Which Apple computer to get

[Radio_Shack]

I want to upgrade from my Radio Shack TRS/80 (640K memory, 2 floppy drives 5.25") and was thinking I would like to go with the latest Apple iMAC (or whatever latest one is called).

What model is the best out right now.

Also,

Will I get office type software like spreadsheet, word processor, database with an Apple or do I have to buy it seperate.

Is there any free software for the Apple?

Anything will be a nice boost for me.

thanks hoards

 

[El_Cid]

Biggest Mac - Mac Pro (2 x quad core cpu)

- you you gotta buy your monitor separately (maybe a nice 30" cinema display?) It really is the Ferrari of the computer world right now.

Best Comsumer Grade - iMac 24", you can upgrade the RAM and the HD.

or maybe a nice Macbook PRO?

they all come with the OS (MAC OS X) and the iLife Suite (digital image organizer, movie editing software, webpage authoring, iTunes, DVD creator)

You do have to buy Microsoft office for Mac separately. Unless you want to use Open Office for Mac or Neo Office both of which are very good but not quite as "known" as MS OFfice. Tons of other software out there.

You'll love it as much as your TRS/80

 

[Never Compromised]

I want to upgrade from my Radio Shack TRS/80 (640K memory, 2 floppy drives 5.25") and was thinking I would like to go with the latest Apple iMAC (or whatever latest one is called).

What model is the best out right now.

Also,

Will I get office type software like spreadsheet, word processor, database with an Apple or do I have to buy it seperate.

Is there any free software for the Apple?

Anything will be a nice boost for me.

thanks hoards

What do you want to do with the computer?

 

[Radio_Shack]

What do you want to do with the computer?

web surfing/downloading, office apps is a good start

 

[outtolunch]

A friend of mine had a Radio Shack TSR/80. He upgraded to the Atari 1040ST it has 1 meg of memory 2 3 1/2 inch floppy drives. Very cool computer. Check it out.

 

[Radio_Shack]

Mac Mini looks good..I went to apple.ca and configured the following..Any other changes suggested?

Mac mini, 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo
Part Number: Z0DM
60GB Serial ATA drive
Mac OS X - U.S. English
1.66GHz Intel Core Duo
iWork '06 preinstalled
Accessory kit
1GB 667 DDR2 SDRAM - 2x512
Combo Drive

Estimated Ship: 3-5 business days

Apple Wired Keyboard & Mighty Mouse Kits
Part Number: BA114LL/A

Estimated Ship: 1-2 business days

Cart Subtotal: $956.00

 

[Berlin]

I want to upgrade from my Radio Shack TRS/80 (640K memory, 2 floppy drives 5.25") and was thinking I would like to go with the latest Apple iMAC (or whatever latest one is called).

What model is the best out right now.

Your best bet for a Mac upgrade without too much of a tech shock from your TRS80 would be this :

http://lowendmac.com/compact/color.shtml

For all the right nostalgic reason.

 

[Meister]

Just make sure you are going to be happy with 60 GB. It seems way low, especially if want to store vids and pics.

You can buy a a PC with much better specs for the same money, but....
before somebody jumps in..... you will get viruses, blue screens, look uncool and have to deal with lots of wires (or so the Mac rant goes).

 

[WoodPeckr]

Just make sure you are going to be happy with 60 GB. It seems way low, especially if want to store vids and pics.

If you need more storage all you have to do is buy and plug in an external HDD.
They come in all sizes, plus they are very portable.

 

[Robio]

Chuck the fruit get a PC

 

[WoodPeckr]

Chuck the fruit get a PC

Chuck the fruit and windows and learn Linux!
Windows just went to Vista and in a couple months Mac is upgrading/moving to a new OS called OS X Leopard......
The more I use Linux the more it impresses me and it's all FREE!

 

[MarkII]

I switched over to Mac a few months ago because I like the design of their machines and most of my software needs natively run well on a mac. With the new intel chips I have the luxury of making this a windows machine if I feel the mac OS doesn't meet my needs. But so far the switch has been painless.

I opted for the mac pro 2.66 with 3 gigs of ram and a 30" apple display.

It's a really nice setup. I've added a few internal drives for photo storage and archival purposes so the system really screams along.

I don't think a 60 gig system drive is enough. You can easily fill that with apps like office etc. BTW..you can get the student edition of office for mac quite cheaply. The only caveat is you supposedly cannot use it for biz purposes. How they would ever know is beyond me..but thats the deal. The whole suite was about 195.00

It did take some getting used to not have antivirus software running all the time. I was more concerned that I might unknowingly pass a virus along to clients..but apparently that isn't a concern. Still seems odd to me though.

The mini sounds like it will suit your needs quite well. Just bump up the system drive and add as much ram as you can afford. Ram is just one of those things you can't have enough of.

 

[danibbler]

I'm not sure what you're thinking of downloading but if it's porn then 60 gigs is not going to cut it. Otherwise, that system is more than powerful enough for your needs.

If you have your heart set on the mini but can wait a bit that would be great. Why? Two reasons; first, the mini is overdue for a refresh which means that new models can come out any day now; second, there is a new version of OS X called Leopard coming out, it's not going to be much different from its predecessor (despite what some would have you believe) but it would be good to avoid having to go through the effort of upgrading.

 

[Never Compromised]

web surfing/downloading, office apps is a good start

I would suggest either an iMac or if you want portability a 12" MacBook.

 

[Robio]

is there a link

Chuck the fruit and windows and learn Linux!
Windows just went to Vista and in a couple months Mac is upgrading/moving to a new OS called OS X Leopard......
The more I use Linux the more it impresses me and it's all FREE!

Tell me more I may try this on another pc I find that my professional version of xp is very stable and works well. I have fad trouble with windows in the past though. A friend who got an apple said never get an apple even if the claim its does get viruses or fail when it does there is not enough support to help you or if there is support open you wallet and lie face down on a barrel

 

[DaEvilDevil]

I recently purchased a Macbook - 2 Ghz Core Two Duo

I needed the power for the type of work I was doing in the graphic design, video related industry

But I also have a PC desktop and laptop.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Tell me more I may try this on another pc I find that my professional version of xp is very stable and works well.

I have a dual boot setup now running XP Pro and Linux. This way you can easily switch back and forth between the two OSs. It runs great with no problems and gives me a chance to learn Linux at my leisure and still have XP as a backup.

Linux is not a `resource hog` like XP or Vista and runs very well on old PCs.
Linux claims to be even more stable than Mac and virtually as virus-free as Mac.
Here`s the Linux thread here on TERB with more info.
https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=113477

 

[jpf]

Mighty mouse isn't

There is general agreement that the Mighty Mouse sucks. Almost any alternative (but make sure it's 2 button) would be better.