So a few weeks ago my aging computer finally took a poop. I got it originally when I was working at Gateway and we received a discount on an Intel 865 Motherboard, a 3GHZ HyperThreaded P4, and XP Pro for $200. I think at the time it would have cost close to $800 if you were to buy it retail.
Well, three video cards, three hard drives, various PCI cards, a few optical drives, and two sound cards later, it was finally laid to rest.
I researched my options and came up with about $600 to upgrade just the Mobo, Proc, and RAM (Intel Core 2 6750, Asus P5k, and 4GB of cheaper ram) and although I would have a hell of a lot faster machine, I still had to deal with not having a very good monitor (old Viewsonic 19″ LCD) first gen sata drives, a crap soundcard, a DVD/CD burner that won’t burn CD’s etc.
About 2 months ago I started a “Buy a Mac” fund by putting money I got from selling a few old cell phones on Ebay. I told the wife that once this got full, I was gonna buy a Mac. I never really thought I would, but I told her that anyway.
So, that leaves me with a few hundred saved up in a tin can, and a computer that won’t work (power connection on the motherboard I think)
And well, I did it. I took the plunge and bought a Mac. I was going to do it for as cheap as possible, but that still left me with a crappy monitor and not much hard drive space (Mac Mini). When the new iMac’s came out, I was enamored with them, so that’s what I decided on. Once again, I was going to go for cheap and buy a refurb off the Apple store site. Then I thought about it, and convinced the wife to let me get what I actually wanted.
So I have been running this for about 4 days now, and I have to say that there are things that I need to get used to, (remember, I make a living being a Windows Administrator) and many more things that I have learned already. I must say that every accessory that I own has worked like a charm and have had zero problems getting them configured.
I plugged my still camera in.. Boom iPhoto
Plugged my 5 year old video camera. Boom started importing
Found my Brother Network printer and since its new it pointed me in the right directions to get the proper driver.
External Hard Drive, my Samsung phone, my wifes Blackberry, my logitech keyboard and mouse.
All of it “just works”
It doesn’t hurt having a 24″ screen that looks crystal clear. I was worried about the glossy screen, but that’s a moot point since I have very little ambient light at my desk.
Do your self a favor, and look into getting yourself a Mac if your in the market for a new PC. You won’t regret it.
