iMac

I'm fresh out of ideas. The MacBook is underwhelming—even the top-tier model has a pathetic graphics card. The only redeeming quality is that display, which looks incredible.

Honestly, just wait until they release something with an NVIDIA card. Though, if they have some shady deal with NVIDIA, you might be waiting forever. I don't follow Apple that closely.

Or just go ahead and buy that other one you were already looking at.

I ended up wandering onto this forum specifically because of my graphics card issues 🙂
Is it actually possible to swap it out for a different one, maybe an NVIDIA 🤷 perhaps?

darkmaker said:I ended up on this forum because of my graphics card. 🙂
Can I just swap in a different one? Maybe an NVIDIA? 🤷

Hard to say. You should probably ask someone at the Apple Store. If you start messing with it, what happens to the warranty? These machines arrive fully configured from the factory—pre-loaded with all the software and drivers ready to go. Opening it up yourself sounds like a bad idea. It likely won't work. 🤷

Perhaps you would find something like this?

Patrick Garcia4 said:maybe you'd actually dig something like this?

It’s just a box. We've already been shut down enough times regarding anything resembling a box.😁

That's a mini-ITX case. Just drill a hole through the back of the desk drawer where the cable ports are and slide the entire chassis right inside the drawer. 😁

edit: I'm going to go measure the height of the case now to see if this setup might actually work. xD

edit: It's 5 inches tall.

Nathan Reyes59 said:I’m not entirely sure; you might want to check with the folks at the Apple Store. I suspect there would be complications regarding the warranty, given that these machines arrive fully configured from overseas, complete with all the necessary software and drivers pre-installed. It seems unlikely to work 🤷

I actually asked, but their response was essentially, "just check some online forums" 😁

Just out of curiosity—is it generally impossible to swap out a graphics card in laptops or desktops? Is it discouraged because of the warranty, or does it just risk breaking the system 🤷

@skela --> I have to admit, I kind of like the idea of having everything in its own box, but nothing seems to fit the bill 😁

Just when I thought I had finally found the right computer, I find myself back at square one 😢

Everything can be swapped out, sure, but since an iMac is such a closed system, any signs of tampering will be obvious. There might even be warranty void stickers on the back where you're supposed to open it... I honestly have no clue. Upgrading won't break anything, but why bother? You drop a fortune on a high-end machine just to spend more on a pricey custom graphics card and pay someone else to swap it out discreetly? It’s too much hassle and way too much money.
Also, the one for $4.25 only has a dual-core processor, and you definitely need four cores—you should probably go with an i5 instead.

And that tiny little Apple computer that’s barely three cents tall? Total joke. 🙂

Patrick Garcia4 said:It’s a mini ITX case. You could just drill a hole through the back of the desk drawer where the cable ports are and tuck the whole thing inside the drawer.😁

edit: I’m going to go double-check the height of the case now to see if that plan might actually work. xD

edit: It’s 13 cm tall.

offtopic
I’ve been hunting for a new desk that looks something like this, but I haven't tracked one down yet... if anyone happens to know where I can find one, please let me know. I haven't had a chance to scour all of Chicago or the surrounding suburbs since my schedule has been packed, but I've been searching pretty hard since the summer because my old standard desk just won't cut it anymore.

I suspect an iMac would look quite sharp on a setup like this 😁 if only it possessed a more capable graphics card.😢

Look, there's no way around it—I doubt anyone would look at this and call it ugly... but honestly, I'm terrified to even guess what a desk like that would cost me.

Since an iMac is a non-negotiable for you, just pick one with a screen size you actually like and swap out the processor and graphics card if it's doable. I'm assuming money isn't the issue here, nor is the technical side of a project like that. 🙂

Nathan Reyes59 said:He also mentioned that the one for $4.25 only has a dual-core processor, whereas you’re almost certainly going to need four cores, so an i5 would be the better move.

So I guess even my processor isn't up to the task, then.😢
The only option is this one with the 27'' screen that actually has an i5.
That one would run me about 15 $133$
.
Don't you all find that screen a bit excessive? 🤷

edit: I'm honestly not sure if I could handle swapping everything out myself... I might check in with a local repair shop in downtown Chicago to see if it's doable. So far, I've reached out to a couple of shops near the mall, but they just pointed me back toward this forum. The guys at the local shop suggested that everything can be expanded or upgraded, among other things.

darkmaker said:So my processor is garbage too, I guess. 😢
The only one with an i5 is the 27'' model.
That one would be $15 $133 less.

Don't you guys think the screen is way too big? 🤷

I saw it in person at the HG spot. Honestly, the image quality and the screen size blew me away. There's so much room to get work done... You'll get used to it after a while and it'll feel just fine.

darkmaker, you seriously need to grab this -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv6QYcA

you're starting to sound just like that guy who says: "I'll buy almost anything if it's shiny and made by Apple"

My boyfriend mentioned the same thing—that if I’m truly set on an iMac, I should probably opt for the larger screen. I have to admit, though, I’m a bit apprehensive about that; I worry a massive display might be overwhelming, and I'm not sure I'll ever get used to the idea of my vision not being able to take in the whole workspace at once when I'm sitting close. I plan to head over to the Apple Store later this week to get a better feel for them, so I'll circle back here once I've done some digging. 😁

@Tyler Howard46/">@@Tyler Howard46, I'm just not feeling it... and even if I were in the market for a laptop, Apple wouldn't be my first choice. Honestly, Dell appeals to me much more.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkWRa4kQILA

Fast forward the video to 7:30 and watch how the RAM changes. He upgraded it to 16GB; there’s gotta be a similar trick for the graphics card. Doesn't look complicated to me.
I don't see any warranty stickers, so it shouldn't be an issue.

Man, a 27'' is the real deal. 🙂
Given the resolution and image quality, nothing is too big. You're gonna love it.

darkmaker said:@Tyler Howard46, I’m just not feeling it... and if I were buying a laptop, I definitely wouldn't go with Apple, Dell looks way better to me

Clearly you missed the point of the video 🤣

I mean, there are some seriously gorgeous cases out there, so if none of those catch your eye, I don't know what to tell you.
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.613.053
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.607.068
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.697.002
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.690.024
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.691.005

These two are pretty small 😁
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.604.146
http://www.bestbuy.com/item/...kl=052.643.029

Besides, you can always get a custom white cabinet made to go with your desk; just tuck the case inside and it'll be totally hidden from view.

Just grab a wireless keyboard and mouse, and then all you have to do is plug the monitor into the tower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkE0yKgz-Jw

Well, this is a bigger headache than I initially anticipated. 😁

@Tyler Howard46/">@@Tyler Howard46, you clearly missed the point. It isn't an iVar anymore. 🙂

darkmaker said:So my processor isn't up to par either? 😢
The only one this 27'' model has is an i5.
That would run about 15 $133 bucks more.

Don't you all find that screen a bit excessive? 🤷

Edit: I'm not sure if I should attempt all these repairs myself... I'll check with the local Best Buy to see if it's even possible. So far, I've asked at the Micro Center and the local mall, but they just pointed me toward this forum. The guys over at the repair shop mentioned everything can be expanded or upgraded, among other things.

Plus, the graphics card is underpowered. If you actually managed to install an Nvidia GTX 580 (assuming that's even an option), it would cost you $6367-a 😁 lot more.

What if you just grabbed a Macbook Pro and hooked it up to a larger monitor?

P.S. Don't listen to those annoying trolls saying "you could get a beast of a PC for that price"—for some people, Apple isn't just hardware, it's a lifestyle. 😁

I personally use an i5 MBP for my editing work—mostly just running Final Cut Pro.

placidheron19 said:Again, the GPU is too weak. You'd need to shove an Nvidia GTX 580 in there (if that's even possible), which would make you a $6367-a 😁
.

If you're talking about a desktop card, forget it. Unless you can show me how you'd cram that into an iMac, it's not happening.

She’d need this if it were actually possible to install something like that inside.

George Booth58 said:P.S. Don't listen to those idiots claiming "you can get a beastly PC for that price." Macs aren't just computers, they're a religion. 😁

You mean a cult. 😁

A PC at the same price point would absolutely crush it... or rather, cost way less.