New computers for my parents

[kirbyds80]

Hello everyone,
I've been wanting for a time now is to get my parents both a Mac, and funds are limited with me. I've thought about G5 systems, but I've realized that those are older, and are thus outdated. So I then thought of the Intel Core 2 Duo, but then I remembered there's price. I wanted to get my parents something that'll do what they need to do which is things like basic internet tasks, Facebook, Google etc. I also didn't want to spend a whole lot of money for 2 iMac's either. I didn't want to get them a Core Duo machine, as I know those too are old machines. So while looking around, I found a machine that I thought would be good for them. Tell me what you think, and if this is a machine that would be right for them. Another thing is I don't think speed is really important to them either, just as long as I'm able to keep them running right for them.
-Jay

http://www.macofalltrades.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=IM-17-20-L06A

 

[jfalberti]

iMac Core 2 Duo

Hi Jayson,


 


It looks like a nice machine.  Only down side I see as too little RAM and smallish hard drive.  RAM is easily upgradeable, and hard disk can be expanded by plugging in a USB or FireWire external drive.  What do you think your parents want to run on it?


 


Joe

 

[concept12]

iMac Core 2 Duo

Hello Jayson,


I used to have the white iMac Core 2 Duo 17" as my desktop computer with the ATI X1600 GPU. It failed in about 3-4 years. Now it sits in my closet because you cannot replace the GPU without the logic board being replaced. It's well documented, just do a quick Google search. Hope you find something besides that model in my opinion. I just know how it feels to spend money on those and not get your return investment. The iMac G5's also suffered from leaky capcitors too(Certain models I think.) Maybe someone else can shed light on that...


I just read the reviews on the link you provided and the third person down states the same thing I started to experience.

 

[beko1987]

How about a little atom machine? Will run windows, 1.6/8ghz 2gb ram little hard drive would be ideal for internet browsing, YouTube etc.

They are nice and cheap as well. Or a secondhand one from eBay. Prices are rock bottom for core2duo/quad machines so always a bargain to be had

 

[kirbyds80]

Bad logic board

Yes I am aware of the bad logic boards these white machines suffer from, but I think if they hardly use them, I think they should last quite sometime. I can testify to this as my school has a lot of the white 17" 1.83 GHz models that are running fine, They are iMac5,2. I wanted to remove PC completely which is why I looked at the iMac. I guess when the logic board goes then it goes. The reason why I'm saying that is because they rarely get on the computer, they use their iPhones more then the computer, so I think these machines will last quite a long time for my parents. To my surprise we've only had 2 of the white iMacs die, one with a bad HD, and LCD, the other the video card is going out, but all the other white ones run fine.
Just my 2 cents,
-Jay

 

[kirbyds80]

Applications

Joe,
My parents use a computer for basic Internet surfing so that would be a web browser. I do not think they would want to run GarageBand, iPhoto, iMovie, Skype, Adobe CS or any programs like that. They just basically need a computer for Internet surfing and what have you. Unfortunately this 17 inch model is out of stock, but I did find the slightly larger 20 inch model with a 2.16 GHz processor. If you go to the B grade items you'll find the 1.83 GHz 17 inch late 2006 CD for $170, the internal iSight camera doesn't work but I don't think they would need that anyway. I also know that the 1.83 GHz model can only support a maximum of 2 GB RAM, as the 17 20 and 24 inch models can support up to 3 GB. I also know the 1.83 GHz model has the Intel GMA 950 Integrated graphics, which I don't think would matter to them as they wouldn't be doing any graphically intensive work on it. I will link you to the 20 inch model I found, tell me what you think.
-Jay

http://www.macofalltrades.com/Apple-iMac-20-inch-2-16GHz-Intel-Core-2-Duo-p/im-20-216-l06a.htm

 

[jfalberti]

I like it

Hi Jay,

That looks like a nice machine for what your parents want to do. 2Gb RAM and 250 Gb hard drive are decent. While it can't be upgraded to Mountain Lion, it could be upgraded to Lion if desired. It would be perfect to surf the web, especially if you install Firefox or Chrome web browser on it. It can also run Windows via Boot Camp or a VMware supervisor like VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop. It will also run MS Office, or LibraOffice (free) quite nicely if desired in the future. I think you all will love it.

 

[kirbyds80]

RAM

Do the white Intel iMac models use laptop RAM? I think they would due to the small space, but I could be wrong. Could someone clarify as to what RAM these white Intel iMacs use?
Thanks,
-Jay

 

[jfalberti]

Ues, they do

DDR2 or DDR3 depending on the iMac.

 

[kirbyds80]

RAM

Does this also include the Aluminum iMac models? Or do those use full size DDR2/DDR3 RAM?

 

[jfalberti]

I have to check

I'm not sure.  I believe it does, but I'll let you know what I find out.

 

[kirbyds80]

More RAM

Would more RAM in one of these white Intel iMacs give a modest speed increase? I know that the ones at my school are running SL(Snow Leopard) on 2 512MB which equates to 1GB of RAM, and they seem quite sluggish at times. So I'm wondering if I bought my parents one of the faster white iMacs and put a max of 3GB RAM, would it make it so they can have more applications running at once without slowing the computer down?
-Jay

 

[jfalberti]

It should.

I have a Core Duo iMac that is maxed out with 2 GB of RAM.  It runs fine, and I run Windows 7 on it in a VM.

 

[kirbyds80]

Model identifier

What is your iMacs model identifer? Something like iMac5,2. Click about this mac and click more info, then give me the model identifier. I'd like to read more about your particular machine.
-Jay