[xxballinboi786]

24" gloss screen
* 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 4GB memory
* 500GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory

AppleCare Protection Plan
wireless mouse
wireless keyboard

all comes out to $2618 before taxes so lets say roughly $2900..

good, bad, okay?

should i go for it or is there something better for the same price?

i would use it for video/photo editing, LOTS of music/movie downloads, school work, some gaming, lots of side by side programs operating (firefox minimized while itunes is playing as im typing up a paper as limewire downloads stuff..lol)..

[solefald]

you picked the most expensive configuration, but yes, it is totally worth it.
you will not find a better computer+better os combination.

[OverSpun]

^^ I concur with the above statement. Macs FTW.

[dimisa1977]

Originally Posted by xxballinboi786

24" gloss screen
* 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
* 4GB memory
* 500GB hard drive1
* 8x double-layer SuperDrive
* NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS with 512MB memory

AppleCare Protection Plan
wireless mouse
wireless keyboard

all comes out to $2618 before taxes so lets say roughly $2900..

good, bad, okay?

should i go for it or is there something better for the same price?

i would use it for video/photo editing, LOTS of music/movie downloads, school work, some gaming, lots of side by side programs operating (firefox minimized while itunes is playing as im typing up a paper as limewire downloads stuff..lol)..

i have this same machine. it's good.

however, to be honest sometimes the monitor is too big, unless your desk/workspace faces a wall. in other words, the monitor blocks your view of anything in front of you.

speed wise, it's great

[iatacs19]

It's not worth it, that doesn't means it's not an excellent machine.

I think for that price you can do much better with a standard PC, unless you have to run OSX.

For around $2500 you get a much beefier PC from hp or Dell, if you pick from their workstation lines, they are very solid and the support is also much better.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

It's not worth it, that doesn't means it's an excellent machine.

I think for that price you can do much better with a standard PC, unless you have to run OSX.

For around $2500 you get a much beefier PC from hp or Dell, if you pick from their workstation lines, they are very solid and the support is also much better.

For $2800 he can get the monster that is the 8 core Mac Pro which I think would kick the HP's and Dell's butt. To get a Precision workstation to be comparable to the stock Mac Pro, the cost comes to $3998. Where the stock Mac Pro comes in at $2799. Anyway, my philosophy is to buy the best computer you can afford. The 24" iMac is certainly the best out of the iMac range, so if you want go for it.

[SpecC]

apples are always overpriced, but they are indeed great machines

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by SpecC

apples are always overpriced, but they are indeed great machines

People that say this don't know anything about computers (or maybe nothing about Apple)

Apple does not put out for the lowest bidder to make their parts (one company makes all the parts), thus they are more expensive, but also twice as reliable. I have had a Dell and 2 HP laptops before my current MacBook Pro. My MacBook Pro was less than the other 3 when added together but it has lasted twice as long and performed much better than all 3 put together.

For desktops it is a toss up (PCs are much cheaper for bottom-middle of the line) but Macs are so reliable and easy to use it is almost worth the extra money to me.

For Laptops, getting anything but a Mac is just stupid IMO.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

People that say this don't know anything about computers (or maybe nothing about Apple)

Apple does not put out for the lowest bidder to make their parts (one company makes all the parts), thus they are more expensive, but also twice as reliable. I have had a Dell and 2 HP laptops before my current MacBook Pro. My MacBook Pro was less than the other 3 when added together but it has lasted twice as long and performed much better than all 3 put together.

For desktops it is a toss up (PCs are much cheaper for bottom-middle of the line) but Macs are so reliable and easy to use it is almost worth the extra money to me.

For Laptops, getting anything but a Mac is just stupid IMO.

+1. love my macbook pro. will never go back.

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

People that say this don't know anything about computers (or maybe nothing about Apple)

Apple does not put out for the lowest bidder to make their parts (one company makes all the parts), thus they are more expensive, but also twice as reliable. I have had a Dell and 2 HP laptops before my current MacBook Pro. My MacBook Pro was less than the other 3 when added together but it has lasted twice as long and performed much better than all 3 put together.

For desktops it is a toss up (PCs are much cheaper for bottom-middle of the line) but Macs are so reliable and easy to use it is almost worth the extra money to me.

For Laptops, getting anything but a Mac is just stupid IMO.

i do know stuff about computers but i stand corrected haha

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by SpecC

i do know stuff about computers but i stand corrected haha

Yeah, didn't mean to be an ass.

I forgot the biggest selling point of a Mac now (relatively new)..... It doesn't have Windows Vista!

[Digital.James]

Macs FTW. But I think the 24inch screen is a bit of an overkill. Pop for the 20incher and save yourself some moola. Its really big enough.

[b335i]

I'm in the same boat as the OP...I want to get top of the line but I'm unsure if it is worth it! It will be my first mac, although I work with them quite frequently.

[SpecC]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

Yeah, didn't mean to be an ass.

I forgot the biggest selling point of a Mac now (relatively new)..... It doesn't have Windows Vista!

No worries, no offense taken here

Originally Posted by b335i

I'm in the same boat as the OP...I want to get top of the line but I'm unsure if it is worth it! It will be my first mac, although I work with them quite frequently.

I'm sure you'll make the transition very easily then. I like them a lot better when it comes to everyday use.

[iatacs19]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

People that say this don't know anything about computers (or maybe nothing about Apple)

Apple does not put out for the lowest bidder to make their parts (one company makes all the parts), thus they are more expensive, but also twice as reliable. I have had a Dell and 2 HP laptops before my current MacBook Pro. My MacBook Pro was less than the other 3 when added together but it has lasted twice as long and performed much better than all 3 put together.

For desktops it is a toss up (PCs are much cheaper for bottom-middle of the line) but Macs are so reliable and easy to use it is almost worth the extra money to me.

For Laptops, getting anything but a Mac is just stupid IMO.

Apples use the exact same parts as any PC, the only difference is the firmware.

Design and the OS are the major differences, all the internals are exactly the same as a Dell or hp. You have much to learn about the computer industry, I am not saying that Macs bad or anything, but they are no different than any PC in terms of components.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

For around $2500 you get a much beefier PC from hp or Dell, if you pick from their workstation lines, they are very solid and the support is also much better.

this is the funniest thing i've read so far this morning...
i work with dell server and workstation support weekly basis (due to having to replace 2-3 failed components EVERY WEEK) and while the server support guys are OK, desktop support as the dumbest motherfuckers I've ever had to deal with. EVER.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

Apples use the exact same parts as any PC, the only difference is the firmware.

ignorance is a bliss....

[iatacs19]

Originally Posted by solefald

this is the funniest thing i've read so far this morning...
i work with dell server and workstation support weekly basis (due to having to replace 2-3 failed components EVERY WEEK) and while the server support guys are OK, desktop support as the dumbest motherfuckers I've ever had to deal with. EVER.

hehe, I am glad to entertain, but seriously, when I have had stuff fail, I just email them and have parts at my door the next day.

[.:bHd:.]

It's totally worth it man all the head ache you're gonna save yourself lol. If you decide to get a mac pro though don't get the ram from Apple cuz its hella expensive. You can get the same specs for half the price. I got my 6 Gigs from Ramjet.com

[magid]

I would upgrade the ram yourself, dont buy it from apple, they charge out the ass.

[quagmire]

Originally Posted by magid

I would upgrade the ram yourself, dont buy it from apple, they charge out the ass.

It's now a $200 upgrade to 4 GB of ram. Now granted you probably could get cheaper RAM, but it isn't an arm and a leg charge anymore.

Apple does use standard old PC parts now, but they use the higher end parts which are higher quality. You won't find the same parts in the iMac that are found in a cheapo box Dell.

[achenator]

go to macmall.com = no tax