to use with your one purchase.

Blessings

Rick Ross

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136433#Comment_136433

Thanks, Joe. I am leaning toward the iMac with the 21.5. Great that I will be able to use the Mac version once it is finished, and I am still learning to use the Windows application.

Rick

Josh Brown

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136438#Comment_136438

Basically it's a cost vs. performance/size thing.

You can get an iMac for half the price of a comparable performance apple notebook. The only drawback being lack or portability. So, if you're not looking to be doing some major computing on the go, I would lean toward the iMac. (And as Joe hinted at, you can do menial Logos work on the go both with iPad and iPhone)

-JABrown

Ben

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136438#Comment_136438

You should know as well that the iMac is due for a spec bump. No one knows but Steve, of course, but most prognosticators think the base 21 will get a dual-core i3 in it.

See http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

Also, if you're associated with education, the back-to-school deal is on until early September. It's really the only "sale" Apple ever does.

Josh Brown

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136450#Comment_136450

Free iPod with computer purchase during that time usually too.

-JABrown

Rick Ross

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136451#Comment_136451

Thanks everyone. You have given me more to research before purchasing. I may have to wait until August, but I think the iMac, since I do not need the portability. My intent is something more powerful so I can use L4 more fully.

Rick

Alan Macgregor

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136462#Comment_136462

Rick

Last October I did exactly what you are contemplating. I bought my iMac. Frankly, after 16 years of Windows from 3.1 to Vista, I had had enough. Since buying the iMac I have been delighted with its performance. It's not quite as intuitive as they say, but it is easy to learn with the videos on the Apple website. Put simply, it just works! I wish I had bought it years ago, but I was waiting for Logos for Mac, because it is my essential piece of software.

Every blessing

Alan

Andrew Smith

Richard, you won't regret laying Windows aside. I had been using the Windows platform since the days of the 8088 machines and no hard drives. We used two 5 1/4 inch floppies to save etc. When i turned 65 in May of '08 I decided to go 'cold turkey' with Apple. The initial idea was to keep my mind fresh and to maintain new levels of learning. I must tell you that Apple is addictive, plus I really don't have the time or the inclination to jump through the hoops that you have to jump through to accomplish simple tasks on the Windows platform. Even though I know how to build a machine, I don't necessary want to do it at every step on the journey.

My first machine was the iMac 24, then I added a 13 inch MacBook Pro last December and for my 67th birthday, my wife gave me a new 'toy' an iPad. Initially I purchased a copy of Windows XP Pro and loaded it via VM Ware Fusion on the iMac 24 as I was using Libronix. But with the advent of Logos 4, there is no need to go to the Windows side. Each device is now loaded with my Logos Platinum software as well as my cell phone. It has been a tremendous blessing.

Oh, one additional idea . . . purchase the extended warranty. (All things made by us who are confined to these 'earth suits' break or fail.) I bought my machine from Best Buy and followed up with the three year Applecare. A couple of weeks ago, while preparing a funeral message, my iMac 24 gave me a white screen of death toward the conclusion of typing my text. No Keyboard, mouse etc, restarting did nothing. It died. I took the machine back to Best Buy that weekend and the manager did an on the spot even exchange for an iMac 27 even though I did not have Best Buy's Black tie warranty.

I've said all that to say, in all my years, I've never had that kind of service with any of the Windows machines. I understand that my machine's failure was unusual, but as those who are more technologically savvy might attest, that over the long haul, you will get more for your money with Apple. Plus its just down right fun to use .[H]

Jason M. Dickinson

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136475#Comment_136475

I too made the leap, although I went with the MacBook. It is definitely worth the switch. I worried about difficulty with a learning curve going from PC to Mac, but found that the Mac is very intuitive. I run Logos4 for Mac and am completely happy with it - the guys at Logos are doing a bang-up job with adding additional features in every update. I say iMac or Macbook - Go for it!!

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136462#Comment_136462

Thanks everyone. You have given me more to research before purchasing. I may have to wait until August, but I think the iMac, since I do not need the portability. My intent is something more powerful so I can use L4 more fully.

Rick

Andrew gave you some excellent advice about purchasing Apple Care. If you are near an Apple Store, you will find almost unbelievable service, especially from the technicians at the Genius Bar. Unless the policy has changed in the last couple of years, labor is still free even after Apple Care expires.

Welcome to the Light Side.

Dewayne Davis

Kind of like driving a GM car all your life and then purchasing your first Ford.

No, more like going from riding a bike to driving Bob's new Lamborghini... [H]

John Graves

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136504#Comment_136504

Please don't shoot! I bought a macbook right after snow leopard came out and upgraded to 4gb ram and the hard drive as well. I used it for a while and it was a great improvment over my vista laptop. But about 2 or three months ago I bought a midlevel quad-core pc with win 7 64bit and love it. To be honest I really have not seen a big difference in the two operating systems as far as usuability goes. The mac has some very cool features like spaces but as far as usuability Win 7 is pretty intuitive itself. The windows computer is a little faster than the macbook but that has to do with hardware differences.

Any way I am just wondering what I am missing. Could some of you guys maybe point out the benefits of a Mac? What do you primarily use your computer for?

BTW I still use my macbook and really like it. I am not anti-mac, I am a free agent as far as computers are concerned. Just curious.

Sharon

I just made the switch a couple of weeks ago. I went with the MacBook Pro and I honestly think I love it. I was a Toshiba fan for about 20 years, but I am very glad I made the change. I also purchased the iPad 64G (Sorry, Christina. BTW How's your fund going? [:'(]) I have been pleasantly surprised at just about every turn. I did purchase the OnetoOne help and that has been so very helpful. I've gone in for sessions three times and each time I learn new things and they answer every single one of my questions. I also was surprised at the ease to learn it - I guess I alway thought it would be too hard to learn, but in fact, I find it is no different than going from one OS to another on a PC. I've been so pleased that others in my family are now contemplating the move, too. I pray God will show you exactly what to do.

Dewayne Davis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136506#Comment_136506

Please don't shoot! I bought a macbook right after snow leopard came out and upgraded to 4gb ram and the hard drive as well. I used it for a while and it was a great improvment over my vista laptop. But about 2 or three months ago I bought a midlevel quad-core pc with win 7 64bit and love it. To be honest I really have not seen a big difference in the two operating systems as far as usuability goes. The mac has some very cool features like spaces but as far as usuability Win 7 is pretty intuitive itself. The windows computer is a little faster than the macbook but that has to do with hardware differences.

Any way I am just wondering what I am missing. Could some of you guys maybe point out the benefits of a Mac? What do you primarily use your computer for?

BTW I still use my macbook and really like it. I am not anti-mac, I am a free agent as far as computers are concerned. Just curious.

Windows 7 seems to be a great operating system. I am using it for Logos 4 through parallels. I recently sold my 17" MBP and tried to find a low end PC to replace it. I didn't want to, but needed the money. I tried several machines, but for me they just seemed to slow and clumsy. I ended up getting a 13" MBP to replace it. If you get used to the track pad and 2, 3, and 4 finger gestures, you become dependent on it. The OS is always so simple and snappy. Plus there is the fact that you can literally pull the hard drive out of one machine, put it in another, turn it on and it just works. If you have a large photo and video library, then the built in apps are great as well. I can't wait until L4Mac gets fully implemented. I think that it will fly. Well, this post is beginning to feel very off topic, so I better stop.

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136506#Comment_136506

Some observations: for past several years, Apple had annual one-day sale on Black Friday (up to $100 off).

Apple refurbished Mac's are better deal year round - come with same 1 year warranty as new along with 14 day return option:

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

Caution: know models when shopping refurbished since current generation and older generation or two can be available. Current entry level 21" iMac is $ 999 (16 % Off) while high end Quad Core i7 in 27" iMac is $ 1,849 (16 % off). Current generation 13" MacBookPro is $ 1,019 (15 % off).

Apple Store has business consultants - helpful collaboration and sharing tips.

From security perspective, Mac OS X is significantly less vulnerable than Windows. Easy to teach if being prompted for password on a Mac and not know why, do not enter password.

Keep Smiling [:)]

Keep Smiling 4 Jesus :)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136605#Comment_136605

MicroCenter has new current generation 13" Macbook Pro for $ 999 (after $ 200 Instant Savings).

Keep Smiling [:)]

Jeremy

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136630#Comment_136630

On a sidenote, while I really do love my MacBook Pro, I definitely think it really needs 4GB to run properly. It isn't much faster than my PC right now.

Just my two cents, but mobility is nearly essential in today's age. The iPad will never be able to run the full version of Logos 4, so I would recommend a laptop unless you only use a computer at home.

Donovan R. Palmer

After many, many years of using DOS and Windows, I switched to Mac in November 08 and have never regretted the decision. After an awful experience with Vista, my wife who usually cares little about these sorts of things, switched as well. She's never looked back either. I can count over 15 friends who were long term windows users who have done the same thing in the last couple of years.

The only downer is L4 Mac is not ready for prime time. It's making good progress and some on these forums are already using it exclusively, but my personal guess is that it won't reach the beta or RC stage until this autumn. If your needs are similar to mine, then running L4 Windows on Fusion or Parallels works very well in the meantime.

Nathan

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/136506#Comment_136506

Could some of you guys maybe point out the benefits of a Mac?

Yup, here is a BIGGIE...viruses. I have done (computech) 3 virus cleanup and removals so far this week on PC's. Honestly, I am sick of cleaning up viruses, almost everyday on PC's. Do yourself a favor and pickup a Mac. Just be aware that L4 has a long way to go to being on par with the PC version of L4, so be prepared to run Fusion and install Win 7 on your mac...(well at least if you want to take notes in L4) get the best of both worlds. You can even backup your current PC with a product like ShadowProtect (www.storagecraft.com) and convert it to a virtual PC on your Mac, very handy.