Best 2011 model for cs5?

[Suvenir]

I want to know what would be enough for cs5 design mainly photoshop, illustrator and indesign.
Thanks

 

[Badger^2]

Any of them are more than enough for CS5.

I run CS5 on all of my iMacs and they are almost 4 years old. Works great.

And Im talking 100 page magazines, 500 meg PS files and complicated vector ads. Not just some small random logos and flyers.

Decide on your budget and screen size and buy.

Refurbs are $300 off if you are looking to save.

 

[Suvenir]

Thanks for the advice, how do I benefit from getting the new one against a refurb?

 

[sth]

Any model will do fine.

 

[Austinjwalker]

glad i read this. I'm definitely not tech savy, but was worried about whether or not to max out the top model hahaha. either way, it'd take my 2007 MBP to town hahaha.

i run lightroom+photoshop+inDesign, so i'm guessing i'll probably pay for the 27" upgrade and take my PPA discount, thank you very much!

 

[mattcube64]

I'd go with the highest resolution/biggest screen you can afford. Palates and windows will cover up your work space quickly. I do 90% of my InDesign/Photoshop work on a 24" iMac, and its just barely big enough to not get too annoying. Just finished up a 90-page marketing pitch this past weekend; lemme tell you, last minute edits on a MacBook Pro are not fun at all.

 

[hifoo45]

Obviously the top of the line will always be best, but even the low end will fly through CS5. But if you don't feel like forking over a lot for the high end, I would really recommend going for a 27" over the 21" at the very least. The extra workspace is more beneficial in Creative Suite over the extra processing power.

 

[Badger^2]

lots of choices now... BUDGET??!!

Refurb Apple MC508LL/A iMac 21.5" Intel Core i3 Dual 3.06GHz Desktop for $929 (was $1,019) -- 500 gig drive

refurb Apple MC509LL/A iMac 21.5" Intel Core i3 Dual 3.2GHz Desktop for $1,099 (was $1,269) -- 1TB drive and faster video

27" screen! -- refurb Apple MC510LL/A iMac 27" Intel Core i3 Dual 3.2GHz Desktop for $1,269 (was $1,439) -- 1TB drive and faster video (same specs as $1099 model, paying $200 more for 27" screen)

or new: Apple iMac Core i5 Quad 2.5GHz 21.5" Desktop for $1,199 -- 500 gig drive.

all would be a great deal -- 27" screen might trump all -- the new quad is the fastest

$100 moves you to 12 gigs of ram on any of them.

 

[Austinjwalker]

I'd go with the highest resolution/biggest screen you can afford. Palates and windows will cover up your work space quickly. I do 90% of my InDesign/Photoshop work on a 24" iMac, and its just barely big enough to not get too annoying. Just finished up a 90-page marketing pitch this past weekend; lemme tell you, last minute edits on a MacBook Pro are not fun at all.

Yea, I spent the first 3 years in business as a photographer using my 2007 MBP. FINALLY got a cinema display about 4 months ago. changed my workflow completely.

Obviously the top of the line will always be best, but even the low end will fly through CS5. But if you don't feel like forking over a lot for the high end, I would really recommend going for a 27" over the 21" at the very least. The extra workspace is more beneficial in Creative Suite over the extra processing power.

obviously. I'm not as afraid of not handling CS5, but more afraid of limiting the longevity of my iMac if I don't max it out. BUT, at the end of the day, if i dont have the $$ to max it out, i wont haha. simple as that.

 

[ZiggyZidel]

Any iMac will suit your needs perfectly. I run photoshop CS4 on a 2.4ghz core 2 duo MacBook from 2008. Have fun with your new your new toy

 

[Apple...]

I've been thinking too... are any of the models good enough for Final Cut (Pro)/ iMovie? Am thinking about upgrading, but not quite sure (currently use a 2007 Mac Pro (8GB 667 DDR2 RAM, 2TB, 2 x 2GHz Intel Xeon) - how does it compare to the new iMacs?). Thanks.

 

[Badger^2]

I've been thinking too... are any of the models good enough for Final Cut (Pro)/ iMovie? Am thinking about upgrading, but not quite sure (currently use a 2007 Mac Pro (8GB 667 DDR2 RAM, 2TB, 2 x 2GHz Intel Xeon) - how does it compare to the new iMacs?). Thanks.

If you are using FCP on that rig now, any new(er) iMac will crush it.

Oh and FCP doesnt exist anymore.

its now FCS: http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs/

FCS doesnt require anything more than an Intel processor and 1 gig of ram, iMovie even less.

 

[Apple...]

If you are using FCP on that rig now, any new(er) iMac will crush it.

Oh and FCP doesnt exist anymore.

its now FCS: http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs/

FCS doesnt require anything more than an Intel processor and 1 gig of ram, iMovie even less.

Yeah, I know. I'm waiting till the brand-new version comes out this summer to upgrade (not to mention, I'd like to hold-out until Lion ships with the iMac too). I don't do anything really heavy - it's a home business (I shoot weddings, make camp videos, etc.), so if what you're saying is true, I shouldn't have any problems. Thanks!

P.S. Specially, I'm looking at the newest 21.5inch iMac with these specs:

2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x4GB
2TB Serial ATA Drive
AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512MB GDDR5

I wonder how much I could get for the MP?

 

[Suvenir]

Thanks everyone for the advice I was going to get the i7 but started to think I might not need all that power for cs5 and web design , and just get lower end 27 for max resolution. Thanks again.