Mac user but I'm done!

Hello everyone, I am a long time mac user, I'm 19 but I got my first mac when I was in 5th grade so I've been running with macs for a while. Recently I got into home audio and I've found that windows has more programs for ripping and storing music in a way thats conducive to what I'm trying to do. Right now I have a mac book but I think that I'd like to make a step into the desktop area this time. I'm a college student so for the most part I will be using a music player(Foobar), microsoft word and my browser the most and that will make up 90% of my use. I do a little bit of video editing and photo editing but nothing intensive. The computer will be hooked up to a DAC so the soundcard is virtually irrelevant I think but maybe not. I have been looking at the velocity micro line and I like the look and specs of those but I want to know what you guys think I should do. I mean I don't have the know how to build a computer myself but I probably could figure it out if thats whats best I just don't know which components or cases to use. I'm a super uber noob and I could use some guidence here. thanks to anyone who gives me some input its greatly appreciated.

Chocolope said:

Recently I got into home audio and I've found that windows has more programs for ripping and storing music in a way thats conducive to what I'm trying to do.

I'm a college student so for the most part I will be using a music player(Foobar), microsoft word and my browser the most and that will make up 90% of my use. I do a little bit of video editing and photo editing but nothing intensive. The computer will be hooked up to a DAC so the soundcard is virtually irrelevant I think but maybe not. I have been looking at the velocity micro line and I like the look and specs of those but I want to know what you guys think I should do.

I've never heard of Velocity Micro, but I checked them out at Reseller Ratings. You can read what I read here:

Velocity Micro - VelocityMicro.com - Reviews, Ratings and Prices at ResellerRatings

Not particularly complimentary.

I configured and priced a PC at Velocity Micro. It came to 1250. I'd estimate that the parts cost about 850 at a well known retailer. So they get 400 for assembly and warranty. And I don't think Microsoft Office or Word is included in that price.

The motherboard used was an Asus P67, which is a good board. The other brand names were undetectable, other than the Microsoft OS. That makes me nervous.

I'd be a little gun shy about them and wonder how you came to choose them over Dell or HP or a local builder or other choices? You don't mention gaming, but Velocity Micro seems geared toward gaming.

Building isn't a major ordeal and is a great learning experience, but I can understand as a first timer and college student that you may not have the time or inclination to build.

I'd at least try to configure a machine at other well known suppliers like Dell, Acer, or HP so you can get a feel for what is available and appropriate prices.

You should lower your expectations generally regarding customer service and technical support, regardless of which brand you buy. Just hope you don't need it and have no significant issues.

If you are going to put Windows on your Mac, you got two choices.

1. Bootcamp
Leopard and Snow Leopard will have the boot camp feature that allows you to dual boot your Mac running Mac and Windows. Simply, when you turn on your Mac, it will ask you to boot to Mac or Windows. More info available on Apple Website.

Bootcamp is only available on Intel, not PowerPC. Also, you need to supply your own Windows 7 DVD.

You can find Bootcamp feature in the Utilites folder (Applications>>Utilites>>)

2. Virtualization Software
You can run Windows, side by side with a virtualization software such as Parallel Desktop without the habit to restart your computer.

Parallel Desktop
Vmware fusion

Again, this requires a Intel CPU, not PowerPC, and your own supply of Windows 7 DVD and this method is not free.

Hope this helps

Sent from my iPad

I would say to go for a velocity micro. They use off the top level components that you can buy at the store or newegg if you ever wanted to upgrade, aluminum cases for effective and efficient cooling and their support is US based. Buying from Acer, Dell, HP or the likes you get cheap plastic cases, proprietary components that in order to upgrade you need to go through them so you will pay through the nose and their support is based in India, Costa Rica and places like that, not very clear english, if that is what you speak. I own 2 Velocity Micro machines, Z30's, which now have been replaced by the Z40 and I am thinking of buying another.

While resellerratings is great for information, dont let that be your deciding factor. Velocity's rating goes up and down, Dell is in the high 2's, HP is in the high 1's, Acer has 0 and gateway has 0 while Velocity has high 7's. Check them out and give sales a call, I think you will like them. I have had nothing but good luck with them.

Abhishek Ghosh said:

Unless you have lot of money (as you said you are student, I guess you want to save money) just buy a retail Windows & home premium DVD and install via boot camp. Ask your local Apple guy about the processor and whether it will run Windows 7, they will help you.
Which area you live? There are official Mac user groups for almost all areas.

All Intel CPUs in Macs should work fine on Windows 7 - just not PowerPC CPUs.