Considering an iMac for basic college use. Any tips/advice/recommendations?

Hey guys, I am getting some loan money that I can put toward a computer and I have always dreamt of getting one of those beautiful iMacs.
I am thinking of just getting the basic model (and taking advantage of the free ipod touch that comes with it)
I was just wondering for basic college use, do you think its an ok choice to make or am i better off doing something else. I do NOT need a laptop as I already have one.
I just need to know if you guys have any advice for my purchase, any add-ons, any programs you recommend. Any advice would be great.

For basic college use I would think the iMac would be great. A couple of things I would recommend first is try to max out the memory (don't buy from Apple) and you should probably get either (or both) iWorks 08 and Microsoft Office Student Edition. My suggestion is start out with iWorks and if you feel you need it get MS Office later. I would also recommend getting Apple Care to protect your investment.
If you are a good shopper you can get good 4 MB of quality memory (Kingston, Crucial, or anything that meets Apples specs) for about $100, Apple Care is about $169 (or less) and iWorks will be about $79 (or less.) Last get yourself an external hard disk for Time Machine back-ups, for that I would a good quality firewire drive. There are a lot out there to choose from.
Get what you need, it will just make the experience all the better!

Similar Messages

  • I think to bye imac for graphic design use purpose. kindly guide me. Is iMac best for me ?

    i think to bye imac for graphic design use purpose. kindly guide me. Is iMac best for me ?

    Hello artistsagar,
    The word best is always subjective.   It is all a question of your needs, your working practice, your available space; I could go on.
    A Mac (probably a 27"one) may well be perfect.  Good size screen, easily understood basic functions and a huge number of recommended programs.   Just Google Mac graphic design to see what is available.

  • Considering dumping my iMac for a PC used for DSLR video editing on Premiere CS6. Help!

    So I edit mostly 1080p DSLR footage taken from my canon T3i camera. I purchased a 2011 (the latest model) iMac a little over a year ago, upgraded the RAM to 12GB and it has worked reasonably well. I purchased the base model for $1200 which has a quad core i5 processor, 512mb of video ram, and a measly 500gb hard drive. The past couple of days I have come to the realization that I only use Adobe Programs for graphically intensive work (premiere, after effects, etc). I originally bought my iMac for final cut, but FCPX SUCKS and I switched to Premiere CS6 which works like a dream. Anyways, I'm a senior in high school and do lots of video editing (going to major in video production in college). I'm likely going to differ college for a year and continue my video production business (pretty informal) as well as video production internships at a couple companies (so don't suggest that I get a laptop for portability, not an issue). I just shot an entire wedding with 2 DSLR's and the footage takes up over 20% of my hard drive which is unacceptable. This is very troublesome for me and has been clogging up my computer considerably. I have realized it would make a lot of sense to sell my iMac and purchase a PC that's not only faster, but has much more space. I was ideally looking to sell my iMac for $1000, and from that get a better and faster PC setup for my video editing. $200 would be allocated for a 24" 1080p LED 5ms Asus monitor (from newegg) which would leave $800 remaining for the PC. Ideally it'd be nice to have a little cash left over. Some things that sound appealing to me are: an intel i7 quad core proccessor at least 3.0+ Ghz,  16 GB of ram (maybe 8 to start), 1 GB of video RAM (here is where I'm stuck, my Imac had a Radeon 512mb video card in it, but I've heard premiere runs especially well with nVidia CUDA cards? Don't really know too much about this stuff.) I have no idea what type of card to get, and if I would even see a performance upgrade from my iMac. For storage I'd like at least 2TB of space, should I get two seperate 1 TB drives? One for boot and software and another for video files? Anyways, I assume I can benefit from selling my 2011 i5 iMac to get a faster PC equivalent at a lower price since I mainly edit videos (which is pretty graphically intense) from an HD DSLR camera. I've noticed premiere rendering times on my mac are starting to get pretty slow these days. Ideally it'd be nice to buy a desktop (already assembled) maybe from HP for around $600 (not including the monitor). I'm not completely against building a PC from parts (since I know a friend who can do it for me) I just need help figuring out WHAT exactly it is that I need and would benefit from.

    Buy a Desktop Video Editing PC
    http://www.adkvideoediting.com/
    -ADK Kudos http://forums.adobe.com/thread/877201
    Build a Desktop Video Editing PC
    -http://ppbm7.com/index.php/intro-part-1
    -http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1098759
    -http://forums.adobe.com/thread/878520?tstart=0
    -http://forums.adobe.com/thread/815798
    -http://www.shawnlam.ca/2012/premiere-pro-cs6-video-editing-computer-build/
    -http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Videoguys+DIY9+Its+Time+for+Sandy+Bridge+E/0xe9b142f408a2 b03ab88144a434e88de7.aspx

  • Mac pro 13 (2014) or Mac Air (2014) for basic Photoshop use

    I am a college senior about to enter the advertising industry and want to get a Mac as it is the industry standard in the ad world and to brush up on my Photoshop skills. I am looking for a mac computer priced between $1,000-$1,500 with education discount. Please let me know what you think would be an acceptable comp for basic photo shop and Imovie editing. The primary use of this computer will be word docs and watching Netflix etc. very low use programs. Please let me know what builds would be best for this very moderate PS use. Thank you in advance for your help!

    RAM and some serious PCIe-SSD storage will help Aperture/LR. But I am use to spreading things out, learned long ago the benefits on concurrent and never reading+writing though didn't have todays 1.2Gb SSD to play with.
    Was not to move the thread,  but to ask there also for first hand on how they like the 2013 iMac now. I just don't feel comfortable spending that much when I know Mac Pro is designed for heavy use, better thermals, IS upgradeable, and will last longer.
    Marco seems to have changed site or the article is off line.
    Try this article if you want to understand new Turbo Boost specs:
    http://www.marco.org/2013/11/26/new-mac-pro-cpus
    http://www.marco.org
    http://www.engadget.com/2013/12/23/apple-mac-pro-review-2013/
    http://www.macworld.com/article/2082568/lab-tested-new-mac-pro-is-the-speedster- weve-been-waiting-for-finally.html
    (2013) Mac Pro review (verge)
    2013 Mac Pro review: small, fast and in a league of its own (engadget)
    Tested: New Mac Pro is the speedster we've been waiting for (finally)

  • Wich iMac for this specific use?

    Greetings. I need your advice.
    i'm getting the new iMac for editing short films with FX via FCP X, music/recording and Photoshop. There are two setups that means double price of each other:
    The top one:
    -27"
    -Intel Core i7 quad core 3,5GHz
    -32GB de SDRAM DDR3, 1600MHz - 4X8GB
    - Drive Fusion de 1TB
    - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 780M com 4GB de GDDR5
    And the cheaper one with HALF price (yes, brasil):
    -21.5"
    -Intel Core i5 quad core, 2,9GHz
    -16GB de SDRAM DDR3, 1600MHz - 2X8GB
    -Drive Serial ATA de 1TB, 5400 RPM
    -NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M 1GB
    My first question is it worth/do I need the double price top version?
    Another question is: By now i'm not able to use an external hdd. In that case, what should a choose: a fusion 1tb or a ata 7200 1tb?
    Thank you very much.

    Get the tricked out 27".  You will be glad that you did -- now and espeacially in 2 -5 years.  It just all depends on how you value your (waiting) time as the i5 chip doesn't allow FCP to access 4 cores for rendering, etc.  Get the 1 TB SSD drive and either a Caldigit, G-Tech or Lacie Thunderbolt Raid drive -- at least 8 Tb. You can save a little money buying memory, as you can add your own -- but only with the 27".  - my opinion.

  • Any hint on searching for portal components using any certain LOV ?

    hi,
    does anyone know how to search for all of those portal components which use a certain other component?
    let's make it specific. how can i know which of the portal components (portal reports and forms, content folders, etc) are using any certain LOV?
    will really appreciate any hints.
    with kind regards,
    naqvi

    Thanks... I will am closing this but in case you have some material for me to review on the following, I will appreciate:
    You wrote
    1.
    "You can convert standard cube to real time even if it already has data without loss this data by using program SAP_CONVERT_NORMAL_TRANS (via SE38)."
    --on executing se38, and entering this program, it opened the code and I was stuck not knowing what to do.
    I can make simply ABAP modification but did not know how to copy data from one cube to the other using this program
    2.
    "Via copying data from any other cube using IP functionality (copy function or FOX formula)."
    The RSINPT was simple but I had no clue on this suggestion, any additional info specifically on this will be helpful.
    In general, in real environment with large amoun of data, which method do you use?
    Thanks

  • Sourcing and fitting a logic board for my crocked ibook - any tips?

    hi
    like quite a few others, it seems, the logic board on my g3 ibook 14.1in has passed away. i don't have any apple care coverage, and nor am i covered by the logic board extension repair programme (though quite why, no one at mac was able to explain to me). so begins the hunt for a new or second-hand logic board which i'm (gulp) going to try to fit myself.
    if any one had any tips as to where i might get a good deal on the correct logic board, i'd be very grateful. also, am i mad to try to fit one myself? my tech-literate IT genius of a brother is actually going to be wielding the scalpel, while i pace up and down beside him. and i have found a guide with pix on the net - but any encouraging words would be very welcome...
    thanks
    mike
    G3 iBook 900mhz 14.1in   Mac OS X (10.2.x)   got an emac too...

    hi
    thanks to you both for your help. here's what happened in the end...
    i phoned customer service twice to try to persuade them that my ibook ought to be repaired under the logic board extension repair programme - i was told on both occasions that it didn't qualify. so i tried a third time, for luck, and it worked - the computer was repaired for free under the programme. i'm just going to pick it up now.
    seems to me that the customer service team isn't quite au fait with the qualification criteria as detailed on the programme's FAQ, so it's worth being patient with them. in my case, i think the fact that my computer was a refurbished ibook threw them - it had a serial number beginning RMxxx, not UVxxx, but it did fall within the models specified for the programme, a fact which, eventually, was acknowledged. the result is that i've saved myself at least £500.
    mike

  • Exchanging 1.83 for 2.0Ghz Today, Any Tips?

    Hello,
    I'm traveling to my nearest Apple Store to exchange my 12 day old 1.83Ghz for the faster 2.0Ghz MBP today. Have any of you sucessfully done this? If so, would you offer any tips? Will I need to pay the restocking fee? Will my AppleCare transfer to my new machine?
    Background Info:
    I purchased mine on May 14th with the education discount, along with the AppleCare Protection Program (which has been registered)
    Thanks!
    1.83Ghz MBP   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

    I am not sure about the restocking fee. When I changed my troublesome 15" out for the 17" I had to pay the price difference but no restocking fee. They declared my 15" DOA though. I am not sure what your situation is.
    As far as the AppleCare warranty they did transfer that to the 17". The warranty policy states "The replacement product or parts will be functionally equivalent to the replaced
    products or parts and will assume the remaining coverage under the Plan."
    So yes. The new replacement laptop will replace your old one under the plan. Just be sure to tell them you registered the plan and need to have it transfered.

  • Am I able to use Microsoft Office when i switch users on my Macbook Air? I can find the applications, Excel Word etc, but when I try to open them it keeps taking me to a software update for Microsoft Office. Any tips on what to do???

    I use 2 accounts, one for work and one for personal.
    I have Microsoft Office, in my applications, and I can find it in my work user account, but when I try to open it, it keeps doing start up for Auto updates. and wont open the application. It works fine in my personal (Admin) account which is where I did migration when I bought the laptop. And I've looked on here for similar problems, and everyone says if it's in your applications it should work, but I can't open mine.
    Anyone know what I can do?

    Go to the main Library folder and look for a folder called Application Support / Microsoft.
    There are a few folders in there, and you may have to do some digging. In one of them (mine is called MAU2.0), there should be a file called Microsoft Autoupdate. Open it.
    It looks like this:
    check the button for manual updates.
    That should let you open the apps without triggering an automatic update.

  • Can I partition my external HD for both Time Machine and for basic disk use

    I wanted to know if through Disk Utility I can partition my external HD so that I have about 400 gigs for TM and 100 gigs just for storage? Thank You in advance

    Yes, you can. I did the same thing.
    Also, by default Time Machine will not back up what you have on that extra partition. You can make it so that it does if needed (Would be a bit overkill if you did).
    I actually have 3 partitions.
    1 is for Superduper (when it's Leopard compatible).
    2 is for Time Machine.
    3 is for other storage.

  • I'm having a devil of a time changing page numbers even though I'm following the instructions for doing so.  Any tips?

    I imported an already paginated text from Word into Pages to format it for a book.  I don't wan the first few pages numbered, so I've been trying to begin page one at the beginning of chapter one.  I've followed the instructions for changing page numbers, i.e., click next to page you want to change; in dialogue box click "start new header /footer; a new section is created; click Setup, click Section; in page numbering section, select  "Start at" and enter a new starting number."  In trying to do this often I can't get the dialogue box, or when I do, I get a new section that commences with a blank page.  Or, the dialogue box that should allow me to change numbers never appears. Help!

    Is this for the Mac or iOS?
    You only have iOS 7.0.4 as atag.
    Peter

  • Hi, my current plans and products include Creative Cloud Photography plan (one-year) and Creative Cloud single-app membership for Photoshop (one-year), I only use photoshop occasionally and for very basic things, are these two plans required for basic p

    Hi, my current plans and products include Creative Cloud Photography plan (one-year) and Creative Cloud single-app membership for Photoshop (one-year), I only use photoshop occasionally and for very basic things, are these two plans required for basic photoshop use or am I able to go with one or the other ?

    PS is part of the photography plan, so your single app plan is redundant.
    Mylenium

  • I can't burn a dvd using any method, Idvd tells me that my super drive is missing, dvd studio pro quits when i click burn and disk utility keeps spitting the disk out when i click burn and enter the disk??? how do i repair my superdrive for imac

    I can't burn a dvd using any method, idvd tells me that my super drive is missing, dvd studio pro quits when i click burn and disk utility keeps spitting the disk out when I click burn and enter the disk??? how do i repair my superdrive for imac, or how do I do whatever I need to do to get it working: I have already tried using a lens cleaning cd and also restored my nvram or something i forget what it was called but i restarted my computer holding down  command+optoion+p+r and still nothing???
    Free solutions are the best, although if I have to pay I will, I would prefer to not have to buy an external burner if possible and already know that is an option so please don't give me that answer... thank you for any help you can give

    Unless your iMac is still covered by AppleCare, get an external DVD burner.
    You can get perfectly good ones from Amazon for less than $40.

  • I purchased Adobe Creative Ste 5.5 Master Collection for windows for my college student daughter in '12 and she would like to install in on her iMac.  Please advise on the process.  Software has not been used yet.

    I purchased Adobe Creative Ste 5.5 Master Collection for windows for my college student daughter in '12 and she would like to install in on her iMac.  Please advise on the process.  Software has not been used yet.

    you need to exchange your win cs5.5 for mac cs5.5.
    unfortunately, adobe only offers that for cs6, Order product | Platform, language swap

  • I've been using IMac for 3 years with Microsoft office. Today, I could not open any excel files? Any Ideas?

    I've been using IMac for 3 years with Microsoft office. Today, I could not open any excel files? Any Ideas?

    If you upgraded to Lion or Mountain Lion, and did not upgrade to Office 2008 or later, that may be part of the problem.  Try LibreOffice, OpenOffice, NeoOffice, Google Docs, or Zoho Docs.  See my FAQ* for link:  http://www.macmaps.com/crossplatform.html

Maybe you are looking for

  • How do I install OS X Server on my home built server?

    I am currently in the process of planning my build for a home server and trying to cross my Ts and dot my Is before I go start buying everything. Everything I run at home is Apple based and would like to continue that with this server so there is an

  • No of days stockked in wh

    hi,    my customer is manufacturing some items and getting some items, now what my customer wants is, when the purchase the item how many days it was in ware house QA(Quality Awaited) and wen it was transfered to QP(Quality Passed). they want the day

  • Do all forms in adobe 8 when sent make a dataset?

    Every time i distribute a form in adobe 8 it automatically sets up a dataset but most of the time i don't want this can any one help as to suggest how i can stop this?! Thanks

  • Cisco ISE configs for switch

    I suppose Cisco ISE sends a URL redirect to the switch and the switch presents it to the client in case of guest Access getting a URL redirect with User Acceptance Page (Wired Guests and not wireless). My question here is, Do we need to configure htt

  • ActionScript Packages in Tomcat 6

    Hello all, first time poster here. I'm new to using ActionScript packages. I was wondering if there's a standard place/directory to place ActionScript helper packages on Tomcat 6 server. My application consists of a combination of JEE and Flex front