As you might already know I had the whole PC versus iMac debate myself this year. I was desperate for a new monitor (i.e. a good one!) and I was ready for a PC upgrade. By taking the Bit-Tech build utilising an i5 and adding a Dell 27" IPS panel I was only a few quid under iMac 3.1GHz money (with student discount). With the other benefits of the iMac it's the option I went for (also paid extra for Edifer speakers and an extra 4GB from Crucial) and can honestly say I have no regrets. I even play the odd game on it too. I'm a first time Mac user too so I expected a lot of teething trouble but it's gone fairly smooth to be honest - my biggest gripe is the upgrade to Lion brought some instability but that appears to be resolved now.

Yes, student discount does make a difference, that was the reason I went for mine (lectrurer at a Uni at the time).

Thanks for all your replies peeps.

I went to Aberdeen and had a look at the iMac. I was impressed until I went to see my mate who has an iMac and a pc. The pc was a lower spec than the iMac but performed only marginally slower than the Apple machine (using non-scientific, Mk1 eyeball testing methods) so I took the plunge and ordered some new pc bits. I don't have a 27" glossy screen but I have saved over £500 and will have a machine powerful enough for my photo processing for at least a few years to come.

Thanks again for your help.

Al

Glad we could help and I am glad you made the trip to try it for yourself - at the end of the day, Windows and OS X are so alike these days, that it really does come down to personal preference, which one you take.