iMac Graphic Workstation

[raccoon2]

I'm wanting to purchase two of the new 24" iMacs for my Graphic/Web design business. I've been looking at the 24" 2.66 model with the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M integrated graphics chipset.
I have been reading reviews that say this model of iMac is fine for gaming but not for a graphics workstation.
Our main software is the Adobe Design suite, is anyone on this forum using this model of iMac as a graphics workstation, and do you find any lack in performance with adobe products.

Thanks
Marshall

 

[chaosbunny]

I'm using a 2007 2,8 ghz 24" iMac, performance should be about the same. No complaints so far, the glassy screen can be a problem if there is VERY much light in the office, don't put them anywhere facing a window/neon lamp and you should be ok.

Performance wise I have zero issues. I have 4gb ram which I definitely recommend. Usually I have Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS4, InDesign CS4, Bridge, Acrobat Pro, Mail, Firefox, iCal and iTunes running, sometimes Flash or Cinema 4D too and there is no lag or anything. psd files around 300-500 mb are no problem too.

Unless you are often working on huge billboards with 500-1000 mb+ files these iMacs with 4gb ram should serve you well for the next couple of years.

I have been reading reviews that say this model of iMac is fine for gaming but not for a graphics workstation.

Where did you read that? The weakest point of this particular iMac model is its integrated graphics card and the graphics card is needed for gaming, apart from some Photoshop Effects it has more or less no effect on Adobes Design Suite.

 

[raccoon2]

Thanks for your reply. I thought they would be alright.
The PC's we are using at the moment running CS3, only use 3GB Ram, Core 2 processors and Nvidia 7200 cards, I even run CS3 at home on my old AMD computer with 1MB of Ram and a ATI 9250 Card and it runs fine.

I'm not worried about the screen as I colour calibrate my monitor ever four weeks and I also calibrate how much light is entering the room, with my Eyeone, that way I know that my print when going to press and proofing is spot on.

This is where I found one of the reviews http://www.techworld.com.au/article/278892/6_things_need_know_about_apple_new_desktops?fp=4&fpid=109

Thank you
Marshall

 

[Animalk]

Hi,

I am not a graphic artist/designer or any of that but I am very knowledgeable when it comes to hardware and I think my advice could be useful to you.

The weakest link in your potential model choice is the 9400m as you've pointed out. I strongly recommend you do your best to get in front of an IMac with this graphics chip and same resolution as your potential purchase and give it a spin with some graphic files and projects. Bring along on a usb key projects and files of the size and scope you usually work with on average.

Now going into the hardware details, the weak point of the 9400m is in how fast it gets and puts graphical data into memory. This is what causes the jitters, the slow image loading and graphical anomalies when scrolling. The only way to find out is do as I suggest above.

If for some reason you can't get a hold of a machine, I would try requesting someone on the boards with the model you want to make a youtube video for you to see if its satisfactory for you. I'm sure someone is nice enough on this board to do this for you.

good luck with your purchase.

 

[TTTT]

I have tested an imac 9400M recently for a multimedia lab. No problems with PS CS4, PS CS3 or even dated software such as Flash 8.

Works well with some 3D software ie Cinema 4D, does not work adequately with Maya, which relies more on hardware rendering.

Unless you are using Maya or play graphically intense games the 9400M should not be a problem.

 

[synagence]

The 9400m will be fine, but adobe are starting to implement more and more GPU accelerated features into the CS4 line of products and will surely continue.

The higher option GFX will future proof you a little more but will suffice fine if you're not doing anything particularly heavy