help purchasing a new home computer
- Thread starter likefish
- Start date
Switched my 80 year old Mom from Windows to Mac. She finds it "SIMPLE" to use. She hated Windows 8, couldn't find her way around that POS OS
and its Gorgeous To:
raidendex
Well-known member
Work just fine for me heh. Although I would say that I never use the start menu area, but other than that I like it. Next one will be going back to older style of start menu so that should work out for me even better.
As far as MAC goes, it is definitely a choice, although you are likely to pay a lot for just the brand name and stylish packaging, not so much for hardware. Hardware, other than how it's packages, is all the same as any PC can get, although it may be easier to upgrade various things on the PC down the road than Mac.
As far as MAC goes, it is definitely a choice, although you are likely to pay a lot for just the brand name and stylish packaging, not so much for hardware. Hardware, other than how it's packages, is all the same as any PC can get, although it may be easier to upgrade various things on the PC down the road than Mac.
raidendex
Well-known member
Looked at specs briefly, iMac is basically a laptop inside of a monitor, which is probably fine, but they do not use desktop components so it would be weaker than similar desktop. And then they go to Mac Pro that I guess would be in workstation category, which brings more power for video/photo editing, but you wouldn't need that much, and I wouldn't say that they are very good value either.
Buying Mac is definitely very costly but you are buying more than just hardware. You are buying a complete package. We could get into why this matters but most people are still dumb enough to think a 40 megapixel camera is better than a 16 megapixel solely due to the number of megapixels. This is also evident in the computer world when people start talking clock speed and RAM.
In the end, based on what Chris asked for there is no reason to go crazy chasing hardware specs. He can buy the current Adobe suite and use it for years with having to upgrade the software or hardware. Only people "keeping up with the Jones" or those in the industry need to stay on the bleeding edge of changes in the adobe environment.
In the end, based on what Chris asked for there is no reason to go crazy chasing hardware specs. He can buy the current Adobe suite and use it for years with having to upgrade the software or hardware. Only people "keeping up with the Jones" or those in the industry need to stay on the bleeding edge of changes in the adobe environment.
i am hoping that there are a few tech savy people in this forum.
LOOKS LIKE I FOUND A FEW! you people are passionate about your machines! I respect that! And thank you for your input!
It is time for me to replace my home computer and i am at a loss to find a good value. There are wayyyy too many options for one as ignorant as myself.
"There are wayyyyyyy too many options for one as ignorant as myself." I have not the patience nor passion to catch up with current technologies in the computer arena
With Black friday around the corner I am hoping I can get someone to point out a great deal if one pops up!
I know its lazy, but a packaged solution is the best solution for me. Either custom built or out of the box. My experience with "out of the box" is that it is cluttered with junk that pops up and generally gets in the way.
Primary requirements will be video editing and photoshop capable. Im not a big gamer.
To qualify "throwing the Photoshop name around" whatever that means.... I am editing photography for printing and dabbling with multimedia artwork. Im no pro! Just clawing my way up the learning curve. Show some love to the computer dabblers out there! We all have our strengths and weaknesses. I can lift heavy things really well, im just a bit slower than some.
I dont need the latest or greatest and dont need alot of extras. Just looking for a solid work machine that will hold up for a few years.
Thank you for any and all help!!!!
Thank you all for the input. Michael, thx for the detailed dummy friendly explanation. I appreciate the time and effort.
If anyone stumbles on a "great deal" on a "decent machine" with all of the upcoming sales please drop a link.
Thx for the link.... Prices from this seller almost seem to be too good to be true. I see the specs are a bit behind most recommended.
Thanks again to all for the input. If you find a "great deal" on a decent machine. Please feel free to pop up a link!
raidendex
Well-known member
What complete package? They only thing I would give Macs is a nice clean cases that may appeal to some. Hardware in most cases is mid range and I'm not even sure on it's quality, likely ok generic pieces, just like any other big name manufacturer that put systems together where you do not get to make much choice.
As far as OP request, at this point I would just suggest few basic stats to go by:
8 gigs of ram (4 may be enough, but 8 won't cost that much more and will give bit of extra room)
discrete graphics card (i.e. not intel 4000 and not with M in the name)
i5-i7 CPU (should be easy to find even in cheaper ones)
Drive space - SSD would benefit, but not crucial. Just get enough TBs to serve your storage needs.
As far as OP request, at this point I would just suggest few basic stats to go by:
8 gigs of ram (4 may be enough, but 8 won't cost that much more and will give bit of extra room)
discrete graphics card (i.e. not intel 4000 and not with M in the name)
i5-i7 CPU (should be easy to find even in cheaper ones)
Drive space - SSD would benefit, but not crucial. Just get enough TBs to serve your storage needs.
Chris these recommendations should be good enough. Basically buy as much RAM and storage as you can afford and choose a computer with a discrete graphics card or add one at a later date if the factory card isn't performing well enough.
Michael, very predictable response.
Swirlygig
Active member
You are not alone. Anyone I know that has run windows 8 says it is garbage...Annoying OS.
Haha, this is generally typical of any windows installation since XP. Everything since has had low acceptance except for 7. The only reason people liked 7 was because they finally had time to distance themselves from XP and finally came to the realization that MS was never going back. They were forced to move on. They hated Vista because it was new but accepted 7 even though it was basically the same thing.
Then MS decides they want to again create one thing for all things and enter the Metro UI. I rarely come across anyone that liked it. MS finally listened and with 8.1 gave people back their beloved Start button and quit forcing them to have to live with the smartphone UI look of Metro.
I recommend to everyone try to pick up 7 if you can otherwise be ready to spend some time learning a new OS.
Bryan47
New member
If you want a Mac I have a 24 inch iMac. Basically screen with computer built in. It's an amazing computer. I'd be willing to part with that for not too much. I paid $3600 in 2009 for it.
If you are in the new London area I wouldn't mind stopping by and doing some online shopping with you and showing you what to look for and what you need and what to avoid. I've built more computers than tanks that's for sure! PM for my number and I can talk you through EVERYTHING. A good desktop can be had for $300 and grab a used monitor on Craigslist. I'd love to chat computers! I did them at vocational school and then two years of electronic and robotic engineering!
If you are in the new London area I wouldn't mind stopping by and doing some online shopping with you and showing you what to look for and what you need and what to avoid. I've built more computers than tanks that's for sure! PM for my number and I can talk you through EVERYTHING. A good desktop can be had for $300 and grab a used monitor on Craigslist. I'd love to chat computers! I did them at vocational school and then two years of electronic and robotic engineering!
