Computers, what to buy?

Brett_H

galumay wrote:

Seriously, just get yourself an iMac if you want a desktop, no need for anti-virus software, no cables other than the power cable, no ugly box, just the panel with everything inside. If you do want a laptop then the build quality in a Mac means they dont have the same problems that the other brands have, sure you will pay a little more but its good value in the end. Learning OSX is not an issue at all, ask anyone that has a Mac.

Actually.... I have to agree. It hurts me as a wintel user since 1995 but El's Mac purchased from G is the best computer we've ever owned. It's also NOT the most recent :/

C-man

I mac definitely has the look we are after 27" would be sleek would it crazy to get a slightly used one, too risky? Most PCs only live about 4 years at best. also there is the rust issue on the beach here.

UNM

C-man wrote:

I mac definitely has the look we are after 27" would be sleek would it crazy to get a slightly used one, too risky? Most PCs only live about 4 years at best. also there is the rust issue on the beach here.

seriously risky buying private (so should be seriously cheap, but often isn't). Buy used from a reputable company, no problem. Lots of apple units get traded because a lot of apple addicts need the latest on the day it is released or as soon after as funds allow. If lifetime is 4 years, then definitely look at something other than latest and greatest. I see no need at all to pay more than $300 for the PC unless you want apple, in which case double it and add a couple hundy. screen will be another $200-400 for a 27". Hope all these differing opinions are helping. clear as mud yet?

galumay

Whats your budget C-Man, I can do cost for cremas. (margin isnt great so it wont be a huge discount) Another option is an Apple refurb, http://store.apple.com/au/product/FC814/refurbished-imac-27-inch-31ghz-quad-core-intel-core-i5

Koffee_Kosmo

galumay wrote:

Whats your budget C-Man, I can do cost for cremas. (margin isnt great so it wont be a huge discount) Another option is an Apple refurb, http://store.apple.com/au/product/FC814/refurbished-imac-27-inch-31ghz-quad-core-intel-core-i5

Oooo I like that one Chris at Barazi has one of those - or one with the largest screen Is that the biggest screen ? KK

UNM

Koffee Kosmo wrote:

Is that the biggest screen ? KK

Nope, someone will always promise they can deliver a bigger one. Question is, how much does size matter (beyond a certain level)? And on the topic of computers, a 55" TV makes a perfectly adequate display using HDMI.

C-man

I cant see spending more than 1K because nothing lasts here on the beach anyway with the rust.

hiphipharar

Most computer parts are made from aluminum, plastic or painted steel, so rust isn't going to be a problem. With a $1K budget, you could get a brand new computer with the almost the same specs as the refurbished iMac and have change. Example (not an endorsement for this product/company. They appear to be Qld-based with a shop in Maroochydore). I've got nothing against Macs but they don't match Windows-based computers in the value-for-money stakes when you have a limited budget.

Jonty

hiphipharrar wrote:

I've got nothing against Macs but they don't match Windows-based computers in the value-for-money stakes when you have a limited budget.

I've never laughed so hard in my life.... Agree you won't be a mac under 1k but you get what you pay for... An old motto but one that has stood the times!! Wife brought a reconditioned MacAir 13" from apple for 1.2k, brilliant kit and swears it made her Dip Ed degree a piece of cake. Cman, a Mac means no viruses or security crap that is needed for a PC. That was one of my key factors & now my entire house is apple, with Apple TV thrown in.. Good luck with your choice!

hiphipharar

Jonty wrote:

I've never laughed so hard in my life.... Agree you won't be a mac under 1k but you get what you pay for... An old motto but one that has stood the times!! Wife brought a reconditioned MacAir 13" from apple for 1.2k, brilliant kit and swears it made her Dip Ed degree a piece of cake. Cman, a Mac means no viruses or security crap that is needed for a PC. That was one of my key factors & now my entire house is apple, with Apple TV thrown in. Good luck with your choice!

Spoken like a true phanboi 😛 . Is the inference here that your wife would not have had as easy a time on a PC I'm willing to bet that $1.2K exceeds C-man's budget but I see that you can get the same computer for less than $1K now.

Jonty

Sorry hip.... I had a iMAC, iPad and Apple TV before we brought the macair lappy..... Security & viruses was why I got away from PC dribble... I hate my PC at work but such is the clunky life of windoz :stir Cman, it's like cannon versus Nikon for cameras, & if you have a budget of 1k then PC land it is....

UNM

Jonty wrote:

Cman, a Mac means no viruses or security crap that is needed for a PC. That was one of my key factors & now my entire house is apple, with Apple TV thrown in..

PCs don't need anti virus software either. Not if you choose the right operating system Still need to be cautious with downloads though as Trojans can affect all operating systems. Love this thread. So many opinions and everyone is convinced their opinion is correct. Obviously that can't be true.

C-man

hiphipharrar wrote:

Most computer parts are made from aluminum, plastic or painted steel, so rust isn't going to be a problem. With a $1K budget, you could get a brand new computer with the almost the same specs as the refurbished iMac and have change. Example (not an endorsement for this product/company. They appear to be Qld-based with a shop in Maroochydore). I've got nothing against Macs but they don't match Windows-based computers in the value-for-money stakes when you have a limited budget.

The motherboard always rusts here and then the ports stop working, my last PC the one barely working now I had built by my tech friend, he rust proofed the inside of the box and put in a bigger quiet fan But the ports are attached to the motherboard and it has rusted and some ports are no longer working. It has served me well and only coast about $450 to have him build it. U mart has them even cheaper now and I can order extra ram or a bigger processor for just $20 each more. they also sell large screens If budget allowed I would rather have an I Mac. 27" I dislike the idea of resource hungry windows and all the viruses If I do go PC I should look into Linux or other operating systems I asked here on this forum because I know there are lots of computer guys here.

C-man

I would really like some help with the picture side of things.. What do I want there? Graphics? HD my understanding is limited. I would really like the best picture within my budget and would be happy to sacrifice some processing power in favor of picture quality if necessary.

C-man

this one looks pretty sleek

hiphipharar

Jonty wrote:

Sorry hip.... I had a iMAC, iPad and Apple TV before we brought the macair lappy..... Security & viruses was why I got away from PC dribble... I hate my PC at work but such is the clunky life of windoz :stir Cman, it's like cannon versus Nikon for cameras, & if you have a budget of 1k then PC land it is....

Yeah, heard it all before. Looking at C-man's brief, he wants a weather proof computer. A quick google suggests that you won't have much luck. The best suggestions were to try at a marine centre eg how do fishing trawlers look after their onboard computers. Another guy working in a swimming centre (humidity + chlorine) said to try for the driest place possible but still expect to have to change your equipment often. Another suggestion which I cannot verify is to leave your equipment on all the time so condensation doesn't form (as much). I'd hate to see a beautiful airbook or iMac have to be tossed out after 6 months Anyway, here's one recent thread: http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2116351

hiphipharar

C-man wrote:

Laptop vs destop? PC vs Mac? I am lost! I don't need it to do many things just basic stuff.

Laptops are good if you don't have much space and also want portability. Otherwise, desktops are cheaper. It might be more economical to replace your computer with a cheapie every 12 months or so. I replaced a motherboard last year fairly cheaply - perhaps you can't get your mate to do that for you if your computer still does everything you need, corrosion issues aside. Have you asked your neighbours. maybe they've come up with ways to manage the problem?

C-man

monitors seem to last much longer, this one was used and still going 6 years later I figure sense the monitor is what we stare at, it should be good. This one sounds like a good one but I don't understand all the specs http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_review.phtml?id=10&bid=2&id2=143&sid=99895

hiphipharar

It means its very high resolution so you will get crystal clear pictures at full high definition but you also will need the hardware to drive it to its capability. You would want to ask the UMart guys about that but thge target market won't mind spending big to get the machine with the required oomph and graphics capability. However, as UNM said, if you already have a HD TV, you can plug in your computer to that and get very impressive results. Look, it's you that will have to be satisfied. You can ask 10 people here and get 10 varying opinions; that's already happened. You get a lot of votes for a Mac and it deserves the thumbs up but it's also a fair bit of dosh to risk exposing to your environment. Why not go into Maroochy and speak to the UMart guys? Bargain hard and you could walk out with something that ticks all your boxes.

C-man

Thanks guys, even with so many different opinions it has helped me a lot. Unless a very near new I mac pops up at a bargian I will speak with the U mart guys and sort something out as per what is needed to drive a good screen.

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