Please advise on which Mac to buy :)

Hi,
I want to run a basic Logic Express system recording Live tracks one by one to start with but being able to record 8 simultaneously when I get the hang of things.
Please can you advise me on what Mac I should get. Around £400 is my max budget at the mo for the mac.
Looking on Ebay I could possibly get a Mac mini or an Apple iBook G4 are either any good?
Thanks
Andy

Any current model (Intel type) will do what you want. Anything back to G4, but avoid single processor G4s less than about 800MHz. If you can get a dual G4 at 1GHz or faster, you should have no trouble doing what you want. Make sure you have a minimum of 2GB RAM.
If you want a new machine, the MacMini will be fine. You can get good prices on G4s. G5 are still holding their value quite well, but if you can find one in your budget, it will be ideal.

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Switcher/Adder - Still not sure which MAC to buy (long)

[this is long.. you've been warned 8-) ]
As a life long non-Apple owner I've decided that I want to take the MAC plunge. I have been using computers since 1981 and haven't bought a pre-built computer from a company since about 1987. My history as a Wintel guy helps create this problem for me as my inclination is to buy the fastest and biggest you can possibly afford. After all bigger means better right?
So recently I had decided on a Mac Mini (the $699 model) since I can add it to my existing desktop and switch between PC and MAC at will. However, I keep reading how much of an "entry level" computer it is and I don't want something that is underpowered. Problem is that while I can tell you what I consider underpowered in the Wintel world, I can't relate that to the MAC world. I didn't (and wouldn't) have bought a 386/486 SX or Pentium Celeron processor because they are a bit gutless.
So then I started thinking I need an IMac 20" 2.0GHz because it's a G5 and therefore has more speed, power, etc. However, the PC guy in me starts thinking about the lack of upgrades in an all-in-one system. What if I want a bigger monitor when they get cheaper? Of course, I then start looking towards the PowerMac. That will give me power and the expandability. However, since I have to option things out to a respectable level, I end up with a $4000 Mac without a new display. I can't spend that now. Back to the Mac Mini.
Rinse and Repeat.
I'm still having problems with de-programming myself from the Microsoft world. The truth is that in the last 10 years I have always bought much more computer than I needed so that it would be there in case I "needed" it later. Of course with Windows, this seems like all the time. I used to upgrade about every 18 months, but amazingly this iteration of my PC is about 3 years old and is still far from outdated. (1st time in history)
So price puts eliminates the PowerMac which leaves the Mini vs. IMac. I have a 20" CRT now so I am not going to go backwards and consider a 17" IMac. So this leaves me with the $699 Mini vs. the 20" IMac. Of course my research has already led me to believe that I would want to put 1 Gig of RAM ($125) in a Mini as well as spending another $229 for a Mini-Stack to add an external HD with USB/FW Hub so that I have an adequate number of ports. And while it may seem that I have this all figured out, I don't. I also see that I can get a refurb IMac from Apple for around $1500, but I'm terrified about the refurb route.
I really don't look at myself as an adder as I want to get rid of all the PC stuff eventually. There is no compelling reason/application that requires the PC.
I have realized this year that I mainly do only a few things on the computer anymore. Web Browse, E-Mail, Games, Digital Camera Photos, Burning CDs from iTunes (no iPod yet), VPN to work, and Microsoft Money for paying and tracking bills. Any of the Macs do all of this stuff.
Oh and I forgot about what I really spend most of the time on the PC doing...Installing Windows Updates, Rebooting, Updating my Virus Definitions, Rebooting, Updating Spyware definitions and Scanning for Spyware, Rebooting, Fixing my wireless DHCP issue, Rebooting...Searching for new utilities to block Pop-Ups and other Malware.
So let's hear from all the MAC gurus out there. Mac Mini or IMac 20"?? New or Refurb? (although the refurb Mini is not enough of a discount to consider)
Thanks
Carl

Or you can look at it/analyse it from the other way round: What do you do on your computer, and what do you want to do more in the near future on your computer??
No doubt the Mac mini is considered a "entry-level startup mac" but it can still do wonders for you, I am actually quite thankful that Apple now has "simplified" their product line to fewer options so as not to make us confuse - I know in the PC world you can even build-your-own PC like many of my friends do, but consider this, if and when your computer (mac) needs technical service (touch wood), you just need to bring to one source.
I would eliminate the PowerMac G5 (tower) for now because it is really for the professionals... bottomline guideline is, if you think you will be playing a lot with home movie editing (iMovie) and burning quite a bit of DVDs too (iDVD), then your choice would probably fall more to the iMac G5's favor...
As for expandibility concern, even if you own an iMac G5, there isn't really anything to worry about expandibility issues, like some others' replies, you have a minimum of 250G of hard disk space, top that up??! Also with a maximum of 2Gb of Ram, that is more than enough to run a lot of stuffs, also with the Graphics card provided, I don't think you need to worry about upgrading to a better powerful one - Apple's all-in-one iMac G5 concept is to let you not worry about hardware issues like this, but let you immediately enjoy and have fun with your mac, that's the main idea.
Only if you are not a "power consumer" user, e.g. like my dad who just wants to sort out all his digital photos, and my sis who just surf, email and chat, I got them both the Mac mini (my sis upgraded from a iMac G3), perfect for them, but should one day my dad would tell me, "hey I wanna play with home movies...", then I would "worry" about upgrading then...
Cheers

Need Convincing Which Mac To Buy:(

Basically, I am pottering between the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display, and the iMac. Ideally I want this to be the last computer I ever buy so being a capable spec and sized hard drive are key motivators here:).
To make it easier for you guys to help me, I am a musician at College. So I'd be looking to run Logic, and Microsoft Office. I have about 40GB of Music, and a steadily rising 20GB of my favourite Music shows, so with that in mind I'dneed room for ducuments, the Photos and Videos from my Phone going on there etc. I spend a lot of time out and about so my Photos and Videos mean a lot to me, so iCloud syncing between devices are key here. I have Apple TV and an iPhone 4S so I'd be looking at capabilities of syncing between as many of those as possible (iTunes, Calender, Mail, Contacts etc.).
I wouldn't even mind a MacBook Air, it's just I want at least 500GB of storage capacity, and I'd have to go for the more expensive MacBook Air, and seeing as I don't want to spend anymore than I need to, this put me slightly off.
I also fancied the laptops as I get to move it around and get moblity with it, and it's not that I'd need that or use that all the time, but I'd certainly like the option.
My main question is would the lowest MacBook air, the lowest MacBok Pro with Retina, and the lowest 27-inch iMac, have enough processing power to be doing all these things without crashing, grinding to a halt etc.
If you guys were to say wht you have (The spec if you know it as well please), the stuff you use it for, and pros and cons about it that would be amazing!
I also would like to apologise for sounging like a bit of a bivvy, although this would be my first Mac I do understand that (With the new software, I think, Mountain Lion coming out soon) iCloud will be on all Macs etc. but I was just wondering without that, did certain things sync autmatically, or was it all through iTunes type thing?
Thanks again!
Ryan

Ryan,
Firstly, welcome to the wonderful world of Apple. I'll address your issues by number if you don't mind.
1. Apple is probably the best tech company for legacy support. That is up to a point. The fact that an over three year old smart phone, iPhone 3GS, is upgradable to iOS 6 is remarkable. Nothing on Android compares. Yes, there are features that are hardware based that you cannot use, but the OS is runnable. The only recent item I can say has been short lived is the original iPad. It can run the current iOS but will not be able to do iOS 6. Considering an over two year run isn't bad, could be better. Apple tends, again, to carry legacy hardware for up to five years. Of course that doesn't mean your hardware stops working. It just means you won't have the most recent OS or iOS. Average consumer computers have a 2-3 year lifespan. Apple products are more like 5-7.
2. I'm a bit confused about your reflection on having an iPad and an iMac. That combination is less expensive than a MacBook Pro or certainly a MacBook Pro retina, and it affords you the portability to share and enjoy your music, movies, etc. while on the go, but still have a very powerful workstation at home with a huge screen. Making use of iCloud facilitates syncing as well. The iMac is quite capable of running the programs you list. Even the iPad can do some simple media editing with iOS iMovie and GarageBand.
3. Storage. You began this thread indicating a need for about half a terabyte or 500GB. My recommendation of the low end iMac comes with that. Frankly, I wouldn't buy any more hard drive space from Apple than I had to in order to get the other features I want. HD's are remarkably cheap and very easy to install on an iMac. Ifixit.com has tutorials that are easy to follow. Were I buying an iMac right now I would buy the lowest end model as far as RAM and HD are concerned and bump both with RAM and HD from third party sources.
4. Both the iMac and any MBP, except for the retina, comes with a super drive. Apple sells a very capable, slim and portable super drive for about eighty bucks. I am about to by a lightscribe external super drive as it will also burn images on the reverse of the DVD or CD. Just a thought. Re-reading this point I see I misread a bit. True, you don't necessarily want to buy a terabyte of iCloud for backup. For overall backup/Timemachine I recommend any inexpensive 2 TB external drive. I use iCloud to backup my important documents, works in progress, etc. not my entire music or video library. Those are on my 2 TB external drive.
5. Ah, revisiting the backup issue. iCloud isn't a place I'd store a lot. The cost and available storage packages are prohibitive. Again, iCloud is great for syncing and offsite storage of critical things, but not your entire Pink Floyd collection. An external, big hard drive does the trick for a one time cost. Time Machine can do the leg work for you as well.
I hope that's been helpful, Ryan. Sounds like you're doing your homework!
David

Which mac to buy?

so here goes i am in the market for a new laptop as i feel i would love to be all mac in my room
here is my current setup imac plus dell 14z and iphone 5
what id like to accomplish is to have a mac portable instead of windows yes my windows machine works and has alot of everything but i want to go mac!
here is what i do now i sit and surf the web watch videos on youtube type papers for school and facebook and such everyday stuff. i hope to run a buisness fixing computers for people in my area so i thought ill go all professional and be all mac based!
i am looking to at least match what current laptop has
14 inch 1366x768
core i5 2.4ghz
8gb ram
256gb ssd crucial m4
8 hour battery daily
dont have a ton of programs to throw at it because most of my computing is done on my imac which isnt video editing or anything.
problems with the laptop i have now stuck pixel in screen scratches and dings and its windows!
my imac is my secondary machine to this laptop i barely ever turn it on other than to jam to music which i love to death. what i am looking to do is replace laptop and imac with one machine to handle it all and give my imac back to my mother and sell the laptop.
so im torn right now between a 13 inch air with 2.0 i7 dual core 8gb ram and 256gb ssd for around 1600
or a 13 inch retina pro with 2.5 dual core i5 8gb ram and 256gb sssd for around 1800
or a 15 inch retina pro 2.3 i7 quad core 8gb ram and 256gb ssd
just not sure what to choose budget is 2000 until i sell current computer for around 500
so total budget being 2500 and i would need to get microsoft office and anyone i buy will have applecare with it!

I think it is different from person to person..
Am not biased..If your ONLY going to be focused on reading then a Kindle or Nook will be ur best bet
But what I have come to find out is people who want to read books as what not sometimes ALSO want to check mail, surf the web, music ...Blah Blah Blah..So @ the end off the day, go for the FuLL PACKAGE deal if I may so so myself...
Plus, I read aritcles, news, ALL THE TIME on my Ipad 2 and it does hurt my eyes...Nth a simple dimming of the brightness can't fix
Plus with the Ipad, I get "iBooks Store, Kindle App, and the 100 of News apps "
Get my drift
But hey, the choice is urs

Which Mac to Buy for Use with Logic?

I'm currently looking to buy a new Mac and am torn between the iMac and Macbook Pro. iMac is definitely in my price range more than the Macbook.
I'm looking to do basic video editing and audio recording (15 tracks at most) most likely using an Apogee Duet as an audio in - mostly recording 1 or 2 tracks and adding more. I would be buying Logic.
Do you think the iMac would do the trick?

i would be you and if you can afford go for the macpro (2008 the 2009 seems to have some incompatilities cf. other thread). By experience allow yourself to have some margin, i mean more cpu power (one day you will maybe use heavy plugins or synth instruments from 3th party software) and this is killing the cpu. So more is always better. It takes me more than 6 months (start last year) to setup my macpro to a stable stage and now i am so happy it can runs without any big problem everything i want. (ex i use superior 2 as an internal synth instrument in Logic (not as standalone, to have the maximum control within logic, and i load it as multitrack instrument, it taxes 40 % of a single core - and because of synth instrument, only one core will function, and i can record without problem 2 guitarists (using GTR3.5), the drummer on a e-drum superior 2.0, a bassist with gtr3.5 and a vocal with buss reverb, in low latency mode - buffer 128- the cpu core reach about 80 %, without soft instrument than you have almost no limit cause all your core will be actifs, i mean recording just audio.).
Hope you understand what i mean here..

Which Mac to Buy?!? iMac 20 + MacBook? or MacBook Pro 17?

Hello folks,
I'm going to buy a new apple computer and I'm a bit uncertain about
doing it. I'm a software developer, these days just doing web programming. I do travel a bit, but mostly I'm at my company doing my daily jobs.
I never exprienced a high-res monitor (1440x900 is highest res I've ever seen!!!), but I think it may help me to become more productive. I need a laptop too (for showing our works to our customers)
So, which of the following plans seems better in your opinions (for
productivity, speed, any other goods...):
1. Buying a 13 inch MacBook and a 20 inch iMac
or
2. Buying a 17 inch MacBook Pro
or
3. Buying a new 15 inch MacBook Pro (mine is Core Dual) and a 20 inch monitor?
or
4. any other plan you suggest...
Thank you all,
- Dunnil
PS. I can't pay more than 3K USD at the moment.

Hello hdunnil
Apparently you own a 15 inch MBP. To me this seems like a nice computer for your work. I'd suggest you buy a HUGE monitor and an external FWHD to make sure your work is with a good backup (there is plenty of information concerning backup in this forum).
For a long time I used my PB 12" as the only computer and attached a monitor as well as an externel keyboard and mouse to it. This way you don't have two systems to synchronise which saves a lot of time. Just be sure to backup your ONLY system...
Hope that helps
senex

Which Mac to buy - Is a Mac Pro for me?

I have been using a PC for nearly 20 years starting in High School. I am desperate to change my ageing and slow PC for a Mac as I mainly use it for video and photo editing. To start with I will be using FCE 4 and Appeture 2, but see myself outgrowing these within a couple of years. For a while I have wanted a Mac Pro, but a friend recently suggested getting an iMac and upgrading it to 4GB ram and 1TB hard drive. I want to be able to easily upgrade my mac in months / years to come as I have done with my PC. Is the Mac Pro the best option for me, plus does any one have any ideas when the new Mac Pro may be announced. Possibly WWDC 2009 in June?
Many thanks
Matt

I just received my new Mac pro dual 3.2 system. I have been a Mac user for 15 years and find it hard to think about going to a PC. I have both PC and Mac, but do all design work on a Mac. The RIP programs need to use a PC and that's all I can do with them.
I too work some with video and I can tell you what I have come across. I started with FCP 3 when it come out and upgraded along the way and started using FCP Studio 2 recently. There seem to be more problems with all the HD stuff. I guess it depends on how much video you plan to do, but you will find it takes a heavy duty system if you plan to work in HD (highly dysfunctional). I have dealt with post production houses and most are using PC systems with Avid. All have a Mac with FCP, but it does not seem to be the main system they use. There is a big jump in price to go the next level and now the Mac Pro with FCP Studio is working OK. There are issues as I would think there would be with Avid, but I am not willing to spend the money to find out at this time. The other thing I ran into is the large Apple displays are a problem for some editing systems. I am running two 30 inch cinema displays and they will not work with Avid.
I feel Apple has dropped the ball on working with the graphics people that supported them for so many years. They are so big it is hard to deal with them like the old days and i-pods are their number one market. I am disappointed in the experience in this last purchase, but again, I can't see making the move to going all PC....not yet any way!
So depending on what you plan to do in the future, I would suggest looking deeper than the Apple site for suggestions on a new system. If you plan to work with video and stay under 30,000...Apple is the best option from my experience.

Could someone please tell which cable to buy for my iPad 2 so that I can watch Netflix , film four, and such others on my TV via my iPad, I am getting very confused

could you please advise me which cable to buy for my iPad 2 so that I can watch Netflix , film four, and such others on my TV via my iPad, I am getting very confused , many thanks

You need this digital iPad adapter http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD098ZM/A and an HDMI cable.
 Cheers, Tom

Which Mac Should I buy??

Hi there,
I am currently debating which mac to buy :/ I currently have a macbook pro retina 2013 and I love itttttt
This are the mac
1- MacPro Refourbished 2012 for 2145.00
2- iMac (new) 27" i7, Fusion Drive and 2GB Nvidia 680MX
The reason why I am not sure which one to get is because I am afraid that in a future I wont be able to upgrade the iMac but at the same time the MacPro 2012 is pretty old, it doesnt even has USB 3.0.
If I get the MacPro I will end up spending more money because I gonna need a display which cost 1000
So guys what do you think?????
Oh also the other reason I am thinking on getting the MacPro is because with the MBPR if I use bootcamp OMG it really get HOTTTTT and I know that at least the mac pro has better cooling compare to the iMac...
Any Adviseee plssss

if you need it now... imac otherwise sit on fence for now.

I would like to cancel my account. Please advise?

I would like to cancel my account, please advise?

Which account? Your adobe ID, Revel, or something else?

Trying to download indesign for mac, photoshop and illustrator trial which i require immediately but your website is crashing/saying there is an error. Can you please advise when this will be rectified?

trying to download indesign for mac, photoshop and illustrator trial which i require immediately but your website is crashing/saying there is an error. Can you please advise when this will be rectified?

WHatever issues you have are specifuc to your local system, not Adobe. Since you have not provided any shred of useful,technical details such as system info nobody can tell you anything.
Mylenium

Hi i want to buy External hard disk which supports mac os latest versions upto mavericks, please suggest me which one is best.

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Check out something like this, I have a couple and they have great. Get the amount of storage that you will need.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/1394/USB/EliteAL/eSATA_FW800_FW400_USB

Hi, I have a 3 year old Macbook Pro 13" and I accidentally cracked the outer screen of my mac book, however the LCD panel is fine and works well. Please advise what to do

Hi, I have a 3 year old Macbook Pro 13" and I accidentally cracked the outer screen of my mac book, however the LCD panel is fine and works well. Please advise what to do. I live in India and I have gone to authorised Apple technicians and they infomed me that I will have to replace the LCD panel as well even though it is not cracked, is this really true or can I just change the outer shell? Also they say that they cannot do it in India... can I do it myself at home?

Since it is 3 years old find a local repair shop that can replace the glass Only. you may have to send it out to a Non Local shop for that but there are some that specialize in doiing that on Mac notebooks.
Apple will ony replace the complete screen enclosure with all normal parts included, LCD, Camera, Aluminum housing and glass as one unit. Which is very expensive. Or you could just use it as a desktop system with external monitor and buy a new notebook.

What is the difference between regular Aperture software and the app? If I were to buy an app or a software as a hobbyist, what should I buy??? Little confused between the two...Please advise.

Dear All,
I am a newbie to MAC world. Being an ex-PC guy, I am used to CDs and traditional software. I want to buy Aperture as my main photo editing software. I have been using DXO and Photoshop in the past. I downloaded Apeture trial version and I am comfortable with it. If I were to buy it, should I buy an app or traditional software CD. I edit approx. 4-5 pictures a day, just for personal use though. Please advise.
Regards,
Gurpreet.

That's a function of your Credit Card not of the Software
But you're right, I was vague. Whether you buy from the App Store or the Disk makes no difference to the functionality of the software. It's the same.
Regards
TD

Hi, I'm unable to use my speaker when I'm using Mac OS. However, I'm able to do so for Windows 7 OS on Bootcamp. Can anyone please advise on how to rectify this problem? I would greatly appreciate your help, thank you.

Hi, I'm unable to use my speaker when I'm using Mac OS, which means I'm unable to unmute, decrease or increase the volume. However, I'm able to do so for Windows 7 OS on Bootcamp. Can anyone please advise on how to rectify this problem? I would greatly appreciate your help, thank you.

Hi Zac, sorry to hear about your troubles, but that's why us other users are here to try to help in these instances.
Open Console in Utilities & see if there are any clues or repeating messages when this connection drop happens.

Please advise on which Mac to buy :)

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