Taking the Apple plunge.

[Soundscapemusic]

So ive finally decided to ditch the PC's. Getting pretty sick of all of the B.s. Time for a Mac

Now im 100% new to macs and have no clue where to start, i definetly cannot afford one brand new although i would love a new one. So i need all you mac nerds to help me out.. Which is THE optimal mac for me to buy?

Obviously i know what im looking for:
Speed
RAM
Memory

But what else? Theres soo many models of macs, especially when buying used. Any suggestions?

[bodhi71]

Mac "nerds" aren't, they're fanboys. Jeezshh!
No wonder nobody replied. Now try again.

[rbmonosylabik]

Check the Apple Store for refurbished models. These are usually 1 model behind of the new ones that didn't sell on the store and were sent back to apple, so they're pretty much new and at times at a very good price.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/s ... OTY2ODY3Nw

[UncleAge]

@Soundscapemusic: Have you had a chance to work with one yet?

[hacktheplanet]

When you buy a Mac these days, you are paying the premium three things:
1. OSX
2. Cool hardware with cool little extra extra features
3. Excellent customer service/warranty

Other than those three things, the computer itself is virtually identical to a machine you could build yourself. Keep that in mind before you drop the coin.

I run a late '09 13" C2D MBP 2.26, and I haven't felt a need to upgrade yet. However, I don't really use any hog softsynths.
This computer is used for everything except for gaming. (I have an AMD x3 machine for that )

It really depends what you are going to do. A bit of looping and some light softsynths? Get a refurbed MBP C2D. Heavy DAW work with a lot of hungry software in the studio? Get a Powermac Xeon. Need a metric fuckton of power on the road? Get the MBP i7.

Also, since you're used to Windows, don't rule out upgrading your computer and buying 7. It's MS's best OS since XP (sp3), and actually works pretty damn well.

[Hidden Driveways]

Also, some good info to be found in this similar thread:
http://forum.ableton.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=141453

[oblique strategies]

Use this to help you time your buy:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/

By being strategic & buying at the right time you may save big bucks. I chose the model I wanted, & when the next generation models came out the model I wanted ended up on Apple's Clearance page for $700 less than it cost the day before! Mine was the last model before the unibodies, so that may account for such a radical price reduction (?)

Refurbs are also a good way to save money.

And get Apple Care, but you don't have to buy it when you buy the computer, just get it before the first year of the warranty is up.

By the way: now is a good time to buy a new MacBook Pro but not a new MacBoook - check the guide.