New Computer

[GMoney]

So I'm in the market for a new computer. I've had my Dell laptop for 5 years now and with all the music and other shit i've downloaded the thing has seen better days - Hell im pretty stoaked I made it through college on one computer. I know guys who needed 3! So its time for a new one, but I wouldn't mind some help from the more computer savvy guys in the forum.

Basicaly the computer will be used for music/ipod, digital pictures, internet, email, instant messaging, gambling, and the occasional work from home word/excel document.

Im really looking hard at the Apple iMac G5. I've heard great things about it and everyone who uses apples loves them. I think the user interface with programs i'd be using alot (Itunes, digital camera) is super easy. Plus the fact that virus's just aren't common in macs like they are in windows based computersmakes the Mac a solid option. However i've heard that most poker sites dont run on mac's (I use Ultimate Bet and Paradise Poker). But I believe there is a way to use Windows on a mac. I also dont really NEED a laptop, since my work provides me with one, but im pretty impartial to laptop/desktop.

I dont know, computer stuff makes me :dunno:

Any thoughts, suggestions, reviews/complaints would be appreciated. Thanks guys, and here's to a great, profitable new year:cheers:

[SkinsFan]

I love macs.... they are SOLID, especially from a software point of view.... they never crash.... never get viruses... and i've never seen any spyware crap on my mac either... you can buy a software package that lets you emulate windows XP on your mac.... but ughhh.... can't stand windows.... i know you need it for some things (poker, for example).... but that is all changing.... Apple is going to intel chips beginning 1Q 2006, so hopefully software developers will have less difficulty porting their applications.

You are right about the software aspect... ITunes and IPhoto are very nice apps.... The internet browser (Safari) blows Internet explorer out of the water.... You have pop up blocking that actually WORKS (unlike IE), tabbed browsing (open up dozens of web pages within once instance of your web browser), and it just seems like it loads web pages faster. You also have IChat, which you can use for you AOL IM... you can also download MSN Messenger for Mac. Microsoft also makes a mac version of Office, although if you don't need anything overly special, IWorks will do just fine (for $300 less!).

Bottom line, Apple's main advantage is that the computers are designed by the same people that make the software.... this is HUGE, and is the main reason the computers are so solid.

[DJTranks]

Well it depends on what you are going to use the computer for. That would be the first question I would ask.

Skins outlines some great details for Mac's.

I prefer desktop Windows enviroment over the Mac's- however I am a tech and know how to keep my computer clean with no viruses spyware etc... so it makes my life a lot easier.

If you did decide to go w/ Windows enviroment- they have a webbrowser called Firefox- which prevents spyware-popups and also has tab browsing.

Again- I would need to know what your main uses are for the computer before making a recommendation- if you just want to use it for digital photos- Itunes- email- internet browsing- then a Mac would be no problem.

It will also be interesting when Apple starts using Intel chips-- that is going to be a BIG change- will be very interesting..