So, I was considering an iMac.

[Horticulture]

I'm in the market for a new computer (blast this two year old laptop technology), and I was pretty impressed when I saw an iMac in Best Buy the other day.

Do any users of the Escapist have thoughts on the new 27 inch iMac? Do any of you own one? Are you satisfied with your purchase? How does it hold up in gaming?

There are better choices for gaming, though none of them are nearly as elegant as the iMac. The big, high resolution screen (2560x1440) combined with a midrange graphics processor (Radeon 4850) means you'll have to turn down the resolution in many games. If gaming is a major concern, consider something else, perhaps even a Macbook and a $1000 self-built desktop to get the best of both worlds.

 

[x0ny]

If you're a gamer, get a PC, unless all you play is blizzard games, then a Mac won't be bad.
If you're using software such word processors and spreadsheets for homework, still get a PC.
If you're using software such as Illustrator, Premiere, Maya, get a Mac.

 

[Julianking93]

I've got this and I love it:

Its hard for me to go back to PC after using this beauty of a computer.

 

[SniperWolf427]

I'm in the market for a new computer (blast this two year old laptop technology), and I was pretty impressed when I saw an iMac in Best Buy the other day.

Do any users of the Escapist have thoughts on the new 27 inch iMac? Do any of you own one? Are you satisfied with your purchase? How does it hold up in gaming?

There are better choices for gaming, though none of them are nearly as elegant as the iMac. The big, high resolution screen (2560x1440) combined with a midrange graphics processor (Radeon 4850) means you'll have to turn down the resolution in many games. If gaming is a major concern, consider something else, perhaps even a Macbook and a $1000 self-built desktop to get the best of both worlds.

The issue there would be that I would have to sell my current laptop. It isn't bad (dual-core 1.8 and an 8800GT), it just feels underpowered at times. I'd love to have a macbook and PC, however, my choices are rather limited, as this will be the very last computer my parents will buy me. It's sort of a "Choose one you want and stop nagging me about it," situation.

Unfortunately, I'm stuck in a rut. I fell in love with the iMac's display. But, as you said, it isn't terribly powerful in the graphics department. I wonder if there'd be room for crossfire, or even an upgrade?

 

[zari]

For a desktop, even though I love my iMac I think I'll be replacing it with a Windows box simply because of the fact that I tend to game on it more and use my MacBook Pro for work. For pure enjoyment of use though I wouldn't go anywhere but OSX these days. It's just a shame there isn't the gaming penetration there to ditch Windows altogether.

One of my friends bought herself a 27" iMac recently and to be honest, I find the screen too large for something you tend to sit relatively close to. It felt like I had to physically move my head to take in the entire display, which is just weird.

(Oh and "Do you like being able to fix problems with your computer without being hampered by a simplistic user interface that actually overcomplicates anything more difficult than changing your desktop?" made me laugh, but then we mustn't feed the trolls )

 

[Horticulture]

Unfortunately, I'm stuck in a rut. I fell in love with the iMac's display. But, as you said, it isn't terribly powerful in the graphics department. I wonder if there'd be room for crossfire, or even an upgrade?

To my knowledge, it's not possible to upgrade the video card in an iMac due to the all-in-one configuration. If you're dead-set on Apple's displays and still want to game, you could pair an Apple monitor with a PC. If you do, make sure to get a video card with a DisplayPort output.