Apple iMac - thoughts...

[Wilkinator]

Hi folks. I currently own a gaming PC laptop. I'd like to go for a specific gaming PC but can't get my Missus to loosen the purse strings!! She will however consider an Apple iMac as they "look good"!! I have looked at the lower-end 27" iMac and it looks expensive compared to what I could get a gaming PC for with better specs.

I have a few questions if I may which I'd appreciate your opinions on - particularly if you have used both an iMac and a PC.

Why choose Apple over PC?

How good are these for gaming?

How good are these for gaming compared to a high-end PC?

Are there many compatability faffs with plug and play devices (e.g. printers/scanners/speakers/webcams etc)?

How easy is it to get MS Office to work on iMac?

Can they use PC games or are the games Mac specific?

Can you play on your standard gaming servers with a Mac (e.g. COD4, CODMW2 etc)?

Here's the link to the specs:

http://store.apple.com/uk/browse/home/shop_mac/family/imac

Thanks in advance.
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"If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it".
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[Little Bear]

just bought an imac for my wife for chrismas, and must say it is he bees knob. however, the laptop cost 1700 quid and is high end but i also bought my son a gaming rig that cost a third of the price. Games dont always work on the mac, you have to check, and to run MS office, you'd need to build the laptop with adualboot capability one for windowns one for snow leopard. Althoughth mac 'office' iworks is better than ms office tbh.

The mac specs for computing kit is always very high, and it usually runs like lightning, but so is the price and the price of accessories..But as you say it looks the blx. We have noticed that in every advers for online whatever, the people in the add always use imacs..you only notice when you buy one syndrom.

Hope that helps m8.

p.s. my misses swears she'll never go nback to a 'normal' pc again...
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[KannonFodder]

Used to be mac specific games but not you can install (or they may come with) windows OS on them so gaming shouldn't be an issue.

Having had both though...I prefer a run of the mill Intel or AMD PC, easier to upgrade and waaaayyyyyy cheaper.

My tuppence anyway.
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[=8th=Wolf]

now adays software isnt a big problem, because most games are compatable with macs and windows.

ms office you can buy a mac version

but tbh, i wouldnt buy a mac, they are over priced
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[Wilkinator]

Cheers chaps.

I dunno what I'll do - I know PC's are cheaper but the Mac has loads of benefits. If I went for a gaming PC it would end up the same price anyway (I can't downsize - never been able to!) but I'd just get more bang for my buck.

I don't know what to do tbh.....
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"If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it".
-- W.C. Fields

[Super]

Why choose Apple over PC?

Theres not really any reason for this, one person will prefer PC the next might prefer Mac. Overall I've used both through my years and PC is much better, it has always been cheaper, better running. These days Mac's are getting a little better but tbh, still way over expensive and you can get a muuuchhh better PC/Laptop for cheaper.

How good are these for gaming?

Well... Hard question, it really depends on what you're willing to spend, if you go for the low end mac's, no they're sh*t. but if you go high end its basically the same as running a normal gaming lappy. If you're going for low end I'd advise avoiding a low end mac.

How good are these for gaming compared to a high-end PC?

sh*t.

Are there many compatability faffs with plug and play devices (e.g. printers/scanners/speakers/webcams etc)?

Yes and no, its similar to how Vista was when upgraded from XP, there was quite alot of big brands supported but some of hte less known werent supported at all, Mac is similar but most of the brands are supported.

How easy is it to get MS Office to work on iMac?

Fairly easy, you can get a copy of Windows on Mac now which'll support all the microsoft bol***ks.

Can they use PC games or are the games Mac specific?

They used to be Mac specific but as stated above there's a multi O/S feature.

Can you play on your standard gaming servers with a Mac (e.g. COD4, CODMW2 etc)?

I'm not actually sure on this? It's plausable because of the windows install but they are still different O/S and run different things.. I would look it up but my internet is slow.

My Conclusion

Should you buy a Mac because they look pretty? No. Should you buy a Mac for gaming? No. Should you buy a really good pc/lap for a similar price (that will be ALOT better than the Mac)? Yes.

Good luck mate.
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[Wilkinator]

Cheers Sup.

I thought the general concensus was that Mac's did run better than PC's with far less problems?

I mention gaming as I used to play games though I have lost the urge of late. It may return, it may not. If it didn't I would snap up a Mac straight away and wouldn't even ask the question but I need to hedge my bets.

Since the COD series buggered up PC gaming it has lost it's appeal to me somewhat.

That said I realise that PC's are cheaper for what you get, better for games yet far more buggy.

It's a hard call as it's a lot of dosh to fork out for either an iMac or gaming PC!
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"If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then quit. There's no use being a damn fool about it".
-- W.C. Fields

[Currahee]

I don't know what everybody is meaning with bugs in wondows... I've used both and truth to tell i havn't had problems with either..

For gaming : PC
For price / quality : PC
For price alone : PC
For looks : Either you can build a great looking pc for a few extra bucks!
For stability : Either atleast at my pc's..
For security : Mac, far less virusses around.. however if you avoid dodgy sites and have a decent scanner youll be ok with either!

IMO PC is way more bang for the buck, you can build em as pretty as you like with LCD's and cases, i'd go for PC every time...
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[=8th=Wolf]

the only reason people buy macs is for sound and video editing
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[Currahee]

git good soundcard for 30 bucks and a good gaming / 3d editing gfxcard for 200 and your sound on pc .. the good mac programs can be ported to windows aswell lol..
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