Imac 21.5 9400m and Motion, After Effects

[ashmadux]

Hey folks, first post! Okay with that out of the way..

I am looking for my first new mac in 5+ years. My workhorse has been my dual 2.5 G5 with Radeon 9800 since then and a PB G4. While the g5 still is a killer work machine, the radeon died a month ago, and now im screwed until i get a new machine. Tried some flashed ebay agp cards, and lets just say it was a small disaster.

I have 90% decided to go for the low end imac, but I have to say that as a power user that cant afford a tower (sticker shock, though my g5 cost me 2300- back then) Im simply looking to get the best bang for my buck, as i really need a tower but times are tough/

Now with the newer models, Im kinda dismayed that the two lower end models are only seperated by the video card. Ive seen in some macworld numbers where the integrated nature of the 9400m card is as much as 75% slower than the 4670- ouch!

So my question is not that is it that big a difference for motion and after effects, the question is will the performance be even half way decent for functions that call the gpu? Not particularly worried about final cut, as its an extremely well coded app and runs well on anything. An yes i understand the superiority of descrete gpu memory.

Basically, that extra 300 for the ati graphics card is a (serious) killer, so i will go for it if i can see some convincing opinion/evidence that for that type of work its a bad move considering the (nearly broke!) circumstances. Ive been out of work since march but my workstation drives the freelance that has kept me from robbing banks in a hamburglar outfit.


Thx in advance

 

[Tharian]

Hey folks, first post! Okay with that out of the way..

I am looking for my first new mac in 5+ years. My workhorse has been my dual 2.5 G5 with Radeon 9800 since then and a PB G4. While the g5 still is a killer work machine, the radeon died a month ago, and now im screwed until i get a new machine. Tried some flashed ebay agp cards, and lets just say it was a small disaster.

I have 90% decided to go for the low end imac, but I have to say that as a power user that cant afford a tower (sticker shock, though my g5 cost me 2300- back then) Im simply looking to get the best bang for my buck, as i really need a tower but times are tough/

Now with the newer models, Im kinda dismayed that the two lower end models are only seperated by the video card. Ive seen in some macworld numbers where the integrated nature of the 9400m card is as much as 75% slower than the 4670- ouch!

So my question is not that is it that big a difference for motion and after effects, the question is will the performance be even half way decent for functions that call the gpu? Not particularly worried about final cut, as its an extremely well coded app and runs well on anything. An yes i understand the superiority of descrete gpu memory.

Basically, that extra 300 for the ati graphics card is a (serious) killer, so i will go for it if i can see some convincing opinion/evidence that for that type of work its a bad move considering the (nearly broke!) circumstances. Ive been out of work since march but my workstation drives the freelance that has kept me from robbing banks in a hamburglar outfit.


Thx in advance

I've used Motion with a Macbook using the 9400m. It is not good at all for it. It lags, making it difficult to see what you're making in real time.

-d

 

[danistyping]

What I've learned is...just spring for the i5 or i7. Apple is all about an investment. Pay now, and you won't have to later. Get the quad core and upgrade the ram if/when needed - you'll be able to resell it on ebay for about 10-20% below what you got it for, and get a brand new, faster computer in two or so years. Ever since I got an iMac two years ago, this is what I've done. The first time, I actually made back a hundred bucks because I'm a teacher and they gave me a free ipod which i sold. The second time, I am only down 200 bucks. In the long run, its cheaper than paying thousand(s) for a new machine every few years and you always have new technology. The only downside is that you have to be willing to deal with the hassle of selling and shipping, but I rather enjoy the selling and the setting up of the new machine.

 

[Tenshi]

I would definitely go for the ATI graphics. I was in the same boat and didn't really wanna fork out the extra money for just a better graphics card and larger HD. But I did in the end, mainly for future proofing and don't regret it - this machine runs great! I don't do any video editing, but I do run Adobe CS4 programs with much, much ease.

Don't know if that helps at all! Good luck deciding!