New Computer needed.

[jmm63]

My 4 year old iMac has crapped out. The screen has had flashing lines on it for some time now, but now I have a 3 inch wide stripe of pure white..very annoying. A repair would likely cost more than a new computer, so I;m shopping. Seems this is a common problem with the 05/06 iMac's, but Apple isn't saying anything or recognizing the problem. I'm done with Apple now. Back to a PC for me. Any suggestions? The budget is about $600 or less. Costco seems to have a good bundle package on an HP.

 

[frigilux]

The same thing happened to my '05 iMac. There was a free repair offered for quite some time, but it expired at the turn of 2009, I believe.

I bought a new 24" iMac and its really wonderful. Don't give up on Mac over one dud. I have friends using PCs who are on their 3rd and 4th computers due to technical failures.

 

[jmm63]

oh, I wish I had the money for a new Mac, but its just not in the cards with all the house repairs and projects I've been doing. One of the projects I had budgeted for ( a fence for the dog or an updated bath or a new picture window) will have to go away so I can get a new computer. I'm fond of the Mac, just can't afford to shell out another large sum for one right now.

 

[petek]

Last year I bought a Dell Inspiron 530 with 3 meg ram and a 2 gig HD iirc plus a diskette drive for our old diskettes. It cost just under $500 over the phone. Nothing fancy it works, I haven't had any problems with it yet but I'm very careful and don't download anything, no music, nothing, zip nada. I just browse the web basically.
It came with a trial period of Trend Micro Internet Security and I continued that on after the trial expired..
It wouldn't be any good for gaming I don't think but if all you do is surf what more do you need?

 

[petek]

forgot.. I didn't buy the monitor with it since I already had one.

 

[petek]

getting to the point of not worth fixing if it's major. .like my 99 MB 230.. crapped out like that two years ago.. the engine work was going to be over $5000 so it sits in my driveway as a reminder what a fool I was to have bought it in the first place.. piece of junk cost me nothing but money the day the warranty expired.

 

[whirlcool]

When buying a PC go for the fastest CPU and the most memory that you can afford. This will ensure that you PC lasts longer than the more basic models. You can always add DVD readers/writers later.
If you are somewhat handy you can build a PC yourself. That's what I have been doing for the past 15 years. Each PC lasts about 7-8 years before I have to upgrade it. And it costs way less than one I could buy in the store.

My last PC was built 3 years ago for about $500.00,
It has an Intel Motherboard
Intel Pentium 3.2Ghz CPU
Onboard Video, Network Adapter and Sound Card
I had my choice of literally hundreds of exterior cases for it.
I opened a retailers account at one of the wholesalers in town here so I get everything at wholesale.

I use my computer for web site design and video editing. It has more than enough power to do what I want it to do as fast as I want it to.

 

[petek]

Hmmm I seemed to have posted a reply to another thread in here
Ignore the man behind the curtain!!!!

 

[whirlcool]

Well, have you determined what you are going to go with yet?

 

[charger]

Junk the Mac I did

 

[jmm63]

now I'm conflicted. someone said I could get a new monitor and hook the mac up to it with a mini-dvi cable and run it off that. anyone every done that?

 

[j2400]

I haven't ever played with the iMac, but I think I've heard of people doing this. The one problem is if the problem will show up on an external monitor. Some problems might, other problems won't.

I think this vintage would have used a VGA connection. That's very common, and you could probably borrow a monitor to test.

My ex roommate had a MacBook, and used it quite happily with an external monitor, which was the primary monitor. There was even a key that could toggle it so that both monitors had the same image.

In your position, I'd be a little cautious about giving up the Mac if the only real issue is A) one problem computer B) the cost of a new computer. I've known of too many people who've gone to Windows, and then come back as fast as they could.

 

[j2400]

Another possibility if you do change

I might as well put in a plug for my current modern OS: Linux. In the user friendly forms, it's equal to or better than Windows. There is no virus problem. The software is free. The only limit is software choices--but there's enough to do what most people do. Dell currently sells systems with Ubuntu Linux. They probably have something within your price range.

 

[mysteryclock]

Had a similar problem

I have an 06 iMac (Intel) at work that ended up having to have a new motherboard after about a year -- started to get horizontal lines across the screen when the GPU heated up, and the only way to keep it from happening was to use something like smcFanControl and crank up all the fans to MAX to keep the temp below 100F. Since it was under warranty + AppleCare I had it repaired at no charge. The new Mboard can run with the GPU well over 120+F with no visual garbage, although it rarely gets that hot.

Quick question -- do you see the same visual garbage if you hook up an external monitor? If not it could just be the display panel vs. the Mboard which means you could set it up to mirror the primary display and use it that way, at least.

Does it happen as soon as you power the computer on after its been off a while and is nice and cool, or only after it runs a while?

I would say that if you're used to using a Mac then going back to a PC will most likely be nothing but an exercise in frustration. Every time I have to use a PC (physical or VM) -- especially one with Vista -- it absolutely drives me up the proverbial wall. If you're like me in that respect then you'll need to either figure out a way to make yours work or pay up for a new one (starting at 1200-ish new, 999 refurb.)

Good luck!

 

[qsd-dan]

Question for the apple users: Is spyware/malware an issue on apples OS? It seems like I'm reformatting my hard drive every 3-4 months because of this garbage on my PC! I have various programs that get rid of the bulk of that junk, but some of it is stubborn enough to require a "format and install." I'm fed up with the holes and backdoors that Microsfot (purposely) leaves open and am ready to try something else.

 

[hydralique]

I highly recommend Malwarebytes for Windows computers. I've used Symantec Norton for years and years, but last fall had a big problem with some virus called Vundo. Norton found it, but didn't seem to remove it all. After a lot of research I found many good recommendations for Malwarebytes. It happily coexists in my computer with Norton, and I use both. Best of all, there is a very effective free version of Malwarebytes. You'll have to manually update it every once in awhile, and manually tell it to scan, but that's easy to do.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

 

[qsd-dan]

I use Malwarebytes, Spysweeper, Norton, and Kaspersky, but still have problems, especially if I hit a site that I misspelled, which loads me up with tons of spyware/malware. It seems like a never ending cat and mouse game. No matter how quickly these anit-spyware/malware sits try to keep updated, more is being produced at a very high quantity. It's really getting old......

 

[jonv112]

I've had my 24" iMac (aluminum) for over a year now and it's still going strong, no major hardware or software issues. For me, everything is just so much easier on a Mac than on my old PC. I'm a very media-centred person (music, photos, videos), and my iMac handles everything without a hitch. I would never try to attempt organizing and managing 10,000+ photos on a PC, but on my Mac it's easy. Don't give up on Apple just yet. Sure, they have had their downfalls when it comes to products and service, but they are still way better compared to the likes of Dell or Microsoft.

 

[MrX]

Viruses / Malware

Malware / Spyware is basically non-existent on Mac OS X. Although, as with anything, it's never advisable to be totally complacent either i.e. sensible precautions like not opening attachments on spam is always a good idea.

You can get Mac virus scanners, but the only thing that they've ever caught for me is attachments which would only infect windows systems.

There were some issues with macros viruses which could impact on Microsoft Office for Mac too, but again, nothing really system wide.

In general, viruses for OS X have so far only been 'proof of concept' in labs. It's significantly more secure than windows as it's a UNIX-based OS.

Windows was never really designed from bottom up with networking in mind, rather networking was bolted-on to a system that was designed for use on a single PC, or a closed office network.

That's where current generations of windows tend to have their downfall. There are lots of exploitable holes in the security systems.

Mac OS X, and other UNIX systems however were built to network, that's what they do. UNIX started it's life as an operating system for giant mainframe computers which had to share resources with absolute security. Processes are kept separate, memory is protected, etc etc In fact, UNIX systems still dominate the entire internet infrastructure, communications systems, telephone networks etc etc.

Rather than being a personal computer operating system adapted to network, UNIX is a network operating system that was scaled-down to operate on personal computers as Mac OS X, various Linux systems, Sun Solaris etc

Because of this, they tend to be much more rock solid platforms.

In general, if you're running Mac OS X or Linux as your primary operating system, viruses / malware are generally a non-issue almost 100% of the time. While they are technically possible, there are almost no known viruses for OS X at the moment versus tens of thousands of them for Windows.

It's one of the huge advantages of not running windows, but Apple and Linux distros generally don't like to shout about it as they don't want to encourage virus-writers by giving them a challenge.

 

[gizmo]

Another plug for Linux:

I am using an old computer, surplus from the local school, which I bought for under $50. It is a pentium 3 with about 512 Mb ram and 2 hard drives of 10 Mb each. As a windows computer it is pretty well obsolete. I am currently using Dreamlinux, and playing with other versions of Linux from live Cds. There is nothing installed on any hard drive, I am running purely from CD at present. Dreamlinux is very easy to use, reasonably familiar to use for a PC user but some things are more Mac-like. (single click to select for example.) Dreamlinux is free to download as a CD ISO image, you then burn this image to a CD and boot from the CD. It auto -detects hardware such as mouse, keyboard, video card, and so on. Once loaded it also detects my printer. Setting up the wireless network was easy. (It is often problematic on many versions of Linux.)

Using Dreamlinux has given me a good useful computer from what was an obsolete piece of junk. The Dreamlinux Cd also has useful software such OpenOffice, Firefox browser, PDF reader, audio and video editing software, lots of other stuff I don't use. I have found it easy and interesting to try.

Ubuntu Linux (and variants, I like the look of Kubuntu) has more software, is more slick and polished, but it doesn't run perfectly on this old computer. Ubuntu leaves little segments of previous windows on the screen (I think a video card compatibility problem, as it is a Compaq computer with basic on-board video driver) and on Kubuntu I can't get the wireless network to work at all.

It might be worth playing with linux for a slightly more Mac-like experience on PC hardware.

There is a vast range of Linux versions (called "distros", meaning distributions) at: www.distrowatch.com

Chris.

http://www.dreamlinux.com.br/

 

[hooverkeymatic]

Toshiba

I would reccommend a Toshiba laptop. They are very reliable and fast.The sound quality is excellent. I wouldn't really reccommend Acer because they seem a bit flimsy.

Toshiba laptops are good for games (if you buy a mid-range one),Surfing the internet and are also very good at doing multiple tasks all at once.

Hope this helps!

 

[whirlcool]

In my opinion, I think Dell laptops are fine, but the cases usually start falling apart after a year or so. Things like key caps popping off the keyboard, hinges breaking, etc.

I agree Toshiba does make a very nice laptop, and the people I know who have them have very little problems with them if any at all. They are also very solidly constructed.

My favorite laptop is the Lenovo Thinkpad. These used to be the IBM Thinkpad. Very well constructed with that rubberized outer coating on the case. They have fast performance. I had two IBM Thinkpads over the years and I just replaced my last one with a Lenovo. It's just as good as an IBM Thinkpad was.

The original IBM Thinkpad was developed by IBM for use by the IRS Field Agents. That's one reason why they are so solidly constructed. Due to it being a government application, I wonder what IBM charged the IRS for each one?

 

[j2400]

I agree with what mrx said about Mac OS X security

My favorite description of Windows was something like "a petri dish for viruses!"

UNIX (Linux and Mac OS X are part of the family) are, by nature, more secure.

My ex-roommate had a MacBook which, at the time I moved on, was running fine with a OS X install of more than a year old.

Even without malware, Windows seems to need reinstallation regularly (at least through XP). Time takes a toll, and junk builds up, and slows Windows down. Many Windows experts will reinstall regularly.

 

[jmm63]

Well... I opted to go the inexpensive route to see if it works and it did. I bought a new LG 20 in monitor and dvi cables and figured out how to run it off my mac. It seems to be working great, I just need to tuck the mac away under the desk and adjust it so I have access to the drive and cable ports. So far so good. I only spent less than 200 for everything and I still have a perfectly running mac.

 

[j2400]

Let's hope it continues! This is the sort of solution I love when I can pull it off--a few dollars, a little creative thinking, and one saves a lot.

 

[toploader55]

Hi Jim

Eddie from the Cape.
I bought a Dell Laptop and Desktop. No problems here. Except I hate Windows Vista. I have that on the Laptop and can't understand it. My Desktop has XP which is fine. I guess I'll have to take a class in order to understand it.
The Mobile Maid is fine and has been asking for you. I've been busy with a New/Old Job so I have not used her in a while. Serving 350+ dinners a night has been a Plate Full and a few Side Dishes. My Dad lives in Blairstown, so in the fall, maybe we could meet. Not too far from Denville.
I hope you are well, and everything is good for you. Eddie