And Two Reasons Not To
Are you in the market for a new computer but you aren’t sure what you should get? Have you ever considered buying an iMac? For many, buying an Apple computer may not be our first thought, but it is definitely one that should be considered by all users who are in the market for a new machine.
Now I’m not here to talk about how much better Mac is compared to PC. In fact, I use both every single day. However, I do want to spend a few minutes looking at the iMac and why it makes a great computer for any user. But, like everything, you have to take the good with the bad. That’s why today we are going to look at several reasons to buy an iMac, and two reasons why you shouldn’t buy one. My hope is that by the end of this article, you be able to make up your own mind and get the computer that will work best for you.
Reasons to Buy an iMac
First, let’s take a look at several reasons why an iMac is a great purchase and why you should buy an iMac for your next desktop.
1. Amazing, All-In-One Design
At first glance, you can tell that the iMac looks good. Heck, I would venture to say that it is one of the best looking computers ever created. Today, so many manufacturers are mimicking the design of the iMac, but remember it all began with Apple.
The design is sleek and stylish, and the ultra-thin all-in-one computer just looks amazing on any desk. The monitor, of course, is built-in with the rest of the computer, meaning you will use less desk space than you would with a traditional desktop setup that you find in many PCs even today.
2. They Are Powerful
If there is one thing that we all love, it is a fast computer. No matter what we are doing on our machine, we want it to be fast. That goes from basic users creating a Word document to fancy video editors and gamers that really push their hardware to the limit. If you are looking for speed, look no further than the iMac.
The iMac includes some of the very best hardware that Apple has in its arsenal. It uses some of the latest processors and even high quality graphics to create powerful machines that can handle anything from the basic to the much more advanced applications. No matter what you want to do, there is an iMac to meet your needs. If you are looking for something with a little power, look no further than an iMac. I guarantee that you will be happy with the speed when you start using your iMac on a daily basis.
3. Powered by macOS
Apple’s macOS is one of the most advanced operating systems in the world. It is build on FreeBSD, which is a UNIX-like operating system, but Apple has spent years now refining the interface and tweaking the design to create the perfect operating system for your computer. It is very easy to use and is so intuitive even a computer beginner will be able to figure things out with a little time.
Because of its UNIX roots, it is also very secure and comes with tons of software that is ready for you to start using today. If you need an operating system that just works without a lot of configuration on your part, then macOS is the way to go. It comes preinstalled on every Mac including the iMac and you get free updates on it for the life of your computer. While it isn’t touch friendly, it is definitely one of the best operating systems around today, and you really can’t go wrong using it, especially if you like something that is simple and just works.
4. Fewer Virus and Malware Threats
If security is a big concern for you, then you definitely should be considering an iMac. The fact is there are fewer virus and malware threats out there for the Mac when compared to the PC. Notice I said fewer. That means there still are threats out there, but there are far less for the Mac than the PC. That’s because macOS is built on a UNIX-like platform and because they are not as popular, many virus makers don’t take the time to build viruses for them as they want to cause the most damage possible.
This means you will spend far less time running security software on your iMac than you would on a PC desktop. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t run software on your Mac, because threats are still out there. However, you won’t have to worry about it quite as much if you do buy an iMac.
5. Great Software
One of the biggest concerns people have is software on a Mac. They believe that they can’t get some software on a Mac. While that is true to some extent and I will talk about that more below, the fact is most of the major software is available for both the PC and the Mac. Software such as Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and much more can easily be installed on your new iMac. On top of that, because it is built on a UNIX-like platform, there is a ton of free software out there for your system, as well.
6. Seamless Integration with Apple Products
Do you have an iPhone or an iPad? If so, then you may want to consider buying an iMac for your next desktop computer. Using macOS, you will be able to seamlessly integrate your mobile devices with just a few clicks. You will even be able to get your iMessages and text messages right on your computer if you sync up your iPhone. This seamless integration really adds to the user experience on both the iMac and your iPhone and iPad. This improved user experience really makes switching to a Mac worth it in the end, if you ask me.
Reasons Not to Buy an iMac
Now that we have examined many great reasons to buy an iMac for your next desktop, let’s take a few minutes to look at a couple of reasons why you may not want to consider an iMac for your next desktop computer.
1. Powered by macOS
Wait, didn’t I already list this as a reason to buy an iMac? Why yes I did. So why am I also including it here in the reasons not to buy an iMac? It’s quite simple, really. You see, macOS is not for everyone. Sure it is more secure and easy to use, but not every piece of software out there is made for macOS. You may have specific needs when in regards to applications that make buying an iMac problematic.
Sure there are ways around this. You can setup a virtual machine or use Bootcamp and dual boot your Mac into Windows. However, these setups are often more complicated to setup and come with added expenses as you still have to purchase a copy of Windows to do it. For many of us, that means an iMac just isn’t an option. Look at your usage and make sure you can get Mac versions of the software you use most before you buy. If you don’t, you may end up unhappy with your purchase.
2. Price
Everyone loves to joke about the Apple tax, and with good reason. Apple computers are simply more expensive than many of their PC counterparts. That means that you will pay more for an iMac than you will a competing PC. Now, when you dig a little deeper, you will see that because of the premium components Apple includes in their machines, you end up not paying as much as you might think over a PC, but you do still pay a little more for that Apple tax. If budget is a big concern for you, then buying an iMac may not be an option. If you are looking for a computer that is affordable and will handle your normal day to day tasks, it is tough to beat a good PC, but if you have the extra money to spend and you want to live in the Apple ecosystem, then an iMac is still a good machine to consider.
Parting Thoughts
Now I’m not here today to try and sell you on whether or not a Mac is better than a PC. I’m just here to talk about the iMac itself and nothing else. The fact is the iMac is a spectacularly designed computer that will meet the needs of many computer users out there. However, as you can see from above, it’s not for everyone. You may have specific needs that require you to get a PC.
However, if all you need is some of the big, common software, you will find all that available for the Mac. That means that buying an iMac could be for you and it should make it onto your shortlist when you are shopping for a new computer. If you ignore it, you could be limiting your options, and you may find that using macOS is much better than using Windows.
What do you think? Do you think the iMac is a great machine that should be considered by anyone looking to buy a new all-in-one desktop? Or is it just too expensive for what you get? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
