<p>i have an iMac DV+ 450 (heck yes) from five years ago.
i have made a short film, recorded songs, and all that crazy stuffs.
but i know it's not the fastest computer in the world.</p>
<p>basically.. do i need a new computer?
if so, should i get a cheap PC notebook in an addition to iMac?
or should i get a Powerbook or iBook??
i want to save a dorm room space, but i also want to save money (and i want to have a mac too) :P
i also think, PC might be easier to work within a college.. software, requirements, and what not.. i mean i've been experiencing that kinda problem all the time, and trying to find an alternative all the time .. plus i'm an engineering major-0-)</p>
<p>i want to hear various opinions (and it's kinda awesome that there are many mac users on CC)
can iMac from 1999 do its job in a college (and probably engineering softwares)??</p>
<p>It depends how much you want to spend on the pc.... I would get a pc just to have the best of both worlds......... just make sure the laptop is slim so you can carry it around.</p>
<p>If its good enough for what you need it for then why buy a new one? It really comes down to what you're going to use it for and how comfortable you are with the current speed (ie processor, ram). If it still works, just keep it and save your precious money. On the other hand, you can buy a good basic PC (not necessarily the fastest) for around $350 to 400 if you look around.</p>
<p>Hopefully you know that Apple is switching over to the Intel family of processors beginning next year and finishing up with their entire product line by the end of 2007. With that in mind, you are actually in a good position. It sounds like you're happy with your five year old IMac. As long as you can run OS X and MS Office for Mac, you should be fine.</p>
<p>Going into 2006, you can see how the Apple transition to Intel is going and decide if you want to upgrade to the latest MacTel machines. My guess is that any PC-based engineering software will run much better in the forthcoming MacTel computers than in the final iteration of the G chip machines running Virtual PC. </p>
<p>My advise is to not buy anything (Apple or PC) until next year.</p>
<p>I just replaced my iMacDV 400 (deep colors, not fruity!) with a Mac mini a little over a month ago. It still worked well, but it just really didn't have enought power to run Adobe Creative Suite and after i gave it to my mom I found out that the CD drive and modem were dead in it. I debated getting a PC laptop and keeping the iMac, but in the end it was cheaper to get the mini and a new display. I don't regret the desision at all!!</p>
<p>Check with your school and see if they support Macs and PCs, because some do wholeheartedly, meaning geting a PC or Mac is more of a preference thing unless you are in a department with some sort of requirement (graphics design...)</p>
<p>it seems like most of engineering/math programs run (or more focused) on Windows at a level of undergraduate college. what do you think?</p>
<p>well i'm thinking about getting a laptop because i think having a portable computer is pretty good in a college. </p>
<p>i love looks and idea of miniMac but i'm hesitant to get that, cuz it's just a desktop afterall, and during moving-in and -out, that can be an obstacle.</p>
<p>Well, the obstacles of move-in and move-out with a desktop are more the pain of lugging CRTs and towers, I would think. While a mini and LCD would be more troublesome than a laptop, I wouldn't think they would be that much more unless you have to find a way to ship an LCD from far away. Plus with a mini you can't take it wherever. miniMacs are cute and cheap, but not very powerful.</p>
<p>CRT's and Towers for life!!! (ok, so I will be switching out the CRT for an LCD but to be fair, the CRT is probobly bigger than my college desk).</p>
<p>Move-in and move-out shouldnt be where you take issue (you only gotta do it twice). If you've ever been to a LAN party, those people have to go through the whole process 4 times in just a day or so and its not a big deal for them.</p>
<p>Hehehe... LAN parties... They do generally have less people and don't involve several flights of stairs, like college dorms, but I agree that move-in and move-out should not be the reason that you get a laptop. Some people do freak out at the thought of unplugging a computer and moving it, though. My parents acted really weird the first time I went to a LAN party and my dad borrowed an absolutely useless windows 95 laptop for me to use instead.</p>
<p>If it's the hooking it up thats an issue, you should probobly learn how to do it in the first place (usefull skill) and if you are a girl, there is probobly going to be someone right there who can help you. Actually, even if you arent a girl, there will be plenty of help on move-in day.</p>
<p>I've taken my computer places many times, and I've never had to carry it once I got there, only when I get home and am putting it back at my desk. :) One of the few advantages to being a girl, I suppose.</p>