iMac purchase advice

Roger, I think you misunderstood me, and maybe I wasn't clear enough. I KNOW my machine is worlds apart. I was explaining that as the reason for planning to upgrade. I am not asking about memory for my PPC, I bought it way back then. And when I bought it, the memory I bought had to be the same kind as what came in my imac. When I was at the apple store today, I asked if this was still the case and they said yes, if I want to buy memory and install it myself, I need to be sure I buy the exact same kind as what will come in the new imac.

Since Narnian7 has purchased one of the new imacs and purchased after market memory, I was asking them to report in how it goes, to install it and how does the imac work. I plan to buy a new imac and want to increase the memory and believe I can save some money if I install it myself, assuming it is still as easy as it was 6 years ago.

So, Narnian7, will you let us know how it goes? And how much memory did you end up getting?

thanks!

I see, thanks for the clarification. Installing RAM in Mac's is incredibly easy, here is a video showing so: Install Video

HI Roger, from the name, I am guessing ibank might be an app?? or if not, can you share the link? I am using quicken 2007 also, and rely on it for my taxes, etc. for my own finances as well as my Mom's. I was fortunate to read the reviews of the quicken upgrade and did not buy it and have been usinging it manually since I cannot use the online aspect since it isn't supported, at least for my 10.5.8 and PPC. So I will need to do something if I go to Lion, which I suspect I will want to once I know it is solid. I do see some nice features.

So knowing about ibank, if you are liking it would be a great help. Can you tell us if you were able to export/import your quicken info into ibank?

I know there are a lot of us out here wishing Intuit would realize the value in keeping their product for apple current and as good as the PC version. Just curious, has there been any posts here of anyone trying to call Intuit to find out if they have a plan to address the apple user issues?

Thanks for your help. I'm off to the apple store to clarify a few questions and decide if I know enough to place my order. I may post another message, with my idea to see if anyone has any wisdom to help me make my best decision.

michelle

Hi Michelle,

So far I like iBank and yes it's an app. Migrating from Quicken 07 was really simple. They have some on-line tutorials, one that coaches you on how to import your Quicken data. This was incredibly easy to do, just watch the tutorial and you will see. There is also a 30 day trial which also gives you access to their tech support which so far has been very good. Like yourself I'm going to be switching to Lion and had to do something. I looked at a couple of other money management apps but iBank was what I felt most comfortable with.

Once I imported my Quicken data it was just a matter of getting my financial institutions talking to the software which has also been simple. I like to do as much automated stuff as I can, for example I'd rather let my bank download checking transactions rather than input them manually. The banking accounts were really simple, the investment accounts a bit more challenging. You can find iBank's site at: http://www.iggsoftware.com/ibank/ while you visit it if you want to download the 30 day trial so you can get started.

Hello Narnian7, thank you for the follow up! I am glad to know it worked as I am hoping to purchase my new computer this week. I think you got the 27" and I think I'm leaning towards the 21.5 with the 2.7 GHz. I was thinking of the 27" but when I got into the store, the screen seems HUGE LOL and maybe more than I need.

Did you keep the 2-2gb of memory that came with the imac and then add 2-4gb of memory?

I am also planning on an ipad for the 'mobile' moments when I was to browse or check email while watching tv. Of course last night, around midnight, I had to read the reviews for the mac powerbook LOL. Nothing like late night doubt.

Thanks again for checking in.

michelle

That's good news, glad things are working out.

Thanks narnian7, glad to hear your set up is working and you are happy with it. I also appreciate the screen size thoughts. I have gone back and forth and will be happy with whatever I finally get. I do photo editing, general surfing, email, and a lot of online research for things I want to learn about, buy, find, etc. I currently use quicken and am looking at ibank thanks to Roger's suggestion, and have used the office suite. I have considered trying out pages and numbers but am still on the fence about that. I've gone to the forum here but, as is the case, most of the emails are people unhappy, looking for help and that is a skewed resource. So if anyone knows of any reviews or comparisons of pages/word out there, I'd appreciate a link or name.

I am leaning towards the ipad, just for ease of taking with me. I like to take my digital camera so weight is an issue. And I don't 'work' when out and about, just email, web stuff, etc. It will be about whether I get irritated by the typing on the ipad screen when out in a coffee shop. I'm sitting in one right now, just finished a YUMMY savory crepe and am waiting on my latte, typing on my OLD titanium 15 pb. My fingers catch between these keys and the battery won't hold a charge but it works for basic email and web, though it is SLOW.. LOL

Anyway, I'm a long time mac user. I've owned and used macs since 1991. I lost my history here when the boards were updated and don't know how to restore that. But I teach a mac users class for seniors in my city and do apple (and basic pc) tech support to the faculty in my department. so any question is a good question and most mac users love our devices so much, we are happy to help a new comer get grounded and become happy users.

Welcome!

Glad you're enjoying it!

As for X11 I'll let Wikipedia tell you what it is. It would do no harm to keep it updated however it's one of those things "If you have to ask you don't need it..." issues. 🙂 Personally I was interested in it when I got my first Mac in 2007 only for sentimental reasons, I worked with a bunch of MIT guys in a software company 25 years ago back when X11 was hot. I played with it a little but got quickly bored. I don't even know if my system still has it or not. It's one of those things you rarely hear about anymore.

Sure.