iMac and CS3 questions

[Russinator]

Hello all.

I've always been a PC user, but I want to switch to an iMac. I hear very good things about Mac systems.

I understand that Apple is coming out with a new OS on the 26th of this month. Having been a Windows user for so long, new OS scare me.

My question is should I buy right away, before the new OS comes out, or should I wait a few days and get the new system?

My 2nd question is about CS3. Where is the best place to by the software? I did a Google search and found it for just under $400 and as high as $700. The Apple store near me wants $650 for it.

Thanks in advance.

Russ

[David Asch]

It's unlikely that you'll buy a Mac with Leopard pre-installed for a while after its launch, they have to run the stocks of the systems with Tiger down first, so there's not much to be gained by holding out. If you buy one between now and 29th December you can buy the upgrade for the cost of postage ($9.99 IIRC) through Apple's Up-to-date programme.

Forget the woes of upgrading a Windows based system, OS X is headache free; you can either upgrade or install from fresh and it is very much fire and forget with little interaction needed.

For your second question, be very wary of buying online from anything other than Adobe or reputable sellers, CS3's price will not fluctuate much from shop to shop - you may find you end up with nothing but a trial copy. Be aware that CS3 may have problems running on Leopard at the beginning as it has not been fully tested but will, of course, be patched if there are issues so it may be worth holding back on installing Leopard to begin with (Ps runs beautifully on Tiger).

[Russinator]

David, thank you for your excellent post.

Russ

[sarch99]

It's so close to the 26th now, you might want to wait. Ask at the Apple store if you will get a certificate for a free upgrade. You will LOVE the Mac.

Sunny

[sarch99]

Oops, sorry, my post was delayed, and David's was much better, anyway. :-)

[mom to 4]

Russ:

I made the switch in March. I am extremely happy!! Extremely happy. Yes, there was a LITTLE learning curve, but nothing major. It is like word processing, once you know the thought that goes behind them, you can work another... just different steps to get you where you want to go. Nothing that you cannot handle!!! Don't forget, I had that brain injury, and I still figured it out!!!! I was lucky enough to get a deal on CS3. I got it for $199. That was using the education discount. My biggest regret is that I had to step back to elements 2 for the mac. When the heck are they going to issue something for us MAC users?!?!?!?!?!?!? I still go back to my PC when I want to use elements, which I do sometimes.... The color correction for my football pictures is much easier in Elements. Elements also has more custom shapes and more really creative things.... frames, etc. but, all things considered I am extremely happy I made the change!!! so is MarieBoyer. Russ if you have any questions I can help you with, just send me an email or pm me!!!

[David Asch]

Colleen,

Elements is currently (and has been for over a year) at version 4 with a new version on its way in 'Early 2008'.

[mom to 4]

GREAT!!!! I thought there was a big difference between 4 and 5, so hopefully the new one will be on a par with 5! I will buy it for my sweet MacPaddy!!!!!

Thanks for the info, I will keep my eyes open!!!

[Russinator]

Thanks to everyone for the help.

My plan for tomorrow, or maybe the next day, is to spend the money on an iMac and CS3.

Thanks again - Russ

[mom to 4]

You will not be sorry.....!

[bnk1953]

Just curious - which iMac are you looking at? 20" or 24"? Which processor? how big of a hard drive?, etc. etc?
Incase you haven't checked out the apple online store - they list all the options
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=browse&mco=7B723646&node=home/shop_mac/family/imac

at least it worked a little bit ago. I think it's always nice having a good bit of knowledge before going into the store to buy something.

Good luck with your decision. As for switching - as you can tell - there are many here who have switched and those who have been mac users for a long time - all willing to offer help.
~bruce.

[David Asch]

It will more than likely be similar to version 6 - perhaps Adobe have become superstitious about odd numbers :D


GREAT!!!! I thought there was a big difference between 4 and 5, so hopefully the new one will be on a par with 5! I will buy it for my sweet MacPaddy!!!!!

Thanks for the info, I will keep my eyes open!!!

[Wendy]

Russ ...

Do let us know how you go on ...

... but I am sure that you will love your new Mac ... and donlt forget to think of a name for it :)

(Mine is called Maxie LOL)

Wendy :)

[David Asch]

If we're getting into Mac names..

My desktop is Delirium and the MacBook is Mystique

[Elemobe]

Mine's Maccy-Do

[Elemobe]

Funny though, I never called my PC anything other than pooter.

[David Asch]

Funny though, I never called my PC anything other than pooter.

That's because PCs are soulless :D

[mom to 4]

Mine is MacPaddy because it arrived on St. Patrick's Day!

If anyone is concerned about learning a new system...... 6 weeks after I got mine I had my fall and BI, I was/am still able to figure things out very easily. Much easier than it was to figure out my pc!!! Which, by the way, I call a piece of......... well never mind.......;):D

[Wendy]

OK ...

Names ... well the G5 is Maxie and the iMac (my husbands) is called Makita and the MacBook Pro is called LapMac :)

... but I am still thinking of a name for that new MacPro that I am lusting after :eek:

Wendy

[mom to 4]

Maryellens macbook is called affectionately macmellen ;):D

[Russinator]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I'll try to answer the questions.

First, for the easy one. Seeing as how I'm known as The Russinator, My DW has been called Mrs. Russinator, but she prefers "The Donnanator" or MD, which is short for "My Donna" taken from the pop singer MaDonna.

Sorry, I got off topic. Back to the question, if I really need to name it, staying with the same thought process, I guess I'll go with "The Macanator" But, I'm not sure about the spelling. On the other hand, if I'm making up a word, I can make up the way it's spelled, can't I?

Another question asked about which iMac I was going to get. This morning I had planned on getting the 24 iMac with 2 gigs of RAM and a 500 gig hard drive. If I read Apple's web page right, that's what comes standard with the 24. I wanted 400 RAM but I didn't think it was worth an extra $700. What do you think, is 700 RAM worth the money?

FYI: I had planned on buying it this morning, but this morning my wife's best friend called, who has an iMac machine. MD told her about my plans for the day. Bridgette said I should wait until her DH got home from work because he has a friend who can get me a deal. So, I'm waiting to hear from him.

Russ

[David Asch]

As with all computers, the more memory the better (within reason). Don't, however, upgrade through the Apple store; buy it from Crucial as it'll be around half the price. From what I can tell, upgrading is very simple on the iMac.

For more info, read this http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306204

[mom to 4]

I was told by the apple people that any additions that you do to the computer, after purchase, will void your "apple care protection" (if you get it). Don't know if it is true, but that is what the Apple people told me.

[frank abramonte]

Russinator, I just ordered a iMac from MacMall and received $50.00 rebate and a free new all in one printer. You have a choice of 2 printers to choose from. Epson and HP. You also get free shipping.
Check them out at macmall.com

[CarolLHB]

Hi Colleen-I was told the same thing...

[Wendy]

Hi Carol ...

Not seen you for a while :)

OK then ... has anyone ever had to use "apple care protection" ?? I haven't had a Mac go wrong in all the years I have had one.

.. and the crucuial upgrade is a lot cheaper than the one apple do :)

Wendy

[Elemobe]

I upgraded my RAM with Crucial, it took about 2 minutes max (MacBook Pro) and I knew nothing before I did it. I was assured it was easy, and it was, extremely.

Crucial also state on their website that it does not invalidate the warranty. Not sure about the Apple care though.

Wendy, that is reassuring, every now and again I wonder whether I should have that or not - but wow, it so expensive.

[Wendy]

Linda ...

We have had it free of charge with several of our Macs but have never used it ... plus we have passed on several of our old Macs to the kids and they are still working :)

Wendy

[bnk1953]

I have had apple care on the macs that I have purchased. It's an insurance policy - which I never had hoped to use... but I did. I had a big Studio Display - CRT - that went bad on me. Sent it away to be repaired - received it back - with loose parts in the back of the monitor. Called up again - and they suggested that I might just want to go to an LCD display rather then w/ a CRT. They didn't have a new replacement as they had stopped making them at that time. So I ended up with a new LCD display - at no cost (outside of the apple care). I haven't had to use the apple care on my G4 tower nor on our macbook (although it still has 2 more years of apple care on it). When my in-laws bought an emac - I suggested that they get the apple care - which has been helpful as they are "older" and have called them up with concerns and getting around problems that they thought existed - and the apple care people got them thru it - no replacements needed to be done.

[bnk1953]

I have had apple care on the macs that I have purchased. It's an insurance policy - which I never had hoped to use... but I did. I had a big Studio Display - CRT - that went bad on me. Sent it away to be repaired - received it back - with loose parts in the back of the monitor. Called up again - and they suggested that I might just want to go to an LCD display rather then w/ a CRT. They didn't have a new replacement as they had stopped making them at that time. So I ended up with a new LCD display - at no cost (outside of the apple care). I haven't had to use the apple care on my G4 tower nor on our macbook (although it still has 2 more years of apple care on it). When my in-laws bought an emac - I suggested that they get the apple care - which has been helpful as they are "older" and have called them up with concerns and getting around problems that they thought existed - and the apple care people got them thru it - no replacements needed to be done.

As far as adding memory - I've never heard of it voiding warranties. If at some time that you might have problems - they might ask you to remove your added memory and put the original back in (unless you just added on to your original).
~bruce.

[CarolLHB]

I only bought one thing from Apple without Apple Care and regretted it when the machine developed trouble:(

I've used it a few times with school owned stuff and personal stuff-I found it to be speedy and efficient and was always satisfied with the resolution of the problem. I can understand folks going with alternatives, but for me, I buy from Apple and I deal with Apple. I just trust them and their customer service because I have never had a problem that wasn't taken care of instantly.:)

Hi to all-I've been sooo busy and have missed you all. Had the other knee replaced in May-with great results as with the first. It's quite a miracle for me to be pain free after all these years. The only thing suffering at this point is my wallet-I can shop for hours now!:D I also have a new job in a substanially separate special needs classroom that is very time demanding due to the kids and the planning that is involved for so many different cognitive levels. But I absolutely love it! Gonna try to be around a little more-I miss the forums and cannot believe how much is changed!

[Wendy]

Hi Carol ...

So nice to see you back here ... I would recognise you anywhere busy typing away :D:D

Wendy

[Russinator]

Well, I did it. Yesterday I bought CS3 and an iMac with Leopard.

Now I have to learn how it all works.

I'm sure I'll be back with questions. I hope that's okay.

Russ

[Wendy]

Hi Russ ...

Congratulations ... :)

Hope that you have lots of fun using it ...

Wendy

[CarolLHB]

Yay! Best of luck-can't wait to hear about Leopard:)

[Russinator]

I've had it 4 days now and I love it. However, some of the shortcuts I was used to using with our PC won't work on the iMac.

It's going to take time to figure things out, but I enjoy doing things like that.

Russ