Mac-simized computer for SL?

I know it's been covered but this is specifically for Mac.

I want to get an iMac but I want it maxed out for SL. I mean super maxed out. Tired of crashing...not rendering...textures borking.

It has to be a Mac, though if people wanna add specs suggestions for Linux/PC for other people, that's fine of course.

So I'm thinking speedy and all that...Not only for SL of course I wanna do things on it besides that. But I got a PC laptop just for SL when traveling (well partly!) and it won't run on it AT ALL despite being new and supposedly fast w/a hefty hd.

Very specific stats for an ideal iMac appreciated in general too.

There have been rumors of new iMacs coming soon, and it is about time for them to be refreshed. The rumors have mentioned new video cards. Wait if you can.

(According to those rumors, the iMacs were to have been announced at last week's Macworld. They weren't.)

If you can't wait...the current iMacs are much better for SL than earlier models. That's to be expected, but I think it's more true for iMacs than most other machines. I don't think you need a "super maxed out" iMac to avoid frequent crashing and texture problems that are caused by the user's machine.

My 2.66GHz iMac does a wonderful job with SL. It's fairly new and from Apple's current lineup of iMacs. I rarely go into laggy places, so my usage may not provide a good example, but I regularly get 45-50 FPS with the graphic preferences around "medium-high."

I would avoid the lowest member of the current iMac lineup, the 2.4GHz. If you wanted to move above the 2.66GHz, I'd skip the 2.8GHz and go up to the 3.06GHz because of the video card in it. Both of those have a larger screen, and you'll probably get better performance if your SL window is not at maximum size.

Thanks I really appreciate that!

Do you know when (approx) the new iMacs come out? The sales staff, from memory anyway, can seem reluctant to say in specific. Lol

I wanna install some high memory programs too so maxed out as I can afford will be good but would also like the latest I can get. Comps outdate themselves so quickly.

Most people in sales won't know. Other brands, maybe. But not Apple.

Based on what Apple has done in the past, the iMacs are due for a refresh. It could come at any time. I'd be shocked if they aren't updated within the next four months.

Whether that update is "major" or not is anyone's guess, but most speculation has been focused on big changes in the performance. Of course, the same people saying that are those who said the new iMacs would be announced last week.

And those rumors are almost as strong as those stating that the Beatles' recordings would be available on iTunes two years ago.

In most discussions like this, someone will say that you should go ahead and purchase. After all, any computer you buy will be outdated soon. Nevertheless, for iMacs at this time, I'd wait unless your need is urgent.

If my iMac died today, I'd buy another without waiting. If I had an old iMac that absolutely would not run a software update I needed for my work, I'd buy today. If I needed an upgrade for better performance, I'd wait.

99% (made up statistics ftw) of crashes won't be fixed by getting a better computer.

Also textures loading, that's more your internet connection and or LL's network stability at the moment.

All you will really get out of an awesome computer is a better framerate really.

It isn't only for SL...It would just help, I think.

I'm tempted now to wait. Typically as I recall new models are announced in late Jan. and debut in spring but I could be mistaken?

TY for all the info and help

You can go into an Apple store and download SL to try it out before making up your mind also. When I bought mine, I tried it out on all but the Mac Pro. Just restart the computer when you are done, and they are set up to erase anything that was downloaded.

Apple has a tendancy to do new model releases in late January - just late enough that their 30-day price guarentee won't apply to systems purchased on or before Christmas. Wait until at least Feb 10th, if you want the latest and greatest, or you may find your brand new system 'obsolete' in a month.

On the other hand, they *are* due for updates, and it should be worth waiting.

I did this too, testing out Second Life performance on both the Mac Mini and a current iMac. This is why I now have an iMac on my desk. The SL performance is actually really good.

Mari

But does it also erase the password and login info, or would that end up cached on the in-store hd?

A good question. I deleted SL from off of it (after reopening it and putting some gibberish in the username password an trying to log in). I also used a throwaway alt.

The user information on the Macintosh is located in the /Library/Application Support/SecondLife/ in your user folder (not the library folder in the drive's root directory). Each SL account's user folder is located there.

Delete that folder, and all your SL user information is gone. Do a "Secure Empty Trash" from the Finder menu, and it's gone for good for all practical purposes.