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iMac purchase advice

I intend on buying an iMac 27" soon, probably as soon as Lion is available. I'm a 54 y/o guy. I use my desktop for all basic computer needs, for communication with my employer (bidding work schedules, keeping informed about the co., training,etc.), Internet, banking, tracking/controlling investments, tracking family budget and finances, email, some gaming (not a rampant. gamer;-), news feeds, Skyeping, some word processing, I teach an occasional class & give occasional lectures, (is iWork enough for this, I wonder?), distance learning (completing a graduate degree online), and I plan on expanding my hobby on photo and video editing, in particular, digitizing old family photos and old family videos, an creating memorable slideshows and music videos for me and my family and friends. I also have a first generation iPad, my wife an I have small iPods, and intend to each get an iPhone as soon as the refresh happens.

Can someone give me some advice on how to equip my iMac 27" so that I am not getting too little or too much? I would like to stay under $2,100 if possible.

Thanks in advance!

iMac

Posted on Jun 3, 2011 8:45 AM

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83 replies

Jun 13, 2011 1:57 PM in response to rkaufmann87

OS X Lion to Drop 'Rosetta' Support for PowerPC Applications

Monday June 13, 2011 12:37 pm PDT by Eric Slivka

Soon after Apple released the first developer preview version of OS X Lion back in late February, we noted that Apple appeared to have dropped support for Rosetta, the system that allowed Intel-based Macs to run applications written for earlier PowerPC-based systems.


Apple of course made the transition to Intel-based processors five years ago, and Rosetta is an optional install under Snow Leopard, but some users are still hanging onto old PowerPC applications that either have not been updated at all or have updated versions to which the users do not wish to upgrade for one reason or another.


With OS X Lion now on its fourth developer preview version and a public release set for next month, it is clear that Rosetta will not be making an appearance in Apple's next-generation Mac operating system, finally leaving those legacy applications out in the cold.



As Macworld notes today in trying to help a user hoping to hold on to an old PowerPC version on Quicken, users who wish to upgrade to Lion while still retaining compatibility with their old applications will need to get creative.

Broadly, you have a couple of options. One is to create a dual-boot Mac -- one that can boot from two volumes. One volume contains Lion and another runs an older version of the Mac OS. When you need to spend some quality Rosetta time, you boot into the older OS. And yes, this is a pain.


The other option is to simply not update to Lion. Your Mac will continue to work just as well as it does today. How acceptable this is to you depends on how desperate you are for Lion's features and iCloud (some of iCloud's features will require Lion).

Macworld also suggests the possibility of running Quicken for Windows either in Boot Camp or using virtualization software such as Parallels or VMware Fusion. Quicken is a particularly interesting case given Inuit's recent revamp of its product line that has essentially left the Mac platform without a current equal to the Windows version or even earlier Mac versions, a move that has left many longtime Quicken users hoping desperately to keep their old Mac versions going.


And of course one final option is to simply abandon use of the old PowerPC applications and find substitute offerings that will run natively on Intel-based processors. Ideal substitutes may not exist for all software, particularly specialized titles, and thus users will have to weigh the pros and cons of each solution.


After five years of offering Rosetta as a solution to allow users to keep running PowerPC applications on Intel-based machines, it is no surprise that Apple has finally made the move to discontinue support. Apple's decision does mean, however, that some users will finally have to make decisions about how best to move forward with the current architecture.

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Roger...found this in Macrumors...wanted to share with you.

Jun 13, 2011 5:13 PM in response to rkaufmann87

FedEx says tomorrow...and it think the OWC memory is in the mailbox ;-).

I hope I made the right decision...my gut says yes.

There is a different feeling with this computer purchase. With other PCs, it was more like, "well, I guess we better replace this old thing...I hope the next one works better than it did."

With this iMac, it seems like we're entering into an satisfying relationship with it, Apple, and the rest of the Mac community, and that using it will actually be fun, something we will look forward to, instead of being afraid to turn it on!

Jun 13, 2011 7:06 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Thanks!



"I'd put the RAM in before booting it for the first time."


Yes, that's what I thought of doing...doesn't look too hard to do...even for me!


Yes, it should be fun!...I just feel like there's so much to learn, but Apple seems to make so much of it pretty intuitive. I have been spending some quality time with the various tutorials already.

Jun 13, 2011 8:26 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Yep...really looking forward to plunging in, learning about all it can do, learning keyboard shortcuts, etc. I am really looking forward to learning how to work with iPhoto and iMovie, as making slideshows to preserve and enhance family photos and videos is a hobby I'd like to expand.

By the way, that OWC memory did come in the mail today...pretty good timing...ordered it while I was over in Kuwait last week.

I'll let you know how things are coming along, and, no doubt will have a few questions along the way, but I promise not to pick on you all of the time!!!

Jun 13, 2011 9:47 PM in response to Narnian7

Hi Narnian7, I am on the verge of upgrading my PPC imac, it is 6.5 years old and still works well, but I've hit the wall on some software and it just seems like a good thing to do before I run into trouble. I was trying to decide if I'd buy more memory when I bought it or install more myself, which I did on my current imac back in early 2005. But I do know we have to have the same kind of memory etc., so I would love to hear if when you install yours, it operates ok. Will you post a thumbs up for us?


thanks,

Jun 13, 2011 9:54 PM in response to mhoney

But I do know we have to have the same kind of memory etc., so I would love to hear if when you install yours, it operates ok. Will you post a thumbs up for us?

Wow, you couldn't be more wrong about having the same kind of memory. Your machine is worlds different than the current iMacs. However you may be able to find RAM from OWC at www.macsales.com


Also I'd recommend posting in the PPC forums. You can find them at:


https://discussions.apple.com/community/desktop_computers/imac_powerpc


Roger

iMac purchase advice

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