Well, my PC seems to be dying so it’s time to start looking around for a replacement. I’m going to talk to Nam about PCs, but I’m also considering switching to Mac about which I have a couple of questions.
1)Firstly, if I go with Mac, I’ll need to buy it in Taichung, so if anyone can recommend a Mac dealer there, that’d be good.
2)Minimum specs I’d require would be 2GB RAM, 500GB Hard drive space (spread over 2-3 drives) and a video card that can run 2 LCD monitors (1 DVI, 1 VGA) at different resolutions (1280x1024 and 1400x900). Does anyone have an idea as to how much this would cost? I looked on Apple Taiwan’s site (as much as possible due to my poor Chinese), but the only prices I could find included a monitor, which I don’t need.
3)How easy is it to find English versions of Photoshop etc in Taiwan that will run on a Mac? Most of the other software I use is open source and easy to get online (Open Office, Filezilla etc), but English Photoshop and Lightroom are essentials.
Can’t think of anything else at the moment, but I’m all ears if you do.
Cheers,
Craig
hi,
I know you want to buy in Taichung, but here is the number to the Mac dealer in Taipei where I got my macbook from… they will definately be able to answer all your questions (in English). They installed the english photoshop for me plus a load of other programs (all legit) for free…
They would also probably be able to tell you where to go in Taichung.
Ask for Jim.
02-3322-3733
Thanks, I’ll give them a call. Actually, do you have an address - I’ll be in Taipei either this weekend or next, so I might pop in and talk to them face-to-face.
sure do:
Bade Rd. Section 1, #15 (八德路一段15號)
they are next to the TVBS building and are called YOUTH. Its a great store… cafe upstairs and lots of cool macs to play around on… and the staff is super knowledgeable and helpful!
Thanks, I’ll take a look when I’m up there.
First of all, the way that Apple does their marketing, they sell the exact same configurations in Taiwan as in the States, so you can check out their English site to get a better idea of their specs. Moreover, there’s very little variance in the price that different dealers can charge. There’s very little leeway in terms of bargaining and what you end up haggling over is not a reduction price but throwing in more freebies.
While I’ve been very happy with the Macs I’ve had for the past couple of years and certainly could never go back to Windows, I’m a bit pissed off with the way Apple does their product segmentation. On the desktop side, you’ve only got three options: a Mac Mini, an iMac, and a Mac Pro. The Mac Mini is way too underpowered for your needs (uses a laptop hard drive, integrated graphics). The iMacs are really nice machines, but the all-in-one design has a few disadvantages (can’t upgrade the video card, can’t add any cards, can’t fit more than one hard drive inside, can’t use the monitor if you upgrade to a new computer.) And the Mac Pro is ridiculously expensive and complete overkill (8 cores, close to 100,000NT).
And the fact is that Apple deliberately does this. They know that the average consumer will be very happy with an iMac and the sort of professional/tinkerer who wants those few perks that the Mac Pro design gives them will be willing to pay through the nose for it. The debate over whether Apple should release an upgradeable mid-priced tower is a religious holy war on some of the Apple forums that I read.
Back to your question. I’d recommend going with an iMac. All-in-one disadvantages aside, the monitor they have is gorgeous and I believe you can plug in a second monitor to expand the desktop. Don’t go with the lowest end 17" one, since it doesn’t include a DVD burner. The 24" monitor is beautiful, but that model costs something like 75,000NT. Upgrade to 2 gigs of RAM and maybe switch out the hard drive for a 500gig drive at the store. If you need more storage than what you can fit inside, use an external case.
Thanks alidarbac.
I don’t like what I’m hearing about monitors. I’ve already got 2 decent monitors ($15-20K each) and really have no need for another. Hmmm.
buyersguide.macrumors.com/
There’s a huge Apple conference happening in June and many people are speculating that there will be new designs released then (which would probably take a month or so to filter down to Taiwan.) I would wait.
Also, Apple has said that they won’t release the new version on the OS until October, though I doubt you can wait that long. The mac conference is supposed to focus on the iphone, new laptops, and santa rosa chipset. The imacs will come later. Of course thats all just speculation.
I eventually got sick of waiting for upgrades and I bought a “base model” 24 inch imac, put 2 gigs of ram in it, and already had a 500 gb external HD. All that, and applecare, cost me anout 80000 bucks I think. Way more computer than I need, but all the computer I want. Just need a sound card and a usb keyboard and I’ll be real happy.
I believe that if you want an mac with factory upgrades in taiwan, the stores (even Youth) will not be too helpful, but you can get special made to order if you want. Also, there is a “refurbished section” on the apple usa website where you can find some deals of previously returned and fixed macs. Not sure how the taxes and everything work, but some people get very good deals.
Good luck.
$80K. Ouch. Maybe I’ll stick with Windoze.
2nd hand older tower with a new video card will also do the trick. the dual cores have been around for a while, so you should be able to find a good spec used one. add a raid array and you’re set.
macs handle two or three monitors really well, one reason they are a favoured tool of video or graphix pros.
if you do buy a new one, i highly recommend the extended warranty deal.