changing from pc to imac

[tobey bilek]

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My DSL modem goes to a router, then wireless to a laptop, wired to a PC, wired with ethernet to iMac. IMac is also wireless set up.

 

Ethernet looks like an oversized telephone jack.

 

I can go straight from Modem to pc or iMac with the ethernet bypassing the router which is what I do if I think there is a router problem.

 

A router is basically a splitter to get more output channels from the single modem.

 

PC is a bad OS. You will be happier with the iMac once you learn.

 

To do again, I would get a mini all accesorized and a separate monitor. I see little reason to tie them together except less wires.

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[calshot]

Hi Jeff

Just got my hands on a 21.5" iMac the 3.2 Intel Core i3 Its connected to the internet via ethernet cable so I think you'll need to upgrade your router.I havn't tried wireless yet.Since modern routers have several sockets you can do as I am doing and have the old PC working along side this will allow you to transfer files at your own pace.It is a whole lot quicker than the old PC so well worth the change.If your PC is 5 years old then some of your other stuff could be old as well so you might need to check it out.Just found out my speakers can't be plugged in and the hands free Skype phone not compatible.So it's not all plain sailing and some extra cost involved.

However Lightroom is so much quicker and the whole thing is so much tidier.

Perhaps you should do like I did and sign up for the Apple community you can then follow the chat to help you decide.

 

Rob

[delander †]

Sorry to labour this point I'm probably being very dumb, but I really dont understand the connecting to the internet for a imac.

 

With my PC I just plug my modem into a USB port and then connect it to the telephone socket so very simple and it works.

 

If I get an imac it will be my only computer, so it seems that as well as the imac I should get a gadget modem router or whatever it is called. Would that gadget be an airport express base station?

 

1. How is that gadget connected to the imac, do I need to buy a wire (ethernet standard or special).

2. How is that gadget connected to the telephone socket, another wire? may be able to use the one I already have?

3. How is the gadget powered, batteries, from the computer, from the mains?

4. If everything is connected by wires what has Wi-Fi got to do with it?

 

If your not already fed up with these basic questions many thanks for any help.

 

Jeff

[stunsworth]

Jeff, a basic question. Are you on broadband (ADSL) or dialup?

 

Who is your Internet service provider?

[delander †]

I am on broadband, Demon is my ISP

 

Jeff

[Shootist]

The ADSL modem is a Speedtouch, it has only USB I think.

 

Jeff

 

If for some reason your modem only has a USB port then you need to contact your ISP and get a modem with a Ethernet port and come into the 21st century.

A router is a good idea but more then likely your modem, and or the modem you need to get that has a Ethernet port, will also be a 1 port router. There are not many modems, if any, made today that are not routers also.

 

Once you have a modem/router that has a Ethernet port it is quite simple to get it to work.

[Nicoleica]

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Hi,

 

I've just done a web search on Speedtouch ADSL modems, and it looks as though you should be able to use this via USB on an iMac. The installation CD that came with your modem should have drivers for Mac OSX, although you will probably need to download current drivers as a lot has changed in the past 5 years.

 

The Speedtouch is a very basic USB modem though, and you'll probably get much better speed and functionality from a more modern device. I'd suggest that you have a word with your ISP to see if they have any good deals on a package that will give you a more modern modem and service. If you can switch to a modem that has a built in wireless router, then you'll have no wires to worry about. Just plug the phone line into the modem, and the mains plug into the wall. Your ISP probably has a range of modems to choose from.

 

As you say that you'll only be using one machine, getting a router is not overly important, but moving up from USB to an ethernet connection will give you generally better performance. You can then always add a wireless router at a later date. (Perhaps an Apple Time-Capsule, which will give you both wireless connection and a backup facility in one box, might be of future interest?)

 

 

Edit. I've just looked at Demon's packages, and they have several offers including a variety of modems/routers. All seem to be a lot faster than that which your USB modem is capable of. It might even save you money to switch to a faster service, as current services are normally cheaper than they were a few years ago.

Good luck.

[delander †]

Thanks Nicole, I spoke to Demon and they will send me a router which will work with the i-mac.

 

Now I have to decide, I'm so comfortable with Windows and will incur some extra expense for software in changing over, so i have not quite decided, still uncertain about the glossy screen.

 

Jeff

[Nicoleica]

Hi Jeff,

 

Glad to hear that you've got that sorted out OK. At worst, you'll probably end up with a faster internet service.

 

If you wanted to delay the cost of replacing software (Though do check your original CDs. Many software titles come with both Mac and Windows versions on the same CD.), you could consider using something like Parallels, which would allow you to use Windows programs on your Mac. I use it for some of the obscure applications I need for my work, and it's pretty good. I also use a glossy screen iMac, and have no problems with it. It's a matter of personal choice though, so I won't try to influence you on that. You can always add a second monitor with a matt screen if you wish though. (You can probably use your old PC monitor.)

 

Let us know how it all goes.

[calshot]

Hi Jeff

Don,t forget that the iMac will be big enough to run Windows as well. You'll need a copy of the Windows installation CD and some Apple software.You can then still enjoy those bits of Windows you really like.For my self I have found nothing on my old PC that I can't make work on the iMac.

I am sure plenty of folk here will advise you what you need to do.

 

Rob

[andybarton]

 

I've just done a web search on Speedtouch ADSL modems, and it looks as though you should be able to use this via USB on an iMac. The installation CD that came with your modem should have drivers for Mac OSX, although you will probably need to download current drivers as a lot has changed in the past 5 years. .

 

Unless you want to make your life a complete misery, don't even think about trying to get the Speedtouch to work reliably on a Mac.

 

An ADSL router is the only way to go - even if you're using a PC.

[delander †]

Andy, my ISP is sending me a 'preconfigured' ADSL router but it is still made by Thomson ie Speedtouch, hopefully it wil work.

 

It seems to me that macs are supposed to make life easier for those like me who dont have much clue about networks etc, why dont they just include the router etc in the machine so you can just stick a wire in the telephone socket.

 

Now I have to find out if my Monaco Optix will work on a mac.

 

Jeff

[stunsworth]

Jeff, most people I know use wifi so a built in router would be redundant for many. Also if you use cable - Virgin in the UK - you have to use their modem.

[delander †]

Thanks Steve but I only need a very simple set up so a wired ADSL router will be fine. Actually if i could get by without connecting this imac to the internet I would, but software such as CaptureOne requires an internet connection for activation.

 

My Monaco optix, work perfectly comes with mac software but old, will it work, info that is out there seems to indicate not, but it evidently snow leopard contains something called rosetta that will enable it to work? What exactly is rosetta?

 

Jeff

[Nicoleica]

Rosetta is a piece of software in the Mac OS that enables older software to work on machines using the latest OS. It enables the old code to be translated by the computer. The name is taken from the Rosetta stone. This link might help explain in more detail. Apple - Rosetta

[andybarton]

Rosetta allows Mac programs written for old Motorola PowerPC chips to run on Intel chipped Macs. Given the speed of new Macs, I would think that any speed hit, if you were forced to use very old software, would be negligible.

 

If your monitor calibration company cannot offer new, native software, it might be time to buy a new calibration tool.

[Michael-IIIf]

Thanks Steve but I only need a very simple set up so a wired ADSL router will be fine.

 

Jeff,

 

Demon's Mac support is very good, if you have any issues (which I doubt) they'll be able to talk you through it quickly.

 

FWIW I've just bought a 27" iMac. I bought the base model because Apple's mark-up for memory and drives is too greedy. I also bought the base model processor because it's light-years better than the one I was using so going the extra expense to nudge it a bit more didn't seem worthwhile to me.

 

I fully intended ordering extra RAM from crucial.com immediately on my iMac's arrival but one month later I haven't got around to it yet and it's running CS3 and LightRoom 3 like a dream. I know more RAM equals greater capability and I will order some soon but meanwhile this computer rocks. And the glossy screen is superb. Which reminds me, I must calibrate it.

 

I don't know where you are based but if you can I would say pop into an Apple Store and collect it - I would recommend it. Their online store says "Dispatched in 24 hours" which sort of gives the impression it will be on the road heading your way tomorrow. In reality that turns into several days, stop for weekends, then passed to the shipping company where you can watch its progress all over Europe for nearly a week. It turned into a two week exercise for me. Next time I'll walk to Regent's Street and take a taxi home.

 

Do it, you won't regret it.

 

Michael

[delander †]

I ordered it this morning the 27 inch model with quad core processor, should be here tomorrow, I hope I'm going to enjoy it. I also ordered PSCS5 an upgrade from my CS3.

 

Jeff

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[andybarton]

I hope I'm going to enjoy it.

 

Give it a week in the knowledge that the OS is different from Windows and I know that you will.

 

[Michael-IIIf]

I hope I'm going to enjoy it.

Jeff

 

I know you will Nice one!

 

There are lot's Mac-heads on this forum, ask any question you want.

 

Many software developers will let you do a no-cost platform swap. I see you already have PhotoShop on order. The Mac comes with perfectly usable mail, web, calendar, PDF viewer, music player, DVD player, address book and some other bits and bobs. If you don't want to pay for a new Office package openoffice.org is free.

 

Mac security is much easier than PCs. Basically there are no known problems at the moment. However one bit of software I do like having is Little Snitch which is a reverse Firewall. I'm not too concerned that there are any trojans trying to send out secrets, I'm more concerned at keeping track of which applications are phoning home. It's only €29, well worth having.

 

ENJOY.