Ok, I've been a PC user all my life but I got 'The blue screen of death' two days ago with my PC and its out for tha count, so I think I'm gonna make the switch and get a mac this time. However, I don't really have the $$ to afford anything massive right now so I was looking on Ebay for some iMac G4's. I found this one really cheap, 15" screen, 800mHz Superdrive 60GB 768MB.
I'm not really a computer wiz myself so I don't know how decent that is. I'm sure some of you experts have some tips or information for me that I may need to know before buying anything.
I was reading the apple site this evening and it was saying something about Apple actually giving classes at their stores? Sounds like these guys are serious!
But for now I just need a system to get by with $-wise, and I also need some serious space and speed for all my files. Any suggestions?

that iMac sound fine, as long as you won't be doing hardcore gaming on it.

Well at MacWorld which is a couple days away they are suppose to be releasing a sub $500 machine. However it doesn't come with a monitor.

Just because democracy has a slow legal system, doesn't mean communism is a smart switch. Mac isn't bulletproof, and a 'switch' to it is like learning a new language (one that takes longer to speak, and far less people speak ).

I've had far worse things happen to me, and windows is where I'll be.

well he knows how to use a PC and using a Mac is much easier so I don't see why he would have a problem learning it. I mean I had it down in about a day or so.

i got my iBook today and i love it. So easy to learn things quickly. I'm trying to run down my damn battery. been using it for 4 hours now and it still has 20% left.

Haha! Yea I haven't really heard many complaints about macs, they seem to be pretty easy .... Although I've only used a mac twice at my friends house so I'm not really mac savvy either.

I won't be doing any major gaming. I think the largest game I've ever had was (yes i'll admit it) Sims2. I do have a pretty large music collection though, and I'll definatly rips some DVD's and stuff so I can watch them while I work. So I do need space like I meantioned before.
Maybe if I just get this for now, and its not enough space for me... I could just add another hard drive or somethin like a PC I assume?

Wait for the MWSF (MacWorld San Francisco), its an expo where Steve Jobs will launch many many new products & software. And its on 11 Jan, so you dont have to wait much.

for Steve, I forgot I was talking to a PC user.

Jerry... I am not sure 'TommyKat' knows what MWSF is mate! Not many girls do...

...OOps my bad!

wait till the headless imac is released for around $500.

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=802

I thought long and hard about the switch. I was really considering a G4 Powerbook and almost ordered it and then I ran into money troubles. So I thought and thought and finally decided that it wasn't worth it. Macs are nice and all but logically they are inferior to PCs. Thats my oppinion anyways. Macs arn't faster at anything really. There are benchmarks to prove that (no way im looking for them) and most programs on mac are on Windows. Macs are better for video editing with out a dout. But PCs are better for gaming (duh). Its all up to what you are doing. If you are just an everyday internet browser both will do. If you like alot of photo editing and video editing and that sorts. Both will do but Mac would be my choice there. So think about what you do and ask what is best for you. If you are a gamer at all I really wouldn't want to even consider Mac.

I think all she'll be doing is general usage -

Web Browsing, IM, email, Music, Video (Playback) then some graphics and a little audio production...

Not games though, right 'Tommy' ?

mac definitely
i was about to say headless mac until u said graphics and audio production.....
depends on how much a/v u plan to produce...if a lot, powermac g5 may be better.....altho i think u said ur being budget-conscious? an iMac seems fine though for the basics and stuff....and the headless mac we wont know for sure until we actually see it (if we ever )

I would definitely wait until after MacWorld SF keynote where new stuff gets released and usually the older stuff drops in price.

If I remember correctly, it is on Tuesday, Jan. 11th at 9am PST (12noon EST)

Usually about an hour or so before the Apple Store (Online) goes offline with the usual message. It is usu. back after the keynote or sometimes during it and then the orders flood in for the new stuff. I'd wait until after you get home from Work/Classes on tuesday and then check the site for new gear/prices.

If you want to do audio and graphics, go for the G5 powermac. I think the Dualie 1.8Ghz would be fine unless it is for professional/job-related graphics and audio-work.

damn it, if my dad didnt make me go to my math exam prob i'd see...o wait
i do get to see it hah
where can i see it though (i know such a repetitive question sry )

And she comes back again, guess I can delete the previous account

Radish™

^^ Oh, I had no idea about this. Really good advice here, thanx!
I will definatly wait till after this MWSF thing because I have a feelin it'll give me a better perspective on macs as well. I'll check up on that.

I do A LOT of music production on my computer that needs to be top quality. So i'm thinkin tha mac will come in handy.
Again thanx for tha suggestions, i'm still takin notes

BTW, Steeeeve... Its "Tommy" as in Hilfiger and yea i'm a gurl, on neowin, asking about macs so .. arrest me

HEY U!!! I mean ... *Cough* Previous account? What previous account?
Ahem...
LOL RADISH!! WHASSUUUUUUUP?? I was wonderin where u were hidin in these boards, how ya been????

I think we should have a count of the ppl on neowin who made the switch. (I am of course excluded from this, but not because I don't like a mac, it's because I don't have enough money, to afford a mac. )

p.s. no, the headless mac won't help, heck, I can't even afford a 2 stick of 256MB PC133 ram to keep my computer stable.

I just made the switch (for real this time)

12" 1ghz iBook G4
512 mb DDR SDRAM
30 gb Hard Disk
32mb Radeon 9200
Combo Drive
AE
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Firewire/USB 2.0 enclosure with 30 gig Quantum hd (Replaced when I get some cash)
Microsoft Wireless Notebook Mouse

I couldn't be happier! This is my new baby...now I've got to wait for Timbuk2 to get my bag in!

My advice is to save up and buy a new machine. If you are going to use it a lot it will be worth it. Plus I found the 15 inch display on the old iMacs pretty tiny. The low end iMac G5 is nice and not very expensive. Make sure you have at least 512MB of RAM and you'll be fine.

The next thing is you are a student you are eligible for a discount from Apple. If you go to an Apple store just show them a student ID.

Apple retail stores offer classes daily. They have a program called switch at 6. At six o'clock everyday I believe. This is very helpful. Also Apple stores have a genius bar, where if you have questions or problems with your computer they will help you out.

Anyway, congrats on choosing a Mac, they are great machines you won't regret it. Besides what someone said earlier, there are lots of people on the web to ask if you have questions, the Mac community is very helpful and one of the best parts of owning one.