Need some opinions

Question

I am a bit embarrassed to be making this post. I have spent many hours lurking in these forums over the past few days but it seems the more I search, the more confused I become.
Perhaps if I explain what I wish to do that might help. I have made up my mind that I would like to at least try owning one Macintosh before I kick the bucket, then give the present machine to my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to use. I will not connect the grandkids to the Internet because I want them to use it for homework and not stay in the chat rooms. I have this one loaded down with encyclopedias, dictionaries and also educational programs.
I am now leaning toward the iMac instead of the pro-. I bought my last machine prebuilt but before then, I had always built my own. When I hit 72 things wasn't as simple as they once was -- -- as you youngun's will eventually find out. I am now trying to do the things that my responsibilities have always blocked me from doing in the past -- smile.
I am concerned about having to purchase so much new software and I am a bit concerned about some of the posts on screen sweating. I will use this machine mostly for Internet, but I will be doing some video editing and I have just spent $200 on video editing software for Windows -- -- the prospect of doing that again is not appealing. I am thinking about getting the 24 inch, with two gigs of RAM, 8800 vid card, wireless keyboard and mouse. I love the look of the iMac -- but it's the software and the learning to use it that worries me. Please pardon the length of this post and possibly the vagueness of it. I just want to know whether you think the iMac would be better than the pro for me, plus, do you think I will have that much of a problem switching over.
Thank you very much
Nathaniel
Message was edited by: callmeanything

Answer 1

Hello callmeanything,
Im a 75 year old Mac user . . . have been for over twenty years now. I don't know if this post will be much help to you but let me offer my opinion.
I started with computers at work back in 1982 using DOS on an IBM PC. When I got my first Mac a couple of years later it was like a whole new world opened up to me. I had to continue with DOS and later Windows at work but my home life with the Mac was a wholly pleasurable experience in comparison. When OS X came out in 2000 or so it opened another whole new world. And so it goes to the present time. You'll experience the same thing if and when you get your first Mac.
From what you've posted, you may not have to get too much new software because the iMac comes with iMovie, iPhoto, iDVD and iTunes installed and that may be all you need. I do a lot of photo work myself and have only invested in Photoshop Elements which is sufficient for my needs. I also purchased iWork for word processing and spread sheet work. You can find both online at Amazon or somewhere for well under $100 each if you need them. Other than the software that came with the iMac, that's all I use and it is more than sufficient. I don't do movies so I can't help you there. But I can say that since I've upgraded to the 24" iMac a few weeks ago I am delighted with how it handles the AV work I do. The large bright screen is a joy to work with. Plenty of room for photo organizing and editing (I had a 17" iMac before).
If you go for any Mac, may I suggest you get a copy of David Pogue's switching to Mac missing manual book which you can check out here:
http://www.amazon.com/Switching-Mac-Missing-Manual-Leopard/dp/0596514123/ref=pdbbs_sr2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223670642&sr=8-2
Apple also has something on their website for Windows switchers.
Don't worry about the posts about problems in this forum. This is, after all, a hospital ward of sorts. I've not had any real problems with any of my Macs now or in the past. Get the Apple Care extended warranty for sure and be not only protected for three years but enjoy access to free phone support for all that time. And compared with Windows you can pretty much forget about viruses. I've never had any. The Mac is about as secure a platform as you are likely to find. I haven't bought or installed virus protection because it would only slow down my Mac. Read over the posts on this forum regarding viruses and make your judgements from them but IMHO, just forget about them.
Yes you may get a mild case of the "bends" when you switch but with the Pogue book for help and the great people here in this forum it won't be long before you "smile".
Best of luck to you,
Rick