saying you want him to make a mac, but have it in windows 7 is like telling a chef "make me a steak, but make it taste like a crab" lol...

If you forget about the Mac part, any $500 desktop off the shelf will do for what you plan to use it for. If required, you can then still enhance it with e.g. a better graphics and/or an SSD. I would think that is the cheapest approach.

I used to do Photoshop and I worked with some huge files. That is probably the only way to justify the "beast." If I buy a new desk top now, won't I be stuck with Vista and or/ a beta version of Windows 7?

Would the SSD be worth it? I am very intrigued by them.

Thanks

sm

I haven't heard good things about Vista. I had a fellow built a Hackintosh for me which I use with KVM switches. But in reality, I hardly ever use the Mac. How is Windows 7? Ready for prime time? My thought would to have him build me another one with good specs.

What processor, ram and other things should I look at? Ubuntu=not good (yucky)

thanks

sm

@whs
I despise your hatred of Linux. :)

@smorton
In your case, I would go for a system off the shelf, or a customized one from Dell or a similar company. I would definitely take advantage of the Windows 7 upgrade, because Vista... yucky :)

In all seriousness though, Windows 7 will be much better. Vista is in many ways the black sheep of the Windows family. (Windows ME is that part of the Windows family that never gets invited to reunions, has been airbrushed out of all the family pictures, etc.) For some, as whs will attest to, it gives no issues, for others, like myself, it is a headache. I know this isn't a "hate Vista" topic, but it took me about 2 hours to get my girlfriends Vista computer to recognize the network correctly at college. It kept thinking there were three connections (thought only one cord was connected and the wireless was off), and none of those connections could see "The Internet" (they were all treated as LAN). Her roommates XP computer took 2 seconds to connect.

Back to the topic at hand though. Even if you plan on doing Photoshop, you can upgrade RAM and a video card at a later date. The "beast" computer I was referring to literally would be for EXTREMELY INTENSIVE work, mainly CAD and Video Editing. For the non professional, RAM and Video Card (as whs stated), if fine for Photoshop. In fact, for a professional using Photoshop, the only other thing I could see them needing would be a faster processor (though I cannot confirm that).

I have to agree with whs that a pre-built will suit your needs, and you get the benefit of the entire computer having a warranty in one place.

---

@whs
I mean no offense with the Linux/Vista comments. They are all in good fun.

whs, At the risk of incurring the ridicule of those who are so much more tech-savvy than I, I would suggest that you take a look at the Alienware M17 laptop. It is a beast of a machine and is reasonably priced for all that it offers. As an unusual offering versus the other manufacturers, this machine has a unique finish and offers Vista Ultimate in the 32-bit variety, and it is awesome. I came from a laptop with XP and dreaded going to Vista but the experience has been significantly better than people are reporting. The M17 is customizable and is awesome....how they avoid cornering the market on high performance machines is a puzzle to me.

I had an old Dell with Windows XP. I have it wiped clean and the person installed an OS X system on it. He assured me this was legal. I have a kvm switch but I don't use the OS X much for some reason.

I am a little lost here. I want a lot of ram. How much is right? I currently have 3 gb on this machine and I would want more. Also I no nothing about processors. What kind is recommended?

Any other thoughts are appreciated.

sm

Where would I go to get an "off the shelf" computer. I live in an isolated area?

thanks

sm

@smorton
Chances are that no matter how and isolated area you live in, there is a Wal-Mart, and they have a few nice PCs.

Many retailers (including Wal-Mart) deliver. (I am pretty sure Best Buy and Office Depot deliver)

There is also CircuitCity.com, TigerDirect.com (which I discovered are either exactly the same or VERY close), and others.

If nothing else Dell.com will deliver.

*EDIT* - The computer that whs posted looks to be a good bang for your buck as well, and it would be worth checking into, if it would qualify for the free Windows 7 upgrade.

I have had no issues with Vista, and really don't see the problem with it.
I know we have had this argument countless times, but I still don't understand peoples' misconceptions (in my opinion) of it

If you are still concerned about Vista a good few years after it was released, would it not be a little risky from your point of view going straight into Windows 7?