iMac?? Has anyone purchased the new iMac with Retina 5K display? I realize that it is very new and probably not many users out there yet. It is getting pretty good reviews. The last...

Festus Loc: North Dakota

Has anyone purchased the new iMac with Retina 5K display? I realize that it is very new and probably not many users out there yet. It is getting pretty good reviews. The last Mac I owned was the IIG 20 years or so ago. I am seriously thinking of going the Mac route but it will take some pushing for me. I have read many discussions on this site and it seems that it is as heated as the Canon / Nikon discussions. I guess what I am looking for is: What do you like about the Mac versus what do you like about Windows systems.

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

My son-in-law has one and loves it - says photo's are life like.
I'm hinting they make good Christmas gifts ;)

bw79st Loc: New York City

Festus wrote:

Has anyone purchased the new iMac with Retina 5K d... (show quote)

I can't give an in-depth analysis of why I prefer a Mac as it has been more than six years since I had a PC. I can tell you that all my fears of changing over melted away when I did switch. All my files were readable. The big plus was how much sense the Mac made in comparison to the Windows system. It is, flat out, a more intelligent and simpler way of setting up an operating system. Also, I have yet to run into the problems I had with PCs regarding crashes or failed equipment. Maybe I'm pushing it by going six plus years and maybe I really should go for the new Mac but at the moment nothing is compelling me to do so.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

I bought my first Mac 7 years ago but didn't get into photography for another year after bringing snapshots from a little point and shoot into iPhoto. Photography aside, the Mac blew away my windows machines just in ease of use and sheer elegance. That followed right into diving into photography with my first DSLR, a Nikon D80 which has been retired. You can't go wrong with the Mac and, after seeing that awesome display on the new iMac, I now know what my next purchase is.

NoSocks Loc: quonochontaug, rhode island

bw79st wrote:

I can't give an in-depth analysis of why I prefer ... (show quote)

Good point. My 7 year old iMac is going strong and I dont "need" a new one. I just "want" a new one. How many PC's do you go through in 7 years. Probably 3 and counting? Just one of the justifications for the investment.

Festus Loc: North Dakota

bw79st wrote:

I can't give an in-depth analysis of why I prefer ... (show quote)

Thanks for the reply. This is exactly what I am looking for. About 4 years ago I had a custom PC made. I usually do this as I can pick the top end components and the PC will be good for about 5 years. However, I have had to do so many repairs (hard drive failures, corrupt registry, needing to reformat and start anew. etc.) that I could have purchased a new Mac for what I spent. It seems to me Macs just have fewer issues such as those I mentioned.

Thombar Loc: Hominy, OK

Festus wrote:

Has anyone purchased the new iMac with Retina 5K d... (show quote)

I bought my first Mac about 10 years ago and had many fears of switching from the Windows system. Took a bit to get comfy but I have zero regrets. I'm on my second one and it is way better than my first one. It is getting a bit slow now and I'm seriously considering the new retina display. Have no fears - once you use a Mac you will never go back to Windows! There are just so many pluses. As a photographer you will love the screen display. You don't have to worry about viruses - I've never had one in ten years. Systems crashes seldom happen and usually can be easily fixed.

OldSaltyDog

I have owned an iMAC 24 for 7 years after using PCs for many years. I have never had any problems with the iMAC and even now after 7 years it runs as good today as it did the day we purchased it. They are great computers. I have looked at and played with the new iMAC 27 5K and it looks to be a fantastic computer. The image quality is truly amazing. We are saving our pennies now and will be buying one soon. :thumbup:

justabeginner

I switched from PC to Mac several years ago. I've had no crashes or problems. I was concerned that learning a new operating system would be difficult but that was not the case. I have an iPhone and iPad and love the ecosystem. It just works.

Spikes Loc: Brookings, Or

I have a imac that is 2 years old and really like it. I'm not familiar with Windows computers but my wife's HPis in the shop about every 3 months. I have had no problems with mine.

ArtzDarkroom Loc: Near Disneyland-Orange County, California

Where are the Apple detractors? The Defenders of Windows? I'll check back in later.

btw, yes I have a 3 year old MacBook Pro. It is the first computer I actually had to buy with my own money.

I have been using Macs continuously since 1988. I started teaching students how to use PhotoShop (7th/8th graders) in 1996. After I retired I had to pay for my own. Yes, I have used Windows as well, but I would never pay for that torture again.

Somebody mentioned never getting an online Virus. I can support that with my constant use on the Internet since 1996. Not a single virus. I laugh at companies trying to sell virus protection online to Mac owners. They are obviously aimed at the fearful people that have just made the switch from Windows to Apple.

Somebody said, 'Elegant'. Indeed they are. Simple to use as well. My laptop has a slot for my SD card. I don't need a reader.

A few years ago while taking some computer courses at the local community college I noticed the Business Dept. used Windows exclusively and the Art Dept. used Macs/Apples exclusively.

krajeski Loc: Connecticut

Festus wrote:

Thanks for the reply. This is exactly what I am looking for. About 4 years ago I had a custom PC made. I usually do this as I can pick the top end components and the PC will be good for about 5 years. However, I have had to do so many repairs (hard drive failures, corrupt registry, needing to reformat and start anew. etc.) that I could have purchased a new Mac for what I spent. It seems to me Macs just have fewer issues such as those I mentioned.

My I-MAC has been running strong for nearly 7 years. I bought it from an Apple store where the rep talked me into a lesser than top of the line model that would be adequate for my needs. I did not look far enough into the future. If I had I would have gone with more memory, a faster processor and a larger hard drive. Who knows how many megapixels DSLRs will offer in the next 5 years 50? 100? Programs are always growing and adding features that require more memory. Bigger is better if you plan to keep it for the long run.

Kevin R. Roberts Loc: Galveston Island, Texas

#1 Mac advantage is bundled software. #2 Virus free. That is enough justification to switch. Why drive a Ford when you can drive a Porche?

lbrandt79 Loc: League City, Tx.

NoSocks wrote:

Good point. My 7 year old iMac is going strong and I dont "need" a new one. I just "want" a new one. How many PC's do you go through in 7 years. Probably 3 and counting? Just one of the justifications for the investment.

These posts are the number one reply I have for people who complain about the cost of Macs, I tell them yeah but you will buy three PCs before you replace this one :). I recently replaced one because I wanted to and I had maxed my RAM on the 2007 model, but it is still going strong and the guy that has it loves it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Festus wrote:

Has anyone purchased the new iMac with Retina 5K d... (show quote)

If you can justify the cost and get it configured the way you want, go for it. Look at the memory and hard drive options. My imaginary 5k Mac has lots of memory and an SSD drive. The reviews I've read are very good. You can wait for a refurb to become available, but that will take months.