Going Mac Help!!!!!

bikfoto wrote in post #17281659
The more RAM -the better. Go for 8gb at least. Also for video you need the fast CPU. Core i7 4790 should do the trick.

the only imac that comes with a 4790 is the retina display

Bracetty wrote in post #17280863
"Last year with optical drive", thats the kind of stuff i dont understand its super frustrating.

i was highly annoyed by this too but an external optical drive is pretty cheap.

anyway, i just bought a 27 inch imac. just got it today. can't wait to go home and get it set up!

the deciding factor for me was comparing the imac screen to my 22 inch samsung PC monitor. after spending a decent amount of time staring at my wife's imac i got severely depressed going back to my 1600 resolution samsung.

to be fair, i also really like garageband 10. i play guitar so that was a big factor too.

Bracetty wrote in post #17280863
I keep seeing something about "Last year with optical drive", thats the kind of stuff i dont understand its super frustrating.

Solid state drives are able to be formed into whatever size they need to be. Taking an optical drive out allows the case to be thinner and its removing what is fast becoming an unnecessary part.

Many companies do not issue a physical disk when you buy their software. They give you your software key with directions how to download the software and enter the key. Microsoft has been doing this for years.

Personally, I don't have a optical drive on my iMac and I haven't needed it once in over a year. I think its been about 3-4 years since I last used an optical drive on my systems that have them.

the flying moose wrote in post #17282116
Solid state drives are able to be formed into whatever size they need to be. Taking an optical drive out allows the case to be thinner and its removing what is fast becoming an unnecessary part.

Many companies do not issue a physical disk when you buy their software. They give you your software key with directions how to download the software and enter the key. Microsoft has been doing this for years.

Personally, I don't have a optical drive on my iMac and I haven't needed it once in over a year. I think its been about 3-4 years since I last used an optical drive on my systems that have them.

thanks for the clarification

flowrider wrote in post #17280469
If you have a monitor, Mac Mini no question and put in 16gb of ram. If your adventurous then add a SSD and make it a fusion drive for under a $1000

Not with the new Mac Minis. Soldered RAM and no way to put in an SSD for a Fusion drive if you get the HD at purchase. The new Minis are a huge step backwards - no quad-core i7 option anymore because Intel doesn't have a mobile version of the chipset processor for the current consumer Macs.

I used to say I'd never buy an iMac, but considering the new Minis the iMacs look (pathetically) attractive.

I was also disappointed with the new mini.

I didn't know that about the new minis. I'm outta the loop!

Thanks for the info. Helped me to pick out a Mac.

flowrider wrote in post #17280469
If you have a monitor, Mac Mini no question and put in 16gb of ram. If your adventurous then add a SSD and make it a fusion drive for under a $1000

Let it be known that the 2014 Mac Mini's do not allow you to upgrade the RAM. The modules are soldered to the board.

This would make you purchase one that is either older model to upgrade the RAM but the processor would be taxed or to buy a new Mini with the RAM needed but I don't think this is what the OP is intending to do.

I just got a used late 2012 mac mini quad-core i7 (MD388LL/A) which allows DIY RAM upgrade (as opposed to the 2014 model). Now at 16GB, 256 GB SSD
working like a charm.