Boyfriend is getting a Mac -- Which one!

[daynah]

Much to my chagin, my boyfriend is getting a mac. ("Just spend the money on jewelry for me!" I cried!) At least it's not Windows.

I was wondering if you could help us figure out which Mac he should get.

It is going to be sitting on a desk, and he already has a work laptop. He really, really, really, likes having his Windows hooked up to his television and pushing out video onto his television. Both of us also use the wireless network his computer sends out.

Beyond that, all he does on his computer is pretty much surf the internet and store really bad photos that he never edits. A pretty simple existance.

So what do you suggest? I could go into a mac store and me, knowing nothing, would be blown away. And with my father's genes, I would walk out with the best of the best and the next day, I would spin around and go, Holy Intel Processor, Neal, How much did we spend!

:-k

[lkagan]

There are three types of macs to consider. The full workstation version Mac Pro, the 'all-in-one' iMac, and the tiny Mac mini. The Mac Pro is very cool and powerful but expensive. You probably don't want this. The iMac is a mid-range machine but not very flexible. If you already have a monitor it makes no sense. Or if you ever want to upgrade the monitor, you have to upgrade the whole unit. The least expensive route to take is the Mac mini. It sounds like it's perfect for his needs and he can save enough money to still buy you a nice diamond bracelet!

Hope this helps.

Larry

[aysiu]

I'd go for a Mac Mini.

[justin whitaker]

I've been eyeing the 20" iMAC with 500GB of space, 2 GB RAM, and the 256MB video card....the only thing holding me back is that that much credit card debt makes me nervous. :mrgreen:

[tribaal]

I guess the Mac Mini would be the way to go in your case, as others already said.

- trib'

[AlphaMack]

Mac mini.

[the.dark.lord]

I'd say Mac Pro.

[wgscott]

I have 10 or 12 Macs (I have lost count) and the only one I really hate is the mac Mini. I bought it to keep people off the other computers if they just want to look at bad photographs ....

For a desktop, it is really hard to beat the iMac. I have the slowest, cheapest, first-generation intel iMac and after I popped in an extra gig of memory it is a great computer. I've done significant amounts of number crunching on it and it is almost as good as my 1.5 year old, then top-of-the-line G5 with IBM processors.

It is also, physically, a very nice computer. The display is of very high quality. It is quite compact, which in my tiny home, is a real asset.

[slimdog360]

those mini macs go alright. We have them all over the place at work.

[wgscott]

Mine's been in the shop twice and it is so slow no one will use it.

[roobarb!]

If he likes having the ability to push video onto a TV and have the desktop separate, chances are a Mac mini isn't going to be the ideal choice. You've only got the one DVI out, so multiple screens aren't an option.

With an iMac, you can run a second screen from the mini-DVI port on the back. You'd need something to flip it into an appropriate format for the TV, but it's certainly possible. You also have the added bonus of a really good screen, iSight webcam and a faster 3.5" HDD inside, while the Mac mini has a laptop 2.5" in there.

Having said that, if I've misinterpreted and you just need video on one screen at a time, the Mac mini would probably be the best bet. Just make sure you get at least 1GB of RAM in it - it'll make the world of difference.

[unlokia]

It seems like you are asking people to decide for you, which is always a bad idea!. I would go on a Mac OS forum if I were you Miss, and ask advice from a more dedicated user base. As regards which one is best for you, DO NOT rush into it... take a trip to your nearest Apple store, and have a play about. Horses for courses, as they say!.

("Just spend the money on jewelry for me!" I cried!)

Yeah but Jewellery doesn't make money, it sucks it dry. A computer enables a person, it can make them creative, which in turn creates employment, which provides MORE £££/$$$ for your boyfriend to splash on you. I'd have to say that he has the right idea, and actually ANYONE can buy diamonds, but they never get as many 'OOHS' and 'AHHS' as a beautiful shiny white/silver Apple Macintosh Computer!. I sure know that I respect ANYONE a lot more, for having the common sense to think different, and go Mac.

Have a great time deciding... remember you're not buying ANY old computer, so ask around the Mac forums a little, also, and take a test drive in person, before taking the plunge!. :D