iMac computer owners, if you were me?

[thyme4me]

Soooo……Mac computer owners, if you were me and were looking for a new iMac desktop computer what would you purchase? What to do and what not to do? What is worth every penny and what was a waste in your opinion?
I do not have a Mac but went shopping yesterday at the local Apple Store. My head is spinning! I am not sure if I am going to get a Mac computer or not but I want to view my options.
I looked at an iMac 27-inch.

• Memory Amount
• Hard Drive Amount
• Magic Mouse & Trackpad or just one or the other
• iWork or Microsoft Office configured to a Mac
• Here’s the biggie Aperture 3 or Lightroom (I think I know Randy and Katrinas feelings!)
• Applecare Protection Plan
• One to One Membership
• Apple Battery Charger

This all adds up too $$$! Needless to say I want to purchase CS5. But that’s another thread with questions. Looking forward to your advice!

[katrinak]

I purchased the 27inch iMac for my PC husband at the beginning of summer as a birthday gift. We love it. I'll need to dig up the specifications, but we did buy it refurbished online at a better price with more memory and a larger hard drive than we'd otherwise been willing to part with.

His has a Magic Mouse (LOVE IT) and I use MSOffice for Mac on mine simply because I need it for some client work I do.

Good luck! You won't be dissapointed.

[Amy L]

Just a couple of thoughts. I like Microsoft Office. The Applecare plan is really great. I didn't do one on one but have heard great things about it. Good luck with your decision!

[mugsbigsis]

You can't go wrong no matter what you choose in an IMac. :O) I HIGHLY recommend the applecare plan though. HIGHLY! When mine was up after 3 years I told Cassie that I should get a new imac just so I could get the applecare again. lol (no, it didn't happen)

[KerryMac]

Hi Kris...I've been using an iMac for about 6 years now. I'm on my second one. They are so reliable and easy to use and the screens are fantastic.
Even when there is a problem (which is rare), Apple's support/genius bar is amazing helpful.
I have the magic mouse. Love it.
I use Lightroom, not Aperture.
Good luck with your decision!

[echogirl]

I am a completely biased mac person.
I have a 27 iMac and I love it. It's fabulous for photography and scrapping.
In my opinion, applecare is a must. I've called for good questions. I've called for silly things. They are always helpful besides there is a small chance you've bought a lemon. This way you are covered.
Magic Mouse- Don't have it as I use my Wacom tablet. Love my wacom!
Iwork- For me it's a pass. I bought an earlier version and really never used it. Randy has given a link before for a free excel download. It's really dependent on if you need it and use it. I waited to get the new version on iWork...which I've been waiting for a year and a half!
Good luck with your decision.
DO remember you can use the educational discount if you have kids in school!

[hendon]

I've been a mac convert for about 8 months and love it! Never thought I'd move on from a pc so easily and quickly (although I'll admit it was a frustrating, scary start). I brought the 21.5" because the 27" just looked too big, but would probably buy the bigger size next time I brought applecare but have to admit I haven't used it yet, haven't needed to phone anyone so not really sure of it's advantage. But I think getting it for your first mac is good peace of mind. Love the magic mouse, love LR (but don't know Aperture), and have MS Office for mac.
Good luck, have fun, and don't get scared off by the big change-over

[sal4gal]

I have had a MacBook Pro for 4 years, I adore it!!!

Sallie

[DonnaNJ]

Well Kris asking us Mac people if you should get a Mac is sorta like asking a drug addict if you should buy drugs.. I don't think you're going to get a very impartial answer :-) That being said.. as far as your questions.. I bought the 24" because my desk is kind of narrow and the 27" was just too big for that small an area. Make sure you sit at one in the store and adjust your chair to where you will be approximately and make sure it's not toooo big for you.. minimum 8 gig of memory.. more if you can afford it.. 1 terabyte of hard drive minimum. I use IWorks but I do very little with it so not sure how good it is.. good enough for what I do. Applecare definitely... hope that helps.. good luck whatever decision you make.

[LauraBean]

I like my Magic Mouse, and I love Aperture. You might want to get the computer home and try trial versions of both Aperture and Lightroom and then decide; that's how I decided. I just really liked working in Aperture and found it intuitive, whereas I found Lightroom confusing and clunky. Both are great, and I'm sure even I could get used to Lightroom, but since I loved Aperture... why bother?

Get as much hard drive space and memory as you can afford.

As for iWork vs. Microsoft Office, I guess it really depends on how much you use that stuff. Office is more robust, more expensive, more cross-compatible, more unwieldy.

And, I agree on Applecare. I haven't always had it, but I love having it with my current machine--it just makes me feel happy and secure.