What's the best-sold iMac an why?

I wonder so hard why and I can't find an answer!

Sergio Zambrano wrote:
I wonder so hard why and I can't find an answer!
The best you can do for questions like this is to refer to the estimates of financial analysts that track Apple & to Apple's own financial reports. However, it is rare for this to be broken down to a model-by-model analysis. At most, you will probably just get figures for entire lines (like all iMacs or all laptops) & only for each quarter of the fiscal year.

Similar Messages

What is the best value iMac config for hd video editing. I was going to go for i5 3.1 ghz with 4mb ram, but should I go further? Thanks!

What is the best value iMac config for hd video editing.? I was going to go for i5 3.1 ghz with 4mb ram, but should I go further? Thanks!

You have it currently installed? Can you go to the System Profiler and click on Applications (will take a while to populate) - take a look at your FCP and check what it says on the right - Universal, Intel, or PPC? It'll look like this:
If it's Universal or Intel, it'll run in Lion. However, the installer may or may not be PPC - that you may not know until you try to install. If you have it currently installed, then you could do what I did - move over all the files manually. I have a list of files for FCE and would assume they'd be the same with FCP: copy them from the old Mac and insert them in the very same spots on the new one.
Here is the list for FCE:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TA38198?viewlocale=en_US
(It was published for an uninstall, but worked like a charm).

What are the best tools to test why Mac Pro is so slow?

Hi,
I have a 2 x 2.4 GHz quad core intel xeon with 6 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 RAM. 2 x 1 TB Western Digital disks (WDC WD1001FALS-41Y6A1 (boot disk- 50% disk free) and WDC WD1002FAEX-00Y9A0).
I am often surprised at how slow the machine works. Especially when coming out of sleep mode, where the machine could take minutes just to show the login prompt.
Yes, I do keep more than a few processes running all the time, but am I expecting too much? After all it's got some reasonable horsepower. When I check task manager its usually the Chrome renderers that are hogging up a core (or two) but there are still many cores left (at least according to istat menus).
Anyway, I'm wondering what are the right tools to diagnosing the situation and how to improve it.
I've started off with disk utility and everything seems fine.
Can someone please recommend my next steps?   Are there any freeware utilities?
thanks
moosya

Use this article to examine your Memory. You can take a screen shot (Command-Shft-4 and drag across the area to be captured) and post it using the little camera icon on the top of the reply window on the forums. Or answer these questions:
How much total RAM.
How much of the pie chart is Green?
How much is Green + Blue?
How many Pageouts since last Startup?
How much Swap Used?
Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory and determine how much RAM is being used

What's the best way to transfer everything from my 5-year-old iMac to my 1-year-old iMac?

What's the best way to transfer everything from my 5-year-old iMac to my 1-year-old iMac?
I'm doing role reversal with these two. The newer imac is becoming our business computer, the older one will be our personal computer from now on until it gives out. For the record, I have Carbonite on the business unit. Should be a no-brainer, right? (Which is precisely why I'm asking!)
Thanks for whatever timely and accurate advise you may have.

Thanks. I stumbled across migration assistant later that afternoon in a google search. Just finished using it today to do the deed. Appreciate your quick response!

WHAT IS THE BEST VIRIUS PROTECTION FOR THE IMAC

what is the best antivirius for imac

In answer to Madmac- I have already had one virus on my Imac.
What told you that you had a virus, and what virus were you told you had? There are many possible answers, ranging anywhere from fake anti-virus scam websites to a false positive to Windows malware to actually being infected with one of the few and rare pieces of Mac malware. We need details to be able to provide you answers.
I called apple support to see what they would recommed but they charge $19. I now see why the younger generation hate apple.
Because they charge money for support like just about every other tech company these days? That makes no sense.
I'm not sure why you think the younger generation hates Apple, either. From what I see, the vast majority of members of "the younger generation" have some Apple device in their electronic arsenal.
If you hope to solve your problem, you'd be wise not to wander off on anti-Apple tangents. That sort of thing isn't all that welcome here, and if anything it will make people here disinclined to help you.

HT1338 Is anti virus necessary for iMac? if so, what is the best software?

Is anti virus necessary for iMac? if so, what is the best software?

1. This comment applies to malicious software ("malware") that's installed unwittingly by the victim of a network attack. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the victim's computer. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it. If you have reason to suspect that you're the target of such an attack, you need expert help.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user, but internally Apple calls it "XProtect." The malware recognition database is automatically checked for updates once a day; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
For the reasons given above, App Store products, and other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. OS X security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is presumably effective against known attacks, but maybe not against unknown attacks. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. XProtect, Gatekeeper, and MRT reduce the risk of malware attack, but they're not absolute protection. The first and best line of defense is always your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and the malware attacker. If you're smarter than he thinks you are, you'll win.
That means, in practice, that you never use software that comes from an untrustworthy source, or that does something inherently untrustworthy. How do you know what is trustworthy?
Any website that prompts you to install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one, is untrustworthy.
A web operator who tells you that you have a “virus,” or that anything else is wrong with your computer, or that you have won a prize in a contest you never entered, is trying to commit a crime with you as the victim. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
Pirated copies or "cracks" of commercial software, no matter where they come from, are unsafe.
Software of any kind downloaded from a BitTorrent or from a Usenet binary newsgroup is unsafe.
Software that purports to help you do something that's illegal or that infringes copyright, such as saving streamed audio or video for reuse without permission, is unsafe. All YouTube "downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily harmful.
Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, must be downloaded directly from the developer’s website. If it comes from any other source, it's unsafe.
Even signed applications, no matter what the source, should not be trusted if they do something unexpected, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it — not JavaScript — in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a lock icon in the address bar with the abbreviation "https" when visiting a secure site.
Follow the above guidelines, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself from malware.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they all do more harm than good, if they do any good at all. Any database of known threats is always going to be out of date. Most of the danger is from unknown threats. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use the free software ClamXav— nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial "anti-virus" products?
Their design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere.
In order to meet that nonexistent threat, the software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
By modifying the operating system, the software itself may create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
8. ClamXav doesn't have these drawbacks. That doesn't mean it's entirely safe. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
ClamXav is not needed, and should not be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful only for detecting Windows malware. Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else.
A Windows malware attachment in email is usually easy to recognize. The file name will often be targeted at people who aren't very bright; for example:
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!!!!!H0TBABEZ4U!!!!!!!.AVI♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥.exe
ClamXav may be able to tell you which particular virus or trojan it is, but do you care? In practice, there's seldom a reason to use ClamXav unless a network administrator requires you to run an anti-virus application.
9. The greatest harm done by security software, in my opinion, is in its effect on human behavior. It does little or nothing to protect people from emerging "zero-day" threats, but if they get a false sense of security from it, they may feel free to do things that expose them to higher risk. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.
10. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.

What is the best security package for an imac using yosimity

What is the best security package for an imac using Yosimity

Mac users often ask whether they should install "anti-virus" software. The answer usually given on ASC is "no." The answer is right, but it may give the wrong impression that there is no threat from what are loosely called "viruses." There is a threat, and you need to educate yourself about it.
1. This is a comment on what you should—and should not—do to protect yourself from malicious software ("malware") that circulates on the Internet and gets onto a computer as an unintended consequence of the user's actions. It does not apply to software, such as keystroke loggers, that may be installed deliberately by an intruder who has hands-on access to the computer, or who has been able to take control of it remotely. That threat is in a different category, and there's no easy way to defend against it.
The comment is long because the issue is complex. The key points are in sections 5, 6, and 10.
OS X now implements three layers of built-in protection specifically against malware, not counting runtime protections such as execute disable, sandboxing, system library randomization, and address space layout randomization that may also guard against other kinds of exploits.
2. All versions of OS X since 10.6.7 have been able to detect known Mac malware in downloaded files, and to block insecure web plugins. This feature is transparent to the user. Internally Apple calls it "XProtect."
The malware recognition database used by XProtect is automatically updated; however, you shouldn't rely on it, because the attackers are always at least a day ahead of the defenders.
The following caveats apply to XProtect:
☞ It can be bypassed by some third-party networking software, such as BitTorrent clients and Java applets.
☞ It only applies to software downloaded from the network. Software installed from a CD or other media is not checked.
As new versions of OS X are released, it's not clear whether Apple will indefinitely continue to maintain the XProtect database of older versions such as 10.6. The security of obsolete system versions may eventually be degraded. Security updates to the code of obsolete systems will stop being released at some point, and that may leave them open to other kinds of attack besides malware.
3. Starting with OS X 10.7.5, there has been a second layer of built-in malware protection, designated "Gatekeeper" by Apple. By default, applications and Installer packages downloaded from the network will only run if they're digitally signed by a developer with a certificate issued by Apple. Software certified in this way hasn't necessarily been tested by Apple, but you can be reasonably sure that it hasn't been modified by anyone other than the developer. His identity is known to Apple, so he could be held legally responsible if he distributed malware. That may not mean much if the developer lives in a country with a weak legal system (see below.)
Gatekeeper doesn't depend on a database of known malware. It has, however, the same limitations as XProtect, and in addition the following:
☞ It can easily be disabled or overridden by the user.
☞ A malware attacker could get control of a code-signing certificate under false pretenses, or could simply ignore the consequences of distributing codesigned malware.
☞ An App Store developer could find a way to bypass Apple's oversight, or the oversight could fail due to human error.
Apple has taken far too long to revoke the codesigning certificates of some known abusers, thereby diluting the value of Gatekeeper and the Developer ID program. Those lapses don't involve App Store products, however.
For the reasons given, App Store products, and—to a lesser extent—other applications recognized by Gatekeeper as signed, are safer than others, but they can't be considered absolutely safe. "Sandboxed" applications may prompt for access to private data, such as your contacts, or for access to the network. Think before granting that access. Sandbox security is based on user input. Never click through any request for authorization without thinking.
4. Starting with OS X 10.8.3, a third layer of protection has been added: a "Malware Removal Tool" (MRT). MRT runs automatically in the background when you update the OS. It checks for, and removes, malware that may have evaded the other protections via a Java exploit (see below.) MRT also runs when you install or update the Apple-supplied Java runtime (but not the Oracle runtime.) Like XProtect, MRT is effective against known threats, but not against unknown ones. It notifies you if it finds malware, but otherwise there's no user interface to MRT.
5. The built-in security features of OS X reduce the risk of malware attack, but they are not, and never will be, complete protection. Malware is a problem of human behavior, not machine behavior, and no technological fix alone is going to solve it. Trusting software to protect you will only make you more vulnerable.
The best defense is always going to be your own intelligence. With the possible exception of Java exploits, all known malware circulating on the Internet that affects a fully-updated installation of OS X 10.6 or later takes the form of so-called "Trojan horses," which can only have an effect if the victim is duped into running them. The threat therefore amounts to a battle of wits between you and Internet criminals. If you're better informed than they think you are, you'll win. That means, in practice, that you always stay within a safe harbor of computing practices. How do you know when you're leaving the safe harbor? Below are some warning signs of danger.
Software from an untrustworthy source
☞ Software with a corporate brand, such as Adobe Flash Player, doesn't come directly from the developer’s website. Do not trust an alert from any website to update Flash, or your browser, or any other software. A genuine alert that Flash is outdated and blocked is shown on this support page. Follow the instructions on the support page in that case. Otherwise, assume that the alert is fake and someone is trying to scam you into installing malware. If you see such alerts on more than one website, ask for instructions.
☞ Software of any kind is distributed via BitTorrent, or Usenet, or on a website that also distributes pirated music or movies.
☞ Rogue websites such as Softonic, Soft32, and CNET Download distribute free applications that have been packaged in a superfluous "installer."
☞ The software is advertised by means of spam or intrusive web ads. Any ad, on any site, that includes a direct link to a download should be ignored.
Software that is plainly illegal or does something illegal
☞ High-priced commercial software such as Photoshop is "cracked" or "free."
☞ An application helps you to infringe copyright, for instance by circumventing the copy protection on commercial software, or saving streamed media for reuse without permission. All "YouTube downloaders" are in this category, though not all are necessarily malicious.
Conditional or unsolicited offers from strangers
☞ A telephone caller or a web page tells you that you have a “virus” and offers to help you remove it. (Some reputable websites did legitimately warn visitors who were infected with the "DNSChanger" malware. That exception to this rule no longer applies.)
☞ A web site offers free content such as video or music, but to use it you must install a “codec,” “plug-in,” "player," "downloader," "extractor," or “certificate” that comes from that same site, or an unknown one.
☞ You win a prize in a contest you never entered.
☞ Someone on a message board such as this one is eager to help you, but only if you download an application of his choosing.
☞ A "FREE WI-FI !!!" network advertises itself in a public place such as an airport, but is not provided by the management.
☞ Anything online that you would expect to pay for is "free."
Unexpected events
☞ A file is downloaded automatically when you visit a web page, with no other action on your part. Delete any such file without opening it.
☞ You open what you think is a document and get an alert that it's "an application downloaded from the Internet." Click Cancel and delete the file. Even if you don't get the alert, you should still delete any file that isn't what you expected it to be.
☞ An application does something you don't expect, such as asking for permission to access your contacts, your location, or the Internet for no obvious reason.
☞ Software is attached to email that you didn't request, even if it comes (or seems to come) from someone you trust.
I don't say that leaving the safe harbor just once will necessarily result in disaster, but making a habit of it will weaken your defenses against malware attack. Any of the above scenarios should, at the very least, make you uncomfortable.
6. Java on the Web (not to be confused with JavaScript, to which it's not related, despite the similarity of the names) is a weak point in the security of any system. Java is, among other things, a platform for running complex applications in a web page, on the client. That was always a bad idea, and Java's developers have proven themselves incapable of implementing it without also creating a portal for malware to enter. Past Java exploits are the closest thing there has ever been to a Windows-style virus affecting OS X. Merely loading a page with malicious Java content could be harmful.
Fortunately, client-side Java on the Web is obsolete and mostly extinct. Only a few outmoded sites still use it. Try to hasten the process of extinction by avoiding those sites, if you have a choice. Forget about playing games or other non-essential uses of Java.
Java is not included in OS X 10.7 and later. Discrete Java installers are distributed by Apple and by Oracle (the developer of Java.) Don't use either one unless you need it. Most people don't. If Java is installed, disable it—not JavaScript—in your browsers.
Regardless of version, experience has shown that Java on the Web can't be trusted. If you must use a Java applet for a task on a specific site, enable Java only for that site in Safari. Never enable Java for a public website that carries third-party advertising. Use it only on well-known, login-protected, secure websites without ads. In Safari 6 or later, you'll see a padlock icon in the address bar when visiting a secure site.
Stay within the safe harbor, and you’ll be as safe from malware as you can practically be. The rest of this comment concerns what you should not do to protect yourself.
7. Never install any commercial "anti-virus" (AV) or "Internet security" products for the Mac, as they are all worse than useless. If you need to be able to detect Windows malware in your files, use one of the free security apps in the Mac App Store—nothing else.
Why shouldn't you use commercial AV products?
☞ To recognize malware, the software depends on a database of known threats, which is always at least a day out of date. This technique is a proven failure, as a major AV software vendor has admitted. Most attacks are "zero-day"—that is, previously unknown. Recognition-based AV does not defend against such attacks, and the enterprise IT industry is coming to the realization that traditional AV software is worthless.
☞ Its design is predicated on the nonexistent threat that malware may be injected at any time, anywhere in the file system. Malware is downloaded from the network; it doesn't materialize from nowhere. In order to meet that nonexistent threat, commercial AV software modifies or duplicates low-level functions of the operating system, which is a waste of resources and a common cause of instability, bugs, and poor performance.
☞ By modifying the operating system, the software may also create weaknesses that could be exploited by malware attackers.
☞ Most importantly, a false sense of security is dangerous.
8. An AV product from the App Store, such as "ClamXav," has the same drawback as the commercial suites of being always out of date, but it does not inject low-level code into the operating system. That doesn't mean it's entirely harmless. It may report email messages that have "phishing" links in the body, or Windows malware in attachments, as infected files, and offer to delete or move them. Doing so will corrupt the Mail database. The messages should be deleted from within the Mail application.
An AV app is not needed, and cannot be relied upon, for protection against OS X malware. It's useful, if at all, only for detecting Windows malware, and even for that use it's not really effective, because new Windows malware is emerging much faster than OS X malware.
Windows malware can't harm you directly (unless, of course, you use Windows.) Just don't pass it on to anyone else. A malicious attachment in email is usually easy to recognize by the name alone. An actual example:
London Terror Moovie.avi [124 spaces] Checked By Norton Antivirus.exe
You don't need software to tell you that's a Windows trojan. Software may be able to tell you which trojan it is, but who cares? In practice, there's no reason to use recognition software unless an organizational policy requires it. Windows malware is so widespread that you should assume it's in every email attachment until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, ClamXav or a similar product from the App Store may serve a purpose if it satisfies an ill-informed network administrator who says you must run some kind of AV application. It's free and it won't handicap the system.
The ClamXav developer won't try to "upsell" you to a paid version of the product. Other developers may do that. Don't be upsold. For one thing, you should not pay to protect Windows users from the consequences of their choice of computing platform. For another, a paid upgrade from a free app will probably have all the disadvantages mentioned in section 7.
9. It seems to be a common belief that the built-in Application Firewall acts as a barrier to infection, or prevents malware from functioning. It does neither. It blocks inbound connections to certain network services you're running, such as file sharing. It's disabled by default and you should leave it that way if you're behind a router on a private home or office network. Activate it only when you're on an untrusted network, for instance a public Wi-Fi hotspot, where you don't want to provide services. Disable any services you don't use in the Sharing preference pane. All are disabled by default.
10. As a Mac user, you don't have to live in fear that your computer may be infected every time you install software, read email, or visit a web page. But neither can you assume that you will always be safe from exploitation, no matter what you do. Navigating the Internet is like walking the streets of a big city. It can be as safe or as dangerous as you choose to make it. The greatest harm done by security software is precisely its selling point: it makes people feel safe. They may then feel safe enough to take risks from which the software doesn't protect them. Nothing can lessen the need for safe computing practices.

I have an old 30" apple cinema display (2005) I want to use as a 2nd monitor to a new iMac (2012). I don't just want mirror image of iMac; what's the best way to do this?

I have not bought the iMac yet but will do so very soon and just want to make sure I have what I need to get everything setup including adding the old faithful 2005 30" cinema display. Currently I am driving the old 30" cinema display with a macbook pro also purchased 2005 and happy to say I got a lot of good miles out of this rig. What's the best way to connect the old 30" monitor as a second display for the new generation iMacs?
Other Questions
I can find online new in unopened box a 2012 iMac 27" i7 with 1T Fusion Drive for $1899 no sales tax. This seems like a pretty good deal since I notice the same is available from Apple refurbished for $100 more plus sales tax. I know that they say the Fusion drive is a lot faster on 2013 models but some of the speed tests I reviewed online showed the 2012 i7 and 2013 i7 very close on speed for both storage and processing. Any thoughts?
I don't like changing batteries so I would buy a separate Apple keyboard with numeric pad since it only comes with wireless keyboard. I'm a trackpad enthusiast having been using my macbook pro trackpad with current set up; and I am prepared to buy the Apple trackpad and replace batteries every 2 months but I would greatly prefer USB connection and rechargeable trackpact. I know Logitech makes one so if anyone is using and knows how it compares to Apple's I'm all ears.

<http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5891>
You can use USB for the Apple trackpad.
<http://www.mobeetechnology.com/the-power-bar.html>

What is the "best" way to configure iTunes on an iMac with personal user acounts so each user can access the media library but sync devices on their personal user account?

I am trying to determine the best way to set up our imac so each user account can access the same media (songs, movies etc.) through itunes and also back up and manage their personal devices under their own personal user account. There are 4 users on our iMac. Me, my wife, and our 2 children. We have built an extensive library of music/media together using the same iTunes store account. I would like to establish a seperate apple id and iTunes store account for each of us going forward but have the ability for each of us to share our purchases. What is the best way to configure our system and devices in order to allow shared access to media and at the same time allow for individual management of devices including contacts, apps, photos, etc. Please help, I would like to do this once!
Thank you in advance!

OK, seeing as no-one replied (presumably because a lot of this information is on the forums in bits elsewhere) here's how I've got on so far.
Applications - just went through them. About the only one I needed was my media server app. Just downloaded and re-installed, had a quick look back though my email to find the license key and it all went on fine. Installation never seemed quite right on my old machine so solved that problem too.
Movies - New iMovies just copied across the clips and projects into their respective folders. Seems to have worked but haven't checked it all that thoroughly. Some duplicate footage here but I can trim this out at some point when I get a chance to go through here.
Documents - Just copied these across.
Photos - used an app called iPhoto Library Manager. You can download for free but have to pay to use the part that consolidates your libraries. Possibly if I was willing to spend a bit more time I could have got away without using this but given I didn't know the state of my different libraries and just how many duplicates I had this was too much of a convenience to ignore. Also got my library into a state where I can now spend a few hours organising it a bit better with Faces / Events etc.
Not attempted Music or iPhone sync yet as been stuck trying to solve a problem with my power adapter.

I would like to transfer my itunes library on my pc to my wifes Imac which has her itunes library on it. Is is possible to do this and have two separate librarys on one imac? If so, what is the best way to transfer it?

Is it possoble to transfer my itunes library from my pc onto my wifes Imac which has her itunes library and establish two accounts on her Imac? If so what is the best method to accomplish this? I have a itouch player.

There are many ways to accomplish this, depending on how you want it. Setting up multiple accounts is easy under System Preferences:Accounts. After that open iTunes on your newly created account.
Now, is where you could do a couple of different things. If your PC is sharing the same network and you are able to see the files on the PC from the iMac, then just drag and drop the iTunes Library music folder structure (just the part that contains the actual music) into the iTunes window. If you can't access the PC files, then you need to copy them all to an external hard drive, and import them w/ the same method.
If you don't want to create a second root-level account for yourself, but want to keep the music library separate, create another iTunes Library. You do this by holding down the Option key while starting iTunes, then click on the Create Library option. Then import the music using either method above.

What's the best way to set up new imac for logic etc?

In brief:
Getting new imac (27", 3.4 i7, 8-16GB ram, 1TB HD). Will be using it mainly to run Logic Studio (loads of plugins) and Final Cut Express. I also have 2 external Hard drives one 500G one 1TB.
The last imac I bought was my first and just went ahead and threw everything at it not really knowing where things should go. This time I want to set things up correctly.
Basically, with what I've got, what is the best way to set things up. I.e where do I put logic files, samples, BFD2, Amplitube etc. Where do I put videos for use in FCE. Storing projects and backups for use with Time Machine.
Also noticed the new imac will only have 1 firewire port. I will need to plug in the Hard drives (daisy chained), camera and RME Fireface 800. Was thinking of getting a Thunderbolt Hard drive but they are expensive and hard to find.
Would really appreciate any help before I get the new machine and start messing things up again.
Thanks.

Adding to babowa, enable the system firewall in System Preferences>Security>Firewall tab. Click Advanced and check Stealth Mode.
Lion is a pretty steady and secure operating system, and as there really aren't MANY Mac viruses, there ARE viruses out there still. OS X is pretty good about letting you know if you do accidently download a virus, and it will help you throw it away if it detects one, such as the MACDefender virus. OS X has built in security features such as sandboxing that doesn't allow viruses in as easily as a Windows PC. As for hackers, as long as you have the firewall enabled and a secure password (for your computer and email accounts), then you should be fine.
It's the user that lets the virus in, not the computer (unless there's some untold serious vulnerability in OS X, which is highly unlikely). Keep your apps up to date, don't download pirated software, and be street smart on the internet. Don't download things or visit websites that you don't think are real. Safari includes a Phishing feature that automatically detects known phishing sites, protecting you from that big problem. Keep your passwords secure and you should be fine.
There are antivirus solutions out there, one notable one available in the AppStore is Intego's VirusBarrier (free and plus versions), if you feel you still need one.
I wouldn't worry about it. Windows users who switch to Mac are always asking these questions.
Here's some good reading as well
http://www.apple.com/macosx/what-is/security.html
Enjoy OS X Lion

What are the best UK sites for buying more memory for iMac?

Here is the info on my current imac:
Mac OS X version 10.5.8
Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
I want to get myself more memory for my type of imac, like 6GB worth. I want to buy from a UK website so I only have to pay minimal postage fees. What are the best sites for this?

Crucial:
http://www.crucial.com/uk/
Lifetime warranty, very reliable, fast service and very helpful.
(No, I don't work for them!)

Imac 2.4 Ghz intel Core 2 Duo. What is the best OS i can run?

I need to spend some cash on my OS X. I have a version 10.5.8 and a Imac 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. 2GB of SDram
What is the best i can DO?

As Niel says 10.8.5 however in order to get the best experience upgrade the RAM to a minimum of 4GB, your system can run 6GB which can be purchased from OWC (www.macsales.com).

What is the best way to transfer my iphoto library from old imac to new imac. both have iphoto 9.2.1

What is the best way to transfer my iphoto library from current imac to my new imac. Both imacs have iphoto 9.2.1
os on old imac is 10.6.8. os on new imac is 10.7.2. I want the albums and events to stay intact. I have 4500 photos and 79 videos. 14.9 gb. looking for some advice here. Thanks so much.

Connect the two Macs together (network, firewire target mode, etc) and drag the iPhoto library intact as a single entity from the old Mac to the pictures folder of the new Mac - launch iPhoto on the new mac and it will open the library and convert it as needed and you will be ready move forward.
LN

How to migrate What is the best way to connectold iMac to new iMac

What is the best way to connect a 2006 iMac to a 2013 iMac? ( Lion to Mountain Lion )
I have a TM on the older Mac. I understand using set-up is best. I cannot afford to lose
Any data.
Thanks.
OGT

By Firewire. However, you will need a Thunderbolt to Firewire adaptor from Apple to use on your new iMac.
See Target Disk Mode.

What's the best-sold iMac an why?

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