27" imac vs custom pc

I brought the antec p183...!

It is very strong and well sound deadened but is is quite heavy! With the case shut and fans lowest setting with standard cpu cooler and graphics card going I can't actually hear the thing sitting next to it,,, : P

I went standard atx and i7 too... I should be happy and using it right now but i cant as it is not playing ball and all i have is a blue screen : (
 
OP wanted small case....
I would go for normal one and normal MOBO not micro ;-)
I would choose this case linky

I was looking at the m-ATX cases recently and I think the blak still wins it. Not sure about the side facing DVD either.

As for full tower you can't go wrong with http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-160-LL&groupid=701&catid=7&subcat=187

I have the B25 which is exactly the same except it has a blue circle on, which is nice except at night.

The p18x always look too plastic and the newer ones have those nasty grills on, however they can't be beaten for noise reduction. I used to have a P150 but didn't like the white or the nasty plastic they made the DVD section out of so went for the quietest Lian Li I could find. Far better looking but (a lot) bigger and noisier.
 
Lots of choices there. Clearly the PC can be built to your exact requirements.

But a mac can sell quite strongly on the second hand market. Might be a consideration.

It's probably hard to buy a 'bad' machine these days, so it's just down to personal preference. I guess if your friend goes the pc route, it's easy enough to change any component he doesn't like. That won't be quite so simple on an iMac due to it's all-in-one design.

It is always worth having a play at an Apple store. Might be enough to either put them off or convert them!

I would be wary of recommending a mac to a PC user myself. I'd probably be constantly asked questions ;)

Graham
 
You get more bang for your buck with a custom built PC, so he should go down this route unless he specifically wants OSX and the Apple 27" display.
 
i'd go for an intel over the amd unless you're strapped for cash which you're not
 
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i'd go for an intel over the amd unless you're strapped for cash which you're not

When u go Intel then u will have to cut on other pieces ...as. they are more expensive.
Not saying that amd is faster
With Intel forget about 2x Dell ultrasharp or even ssd ..
In the end it is up to the person that is paying hehe
 
I own an imac 24" runs rings round my pc - has an awesome backup system built into the os in the form of time machine - I use it for design projects it runs cs4 - illustrator - indesign all at the same time no issues - the thing you forget - I have been there and built my own machines - that you cobble bits together from different manufactures then put a crappy os on it from another manufacturer costs escalate and in the end you have a real mish mash of components that may have never been tested to run together. At least a DELL has been designed and tested to run optimally - You buy a mac and its all been designed and built as a complete package integration is superior - imovie links straight to you tube etc etc " I USED TO BE A PC NOW I AM A MAC" - no contest from me Im afraid -
 
If he is going Linux then avoid ATI like the plague. Pain in the arse with crap drivers.

Just as an aside, every single one of my developers, including all my linux guru fanboys have replaced their home machines with Macs...at their own expense. Only complaint from any of them since they have done so is iTunes sucks in comparison to Amarok.
 
i'd rather have a powerful intel chip and 1 monitor then add later then build a system that is slower with two monitors, the amd chips have their place but in a workstation i'd choose nothing but intel the i5/i7 stuff is excellent and even the old core stuff tonks a lot of amd stuff (especially when it comes to rendering)
 
i'd rather have a powerful intel chip and 1 monitor then add later then build a system that is slower with two monitors, the amd chips have their place but in a workstation i'd choose nothing but intel the i5/i7 stuff is excellent and even the old core stuff tonks a lot of amd stuff (especially when it comes to rendering)

AMD is not that far off...

mine chip is really good....on stock voltage I run mine at 3.8ghz with ram at 1800mhz...and HT 2.4Ghz...and if I could be bothered to do some test I think it would be even closer if not simmilar to i7s (ok maybe not the best ones but those are around 500-600£ mark...) ok,dont say how we can overclock our machines...it is not right place for it ;-)

2209WA's go for about 170-200 on ebay that'd fit in with my spec i posted earlier ;)

SSD i wouldnt say is a show stopper to be honest.. but then like you say it depends what the person conciders required.

You are right..SSD would just be there to make sure that apps start faster and thats it...is it worth to spend couple of hundrets on on ? dont think so...
unless you have cash and do not know what to do with it haha
 
frankly don't have the want to justify what i'm saying so i'll just use a snippet from the final words in that review you posted

"When it comes down to it, between the 965 BE and an i7 920, I still opt for the 920."
 
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