Need help choosing options for 24" iMac

[gulfbeach47]

 

<p > </p>

<p >Barry, Not yet. I figured calling Apple would give me clear answers on warranty info and times that Apple Care is open. i have been on the run all day and I am going to try again now.</p>

<p > </p>

<p >Barry ''John, have you tried viewing the Apple website forums re macs? They may have some answers to the many questions you have about Apple care etc. Sounds like you got a handle on what you want. So Patrick, what, where is this system your talking about above for 2 grand?''</p>

 

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Patrick and John above; try fooling with some 700 meg, 1 gig; 1.5 gig or 1.9 gig tiff files. Then add text in layers.</p>

<p>One gets a *bog* once the ratio of ram to file size gets too low.</p>

<p>Thus here we had a 200Mhz server with 1 gig of ram; and have a many 200Mhz PPros that hold 512 megs; when others had say fraction of that ram; this was 10 years ago. Our 35 megapixel scan back from 10 years ago puts out a 103 meg file; 512 megs or ram in 1996 allowed one to have little bog factor.Having more ram allows one to handle larger files; it is just done to handle giant files.</p>

<p>Today having a box that holds more than 4 gigs and CS4 on a PC with 64 bits just means one has more useable ram; ie to handle big files.<br /> What is *big* or giant to one person may be not so big to another.</p>

<p>Lets say I scan in a nautical cahrt on my 36" wide color scanner; a 33x44 inch chart scanned in at a 400 dpi setting in RGB makes a 665 meg file; it is 374 megs at a 300dpi setting. Once we scanned in several and combined/stitched 3 charts together ; and printed this affair; and just used 300 dpi scans because of the limts with ram. You open one; add space; and manually connect them; the other part on a different layer; so colors of the two can be matched and forced. One may have then a a 1 to 1.4 meg file combo open and the project bogs; one might even downsize even more just to procede. Working on as file thats one have of one's photoshop ram is not so great; it wastes time.</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>My sister buys refurb Macs and has gotten great deals. Her out 2 year old Imac 20" was an ebay purchase; it works with no issues too.</p>

[Uhooru]

<p>Thanx Jerry, on the face of it, looks impressive, but isn't Pystar being sued by Apple? For about 2500-3000 you can get a very powerful system and a good monitor (not theirs). That's about the price of a macbook pro 15".</p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>Kelly, this is exactly my point; normal user dont need to fool around with image that big, so normal user will have plenty of 4gig of ram. And the OP heres is a normal user..not someone who will ahndle a 2gig file im sure.</p>

<p>I *fool* all day long, all week long, with image that are around 300-600meg and i NEVER wait to work. My point is seing a 4gig ram as a limitation when a user would never experience a 1gig file (maybe once) its a non sense.</p>

<p>A Imac is a perfect computer from Apple to deliver all you can need out of the box for a normal AND pro user.</p>

<p>Would i like apple or adobe to develop a 64bit application so i can use more ram in Photoshop,? sure! but i much i will add to my system that will be enough? 8-12-16gig? let say i would go to 8gig, since im already more than OK with 4gig, a 8gig will make me even happier..but do i really need it? do you have a 8gig station to work on your project? do your project need 8gig? maybe..but not many user work on a image bigger than 100meg regularly, so even less with a 300meg file..and i could assume almost none work with a 1gig + image EVERYDAY.</p>

<p>The point was all always read people who complain about a 4gig limitation, thsus those user have old machine, or dont need that power because they are not shoothing that much or those big project; most user here have merely a 5D (or similar) or a Mark III (or similar) i dont read a lot about user who have a P45 P65..and even then, a Imac will be way sufficient.</p>

<p>I was just saying that sometimes, you dot need the biggest meannes machine to do the job, just a Imac would do the trick.</p>

<p>_________</p>

<p>@John, let go the idea of the 2k station i talk previously..you are lost enough with the Imac 24 : )</p>

<p>My humble advice is to stop worring that much about a computer, and make the jump..there is no need to contact apple 8 times a day to confirmed / uncomfirmed what you read here..and there no point of having use comfirmed / uncomfirmed what apple said...</p>

<p>Yes its simple to install ram,</p>

<p>yes its simple to install a HD,</p>

<p>yes you should take a apple care warranty,</p>

<p>yes you need a device to calibrate your monitor mac or pc,</p>

<p>yes if s*** append you will need to let your computer to a service repair until they fix it</p>

<p>yes time machine is included in your system, and will do a backup every hours at no cost.</p>

<p>yes its a good move you are doing</p>

<p>yes you willl have a learning curve liek anyone else who start with a new OS.</p>

<p> </p>

[garrison_k.]

Yes John, get it over with already. You're gonna love it.

[gulfbeach47]

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=760139">Patrick</a> & <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=1763462">Garrison</a> I am beginning to think that you think I am a worrier.. LOL I gotta tell ya, the apple care techs have me spinning. When I called this afternoon, as usual the salesperson was not sure if techs came to your house if they could not fix iMac by phone. connected me to apple care tech and I mentioned that I had heard various replies about the protection plan. I told him that nearest Apple store was around 200 miles. He said "we would provide a box for free shipping to get fixed." I then mentioned that I had been told by a salesperson that it depends on your zip code. He then said hold on and looked it up and said yea, we would send a tech out to fix it at your home. Then he said they would do that for the laptop too. That is the first time I had heard that. I asked are you sure about that? He said yes again. Here is a portion of the apple care plan for laptops. I read it to him but he still said they send someone. Anyone ever have a tech come out to work on a laptop? I am going with the iMac most likely, but you guys had better be here for my midnight help calls...hahaahahaa </p>

 

<h3>Peace of mind</h3>

The AppleCare Protection Plan provides global repair coverage, both parts and labor, from Apple-authorized technicians around the world - perfect whether you work at a desk or travel with your Mac.* Service options may include the following:

<ul>

<li><strong>Take your Mac</strong> to an <strong>Apple Retail Store</strong> or <strong>other Apple Authorized Service Provider</strong> </li>

<li><strong>Mail in your Mac</strong> using a pre-paid shipping box provided by Apple </li>

</ul>

 

[Uhooru]

<p>Yes John, see below...enough questions you knucklehead :) ...it will be ok..take a prozac.....and decide..<br>

@John, let go the idea of the 2k station i talk previously..you are lost enough with the Imac 24 : )<br>

My humble advice is to stop worring that much about a computer, and make the jump..there is no need to contact apple 8 times a day to confirmed / uncomfirmed what you read here..and there no point of having use comfirmed / uncomfirmed what apple said...<br>

Yes its simple to install ram,<br>

yes its simple to install a HD,<br>

yes you should take a apple care warranty,<br>

yes you need a device to calibrate your monitor mac or pc,<br>

yes if s*** append you will need to let your computer to a service repair until they fix it<br>

yes time machine is included in your system, and will do a backup every hours at no cost.<br>

yes its a good move you are doing<br>

yes you willl have a learning curve liek anyone else who start with a new OS.</p>

 

<p ><a href="../photodb/user?user_id=1763462">Garrison K.</a> <a href="../member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" title="Frequent poster" /> </a> , Jan 23, 2009; 09:49 p.m.</p>

 

<p>Yes John, get it over with already. You're gonna love it.</p>

 

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>Some computers over years will hold more ram than their original boiler plate specs. My IBM T30 Laptop specs says it will only hold 1 gig; the Crucial set and scans says this too; plus ALL memory gurus and sellers. But one of my T30 ws affited with 2 gigsand it works fine and now I have twice the photoshop ram. In the Old ancient beginning of the Pentium era many PCs were speced so they only held 64 megs because with 4 slots the larger ram chips were not even designed yet; PLUS with windows many units if one added say 128 megs with these early Pentium boards; tehy ran SLOWER due to the the way windows loaded. Thus the fastest config was 64 megs. Ram was about 40 bucks per megabyte before say 1996. A single 72 pin 16 meg chip for my Pentium 90Mhz cost 600 bucks; the same cost as the 17" CRT monitor; the and full bore Photoshop was about 550 bucks. Today our 350 buck HP mini tower was 350 bucks 2 week ago with 3 gigs of ram. In the scheme of things like photography; the cost of one computer is trivial compared to by gone photoshop eras; one could analyze the best computer of the moment and in a few months their will be something better; cheaper; quicker. The run of thumb used is a drop in worth at 1 percent per week; say 50 percent per year. A 1600 buck dream machine in 2009 is like or worth a 800 buck machine in 2010; a 400 buck machine in 2011. I a few later years it will be in a thrift store for 20 bucks. Thus weight how much time is spent wasted in analyzing a perfect purchase.</p>

<p>Whether a 4 gig ram limit on a new computer matters or not depends on what size files you process; whether you want to keep the for along time. In printing the larger box that holds more ram is usefull; its often used to downsize a customers jackass input; a giant bloaded file; or jsut to see if the file really is rich with info; or a lame upsizing of some chaps flatbed scan to 5000 to 10000 dpi. The general public is very ignorant of digital; even pros do this crap; they create files 10 to 100 times larger than the original. You get a file thats about 2 gigs on a DVD made from a chaps Epson flatbed scan of a 6x6 negative; and they want a 36x144" hockey dasher board vinyl. The pro reads that 300 dpi is good; and 360 dpi/ppi is better. Thus they crop a 1:4 section out of their beloved perfect :) flatbed scan; and upsize it with duffus pixel helper. One as a printer gets to the task of adding the clients text/name/etc; the client has its pro expert photographer input the image for the dasher board; a 36x144 inch image at 360 dpi; ie a 1.88 Gig file. The photographer since an expert and a pro has his brain full; his ego full; he cannot *accept* that his input is BS; ie a attempt at polishing a turd. A rink might be 85 feet wide; thats about 1000 inches. A pilot on the glass might be on the other side; thus best case one needs say a 1/3000 arc; maybe double for good measure say 1/6000; thus one only needs 6 pixles one inch best case. If one has public skating one can folks closer to the boards; thus 60 dpi at 8.5 feet found be perfect. Thus one might just use anywhere from 20 to 50 ppi. The pros input off his epson might be a sort of real 1800 ppi scan over the 2 inch width of the negative; now he has enlarged this to 144 inches; ie 72 times; thus after about 1800/72 = 25 ppi he is just creating a bloaded useless file; a turd polishing. Sadly this is how many folks today think; they somehow believe that pixel/turd helper will make their 25 ppi image upsized to 360 a great image. Thus we printers use a boss hog box with ram above 4 gigs to actually downs size *pro* images to practical levels; soe we can add text; layers; to do a cleints job on a timely basis. With an amateur; one has no deadlines; no pro egaos to deal with; no jackass bloaded files from pro digital chaps with giant egos. In the past with older photoshop versions at least we had the old 30,000 pixle limit; this actually helped us; we got less bloaded inputs for banners.</p>

[garrison_k.]

<p>

 

<blockquote>

<p>Patrick & Garrison I am beginning to think that you think I am a worrier..</p>

</blockquote>

<p><br /></p>

<p>I do know people that have spent less time fussing over a house purchse, naming thier child, or getting a tattoo.</p>

<p>You can't beat yourself up over details that haven't even happened yet or worrying about what might happen. If something goes wrong, there will be a solution and you'll deal with it. You're lucky to have such a machine, you should be all gidy inside like a child at xmas. I think you should just get the largest hard drive, the best video card, and 4 gigs of ram, and get it over with and enjoy it. I have a feeling there are larger priorities on your plate other than a computer purchase.</p>

 

</p>

[Carl Stone]

<p>This thread has become ridiculous, as has the OP. John, if you buy a new car, and you have trouble with it do you expect the manufacturer to send someone to your house to address the problem? Are you really willing to pay what that level of service actually costs? </p>

<p>Apple will service your iMac, should it become necessary, and at their expense. Apple is far and away the number one rated computer company for customer support. They are not your mother, and they are not responsible if you do something stupid to your iMac. It's a computer for crying out load, not a heart for a transplant. </p>

<p>Buy it, or don't, but please quit being childish. You need to make a decision, and then live with it, just like the rest of us. HTH </p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>PATRICK; the reason I mentioned the 4 gig limit is so there is no disappiontment when and if one was work with giant files; or if one receives them.</p>

<p>If your inputs are few you have no issues; your current box works ok.</p>

<p>Here in the printing world we DO get giant 1 gig to 2 gig files; from real ones rich with info; and bloaded ones with useless info.</p>

<p>It is not a rare occurance at all.</p>

<p>It is not some isolated case; but a weekly thing we have to deal with; with clients that have actual deadlines.</p>

<p>Our 36" wide color scanner scans up to a real 600 dpi level too. Thus a client may demand an old map be scanned at 600 dpi over its 36x48 inch size; one gets a 1.74 Gig file; maybe it really is not worth my time arguing that their beloved map really only holds 400 dpi worth of info or even less; ie just a 791 meg file. I scan it at 600; and also downsize it to 400 and burn a DVD of both and avoid the daily explaining gambit. Just dealing with these file sizes with a Mac or PC thats just got a 32 bit Photoshop takes alot of time. If I do not make a downsized version the typical expert then will come back and complain that their beloved Imac or PC crashed; was slow; or the file would not open. Thus you give them what their expert brains want; plus maybe several downsized more practical versions. This allows them to save face; to actually deal with the images with their little 32 bit photoshop world boxed in to 4 gigs of ram.</p>

<p>These are files that will choke your loved imac or a pc boxed in to just 32 bits. Basically dealing with these inputs ok if one is an amateur; one has the luxury of no deadlines; one can wait as text is added on a 1.4 gig file; or wait as the rip box chokes on a bloaded 1.8 gig file from a friends flatbed scan.</p>

<p>In a real business time is money; thus having a bush hog rather than a weedeater to mow down a field works better; or having a 64 bit box with CS4 on a PC to deal with giant files matters. The amateur; or pro with no business sense can spend a week mowing a field with a weed eater; or take a zillion coffee break while text is added to a clients bloaded 1.9 gig file.</p>

<p>It all comes down to what ones time is worth; if one has a giant job to deal with such as mowing a field or dealing with giant files; having a bigger and better tool can save one a HUGE amount of time. This is hard to fathom for many folks on photo.net; that time is money; and ones inputs from real world clients are not perfect & trim; but bloaded files with useless pixels.</p>

<p>The whole world of folks in digital is not one of great education; many folks flatbed scan files to aburd resolutions;and upsize these to the moon. If you think that a box with more than 4 gigs is absurd; you must not deal with the general lay public; general lay clients or general so called expert that create huge files. At some point you may not want to stay up late dealing with folks goofy bloaded files and downsize them to more practical sizes; what your imac will handle; what you claimed is 300 to 600 megs files. The local Office Depot has an HP unit with quad cores; 64 bits; 8 gigs of ram for a grand. A box like this with CS4 will deal with a clients bloaded inputs of 1 to 2 gigs alot easier than a imac thats hard capped at 4 gigs.</p>

<p>Most folks really will be ok with just owning a 4 gig box; a 1/2 ton pickup; a F2 normal lens; a 7 1/4" skill saw; with a 6 Lb sledge hammer; or just 100 asa film. It does not mean that a cement mixer is useless; or a 1 ton pickup; or a bush hog; or a photoshop box that will cut thru a giant 2 gig file in seconds; rather than a coffee break like your imac.</p>

<p>Some folks like to have larger tools too to save time when dealing with larger jobs; thus a contractor might want to a 1 ton pickup too; or a 10 " hand circular saw for decks; or maybe an F1.4 or F1 lens; or maybe a 12Lb sledge hammer.</p>

<p>There is a huge amount of ignorance with dealing with the general public when dealing with digital files. If and when ever you get a giant file to deal with that chokes and bogs your dream machine; one might consider if having more usable photoshop ram than 4gigs is warranted; or justing on the photoshop. At some point you might not be able to market onself well if one is cutting fields and lawns with just a weedeater; or a client can have another work quicker with their giant file inputs.</p>

<p>A mac with just a 4gig limit will be TOTALLY FINE AND GREAT; unless one gets a clients input that one has no control over; maybe the clients goofy bloaded upsizes flatbed scan thats 1.6 gigs<br /> One can tell the client to pack sand and that they are an idiot; or deal with their input and not bust their egos.</p>

<p>The pickle is if one has a deadline; can ones sole photoshop box be tied up with dealing with a bloaded files?</p>

<p>Here I just often use another box and write a batch to downsize them to practical say 300 to 600 meg files on another computer; and let it run while real work is going on. That is one reason why I have so many computers; it is to deal with folks jackasery; ie bloaded useless files. A customer may call and say their images are so big that one image will not fit on a DVD. One then gets many DVD's with 2 TIFF images per CD; each say 1.5 to 1.8 gigs. The client shot the images with a 3 megapixel camera; printed 8x10"s on an inkjet; then flatbed scanned them; then upsized them. One gets from the photoshop certifed expert a giant bloaded file with lost shadows; lost highlights; mostly useless pixels. This is the inputs we got for hockey dasher board vinyls; ie 36x144" stuff thats really only needs say an 10 ppi image; maybe 25 if their is public skating.</p>

<p>It doesnt always work to get clients to change; they are experts; they took some courses; their brains are full; theirs egos as bloaded with BS as the files they create. Thus one tip toes around so their egos do not pop and try to trick them into also sending the original P&S digital file; a dumb jpeg with real shadows; no banding from their printer! Sadly this is very common; it is rare with a total pro or total amateur; its most common with folks with a tad of knowledge; enough to be dangerous. -------</p>

[gulfbeach47]

 

<p >Carl Stone, Thanks for your opinion/personal attack. I expect a car or computer manufacturer to do what their warranty says, not tell me one thing and then if I have a problem down the road tell me another. <strong>All </strong>Apple techs and sales people should <strong>ALL</strong> Clearly Know Warranty info when asked about it. Not one person telling me maybe, another saying it is according to my zip code etc.. If I am on a deadline and my machine is down, I want to know what my opitons are. Of course I expect a tech to come to my home if they tell me that is part of their Protection Plan rather then be told later.. "No, that other Apple employee was wrong and you will have to mail the machine in for repair (maybe 10 days or so) or drive 200 plus miles to a Apple Store." Am I willing to pay for that level of service? Yes... and they are the ones that are saying that they do it or at least some of them are saying that. You would know that if you read my post. With the Dell, I had 24/7 phone support and yes I had a problem once and they came to the house and fixed it, no questions asked, no extra charge. Granted I figure that Dell and PC's are probably going to have more problems, but I do have peace of mind knowing that it will be fixed quickly. With Apple, I have been told a variety of answers. I wonder how they can send a tech to fix it at my home when they looked at my zip code there are no qualified repair people in my area? Of course I am going to research Apple since it is new to me. No, Apple is not my mother, but to suggest that Apple is not responsible for something that I did stupid tells me a little about you. Machines are machines....All machines can have problems,whether caused by a stupid person or a machine error. As for car comparison, I buy Honda and know that I have a great car and know that Honda backs what they say in regards to warranty. I may have to get the car towed to the dealer but repairs are made that day. Carl, you say you make a living comparing computers. Perhaps you need a day off or go back to bed and roll out on the other side of bed. I don't see a reason for your attitude. As for everyone else on what he thinks <strong>has become ridiculous thread</strong> thanks for your help.</p>

<p ><a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=730454">Carl Stone</a> <a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" /></a>, Jan 24, 2009; 11:19 a.m.This thread has become ridiculous, as has the OP. John, if you buy a new car, and you have trouble with it do you expect the manufacturer to send someone to your house to address the problem? Are you really willing to pay what that level of service actually costs? Apple will service your iMac, should it become necessary, and at their expense. Apple is far and away the number one rated computer company for customer support. They are not your mother, and they are not responsible if you do something stupid to your iMac. It's a computer for crying out load, not a heart for a transplant. Buy it, or don't, but please quit being childish. You need to make a decision, and then live with it, just like the rest of us. HTH</p>

 

[Carl Stone]

<p>No, John, I do not make a living "comparing computers", and never said that I did. In fact, I didn't mention what I do, but FYI, I'm retired. Further, I have not personally attacked you, although I have commented on your juvenile behavior in this thread. You are apparently looking for something that does not exist, which is for Apple to babysit you with an iMac. Apple has excellent tech support, but the best cannot repair a hardware issue over the phone. I have considerable experience with Apple, and I can tell you that if your machine needs service, they will send you a box to ship it back to them, and it won't take 10 days! If you call during normal business hours, the box will very likely be there the next business day, and normally you can get it picked up to be returned to Apple the very same day, unless you live on Mars. </p>

<p>If you are expecting the same level of service that people who live close to an Apple Store get, while living 200 miles away, forget it. Many people here who own iMacs have told you what the score is with regard to service, and that includes me. Your questions have been addressed here, and then you run and call Apple. Tell me, John, why not just ask them to begin with, since the pros responding here have not been able to get through to you? </p>

<p>I SERIOUSLY doubt that you will challenge the performance of an iMac to the degree that Patrick does, and he has no issues with putting out HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL images using his iMac. Can you grasp that???? SHEESH! </p>

[gulfbeach47]

<p>Sorry Carl, i meant to say, <strong>you made a living reparing computers, not comparing computers.</strong><br>

<a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/user?user_id=730454"><strong>Carl Stone</strong></a><strong> </strong><a href="http://www.photo.net/member-status-icons"><strong><img title="Frequent poster" src="http://static.photo.net/v3graphics/member-status-icons/1roll.gif" alt="" /></strong></a><strong>, Jan 22, 2009; 07:34 p.m. Of I made my living repairing PCs, I might also find fault with an iMac. </strong><br>

Your reply that Apple will <strong>likely</strong> ship fixed computer back the next day is questionable and I don't know where you get your information. If only Apple would say the same thing when I called them. I posted my questions after I called Apple with other questions and asked them who/where/how I would get repairs I got a different answer when I called them at night. So, I called during the day and got yet other answers. So, yes it is a concern for me. If you cannot fathom that, then it is your problem not mine. I have already made it known that I am not a computer whiz and trying to compare me to Patrick is just childish. Patrick is most likely light years ahead of me but that is not the issue. I was seeking answers and there is no need for your negative comments. I don't have the time or need to respond to your replies anymore. Have a good day.</p>

[kelly_flanigan1]

<p>John;</p>

<p>what you really need is more than one computer; more than one camera; more than one flash. Life is not perfect.<br /> <br /> Thus if there is an issue one has a backup.<br /> Clients do not like excuses; they like actual results.<br /> <br /> My sisters 2 month old 3 grand mac laptop when visting 4 years ago would not boot up; thus it was not allowed thru TSA airport screening; is was a brand new unit; not a refurb like she normally buys. I had to ship it back thru UPS since the unit was dead as a doornail; the HDA had crashed and just made a loud racket.</p>

<p>You will never buy an ultimate computer; another better mac of pc is just around the corner; faster, cheaper.</p>

<p>A friends new Honda had its manual transmission not filed with oil; the car's transmission seized up; since it was a brand new model year it took 3 weeks to get a replacement transmission. It died on a trip to Las Vegas; he bought the car to have a more reliable one. This also happened with another friends brand new Ford Mustang back in the 1980's; the transmission died on the 101 freeway; same thing no oil. Again since it was as a brand new model year it took several weeks jacking around to pulling a transmission of the Detroit assembly line. Another associate like Mazdas; his RX7 had its oil changed at the dealership; they drained the manual transmission. The associate mad it from LA to San Diego; then the transmission ate it self up when going back in LA; ie no oil. It only took on week for this fix.</p>

<p>Putting all one eggs into one basket is abit risky; a major repair of a car or computer is not going to be one day.</p>

<p>If you want the "Man from Glad" to parachute into your yard to fix a hardware issue you will have to pay royally.<br /> <br /> Stuff happens; plan and have backups.</p>

<p>Even an old G4 or Ibm Pentium III box will save ones bacon; or ones old digital camera if ones current one dies.</p>

<p> </p>

[Carl Stone]

<p>That was a typo, John. It should have read "IF I made my living repairing PCs, I might also find fault with an iMac." Unfortunately, we cannot edit posts on this forum. <br>

Where do I get my info concerning repair? Mac EXPERIENCE, John, that's where I get it. However, I have not needed service with my current model iMac, beyond getting the wired mouse replaced. I called, it was delivered the next day, and then I returned the faulty one the same day the new one was delivered. Tracking info confirmed that the following day Apple had the errant mouse back at their facility in California. Even if you had an Apple Store in your back yard, and I have 4, they sometimes have to order parts to complete a service, and normally it's an overnight wait, IF they have to order at all. This is not rocket science, John, you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. </p>

<p>It's really too bad that pros are satisfied with their iMacs, yet YOU have issues, and you've never owned one. Think about it! </p>

[gulfbeach47]

<p>Kelly, as I mentioned in other post, I was looking at a macbook for a backup and a couple of other reasons. My concern was all the different answers that Apple was giving me. They need to be on the same page in regards to their warranty policy, don't you think?<br>

You said>> "Clients do not like excuses; they like actual results." That is my point. Our reputation depends on our results. When I tell someone that I can have their photos ready in a day or 3 days, I want to be able to back that statement up, not tell them..well you misunderstood me.. what I meant was 5 or 7 days.<br>

On another note, I am working on photos today and need to get on them. I appreciate your input.</p>

[Carl Stone]

<p>Kelly is right. If you are a pro, then there is no excuse for not having a backup if a piece of equipment goes down. It's OK for amateurs, they don't have clients to please. </p>

[gulfbeach47]

<p>Carl, I was not talking about getting a mouse repaired. Good grief.<br>

Guess I was always an amateur, since I did not have a back up computer until now. Oops..guess that is an excuse.<br>

Actually, photography was just a hobby until a injury 3 years ago forced me to look for another type of work. I went back to college taking photos courses and freelancing on the side. I had never seen a Mac until then. The door opened up for me and now photography is my career. There was no need for a back-up computer until now. Never judge someone unless you have the facts. I don't need to answer to you because you are unhappy with my questions. It always amazes me when people take the time to put down others on a forum, rather then skip to another topic.<br>

My clients are more then happy. Samples of my amateur work can be seen on my portfolio here.</p>

[Carl Stone]

<p>The point, John, was that it was a hardware issue, and that it was a mouse instead of the iMac itself, is not relevant. The service was as fast as could be expected, which I was trying to convey to you. I could have just as easily sent an iMac back to Apple in the same time frame. Call on Monday, they send a pickup out on Tuesday, and it's at Apple on Wednesday for service. That is a long way from 10 days. Considering your location, I can't see how you could do better than that level of service. </p>

<p>I wish you the best in your Career, John. Hopefully, you now have enough info to make a choice. </p>

[gulfbeach47]

<p>Carl, one of the Apple Tech told me "around 10 days" during one of my calls trying to get correct info from them. I took that to mean it could be less or more then 10 days. I'm not here to bash Mac or any members. Just wanted to discuss my options with the iMac and then came upon the Apple Care issue. Majority of members on here says the service is good. I have to go with that and the feedback from Apple employees on the phone and make a choice as you say. Again thanks for all the help from everyone. </p>

[patricklavoie]

<p>@ KELLY/ totally agree with you in a bisennes related environment i would also get the biggest box possible to handle file made by know - it - all pro client. But since whe are talking about normal user here, most of them being people who work with normal size file from there 12mpix camera, i still think that 4gig is more than enough. But for all the rest you talk about, im with you.</p>

<p>@ ALL USER/ I have the chance to change my computer every 24month max, even sometime after not much than a year (like my newly Imac 24 inch bought in February 2008..sold last week for 1500$CAN worth 2100$CAN) so for me i dont ahve to think what would apend in 5-9 years with it. SO i agree that if i was to keep my computer for the longest time possible i would crank it up to the max of everyhting when i buy it.</p>

<p>@ JOHN/ no apple tech will ever come to your place froma pple store or apple directly..forget about it. The only tech you will see is one in your town, self employed or from a pc store that also do the mac maintance but not paid by apple. That means that you will need to pay him also even if you ahve take the Apple Care. The good thing about the Apple care is that you get 3 years instead of 1 years, and they are normally pretty fast for the repair. They normally (if ask at that moment) also ship you a new unit before they get yours..a way of helping you not loosing biseness along the way, but that is not official, it depen of the tech on the line.</p>

<p>The point Carl try to make about my use of a Imac is simple; if this Iamc 24inch is good enough for a professional that use it to the max, it should be more than enough for a regular / heavy user. Im sure it wastn meant to ridiculize you in any way.</p>

<p>The only thing i could had is if you dont feel comfortable to get a mac, stay with what you know, and get a mega super PC and you will live happy. If you are ready to make a swiutch, i am 300% suure that a Imac is all you need. Go and make the jump.</p>

[Carl Stone]

<p>Well said, Patrick. </p>

[gulfbeach47]

Patrick & Carl- Sorry if it sounded like I was asking if an acual Apple "Store" tech would come to my home. Emails can be hard to understand at times and mine as not too clear. I meant an Authorized Apple Technician frim my area. Apple contacted me today after I had mentioned to them the other day about all the different answers I had gotten from staff. The salesperson was curious and concerned about this issue also, since she did not know the clear answer. She confirmed that an "authorized tech" will come to the home for desktop repairs if it cannot be fixed over the phone. There would be No Extra charge if I had AppleCare Protection Plan . And as I mentioned this is desktop only. Laptop would have to brought to Apple Store or mailed in. Hope this clears it up for anyone else following our discussion. I finally got in touch with a former college classmate here locally and he confimed that he had tech come to his home @ no charge. It alway pays to do the homework.

 

Patrick >@ JOHN/ no apple tech will ever come to your place from apple store or apple directly..forget about it. The only tech you will see is one in your town, self employed or from a pc store that also do the mac maintance but not paid by apple. That means that you will need to pay him also even if you ahve take the Apple Care. The good thing about the Apple care is that you get 3 years instead of 1 years, and they are normally pretty fast for the repair. They normally (if ask at that moment) also ship you a new unit before they get yours..a way of helping you not loosing biseness along the way, but that is not official, it depen of the tech on the line.