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iMac advice..how much is enough or too much.

J

jdhestermd

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 10, 2010
6
0
Hello all. New to MacRumors. I've been a PC man almost as long as Bill Gates and for various reasons have always ignored the Mac world, even though I'm a photographer/photoshop enthusiast. Well, now that I'm no longer interested in building my computer from the ground up, I've decided to look into the world of Macs. I've been doing research on various models over the past few months and would like some recommendations (more than just from someone trying to sell me one.)

I'm looking at getting a system that will fly through digital imaging, both stills and HD video. I don't do much gaming, and frankly, with the exception of my photo hobby/passion, a iPad would have enough processor power. I've looked at the MacPros as well as the Macbook Pros and Imacs. For my imaging needs, the laptop, while nice to have portable power, doesn't have the display I need/want.

I've been seriously considering an iMac 27" with the i7 processor, probably 8gb ram (considered 16, but might be overkill) and 2tb hd. I WISH I could get one with a large SSD, but I guess not an option yet.

My other consideration was MacPro, this gives me lots of bells and whistles, and I'm thinking probably overkill (I tend to do that sometimes), although speed is unmatched, for all practical purposes.

My question is, would the iMac as described be sufficient for my needs or be overkill. Budget is liberal (within reason) but I know that I'm upgrading from my photoshop CS4 (PC edition) to CS5 mac version, lightroom, as well as getting new network setup for house and 13"macbookpro for daughter.

I know this is wordy and I appreciate it if you've read this far without saying that I just need to shut up already, but I'm very much looking forward to input on system recommendations. Thanks!
 
jdhestermd said:
Hello all. New to MacRumors. I've been a PC man almost as long as Bill Gates and for various reasons have always ignored the Mac world, even though I'm a photographer/photoshop enthusiast. Well, now that I'm no longer interested in building my computer from the ground up, I've decided to look into the world of Macs. I've been doing research on various models over the past few months and would like some recommendations (more than just from someone trying to sell me one.)

I'm looking at getting a system that will fly through digital imaging, both stills and HD video. I don't do much gaming, and frankly, with the exception of my photo hobby/passion, a iPad would have enough processor power. I've looked at the MacPros as well as the Macbook Pros and Imacs. For my imaging needs, the laptop, while nice to have portable power, doesn't have the display I need/want.

I've been seriously considering an iMac 27" with the i7 processor, probably 8gb ram (considered 16, but might be overkill) and 2tb hd. I WISH I could get one with a large SSD, but I guess not an option yet.

My other consideration was MacPro, this gives me lots of bells and whistles, and I'm thinking probably overkill (I tend to do that sometimes), although speed is unmatched, for all practical purposes.

My question is, would the iMac as described be sufficient for my needs or be overkill. Budget is liberal (within reason) but I know that I'm upgrading from my photoshop CS4 (PC edition) to CS5 mac version, lightroom, as well as getting new network setup for house and 13"macbookpro for daughter.

I know this is wordy and I appreciate it if you've read this far without saying that I just need to shut up already, but I'm very much looking forward to input on system recommendations. Thanks!
Click to expand...

It might be "overkill" today but tomorrow it might be just right. In a few years, in might not be enough. If you can afford it, go for it. You can't be too rich, too thin or have too much ram.

P.S. I'm middle class, fat but got "extra" ram with each iMac I bought. Never regretted it.
 
I am in the same situation....Though i dont get into video or image work, I am a long lived PC user and buying my first Mac ( Pro or iMac )

A few things to keep in mind...Always go overboard or do what you can afford when it comes to the processor because normally the CPU is never upgradable. The Ram, HD, etc you can always upgrade for cheaper later down the road ( much like a PC )

With the iMac, I watched a few videos....The ram seems like a piece of cake to upgrade, The HD on the other hand, seems like a real PITA ( remove the glass, screen, etc ) Though some people out here may say its not a problem, Coming from a simple PC where you just pop open a panel and your done, upgrading a iMac HD seems like a real nightmare...So either A) Drop the cash and get the HD you want NOW B) Use a external as for ram though, Save yourself money thru apple and upgrade that yourself if needed.

The Mac Pro is a great option and can easily be upgraded but keep in mind, your not getting that nice 27" screen and all the other goodies that come along with it, plus its not as compact ( aka ALL-IN-ONE solution ) The plus side is, a 5yr old can upgrade a mac pro thats how easy it is....

So if you plan to upgrade ( rams, hard drives, video cards, etc, etc ) go with the Mac Pro....If you just want something that you can buy and be done with ( Set it and forget it! ) go with the iMac.

I myself am going with a iMac, A simple all in one solution with all the power i need and since it cannot be upgraded, Then i wont get the urge to buy pointless things all the time ( like i do with my PC video card, sound card, HDs, etc )
 
I wouldn't buy a Pro right now, there is probably an upgrade coming to the pros this year sometime. So unless you really want a pro, I'd go with the imac or wait for the pro upgrade.
 
The core i7 will more than suit you , 8 GB looks like more than enough - but 16GB will get you trough a few years I reckon.

Thats an awesome machine. Also , the display on these iMacs are mind blowing. I noticed it instantly when I turned mine 21.5 inch on for the first time.
 
SXR said:
The core i7 will more than suit you , 8 GB looks like more than enough - but 16GB will get you trough a few years I reckon.

Thats an awesome machine. Also , the display on these iMacs are mind blowing. I noticed it instantly when I turned mine 21.5 inch on for the first time.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree about the display. I have a 24" dell at home that is HD and was tops a few years ago when I bought the pc, but it pales in comparison to what the iMac has!
 
maf2k8 said:
I am in the same situation....Though i dont get into video or image work, I am a long lived PC user and buying my first Mac ( Pro or iMac )

A few things to keep in mind...Always go overboard or do what you can afford when it comes to the processor because normally the CPU is never upgradable. The Ram, HD, etc you can always upgrade for cheaper later down the road ( much like a PC )

With the iMac, I watched a few videos....The ram seems like a piece of cake to upgrade, The HD on the other hand, seems like a real PITA ( remove the glass, screen, etc ) Though some people out here may say its not a problem, Coming from a simple PC where you just pop open a panel and your done, upgrading a iMac HD seems like a real nightmare...So either A) Drop the cash and get the HD you want NOW B) Use a external as for ram though, Save yourself money thru apple and upgrade that yourself if needed.

The Mac Pro is a great option and can easily be upgraded but keep in mind, your not getting that nice 27" screen and all the other goodies that come along with it, plus its not as compact ( aka ALL-IN-ONE solution ) The plus side is, a 5yr old can upgrade a mac pro thats how easy it is....

So if you plan to upgrade ( rams, hard drives, video cards, etc, etc ) go with the Mac Pro....If you just want something that you can buy and be done with ( Set it and forget it! ) go with the iMac.

I myself am going with a iMac, A simple all in one solution with all the power i need and since it cannot be upgraded, Then i wont get the urge to buy pointless things all the time ( like i do with my PC video card, sound card, HDs, etc )
Click to expand...

I'm with you on the "go overboard" part since I'd like to keep the system for a while and with software changes and programs that keep getting more and more sophisticated, more ram is better. I do love the iMac display and stats but still not used to the "all in one" type of computer and I wonder if I'll miss being able to "tinker"....
 
Have you thought, since you've been a PC Guy for years, about just rolling your own?

I did, and I've always been a Mac guy... but I couldn't be happier...

The money you'd save over say an entry level iMac would let you buy 2 512 GB SSD's and Raid 0 those MF'ers :p
 
Asylum Design said:
Have you thought, since you've been a PC Guy for years, about just rolling your own?

I did, and I've always been a Mac guy... but I couldn't be happier...

The money you'd save over say an entry level iMac would let you buy 2 512 GB SSD's and Raid 0 those MF'ers :p
Click to expand...

Make my own mac? Not sure where I'd start.......
 
Hi OP!

I would recommend going for the i7 without a doubt with the standard 4GB RAM (2 x 2 GB), then buying an additional 2 x 4GB modules from another source (cheaper).

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/191206 <-- This is a good site if you are in the UK, recommended by Hellhammer although it does appear the RAM is out of stock at the moment.

This would leave you with a powerful system with 12GB for a good price and will suffice your needs. And, it may be a good idea for you to go for the 2TB hard drive if deal with lots of pictures. And SSD large Hard Drives would cost more than the entire computer itself if they were even available so not yet unfortunately. :(
 
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