Intel iMac or Custom Built PC

Posted in Business / Geek / General by Cujo
April 24th, 2006 - 12:24 PM

I’m currently in the market for a new computer system — I’m looking at using some of my grant from the NOHFC for the purchase of it seeing as I still have 75% of the grant remaining as I have been lacksidasical with using it, basically the only purchase being the digital SLR and some accessories. Being slow with the purchases possibly saved me money in one area (printer realm) but now made a decision harder in another area (new computer).

My basic computing background is in the custom built PC area. I’ve had 3 computers, one store bought Packard Bell and two systems I’ve built myself. My current system is now about 5 years old but still runs fairly well but just doesn’t have enough power for what I need — I’m sort of used to waiting for things to happen now. Current system is an AMD Duron 1.1 GHz processor, 256 MB RAM, an ATI Radeon something something graphics card and an 80 GB HDD running Windows 2000 Professional. For some reason this system runs better than a lot of other systems I’ve had to deal with in a trouble shooting sense. I’m not sure if it’s the way I use my system compared to other people or not but it usually does what it needs to.

I’m now looking to upgrade so that I can truly multitask to the multitasking sense of the word. Being a web developer includes coding and testing as well as creating graphics etc. The coding works great on my current system because I basically need to type, for testing I upload everything to my server and test from there but I’d like to run a mini web server on the local machine for quiker testing/debugging and this isn’t capable with the old one as it’d lag lots. Graphic work has it’s general delays but I’ll blame that on the RAM. Most programs have the startup delays as well and like I said I’m used to it.

Now the big question: Do I jump ship and become ever so uber geek and get the new Intel Core Duo iMac w/ 20 inch LCD or do I stay in the PC realm and get another custom built machine?

Pros, Cons and additional ramblings

iMac – I’ve always secretly wanted one. They seem to emote a coolness factor that is hard to top. Most “industry professionals” in the web development/graphic worlds use them. With the switch over to Intel based processors you are now able to dual boot Windows with the system and run those Windows only programs (there’s also emulization that you can use as well). For the energy conscious type the iMac reportedly uses a lot less energy then a common desktop PC. Although this can be associated with it using laptop parts instead of common desktop parts it’s still a factor.

A few major roadblocks that jump up in the decision for the iMac is the main development suite that I want to buy, Adobe Creative Suite 2; is not yet ported over to the new Intel based platform of the iMac and thus the general version for Macs will not be taking full advantage of the system. The cost is also another factor, currently the iMac 20″ is retailing for $1,999 at most Canadian retailers and this is the version with 512 MB of RAM and I’d really like an additional amount to bump it up to 1 GB. Looking at that upgrade option available at the Adobe store to get the iMac to 1 GB is an additional $120 CDN.

Custom Built — Going custom gives you a whole lot more options but with those options also comes a lot of tough decisions and a lot of knowledge is needed so you buy the correct compatible parts. It’s been way too long since I’ve built my own PC and a lot has happened in the processor area that for purchasing I may need assistance from a computer retailer who builds custom PCs which adds a little bit of cost to the purchase. Generally speaking in cost terms though I don’t expect to pay more than $1500 for the PC and actually looking in the $1250 range I think. I’d like to go dual core as well here with the processors but then the question remains on whether I go with AMD or Intel. Doing some quick reading online (a lot seems dated — last year or so) the AMD chips range in the middle of the price scale compared to those of Intel, however the AMD chips are more energy efficient and according to the benchmarks on one page perform a lot better as well. I’d then like to boost the system performance with either 1 GB or 2 GB of RAM and also put in a new video card with 128 MB or 256 MB built on the card.

I am already using a 19″ CRT monitor at home so I do not need to incorporate the price of a new monitor into the equation. But I will need to purchase Windows XP Professional or Home Edition (haven’t made my mind up yet) and Microsoft is preparing to release their newest OS at the start of next year forcing another possible upgrade in OS usage (even though I haven’t jumped on the XP bandwagon yet).

I’m sure there are even more factors in it then what I was able to put out quickly right now, I’d like some general user feedback however. I know I’ll get the Mac-fanatics yelling iMac iMac iMac and the PC enthusists telling me to stay put but I’d like a lot more reasoning from either camp then the regular “iMac’s are cool” or “PCs have lots more software”.

Speaking of software the only commercial apps I’m looking at purchasing for the moment are the ones in the Creative Suite 2. Most others such as IDEs, word processors etc I’m probably switching to open source alternatives.

The “safer” and “cheaper” source on the surface seems to be the PC however will I always be second guessing myself as to why I did not purchase the iMac when I had the chance?

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15 Responses to “Intel iMac or Custom Built PC”

  1. rabsteen Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 1:29 pm

    man alive i’m going through the same thing right now. i need a monitor, so i’m definitely considering an imac. adobe will release universal binaries soon, so i doubt that’s a problem unless you need it like 2morrow.

    but otherwise, i think i’m going to try the mac, just to explore something different. if u don’t need a monitor, why don’t u pimp a macmini out and see if u like it?

  2. Jes Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 2:09 pm

    I was talking to Dave this morning about this and he said Macs are great. He has 2. You can run windows from bootup and can have all the other Microsoft crap. He said there is also Firefox for Mac so you’d be happy in that regard. I didn’t read your blog cause I’m lazy but is there a huge price difference?

  3. Jes Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 2:10 pm

    Nevermind I’m a dork, the whole point of your blog is basically money. I say go with what you want and would never use your own money to buy, since it’s free. Just skimp on the printer. And hurry up because I have a feeling they are going to get pissed at you (that, or come up with a good story to cover your ass).

  4. Cujo Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 2:19 pm

    Rab - Mac Mini is a thought but I want MORE POWER haha. I seem to want the latest and greatest so that it’ll last me another 5 years when I want to buy again. Also with me getting more into the photography realm and digital editing (hopefully) etc I’ll want more power to do all of the fun stuff quicker. But I can check them out. Also if it’s dual core I think I’ll need dual monitors no? HAHA

    Jes - In regards to your first statement you should have read the blog ;). In your second comment. I probably wouldn’t use my own money to buy either right now cause I’m a cheap bastard or try to be when I have money. And there’s nothing for them to get pissed at me about. Not my fault people keep declining me. It’s a catch 22 in that regard. Need clients for portfolio work but nobody wants to be a client because of the lack of portfolio work. Although I’m hoping this changes in the next month or two :S. I need to work more on some things there yes.

  5. Cujo Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 8:49 pm

    The new option.

    iMac 17″
    1.83 GHz Intel Core Duo
    bump the RAM to 2 GB
    160 GB Serial ATA (maybe bump that up to the 250 GB)

    That spec’d out there would be $2137.85 and I’d use my current 19″ monitor as a dual monitor. Now that’d be for some fun computing I’m sure.

    Also on the universal binaries front on Adobe’s end for Creative Suite 2 and Adobe CS 2 don’t expect them. They aren’t happening. Adobe said they are holding off on that upgrade until CS3. However, CS2 should run “okay” in the iMac with the use of Rosetta. There’s some delays but I’m hoping the increase in RAM will help that out. Then again, looking at my current system I’m sure anything is quicker than that.

  6. Cujo Says:
    April 24th, 2006 at 8:52 pm

    Something I just realized. The RAM upgrade on the Apple Store seems like a rip off.

    1 GB = $120 CDN
    2 GB = $360 CDN

    HOLY SMOKES.

    Time to research outside costs and maybe install it myself.

  7. Les Says:
    April 25th, 2006 at 8:14 am

    (RAM upgrades are always a rip-off when you hire somebody)

    I’ve never used a Mac, but everybody I’ve ever spoken with that has says they would never go back to a PC. Mark and I go back and forth on this one, but since a new purchase really isn’t in our immediate future, it’s not something I’ve had to seriously decide on. My biggest concern would be the phrase “It’s great, but I can’t get software for it around here!” - but with buying online being “more” the rage now, maybe that wouldn’t even be a concern…?

    If you go for the Mac, I will want to pick your brains about it on an on-going basis..

  8. Cujo Says:
    April 25th, 2006 at 9:29 am

    Thanks for the comment Les. The RAM comment from me was more based on the 1 GB chip being $120 and the 2 GB being 3x more at $360 — just seems off to me. It looks like the newer RAM used in the new iMacs is hard to find as well. Also as a side note, 1 GB at the Apple Store (Canadian dollars again) not with an iMac purchase is $360 whereas the 2 GB is $720. Almost seems “cheaper” (if I could even use that word :S) to get it with the system.

    As far as software goes I think that’s just an overused argument now by people who want to put down the Mac (any of them). “Yeah they look cool but there’s no software for them”. This is changing every day and with the use of Open Source software I can cut out a lot of what I’d have to buy as well. Like I stated in my post the only software purchase I’m looking at making is Creative Suite 2 from Adobe which will give me all the graphic stuff I need (I’ll need Flash in the new future as well probably). As far as other things the Mozilla team of Firefox and Thunderbird will be my browser/email client of choice and OpenOffice.org will be my office suite. But yes, if I do need to eventually purchase a piece of software I’ll probably do it online — I’m not afraid of online shopping and have made many happy purchases there, I think more “major” purchases online then in stores recently.

    And also like I said before, this decision only came about because of the money freed up in the grant. If it was my own money I’d stick it out with my super duper 1.1 GHz machine for another 5 years probably.

  9. Dizzyman Says:
    April 25th, 2006 at 10:43 pm

    Dude, If you don’t go with the Mac you will regret it in the future. But, I wouldn’t get an iMac… Go for the MacBookPro!!!! http://www.apple.com/macbookpro/

  10. Cujo Says:
    April 26th, 2006 at 9:08 am

    The Mac Book Pros are nice but they add a lot more cost which means I lose out on equipping the system with other things I’d like (software wise as I realized for just a couple of packages it’s going to cost quite a bit).

  11. Craig Says:
    April 26th, 2006 at 4:48 pm

    Now that Boot Camp exists, there is no argument that can be made for getting a PC for the kind of work you want to do.

    All power considerations aside (and the Mac will crush the PC like a bug as that goes anyways), you will have a system that will allow you to test your work on different platforms.

    As a Mac user, one of the things I have found annoying are web applications that do not work properly for Mac. A friend of mine who builds websites once told me a story of how she had created a website for a graphics competition somewhere. The site worked great, except they never thought to test it on a Mac. Of course the site did not work properly for Macs, and since most graphic designers work on Macs, all of a sudden they had to rebuild the site after it had been launched.

    The fact is that the Mac is the best tool for the job you are doing.

    And that aside, Macs are much cooler than PCs. Would you rather drive a Porsche or a Ford?

  12. Cujo Says:
    April 26th, 2006 at 5:15 pm

    For building sites people do it even simpler and build a site that looks awesome in IE but works in no other browser. What there are other browsers?

    So I know where that is coming from for sure. I know some of the fonts seem to render differently on the Mac so it might make me better. And there’ll still be a Windows PC in the house to test out on pesky IE (wait IE doesn’t work on that PC) well I’ll figure something out. That’s my main worry right now. Testing for those damn IE6 bugs.

  13. Jes Says:
    April 27th, 2006 at 11:50 am

    That Windows PC charges $15.00/hour.

  14. Cujo Says:
    April 27th, 2006 at 3:03 pm

    I don’t need your windows PC because IE doesn’t work on it anyway.

  15. Better Than Crabs » Blog Archive » New Computer Decision Part II Says:
    April 29th, 2006 at 7:48 pm

    [...] If you remember a recent post where I was debating between a new iMac or a custom built machine I have made my descision (sort of). [...]