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Message
Any reason to choos iMac over PC?
Posted on 12/30/15 at 1:39 pm
Posted on 12/30/15 at 1:39 pm
Other than to integrate iPhone, iPad, etc.?
Looking at a Dell Inspiron with an Intel Core i5 3.40 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM and 1 TB HD for $550. I know the video card isn't great and it doesn't have an SSD but it won't be a gaming computer. I just can't see paying at least double for an iMac unless the performance is that much greater.
Looking at a Dell Inspiron with an Intel Core i5 3.40 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM and 1 TB HD for $550. I know the video card isn't great and it doesn't have an SSD but it won't be a gaming computer. I just can't see paying at least double for an iMac unless the performance is that much greater.
11
Posted on 12/30/15 at 1:47 pm to Dale Murphy
It doesnt have to be a Mac, but get a laptop with an SSD. The only bad thing about an SSD is not being able to go back to an HDD after you use one.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 1:47 pm to Dale Murphy
quote:
Any reason to choos iMac over PC?
No.
quote:
Looking at a Dell Inspiron with an Intel Core i5 3.40 GHz processor with 8 GB RAM and 1 TB HD for $550. I know the video card isn't great and it doesn't have an SSD but it won't be a gaming computer. I just can't see paying at least double for an iMac unless the performance is that much greater.
But I wouldn't get a Dell either. Better to have someone build it for you. Cheaper and higher quality.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 1:51 pm to Freauxzen
quote:
But I wouldn't get a Dell either. Better to have someone build it for you. Cheaper and higher quality.
Only issue I have with this is that I've never had a problem with Dell and I've been getting computers from them for over 10 years now. My in-laws always get their computers built and they have more problems than I can even list. And it's computer after computer. Granted, they're probably just getting the wrong guy to build them, but it's spooked me off having someone build one.
But other than having an SSD and a higher end video card (which is probably useless since we won't be gaming on it), how much cheaper than $500 can you get having someone build one? Especially if I don't do it myself and have to pay someone.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 2:17 pm to Dale Murphy
quote:
how much cheaper than $500 can you get having someone build one?
Not much for a basic home PC at that budget, unless you pirate Windows. The kneejerk reaction from people who've ever assembled a PC even once in their lives is "build it yourself!" regardless of what kind of solution is being sought here. It's true, you can build much higher quality PCs, and that's invaluable for task-specific machines or workstations that will see a lot of heavy use. But in all honesty, if you find a well-configured home/office machine at the $400-500 range, an equivalent custom build might save you a few dollars but not offer a whole lot more in terms of durability/quality. You can certainly spend more and get better parts, but enhancements only translate to benefits if they are observable.
Personally, I will always build. But that's me. I enjoy it. It's a hobby. If you're going to pay someone to build it rather than learn to do it yourself, no real reason to go custom-built in this particular case.
Also, don't listen to anyone who bashes Dell or really any of the major brands. Ignorance of the industry leads to lots of brand bias based on anecdotal evidence.
But, you really should get an SSD. They are easy to add to prebuilt desktop PCs. I even wrote detailed instructions for doing so: LINK
Posted on 12/30/15 at 2:24 pm to ILikeLSUToo
quote:
Also, don't listen to anyone who bashes Dell or really any of the major brands. Ignorance of the industry leads to lots of brand bias based on anecdotal evidence.
This isn't to bash Dell. I've never been tinkerer, but I've always been lucky enough to know people who did. So up until 2011ish, I had custom-builts (for gaming). I had moved away from friends and acquaintances who could help, so I need a good Desktop PC and I thought to myself "Dell, they're fairly popular, sure they get negative reviews, but if they were terrible then they probably wouldn't b in business."
I sprung for a higher-end media/gaming Desktop. Not a sub-$1000 internet browsing PC.
No, I was wrong. It's easily been the worst PC I've ever owned. Has been broken since week one, serviced a couple of times that never fixed anything under warranty. I can mess with software, so I've re-installed windows, and some hardware--installed my own RAM and Hard-Drive...things I can look up online how to do.
Nothing has ever fixed the thing. Literally the worst piece of junk I've ever purchased. I'd never purchase from Dell again based on that experience. They were of little help to someone who can at least do basic installs and reinstalls of hardware and software, and they would never fess up and just replace the thing. Terrible customer service, terrible hardware.
This post was edited on 12/30/15 at 2:27 pm
Posted on 12/30/15 at 3:26 pm to ILikeLSUToo
quote:
But, you really should get an SSD
What's the cheapest one you can find that's worthwhile? I may downgrade the processor a little to replace the cost of the SSD so that I'm not spending over a grand.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 4:40 pm to Dale Murphy
quote:
What's the cheapest one you can find that's worthwhile?
This one: LINK
Hard to beat a Crucial BX200 240GB for $64.99.
In a desktop, you don't have to replace your existing drive, so there's no need to buy a 1TB SSD. You'll get the most benefit from putting your OS and installed programs on an SSD, while your hard drive now becomes secondary storage for media files.
Can you link me to the dell you're looking at? I'm curious if it's really that much better than this ASUS for $429 (Skylake i5, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, 802.11AC): LINK
Posted on 12/30/15 at 4:50 pm to ILikeLSUToo
Posted on 12/30/15 at 5:03 pm to Dale Murphy
The iMac looks better. I know that's random, but our computer is the living room so it's good to have it look nice.
I use it as the front end of my stereo. I have ~1Tb of lossless (redbook) music that the iMac sends to an Airport bit correct. From the airport to an external DAC then out to my integrated. We can use any device to access iTunes or play directly from that device.
I'm sure any computer will do what I need, but it's nice to have one that looks good while doing it.
I use it as the front end of my stereo. I have ~1Tb of lossless (redbook) music that the iMac sends to an Airport bit correct. From the airport to an external DAC then out to my integrated. We can use any device to access iTunes or play directly from that device.
I'm sure any computer will do what I need, but it's nice to have one that looks good while doing it.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 5:43 pm to Dale Murphy
quote:
Other than to integrate iPhone, iPad, etc.?
For starters those are great reasons to get one.
The other main reason is you don't have to run Windows.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 6:11 pm to Dale Murphy
quote:
Dale Murphy
Nah, that Dell isn't worth $550. Get the ASUS I linked. Even with the SSD and a SATA cable you'll be under $500.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 6:37 pm to TigerGman
quote:
For starters those are great reasons to get one.
The other main reason is you don't have to run Windows.
Ignore all of this.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 6:47 pm to ILikeLSUToo
quote:
The kneejerk reaction from people who've ever assembled a PC even once in their lives is "build it yourself!" regardless of what kind of solution is being sought here. It's true, you can build much higher quality PCs, and that's invaluable for task-specific machines or workstations that will see a lot of heavy use. But in all honesty, if you find a well-configured home/office machine at the $400-500 range, an equivalent custom build might save you a few dollars but not offer a whole lot more in terms of durability/quality.
This right here.
That said, it isn't hard to put one together and knowing how will set one on the path to not being dependent on Geek Squad.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 6:57 pm to Dale Murphy
quote:
how much cheaper than $500 can you get having someone build one? Especially if I don't do it myself and have to pay someone.
You can build a pretty good PC for under $300, assuming you already have an OS and peripherals. If you aren't building it yourself just buy one. The most value from building comes in the knowledge you gain about your machine and ease of future upgrades.
Building is fairly simple, even for a first-timer with a little bit of a tech background. I wouldn't shy away from it unless it's just something you don't want to do.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 7:52 pm to ILikeLSUToo
This guy knows what's up.
Everyone and their brother in law says build one, but who's going to support it? If you're not familiar with computer hardware and software, it's nice to have a warranty and technical support. This is why I dont build machines for anyone but myself anymore.
Also, the iMac is probably a great machine for what you want to do with it. It's going to be pricey, and you didn't state your OS preference, but they are well made machines.
Everyone and their brother in law says build one, but who's going to support it? If you're not familiar with computer hardware and software, it's nice to have a warranty and technical support. This is why I dont build machines for anyone but myself anymore.
Also, the iMac is probably a great machine for what you want to do with it. It's going to be pricey, and you didn't state your OS preference, but they are well made machines.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 8:05 pm to 3deadtrolls
quote:
Everyone and their brother in law says build one, but who's going to support it?
Exactly. "Just build one yourself" is terrible advice for Joe User.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 8:13 pm to 3deadtrolls
I'm more comfortable with windows. And I don't even own an iphone. My wife does but I don't know that she would do much integrating.
And I have nothing available. No OS, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.
And I have nothing available. No OS, mouse, keyboard, monitor, etc.
Posted on 12/30/15 at 9:07 pm to Dale Murphy
Then you definitely don't want a Mac.
Posted on 12/31/15 at 6:52 am to SG_Geaux
quote:
Exactly. "Just build one yourself" is terrible advice for Joe User.
Buying a desktop is terrible advice for "Joe User". A laptop, or even a tablet is usually a better option for someone that just does "some browsing and checks emails".
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