delander † Posted November 1, 2010 Share #1 Posted November 1, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'd like to change but one aspect of this is worrying me. What do I need to connect an imac to the internet. I'm told by Apple that I wont be able to use my current wired modem which I just plug into a USB port? Any advice appeciated, Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted November 1, 2010 Posted November 1, 2010 Hi delander †, Take a look here changing from pc to imac. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rob_x2004 Posted November 1, 2010 Share #2 Posted November 1, 2010 USB or ethernet port? Both my PC and the iToy run ethernet cables to the router, ditto various laptops (+wireless). Cat5 or something isnt it? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 1, 2010 Share #3 Posted November 1, 2010 Your iMac will not use a USB port to connect to your modem as it is highly likely that the modem company has never written suitable drivers. On the assumption that you have some sort of ADSL broadband, you will need either a wired or wireless broadband router. The latter will connect via ethernet Cat 5 cable to your Mac. It is all very straightforward to set up. It must be - my Dad did it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted November 1, 2010 Share #4 Posted November 1, 2010 I'd like to change but one aspect of this is worrying me. What do I need to connect an imac to the internet. I'm told by Apple that I wont be able to use my current wired modem which I just plug into a USB port? Any advice appeciated, Jeff Hi Jeff, It all depends upon what type of connection you have. If you have an analogue telephone modem (Rather unlikely, as these days that is a very slow connection.), then you'll need to buy an Apple USB modem (About $30, but I think that they might be discontinued now, so not all stores may have them anymore.), and plug the phone lead into one end, and the other into a USB port. If however, you have a 'Broadband' connection, just plug the ethernet cable coming from your modem/router into the socket on the back of the iMac. It's possible that you have a broadband modem with a USB outlet. In that case there should also be an ethernet socket on the modem (I'd be surprised if there isn't one these days.). You then just need to get an ethernet cable and use this instead of the USB cable. (Using the ethernet sockets instead of the USB ones of course.) Of course, if you have, or are planning to get, a wireless router, then you don't need any wires at all. Hope this helps. If you are still confused, please can you post a picture or two of your modem/router showing all of the sockets and connectors on it? We might be able to give better advice then. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share #5 Posted November 1, 2010 The ADSL modem is a Speedtouch, it has only USB I think. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 1, 2010 Share #6 Posted November 1, 2010 Stick that in the bin and buy a Netgear wireless router. You won't need any drivers and need never worry about an OS update again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 1, 2010 Share #7 Posted November 1, 2010 Advertisement (gone after registration) Or get an Airport Express. If you wanted that would also allow music to be piped to the room in which it lives. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptarmigan Posted November 1, 2010 Share #8 Posted November 1, 2010 I use a Billion 7800N which is great, though not the cheapest. pretty much plug n play. It's ADSL 2 and wireless. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ehegwer Posted November 1, 2010 Share #9 Posted November 1, 2010 Sounds like you are still thinking like a PC, but we can change that. Mac computers are pretty easy to use. I daresay, ALL of the problems you had on a PC just don't exist on an Apple. I'd simply bring your new baby home, plug it in, and see what happens. I'm guessing your Speedtouch already has Wi-Fi built in, and you just aren't using it. If that's the case, your new Mac will detect it, and try to connect to it automatically. Keep us posted! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
animefx Posted November 1, 2010 Share #10 Posted November 1, 2010 I have an iMac and you can either use usb or the ethernet connection on the back of the iMac. There is nothing unusual or lacking with the iMac where it wouldn't be simple to connect to the internet. I'd like to change but one aspect of this is worrying me. What do I need to connect an imac to the internet. I'm told by Apple that I wont be able to use my current wired modem which I just plug into a USB port? Any advice appeciated, Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
haroldp Posted November 1, 2010 Share #11 Posted November 1, 2010 A router is a good idea anyway as they usually incorporate a firewall, and DHCP server so that your computers IP address is hidden behind the routers. Regards .... H Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share #12 Posted November 1, 2010 Sounds like you are still thinking like a PC, but we can change that. Mac computers are pretty easy to use. I daresay, ALL of the problems you had on a PC just don't exist on an Apple. I'd simply bring your new baby home, plug it in, and see what happens. I'm guessing your Speedtouch already has Wi-Fi built in, and you just aren't using it. If that's the case, your new Mac will detect it, and try to connect to it automatically. Keep us posted! Actually I dont have any problems with my PC apart from speed, it is 5 years old. I dont think my modem has any Wi-Fi in it as it is also 5 years old. But thanks to all for all the advice especially specific recommendations on the modem/router models that will work. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted November 1, 2010 Please advise what imac do I need to run the following at a good speed InDesign CS5 Photoshop CS5 Lightroom 3 CaptureOne 5 I would like the 27 inch screen. It seems I could choose between 27" 3.2 GHz Intel Core 3i or more expensive 27" 2.8Ghz Intel core i5. For just photography would I notice any difference? Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted November 1, 2010 Share #14 Posted November 1, 2010 I would think that either one will give you decent performance. Unless you have some seriously heavy processing needs, you might be better spending the money on more RAM rather than on a faster processor. (You'd probably need to increase the RAM on that too anyway.) I'm using a two year old 2.8GHz Core-Duo iMac with 4GB of RAM and twin 24" monitors, and I find that quite fast enough for my needs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
delander † Posted November 1, 2010 Author Share #15 Posted November 1, 2010 Thanks Nicole. Looking at the spec of the CPU it seems that the Intel Core i3 in the less expensive of the two imacs is dual core processor, and I already have a dual core processor in my current PC which is not fast enough so I'm still wondering if it will be enough. Jeff Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted November 1, 2010 Share #16 Posted November 1, 2010 I have a 24" iMac with the 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo chip and 8 gig of RAM. It's more than fast enough. For now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 1, 2010 Share #17 Posted November 1, 2010 Looking at the spec of the CPU it seems that the Intel Core i3 in the less expensive of the two imacs is dual core processor, and I already have a dual core processor in my current PC which is not fast enough so I'm still wondering if it will be enough. Software can only use multiple processors if it's written to do so. It may be worthwhile to try and find out if the software you intend to use is capable of utilising multiple cores. As Andy has said the amount of memory can make a significant difference - particularly Photoshop CS5 which is now a native 64 bit application and can so utilise more than the 4 gig or so of the previous version. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanyasi Posted November 1, 2010 Share #18 Posted November 1, 2010 OP: I have an iMac and like the experience, but I am considering upgrading to a MacPro. I have gone beyond just Lightroom, and have started using Photoshop CS4 and many of the Nik software applications. I am finding processing is slowing down noticeably. If you don't go MacPro, don't skimp on RAM. Jack Siegel November 1, 2010 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicoleica Posted November 1, 2010 Share #19 Posted November 1, 2010 Whichever Mac you choose, I think you'll be happy with the speed compared to Windows. I'll probably be burned at the stake by Windows users for saying this, but the more elegant operating system of the Mac tends to run applications faster than the equivalent software on an equivalent Windows platform. Remember the old saying, 'Once you've tried Mac, you'll never go back.'. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_x2004 Posted November 1, 2010 Share #20 Posted November 1, 2010 Most peoples computers are slow just because of the amount of trash on them. I was so impressed with the iMac I spent a few grand getting my PC rebuilt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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