Hi all
My first post on here, but I've been reading for a month or so. Most of you seem mega helpful, so hoping you can help me out here!
I currently use a Vaio FE11S with XP (1.8Ghz Dual Core 2, 1Gb RAM and 320Gb HDD), but it is 3 years old and definitely on its last legs - sometimes start-up from hibernation can take 7+ minutes! And it freezes constantly). So, I need a new machine, and as someone who is training in Graphics Macs look the obvious option.
I do pretty hardcore Photoshop work, will be installing Adobe CS2 (and probably upgrading to CS4 when it appears this autumn), and am also learning video editing - currently just using Premiere Elements, but intend to upgrade shortly. I am a Marketing Manager at work, but also do all the UK based design work using CS2. I am mostly self taught over the past 3 years, but am doing more and more training as I would like to do some freelance design work in my spare time, so my needs are getting more intensive by the month, and my video editing tasks will get ever more intensive over the next 6/12 months.
I've never had a Mac, so starting from zip here - I even use a high spec PC for design work in the office, because I also manage 90% of our IT over here, and didn't want the hassle of networking a Mac with no support! I'm pretty good with Windows based IT, have built a couple of high spec desktop PC's a couple of years ago, which still work with no problems, but no idea what I'm doing with Macs.
Other than the design and video editing, as well as a fair bit of intensive music creation / mixing, it will be used for the standard internet / email / iTunes, watching movies, etc. I don't play games at all. Based on these requirements, will the top spec iMac be sufficient? Would the jump from 2Gb to 4Gb make a significant difference?
There is a 3.06 2Gb 24" refurbished model on the UK store, which is great because prices over here are crazy! (Which makes the Mac Pro or MacBook Pro a seriously expensive option)
What do you guys think?!
My first post on here, but I've been reading for a month or so. Most of you seem mega helpful, so hoping you can help me out here!
I currently use a Vaio FE11S with XP (1.8Ghz Dual Core 2, 1Gb RAM and 320Gb HDD), but it is 3 years old and definitely on its last legs - sometimes start-up from hibernation can take 7+ minutes! And it freezes constantly). So, I need a new machine, and as someone who is training in Graphics Macs look the obvious option.
I do pretty hardcore Photoshop work, will be installing Adobe CS2 (and probably upgrading to CS4 when it appears this autumn), and am also learning video editing - currently just using Premiere Elements, but intend to upgrade shortly. I am a Marketing Manager at work, but also do all the UK based design work using CS2. I am mostly self taught over the past 3 years, but am doing more and more training as I would like to do some freelance design work in my spare time, so my needs are getting more intensive by the month, and my video editing tasks will get ever more intensive over the next 6/12 months.
I've never had a Mac, so starting from zip here - I even use a high spec PC for design work in the office, because I also manage 90% of our IT over here, and didn't want the hassle of networking a Mac with no support! I'm pretty good with Windows based IT, have built a couple of high spec desktop PC's a couple of years ago, which still work with no problems, but no idea what I'm doing with Macs.
Other than the design and video editing, as well as a fair bit of intensive music creation / mixing, it will be used for the standard internet / email / iTunes, watching movies, etc. I don't play games at all. Based on these requirements, will the top spec iMac be sufficient? Would the jump from 2Gb to 4Gb make a significant difference?
There is a 3.06 2Gb 24" refurbished model on the UK store, which is great because prices over here are crazy! (Which makes the Mac Pro or MacBook Pro a seriously expensive option)
What do you guys think?!