Apple iMac 20 in. (MA589LL/A) Mac Desktop

My Dad bought one of the first Macs in 1984 and we always had one in the house while I was growing up. In contrast, almost every school or university I've attended and every company I've worked for used PCs. Most of the time, educational institutions and business buy in quantities and are very price conscious. They just want something that runs Microsoft Office or other business-related software. So a $600 Dell beats a $1,500 Mac any day. But I've used both extensively for quite a variety of uses.

I had one PC for home use... for 2 months. Then I went back to Macs. I have a lot of creative hobbies - music, photography, video editing, etc. - so this last 20" iMac I bought was perfect for my needs. The large screen and bundled software are just what I need. Where else can you get stunning video editing software, a multi-track recording studio, photo and music organization programs, and a DVD creating suite free with your new computer?

I'm also very impatient with stuff that doesn't work like it's supposed to, so having a stable, dependable computer is well worth the extra money you pay for an Apple/Mac. I don't want to have to fiddle with software/hardware issues for hours, hoping I'll find a way to resolve them (like I've done countless times on PC compatibles).

But the coolest thing about this new iMac with the Intel processor is it's ability to run Windows. It's like having a PC AND a Mac for the price of a Mac! I chose the Boot Camp route because it takes 10 seconds to restart in a different OS and I want ALL the system resources devoted to the OS I'm working in.

I also keep my Windows side off the internet, just for my peace of mind. Any updates can be downloaded on the Mac side and transferred over. In addition to being impatient with unreliable equipment, I also don't like to take risks. In 23 years of using Macs I've encountered only one virus. I can't count the PC viruses I've had to deal with, not to mention spyware. Obviously, a good firewall and anti-virus software will help Mac buyers who want to primarily run Windows. So far, Windows on my iMac has run flawlessly. I use it mostly for games, since anything else I want to do can be done in OS-X. Only the newest, most graphically intense games slow it down.

This iMac replaces my old aluminum Powerbook. It's not quite as portable, but the iLugger II carry case by LTA Projects works great and I transport it quite often. I can't knock the iMac for being awkward and heavy when carried in the case. After all, it's a desktop machine with a large display, hard drive, DVD burner, CPU, all in one slim piece of equipment. Being able take it just about anywhere I want so easily is a huge advantage over other machines with 20 inch displays. Everywhere I take it, people are very impressed and comment on the looks and style.

My wife and I use it to watch DVD movies or online videos in our bedroom. It's just like having a small TV. Additional hardware/software could turn it into a cable TV for us, with the capability of recording shows or movies to watch at our convenience. Of course, PCs can do this too, just not in the same attractive and convenient package.

To summarize: This machine has a 20" display with the CPU and drives integrated, making it semi-portable. It runs both Windows and OS-X on the same computer. It has Bluetooth for communicating with your mobile phone or portable device, and built in wireless for easy internet access. It comes with an unbeatable software bundle and the reliability of an Apple. For $1,500 you simply can't find a better alternative.