New iMac or Hackintosh/PC Equiv.

[Moonshield]

So I don't often wander into this section of the forums, but I've been having an increasing interest in some new tech. My 5 year old macbook pro (obtained through a pretty sizable deal through school) been pretty alright for what I've needed it to do, but since both my freelancing work is picking up, and I'll need to update for grad school next year, I've been looking into getting a desktop. I basically know what I want, but the problem is my limited knowledge of product. I've run through Unlimited's stickied topic, but I figure since this is for a specific area of work, I could benefit from a specific topic. But before I go any further into the topic, I'm going to do something to piss some of you tech&pc regs off.

 

 

This is the new 27" iMac. It's absolutely gorgeous. With the i7 quad core processor and the 16 gigs of memory, it'll basically do everything I need to do - modeling and rendering, working with huge PS files, CAD, BIM, and the occasional audio and video editing. AutoDesk programs have never worked on Mac's OS's but thanks to bootcamp, I've been able to run it, though it isn't as fast on this guy as I'd like (AutoCAD's okay, but don't get me started on Revit or Maya). Seems great, but I'd be looking at a $2400 price tag with a student discount. Not to mention the fact that there's really no room at all to upgrade from what I start out with, unless I take it into the Apple Store and pay generally twice as much to upgrade anything, so it's pretty limited in that sense.

 

So I'm looking at other options. Building a PC is a good cost-effective idea. I can figure out exactly what I need to put together to do what I want the machine to do. The biggest drawback however, is with program compatibility. I don't want to have to buy an all new Adobe CS for the PC, or any of the other programs that I use on my computer already. On the other hand, I already have Windows 7. Dual Boot would rip something fierce. I know Otter has a Hackintosh, and I've been reading up on it. Seems like something that I could use. And the benefit of upgrading whenever I want is great.

 

What I'm wondering from you guys is, with those who have machines that do what I'd want mine to do (I'm looking at you, The-King), is what products I should consider, or if you have any suggestions, tips, or whatever else you could throw my way. I'm not clueless, I'm just not very well-versed in computer hardware.

 

And if you're going to come in here just to bitch about Apple, start some stupid Mac vs PC flame war, or call me a macfag, save minutes of your life (and go f*ck yourself). I'm looking for want want to consider the best options for me, and for what I want. So you can keep your petty superiority complex bullsh*t out of here.

[leik oh em jeez!]

While a quad core and plenty of RAM is good for CAD, you're not going to get anywhere without a decent workstation card, which I don't think you can just slap into an iMac like you can any other PC.

 

If you like the way the new iMacs look, check out HP's LCDs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16824176126

 

And you'd see much better performance running CAD programs natively on Windows. Running over top of two OSes will severly hurt performance, and will probably give you a slight "delay" even when performance is okay.

I'm not saying you won't be able to run CAD applications, I'm just saying they'd run a lot faster on top of one OS than they will on top of two.

 

If money isn't an issue, and it's a Mac you want, then by all means get a Mac. But price and performance wise, I think you'd be much better off with a PC.

 

Considering problems with program compatibility, you may want to dual-boot. It's not hard to do with Windows/Windows, Windows/Linux, or Windows/Windows/Windows/Windows/Linux. I've never dual-booted with Windows and a Mac OS before though. You may be able to find PC versions of programs cheap on ebay. Or contact the developer and see if you can get a PC version, since you did already buy the program once.

 

For Video editing, the differences between Mac and PC have pretty much evened out so that you can work just as well on Windows as you can on a Mac.

Audio editing however, I'm pretty sure it's a lot easier to find applications for a Mac than for PC.

[PresidentKiller]

 

Or contact the developer and see if you can get a PC version, since you did already buy the program once.

There was a time when they weren't a bunch of thieves, but nowadays they couldn't give a flying f*ck about that. If you want to use the software in another platform, you have to pay. Sad but true.

 

(Now, if you bought the latest version, you can always say: "I don't know anything about computers and I got the wrong version" and see if it sticks).

 

Back on topic, running Mac OS in a PC isn't an easy thing to do, especially with all the hardware checks the OS performs to see if it's indeed running in Apple hardware. There's some tutorials on the net (such as this one) and many other useful resources such as this and this. I'm sure somebody with experience in this can help you understand the more technical parts of the process or give you more tips.

 

Good luck.

[les]

Another thing to take into consideration is the actual display; especially when you're going to be working professionally with graphics. The imac comes fitted with a bad ass professional (read: Uses IPS screen technology) screen. I don't know how much they cost these days, because honestly I haven't priced them in over a year, but a quick look tells me dell wants to sell you a comparable screen for $1000.

 

If someone can post a list of OS X86 approved parts comparable to the imac, and a 27" IPS screen for less than $2400 bucks than you should definitely jump on it; I just don't think it's going to happen.

 

PS: I'm most likely going to forget ever posting this so any replies seeking my attention might need to be emailed to [email protected]

[les]

I realize my previous post makes me out to be a fanboy; I'd like to add that those are my thoughts for his particular situation. Myself - I'm an avid user of OS X, currently on a macbook.

 

That said, I'll never buy another apple computer as long as I live. Not because they're of poor quality - I've had mine for over 3 years and it's a refurb - it's because they are overpriced for a fairly casual user such as myself. I can look at the OS X86 project's approved list of laptops from other venders and save a boatload of cash and probably have a more powerful system.

[Moonshield]

Thanks for the replies guy, definitely giving me insight on this stuff and helping me zero in on what I want. I've been flipping through sites like hackint0sh.com and their forums, and building something and dual booting windows/osx is looking like the most attractive option. I can have both, run both natively, AND upgrade components whenever I want to. I guess the biggest obstacle for me now is, considering my limited knowledge of computer hardware and zero experience building a computer, is picking what's going in.

 

I've found a good database for comparable hardware: here, but honestly the list is f*cking daunting. I have found some "builds for greenhorns" on hackint0sh's forum, but I still want to understand what everything does, and figure out exactly what I want to put in.

[Andrew]

Now that I've read your topic, I'm planning to attempt my own hackintosh using the ideneb version. I'll let you know how it goes.

[JayC]

I'll just say that I have the 27" iMac and its the best machine I've used by far. I've had lots of macs and hackintoshs. I've had more powerful hacks but I prefer this. Noise is a factor for me and the iMac is near silent whereas no PC I've ever owned (shop or self-build) have been anywhere near as quiet.

[les]

Now that I've read your topic, I'm planning to attempt my own hackintosh using the ideneb version. I'll let you know how it goes.

What are the benefits of using that version? I'm looking to build one sometime soon.

[Andrew]

It's supposedly is a burn once and install straight away version, cant really find much information about it other then a tutorial here. http://www.hackint0sh.org/f200/69517.htm. Haven't quite got it working yet though.

 

Edit: more detail in this one -> http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php...opic=121388&hl= . Going to try it tomorrow since I've just spent the best part of 3 hours trying to get windows 7 to boot properly (thought I'd goosed the machine), note to self remove all other drives before installing it!

[les]

Is it 10.5 or 10.6? It looks like 10.5 but I might be retarded.

[Garfield 2]

Gangsta Killa, what are your specs? Maybe iPC will work better for you? (It did for me)

[Otter]

I tried farting around with the techy stuff myself, because I know enough to battle my way around with brute force - but I just ended up finding a local guy who builds them.

 

The resulting machine's incredible - something more akin to a higher end Mac Pro than the iMac. Financially, came away smelling roses. It hasn't been without its headaches, but the guy I mentioned earlier has been a lot of help in regards to that.

 

It runs Snow Leopard, and the install is as simple as cloning a copy of his master drive. Dual boot, and I've got the best of both worlds. With RAID I'm tearing through uncompressed HD footage like it's nothing. I love it.

 

 

However, the iMac is super cool. If you've got the money for it (and it is a tax write off, after all) and you really want it, then indulge yourself. There are ways to install Windows on it natively, as well - and it's legal now! Thanks government, for once! Although you run the risk of losing your warranty.

 

 

[JayC]

Installing windows won't void your warranty. The facility is built into the OS now through bootcamp. Although Windows 7 x64 on a 27 requires some command line hacking mid install as I found out yesterday.

[Andrew]

It's 10.5.6.

 

@Garfield2 I might have to look into iPC, I haven't really had chance to attempt another install of ideneb, though the boot problem was my fault, should of removed all drives apart from the one I'm putting Mac OS X on to. It booted showed the loading screen but then the monitors just went to sleep. Which makes me think I've missed an install step to do with graphics drivers.

 

Yeah the iMacs are pretty cool and look awesome not to mention are a huge space saver.

 

Edit: Followed the guide better, and actually customised the install selecting right graphics drivers. Works a treat, apart from sound.

 

Edit2: Now got sound working, running pretty damn smooth is frankenmac.

 

Heres my hardware in the machine.

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200

Gigabyte P43-ESG

5GB Ram

2 x 1TB Drives

1 X 250GB Drive

Nvidia Geforce 8800GT 512MB

 

So far its running smooth, I've got sound, networking and bluetooth dongle works out of the bag. Not to mention it's detected all other partitions from the windows machine (and using the gigabtye hd selector I can choose between Win7 or OS X)