Help a Mac user decide on which PC

[hesterprynne]

I need a new system to replace my clapped out mac but unfortunately can no longer afford Apple :(

So I need to know what brand I should look for PC-wise. I need it for all the usual stuff, plus it has to be able to easily run high-end publishing software such as InDesign.

I have around £500, but less would be better.

I'd suggest getting something like a Dell Inspiron 560 Desktop.

You can get the base unit itself for about £300 and £450 including monitor and a bump to 4GB RAM. If you want to do design work then 4GB RAM would stand you in good stead.

To be honest, most desktops nowadays are much of a muchness and I wouldn't worry too much about the CPU and disk. Unless you are storing lots of DVD's/videos then even a 500GB disk will be more than enough.

The key thing in my experience nowadays is noise. Buying a cheap/unbranded one from ebay or a tier 2 manufacturer, you run a higher risk of getting a noisy PC. And there's really no fun in having a mini aircraft carrier sat underneath your desk.

Hope that helps

What's the typical cost of InDesign ? If you will need to buy a new copy of that for Windows but currently have CD/DVD for Mac, then you may be talking about lots more to switch to a non-Mac system (and have to purchase s/w) than perhaps getting a second hand Mac on Ebay.

I'm unfamiliar with InDesign, but a quick search showed some firm selling it at near 600 pounds. Of course, if they supply both Mac and Windows versions when you purchase you may be OK. The other aspect is whether any of the software you need is not yet compatible with Windows 7 (yes, I know it has been available for coming towards 18 months, but worth checking, IMHO).

Mac Mini..?

If you like Mac, and its benefits (operating system principles), then I would look at a linux machine. Ubuntu is the current open cream of the crop, but you can get nice little boxes like the Acer Revo for around £200 with linux builds...

U

It would appear that you've decided to leave the Mac world but you might consider a second hand G5. You can trick them out with loads of RAM and hard drives, they run Leopard, and I know a few architects happily designing buildings on them. Get one for about £300...

sorry to post and run. My mac had a bit of a hissy fit - must have got wind of my betrayal! So posting from my phone now. I'd much prefer to keep to Macs, it's pretty much all I've ever worked on.
I will def look into used G5s.
I hadnt even considered if my software would work on a PC, thanks Network Guy, will dig out the discs, having to buy new would be pointless.
I've always assumed Linux was for real IT people, don't you pretty much have to build your own.

sorry to post and run. My mac had a bit of a hissy fit - must have got wind of my betrayal! So posting from my phone now. I'd much prefer to keep to Macs, it's pretty much all I've ever worked on.
I will def look into used G5s.
I hadnt even considered if my software would work on a PC, thanks Network Guy, will dig out the discs, having to buy new would be pointless.
I've always assumed Linux was for real IT people, don't you pretty much have to build your own.

oops. Shows how desperately I need normal computer access to be restored!
Wanted to say thanks for all the advice. I know a lot more than I did

I felt it was important to bring the software issue to your attention as you had some specific requirements (and lucky you mentioned one item at least).

Linux is now often given a graphical 'front end' (consider OSX - if you go into 'Terminal' you are talking to a version of unix/linux but you never know it from the whizz-bang images :) )

Knoppix, Ubuntu, and lots of others are quite a lot more user-friendly but there are still some differences and even though I used BSD 4.3 Unix 20+ years ago, stuff I have to read through several times!)