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I potentially need a new computer. Please help.
- Thread starter mollyc
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Yes my 2008 iMac was a 24" and I loved moving up to the 27". Screen size is definitely a concern; I'd have to see on in person I think. I actually never have screens maximized (they all just float around), so 27 to 24 might not be a huge difference, especially since I also use a 13" MBA for web browsing and vacation editing.
Yes, definitely a concern. It's why I haven't even updated the iMac to Big Sur yet....
Yes, I would go to my closest store and look at them in person; I'm sure they have display models even if none in stock. But I also know they can check stock better in store, because I wanted a custom build when I got my 2012, and and they were able to find a better build at a different local store, so I hopped over there and picked it up.
I was only thinking of five stores near me, but as it turns out I have 12 within 40 miles, so somewhere has to have a 16GB option in stock.....
But hopefully none of this will come to pass and the power supply fixes everything.
To be honest, I don't see a great way out for you, and I hate to say that.
Looking at how Apple dropped PPC during the last transition, I'll be surprised if Intel gets more than 1-2 OS revisions past when the last Intel Macs are shipped.
At the same time, for your use case, I have a feeling you might be disappointed with a 24" iMac. The I'm trudging along with 8gb in my M1 Pro, and Lightroom is okay-ish but there are times where I still think my 2012 15" Pro with 16gb is better. The M1 native version of Lightroom did make a huge difference, but I can still see it pegging the RAM some.
RAM aside, though, you're going to miss the 27" display. My circumstances now dictate no desktop, and I really miss my now-ancient 27" Cinema display(the one that looks like the unibody iMacs).
If I were you @mollyc , My inclination would probably be to do what was needed to repair your current iMac(which I know your husband is already doing) and then keep it until a 27" Mx iMac comes out.
Looking at how Apple dropped PPC during the last transition, I'll be surprised if Intel gets more than 1-2 OS revisions past when the last Intel Macs are shipped.
At the same time, for your use case, I have a feeling you might be disappointed with a 24" iMac. The I'm trudging along with 8gb in my M1 Pro, and Lightroom is okay-ish but there are times where I still think my 2012 15" Pro with 16gb is better. The M1 native version of Lightroom did make a huge difference, but I can still see it pegging the RAM some.
RAM aside, though, you're going to miss the 27" display. My circumstances now dictate no desktop, and I really miss my now-ancient 27" Cinema display(the one that looks like the unibody iMacs).
If I were you @mollyc , My inclination would probably be to do what was needed to repair your current iMac(which I know your husband is already doing) and then keep it until a 27" Mx iMac comes out.
Logic Board/GPU likely at fault. I had something similar that eventually degraded to numerous shut downs after a little use of the computer CPU/GPU after I left it off.
The 27" iMacs tend to run too hot if doing processor intensive tasks all the time. I got about 4 years, 4 months use out of my late 2015 4.0 Ghz i7 M395X before I recycled it as it no longer could install OS even.
I am now using a 8/8/16GB/1TB M1 24" iMac. Everything I was doing on the older intel 27" iMac it performs better. Scanning photos is extremely fast now.
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I think this conversation, while interesting and good, has gotten a bit off the original question. You have an immediate need. You're not going to get a bad machine with either Intel or M1. We all have different ideas but none is inherently better than the others. While there might be performance differences between the processors, there is more to performance than processor. It is going to be hard/impossible to determine how the machines compare unless you go to the store and try them side-by-side. I assume you are going to max out memory and storage to give you the longest life possible. Ultimately you are betting on the potential of the future technology vs the tried and true current/old technology. I doubt Apple will stop supporting its Intel processors in the next 4-5 years. There will be too many of them still in use.
As I said, you are going to be happy with either choice. Perhaps it's time to go to the store and just decide.
As I said, you are going to be happy with either choice. Perhaps it's time to go to the store and just decide.
Personally, just before the M1s came out, I bought a refurb 2018 Mac Mini i5 and upgraded the RAM to 32GB myself because it’s so cheap. I use it primarily for Affinity Designer & Blender, staging and inking comics. When the M1s came out, I looked at them, but with my type of work, that increased speed won’t serve much purpose. I won’t draw any faster.
On top of that, with the reported bluetooth issues with the M1s, the lack of ports, the inability to run three displays (I use one QHD LENOVO 24”, an FHD HP 21”, and a Huion pen display that mirrors my QHD), the question about 16GB of RAM being enough, the fact that it’s 1st-gen, I’ve been more than happy with my Intel-based Mac. Plus, I can run Windows if I really have to (though I haven’t in about two years).
More than fast enough, I come nowhere close to using all that RAM, but being so inexpensive, why not? Also, I went with a “small” internal drive (256GB) and work off of very fast and cheap external SSDs.
I ordered it from the Apple refurb store and it arrived in two days.
I’m guessing when I do upgrade to an M-series Mac, they’ll be mature enough that I won’t suffer the issues the early adopters have been seeing. All I’ll do is unplug my external drives, swap out the Mini, load the apps I need, and be working again in a few hours. And until then, it’s not like my Mini will suddenly stop working.
Especially if you’re willing to stay on Mojave.
On top of that, with the reported bluetooth issues with the M1s, the lack of ports, the inability to run three displays (I use one QHD LENOVO 24”, an FHD HP 21”, and a Huion pen display that mirrors my QHD), the question about 16GB of RAM being enough, the fact that it’s 1st-gen, I’ve been more than happy with my Intel-based Mac. Plus, I can run Windows if I really have to (though I haven’t in about two years).
More than fast enough, I come nowhere close to using all that RAM, but being so inexpensive, why not? Also, I went with a “small” internal drive (256GB) and work off of very fast and cheap external SSDs.
I ordered it from the Apple refurb store and it arrived in two days.
I’m guessing when I do upgrade to an M-series Mac, they’ll be mature enough that I won’t suffer the issues the early adopters have been seeing. All I’ll do is unplug my external drives, swap out the Mini, load the apps I need, and be working again in a few hours. And until then, it’s not like my Mini will suddenly stop working.
Especially if you’re willing to stay on Mojave.
Except you really can’t try out machines in the store using your own workflow, can you? That’s where it really matters.
True, all you can do is conduct brief exercising of any computer before the screen saver might pop up forcing you to start over with what you trying to use to compare how it performs.
FYI on the problematic iMac:
We have a 2018 iMac at work with about the same issues...hangs on boot occasionally, won't wake from sleep, etc. All very intermittent and random.
Did much diagnosis on it including a wipe and clean OS install. Nothing fixed it. Pretty much has to be a hardware issue. Feels like logic board or SSD issue. Taking it to Apple for repair. will report back if anything definitive is found.
We have a 2018 iMac at work with about the same issues...hangs on boot occasionally, won't wake from sleep, etc. All very intermittent and random.
Did much diagnosis on it including a wipe and clean OS install. Nothing fixed it. Pretty much has to be a hardware issue. Feels like logic board or SSD issue. Taking it to Apple for repair. will report back if anything definitive is found.
I think you’re in a hard position with no good answer! I think it mostly depends if you’re ok with a 24” screen or if you want a 27” screen.
If you’ve made it this far without putting Big Sur on your current computer, I think you’d be better off with the 27” intel one. It will be just as powerful and with a bigger screen. It wont have some of the fancy new features like live text, or on device dictation, and it will probably stop getting OS updates sooner. But I don’t expect Adobe to stop supporting intel any time soon, and it seems like you’d be more happy with long term stability than latest and greatest.
Essentially, if you were happy with your current machine other than the not working, get the Intel iMac. If you want new features and faster processing than you have now, or there’s anything that you think would make it better that the M1 Macs can do, get the M1.
The other option to consider is getting an iPad until the new iMacs come out, but the screen is definitely way smaller. And it seems like it may be a while for the new 27” iMac replacement. Personally I prefer the iPad for 99% of my image processing. The only thing that requires a computer is anything involving stacking. Particularly with Starry Landscape Stacker, since no iPad version of that exists yet.
If you’ve made it this far without putting Big Sur on your current computer, I think you’d be better off with the 27” intel one. It will be just as powerful and with a bigger screen. It wont have some of the fancy new features like live text, or on device dictation, and it will probably stop getting OS updates sooner. But I don’t expect Adobe to stop supporting intel any time soon, and it seems like you’d be more happy with long term stability than latest and greatest.
Essentially, if you were happy with your current machine other than the not working, get the Intel iMac. If you want new features and faster processing than you have now, or there’s anything that you think would make it better that the M1 Macs can do, get the M1.
The other option to consider is getting an iPad until the new iMacs come out, but the screen is definitely way smaller. And it seems like it may be a while for the new 27” iMac replacement. Personally I prefer the iPad for 99% of my image processing. The only thing that requires a computer is anything involving stacking. Particularly with Starry Landscape Stacker, since no iPad version of that exists yet.
This is why I’ve steered away from iMacs. When if fails, you not only lose your CPU, but your display as well. And when you buy a new one, you’re also paying for a new display, plus a new keyboard and mouse, whether you want it or not.
Yes, it’s a pain, but finding a display you’re happy with and attaching a Mini or MacBook will finally take that piece of expense out of the equation. (Well, not really with the MacBook, but then you’re also paying for the portability if you need it.
Yes, you get a clean work area with an iMac, but I’ve attached my Mini to the underside of my desk, along with the external drives, and having my displays on VESA arms, they float over my desk and can be adjusted to however I want them.
Attach anything to an iMac and you suddenly get clutter, unless you command strip it to the back of the display. (Though those new colors are nice.)
What photography software are you mainly using? That is a huge factor in your decision, to make sure it has native M1 support and there is a roadmap for continued support. I run Capture One and Photoshop CC on my M1 and couldn’t be happier. It way outperforms my maxed out 2020 16” MacBook Pro.
My vote is for M1, it’s a solid chip, very powerful, and most importantly is futureproof.
I could never edit on an iPad. I rely too much on features unavailable in the iPad versions of the software.
Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. whatever the current versions are.
No need to research monitors. I can do that for you. BenQ SW271c would be my recommendation. Or SW270c if looking to save some money. SW270c is our top selling monitor.
My last computer was a 2014ish (first gen retina 5k- top spec cpu, 32gb ram, 128gb ssd). This started to do exactly what your describing.
Just to state upfront- I didn’t find the solution, and I sold it for a good price to someone who knew about the issues and took it regardless.
BUT- I didn’t think of the psu to be an issue, rather the fans seemed to be the root of it.
Im afraid I can’t remember the story too much, but I think it was over heating. It sometimes turned off within minutes, other times within hours or days. It was kept in a smoky environment, and Inwas leading myself to believe that they had got clogged somehow.
Can this relate to your issue?
Just to state upfront- I didn’t find the solution, and I sold it for a good price to someone who knew about the issues and took it regardless.
BUT- I didn’t think of the psu to be an issue, rather the fans seemed to be the root of it.
Im afraid I can’t remember the story too much, but I think it was over heating. It sometimes turned off within minutes, other times within hours or days. It was kept in a smoky environment, and Inwas leading myself to believe that they had got clogged somehow.
Can this relate to your issue?
You don't need to worry about that. An M1 iMac would be plenty capable on just 8GB of RAM. I test drove an 8GB M1 MBP while my 2018 32GB Vega20 MBP was getting its battery replaced. I ultimately decided to return to my old laptop than stick to my test ride, but it had nothing to do with photo editing performance.
Here's a sampling of what I was running at the same time:
- Photoshop 2021
- Capture One Pro 21 (M1 optimized)
- Parallels with Windows on ARM
- PHPStorm (resource intensive programming tool)
- Virtual Web Server (also very resource intensive)
- OS X Mail
- Apple Music
- MS Excel
- Safari
- Firefox
Don't get the Intel. The only people who should even think of an Intel machine are ones who have critical legacy software that absolutely will not be supported on an M1.
I have had it turn off in the middle of screensaver and just web browsing. Fans not an issue for this, because sometimes it doesn't stay on long enough for the fans to even come on. And no smoking in our household.
Well, on the downside is that Lightroom Classic is sure to not be supported on an M1.
On the upside is that nobody uses Lightroom Classic because it's fast.
LR classic is supported the M1 natively, and I have no desire to switch away from it.
Sure. But buying both of them, using them for a month, and then returning the one you don't like isn't really an option.
You need to open it and clean it out. I had a similar issue and it was due to overheating because the fan was clogged up. The design of the iMac is great apart from the inability to clean it out without removing the display 😞[tl;dr: M1 iMac or 2020 Intel iMac for replacement computer for photography?]
Dear Photo Friends,
I currently use a 2017 4.2 Ghz i7 27" iMac with 40GB RAM. I previously used a 2012 iMac and before that a 2008 iMac. The 2008 we kept around for a kids' computer for quite a long time and finally recycled it, and the 2012 is still here, occasionally used by my son. Neither ever gave me any issues, I just upgraded when needed due to new cameras, more storage, etc.
In the past two months or so, I have had a lot of trouble keeping my current 2017 iMac on. I just goes to a black, fully off screen for no reason. Sometimes I can leave it on overnight with no issues, and sometimes it shuts down while booting up. Yesterday I tried to use it and the longest it stayed on was about 4 minutes, enough to import a handful of photos, and after that I couldn't even get it to fully boot again.
I haven't worked in nearly 20 years, and the summer I sign up to write a photography class is the time when the stupid thing stops working.
My husband ordered a new power supply this morning and will attempt to fix my computer whenever it comes. He's quite handy with computers and I'm sure he's more than capable of fixing it, but I do not know if the power supply is the actual issue. (I've tried other options and I'm not asking you all to diagnose the stupid thing, just giving you background).
All that said, if the power supply does not fix the issue, then I will need to buy a new computer. I am having a hard time figuring out if I should go with the smaller but new M1 or stick with the Intel 2020 27". I am not interested in a laptop as a main computer (I have an 2018 MBA that I am currently using as a backup, which I typically use in the manner of an iPad), nor do I want to have to research monitors with a Mac Mini. Despite my current issues, I do like iMacs in general. But I worry that the M1 iMac isn't powerful enough with a max of 16GB RAM, and then I worry that the 2020 iMac will be basically out of date in the next six months or so. I have five local Apple stores, so I should be able to find something in stock at one of them, even if I would prefer a custom configuration.
What would you do in my position if I have to get something new?
thanks i’ll have my husband look when he swaps the power supply. the room it lives it is not particularly dusty though (unlike the rest of my house 🤣). but good idea to check.
I have a Benq SW271 and have been quite happy with it. That said, you are going to be hard pressed to beat the 27” iMac 5K display.
Is your 2017 iMac adequate for the photography work that you are doing?
FWIW, see if your husband can get your current iMac working. If he can’t, I’d recommend a certified refurbished 2020 27” iMac, specifically, the 8-core with 8GB/1TB SSD/Radeon 5500XT and add 32GB of DRAM to it. You don’t need an M1 and Intel will be viable for you for at least another 5 years, if not longer. The price of the refurb is reasonable and will be so much better than what you currently have that unless you want to chase technology (which I don’t gather you do), you can simply use this computer and have something very familiar, but better.
Refurb iMac - https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...z-8-core-Intel-Core-i7-with-Retina-5K-display