If you're looking for something a bit different, but still in the PC/Windows realm, I'd look at a VAIO or Shuttle desktop. The design and quality set them apart from the usual run of the mill, in my experience.

Steve

but really fancy something completely different, any suggestions?

Do you mean 'different' software wise or hardware wise, or both?

If it's just software you could get a new PC with a variant of Linux, I believe some laptops are now coming pre-installed if you look hard enough.

If it's hardware there are some nice looking (think black iMac) touchscreen PC's due with Windows 7.

If it's both & just for home use, surfing, bit of photoshop, movies etc I still think you can't go wrong with the base model iMac. I have a 5yr old iMac that does all that with ease (it is a PPC though ).

At the end of the day only you know what you really want. Go to PC world & try a few. I don't know if there's anywhere you can try Linux. I know you can get 'Live CD's' that allow you to run without installing but if your PC's old & playing up that's probably not an option. I'm sure others on here would know where you could try it.

Cheers

Darren

I don't know if there's anywhere you can try Linux. I know you can get 'Live CD's' that allow you to run without installing but if your PC's old & playing up that's probably not an option. I'm sure others on here would know where you could try it.

Some of the netbooks use ubuntu, so try and find one of these in the shop (comet sell them I think) and an easy way to try Linux out.

That brings me onto the main thing I don't like about macs. I don't like the likeness to Linux, I think that after paying that much, they would try to distance themselves as much as possble (visually at least) to it's UINX based sister.

At the end of the day, it's your money, so totally up to you where to spend it. If it was mine, I would buy a PC, then add OS's as required. Mac OS's can be installed on them with some fiddling, and thats how I would go about getting a mac system, just buying the OS and installing it to a pc.

Didn't know you could do that Triggerfish,

Google it.

Not personally tried it, but a friend at uni has. Not sure exaclty what they have done as I haven't seen him since, but I think he had a modified copy (didn't need a product key, but I don't indorse this:rotz:) which had some extra files added to allow it to boot/install to a normal pc (I think).

It did however, remove all his partions so he had to get those back, and he hasn't got USB's working yet (it's on an HP which seem bad for this kinda thing), but I don't know how hard he has tried.

*Edit* Think it can be put on Intel and AMD systems as well. (His is Intel with nVidea graphics.)

Any PC-folk thinking of seeing what a Mac is like with a ten minute poke-about at PC World, consider it like test driving a Ferrari around a car park. You'll think the clutch is too heavy, the steering awful with a lousy turning circle, it's uncomfortable and noisy, rear, and all visibility appalling, and the ride is atrocious. However, a proper run on a good flowing A-road will prove a revelation ! It takes a while to adjust to the Mac way, but it's worth it IMHO.

John Lewis isn't bad for demoing/mucking about on a variety of hardware I've found

Usually gives me something to do while SWMBO is off looking at some soft furnishings or other such rubbish

Steve

John Lewis isn't bad for demoing/mucking about on a variety of hardware I've found

Usually gives me something to do while SWMBO is off looking at some soft furnishings or other such rubbish

Steve

It's my favourite shop too.

I suppose with the PC/Mac debate you'll never find a clear answer as to which is best - horses for courses i'd say. People will be biased based on what they use at home and professionally.

I use a DELL PC at work but have a new generation iMac at home (just about 1 yr old), and have to say that I absolutely love my iMac. I really like the OS and user interface - very smooth! I find it's a lot easier to write my own music (with programmes like Logic Pro and Garageband etc). Programmes like Cubase and Sonar were forever crashing on my old PC, as well as every other bleedin bit of software. In 4.5 yrs I had to rebuild my PC 3 times cause of hardware failure (motherboard, graphics card etc.).

That said, it was great for gaming:)

The only criticism I have of Macs is that they are so damn expensive! I'd love a 15in Macbook Pro, but at £1500 for a semi-decent spec, it's gonna have to wait!

If you can afford one though, I would def recommend an iMac:)

I suppose with the PC/Mac debate you'll never find a clear answer as to which is best

I think it all depends on what you're going to use it for, in my case I needed a hard core workstation for running Avid Media Composer and Adobe apps. I couldnt stomach the cost of an official HP workstation circa £8k or something and a Mac is not quite there for stability running Avid so I went ahead and built my own i7 machine with nVidia FX1800 card. The cost was about £2200 with dual monitors and is fully loaded , besides being hugely satisfying doing a DIY machine I 100% know what's inside and how it works, if things go wrong I have a good idea of what needs doing.

I often use a Mac Book Pro and a Mac Pro for running Final Cut Pro or whilst working on location using the RED camera, but I know if I'm undertaking a big project it has to be done on my Avid / PC as it simply works better. Just about every other day I have this argument with our design guys at work and if you're only using Adobe Apps then I would have to concede and say a Mac is worth the money.

I wouldnt pay the extra for a 'white box' if all I was doing was messing about on the internet and storing photos. I just bought SWMBO a dell notebook for that. BTW its a decent looking machine with the glossy top covers or vinyl prints you can get. Have a look a the Dell factory outlet on their website, some good bargains there and all come with warranty.

On the subject of virus's - with the increased popularity of Mac's these days it wont be long before they're also troubled by such 'attacks'.

John