My 1st Mac

[Stuxnet]

So I was fairly anti-Apple until I nabbed an iPhone 4 last spring (dunked my Droid 2 in a cup of coffee and let it soak for 2 hours before realizing it - long story... Word to the wise, don't use an empty coffee mug as a phone holder and then situate your actual coffee mug next to it).

Anywho...

I tolerated you people and your fanaticism. 10 minutes with my iPhone purged my love for my Droid. Sacrificing a little customization for unmatched polish and "it just works" is a great design philosophy.

Then I got my iPad 2. Not because I wanted one, mind you. My corrupt boss/client wanted one and knew he couldn't expense one to the pres, so he had me buy two of them and expense them through him. I got to keep one as a kind stfu. Behold, I was soon using this "solution without a problem" more than my new Lenovo T510 workhorse. Why? Probably because it's just slick as hell.

Started a new job a couple months ago: most of my fellow tech leads (.Net developers and Java developers!) bring their MBA and MBP to work. What self-respecting MS developer even owns one of these contraptions, let alone flaunts them out in the open?

So I hit the Apple store yesterday after doing some research about boot camp (you mean I can have both?! Hmmmmmm....) and saw the 27" iMac ... Holy shit. I want a MBP that I can haul around, but daaaamn.... That iMac...... Daaaaaaamn!

Decisions...

 

[Ns1]

I'd sell my 21" for a 27" if I could afford it

 

[swanysto]

I have a 27" iMac. It is pretty sweet. The screen is gorgeous. To tell you the truth though, I wouldn't have it if it weren't for the fact that it allows me to have only 3 wires in my office. I miss the thrill of upgrading, as you cannot really upgrade anything on it. However, I don't really game anymore, so I get over it pretty quick.

I don't know how good it is for developers, it definitely suits my needs. I only build websites and stuff though. Mostly php/html, simple stuff.

I will say that I am glad I bought it. I won't however admit to being a apple person

 

[Kadarin]

I'm typing this message now on a 27" iMac... I've never had a computer I've liked more than this one.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

How can I describe my 27" iMac? Wholesome. Really, it seems as it everything about it is just right and just fits together wonderfully. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but the high res 27" screen means one can be very productive and multitask with ease.

Nevermind the Macbooks, get yourself an iMac instead if you don't really need the portability.

 

[Oil]

Love my 27". The only thing I might want to get for it is a SSD but that will be down the road a bit.

If this is going to be a home computer only, don't get a Macbook

 

[Stuxnet]

Thanks for the advice, everyone - iMac 27" it is

 

[manly]

I'm not following the road map, but Ivy Bridge in calendar Q1?

Be advised:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#iMac

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

Love my 27". The only thing I might want to get for it is a SSD but that will be down the road a bit.

If this is going to be a home computer only, don't get a Macbook

External SSD Thunderbolt? I plan on replacing the DVD drive with an SSD down the road, and getting an external Mac Air drive instead. And upgrading the primary 1TB to 3TB or larger.

 

[TheStu]

External SSD Thunderbolt? I plan on replacing the DVD drive with an SSD down the road, and getting an external Mac Air drive instead. And upgrading the primary 1TB to 3TB or larger.

The MacBook Air external superdrive will literally ONLY work with the MacBook Air. It is possible that they have fixed this since the Mini comes sans optical now, but I don't know for sure.

For the iMacs, there is actually a slot for an SSD since you are apparently willing to crack it open.

 

[swanysto]

The MacBook Air external superdrive will literally ONLY work with the MacBook Air. It is possible that they have fixed this since the Mini comes sans optical now, but I don't know for sure.

For the iMacs, there is actually a slot for an SSD since you are apparently willing to crack it open.

I believe there is a spot for it, but it does not come with the cage to hold it from what I have been told, unless the iMac was shipped with two drives. I have found it very difficult finding a cage for it on the internet.

 

[alent1234]

the apple store in-store pickup is working again. 0% financing approved

now only question is refurb 13" MBP or new one

 

[MrX8503]

I have a 27" ACD + 13" MBP setup and I love it. Its more expensive, but it gives me the best of both worlds. Now with the new Thunderbolt display, its even better since you only need to plug in two cords. (Thunderbolt + power) This cuts down cables immensely.

 

[santuitman]

bootcamp and fusion works well for me. The 27" is plenty big to run both OS at the same time!

 

[nerp]

Thanks for the advice, everyone - iMac 27" it is

You won't regret it. I can't imagine not using this baby every day. I work from home so I get to enjoy it for work and play. I have the wimpier i3 27" but it does everything I need. I just wish there was a Windows Home Server client for Mac. :/

 

[Reliant]

You won't regret it. I can't imagine not using this baby every day. I work from home so I get to enjoy it for work and play. I have the wimpier i3 27" but it does everything I need. I just wish there was a Windows Home Server client for Mac. :/

What are you trying to do that requires WHS console? I have a Mac and WHS combo in my home and I think I have most everything ironed out.

 

[swanysto]

What are you trying to do that requires WHS console? I have a Mac and WHS combo in my home and I think I have most everything ironed out.

If you have a WHS without monitor, and all the rest of your devices are Apple, it makes it a pain to make any changes or check anything on the server.

 

[vi edit]

If you have a WHS without monitor, and all the rest of your devices are Apple, it makes it a pain to make any changes or check anything on the server.

I don't have WHS, but does it not support RDP connections? MS makes an RDP client for Macs.

 

[nerp]

What are you trying to do that requires WHS console? I have a Mac and WHS combo in my home and I think I have most everything ironed out.

Automatic backups, for one. I have an external HD attached to the iMac for Time Capsule, but I'd rather have the backups handled automatically by WHS. The http interface on the Mac is also limited compared to the console on my PCs. For file sharing, WHS works great with the Mac, and that's my primary need.

 

[swanysto]

I don't have WHS, but does it not support RDP connections? MS makes an RDP client for Macs.

I have to check again, but I don't believe it does. The WHS Console is the RDP connection.

 

[vi edit]

I have to check again, but I don't believe it does. The WHS Console is the RDP connection.

If you need to get into the console then you can try adding the \console or \admin handle to the end of the IP or server name you are connecting to.

 

[Reliant]

Automatic backups, for one. I have an external HD attached to the iMac for Time Capsule, but I'd rather have the backups handled automatically by WHS. The http interface on the Mac is also limited compared to the console on my PCs. For file sharing, WHS works great with the Mac, and that's my primary need.

I run Time Machine backups to my WHS. Took a few console commands, but it works like charm after.

 

[Reliant]

I have to check again, but I don't believe it does. The WHS Console is the RDP connection.

It does support RDP. It's just a version of Windows Server, so it has RDP access.

MS offers a free RDP client for Mac. I use this. It's also bundled with Office if you have that installed. So Admin is pretty easy at that point.