Imac Vs. Xps 210/420

QUOTE (hypak @ Apr 23 2008, 11:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

not at all...
i have windows xp

I think, the first question I would ask if you're willing to switch?? There are some big differences between XP/Vista and OS X. From the operating systems themselves, to the software available for them. If you are (and switching isn't THAT bad!), then I think the Mac is a great option.

There's a misconception that Macs are "better" for graphics/music/etc. - which isn't true anymore (in the past, it was - but most commercial software available for OS X is also available for XP and vice versa.) The big difference, though, is the quality of the "consumer" software packaged with Macs. Garageband, iMovie 08, iPhoto, iTunes are all great software. On the PC, there are equivalent software that are just as good (some even better) but the big advantage to the "iLife" suite is that all the apps works seamlessly together.

So, shoot a home made video, edit with iMovie, throw in the track you scored with Garageband, import some photos from iPhoto, and then burn it with iDVD - seamless (and really easy) - and, you get really great results!!

In addition, the third party devs have great attention to detail when designing their apps (and the APIs available from Apple allow amazing apps to be developed - Core Audio/Core Video/etc.)

Here's a great article (from a Windows developers point of view!) talking about the difference:
http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/wh...-from-apple.ars

With Bootcamp (or Parallels), you can run Windows on the iMac. Personally, I have my laptop set up with four "spaces" (or quasi-virtual desktops), with OS X running in one space and Parallels running full screen in a second space. I can switch between XP and OS X with a keycombo. And it runs extremely well! So, if you have some apps that require windows, the option is always available there (Clubbox, for instance...) - Though, you'll probably want to max the RAM out for this (buy from New Egg and install yourself, it'll save you some bucks!)

The advantage to the Dells are the options to upgrade (since they're desktops) and they'll probably be faster in benchmarks. However, they'll be louder and I'm wiling to bet that performance/per watt would go the iMac way (so, it may be a tad slower when rendering a 3D model, but you'll have a smaller electric bill

)

So, for research, facebook, and AIM, i think either PC or Mac will suffice. For music production, I would go Mac. Quiet? Mac. Fast (edge to PC). Convenient? This is the only thing that's "subjective", I guess. What's your idea of "convenient" ?

If convenience is having a stable, secure OS without much fuss, then OS X is your choice.
Or, if convenience is being able to swap out your harddrive or replace your monitor, then of course, the Dell wins.

If you live near an Apple Store, you should check out the iMacs. Let the employee know your situation (thinking of switching), and they'll be happy to sit down and explain OS X with you (at least, the store near me does...)

Good luck, either way!

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#1 hypak

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soompi forums: Imac Vs. Xps 210/420 - soompi forums