I have been musing of late on upgrading my computer and I wonder it is time for a radical break with the past.

I have a Dell PC that is five years ago and while it is still quite functional, it is severely lagging in several areas like memory and processor speed that impede what I primarily use the computer these days which is photograph processing and storage. Secondary uses are simple document creation like Word documents and some web work mostly with maintaining this blog but those uses do not near tax the system as trying to edit several large images in a row.

From time to time I have been fixated on what I call my Dream Machine of the moment but eventually the need will pass and I will try to make do with what I have. The machine has been upgraded in a few areas: better graphic card, more hard drive space but eventually, if I need more performance out of my machine, I will need to upgrade. The question is what machine do I upgrade to?

As usual, I looked at the Dell machines and for a change of pace HP boxes as well. I go to the customizer screens, pick my options and usually get a machine that is nearly the top performance machine generally for $1400. But every time I did one of this custom jobs, I do not feel very enthused about the machine.

This past year has been the year of Apple. With the successful launch of the iPhone and updates of its iPod lines, people have been giving Apple quite a bit of attention. It is more than just computers but computers remain the central focus of its business. As such, Apple also rolled out an updated line of computers and releasing today an update to its OS, nicknamed Leopard, which features significant improvements to the software.

Now my buddy Jerry uses a MacBook computer at work and I must admit, whenever I see it in action, I am quite impressed. While much of it is eye candy, what makes it a viable alternative to Windows Vista OS is that it is much more logically capable for the individual user than a Windows Machine. You want to look for something and two clicks there it is. Things are where you think they should be unlike Windows and its emphasis on file hierarchy.

I like the fact that such tools as the Dock and Finder greatly improve productivity.

One knock against moving to iMacs from Window machines is that for so long, Macs tend to be somewhat underpowered compared to the top of the line PC machines. With the migration to the Intel processors, Macs have essentially caught up in that regard and you will find Macs of all sorts with comparable technology in RAM, Hard Drive space and Graphic capability.

The second knock against Macs are the smaller number of applications available for the Macs as compared to Window machines. Most software developers can not afford to port their software to Macs. But there is a way around it now. With the move to Intel, Macs can run Windows applications in one of two ways: Boot Camp which allows the user to choose which OS to boot up in or Parallels, a software package that allows the user to run Window apps natively in concert with Mac OS. I have seen Parallels in action through Jerry’s machine and it seems to work just fine and it is compatible with Windows XP or Vista. So if I need to run an application that is written only for Windows, I can start Parallels within the Mac and all will be fine.

I like the compactness of the iMac. The all in one machine where all of the components are incorporated into the monitor. Few cables, easier transportability, less noise and heat are quite attractive features. The white case does certainly stand out in its environment.

The machine I am looking at, the 20″ monitor version, runs at $1500 which is comparable to PCs I have configured in my custom jobs online. I certainly makes me think but as the Leopard OS is only just released, as with all software, it is good to wait awhile to allow the inevitable bug fixes and patches are sent out though as Apple keeps a tight rein on its computer components, there is less likelihood of incompatible hardware and software problems as there are for Window PCs.

It may be months before I make decision on my computer upgrade but there is a good chance that an iMac may be in my future.