iMac Pro VS iMac - What do i need?..Graphic Design

[rosie53]

Hi There,



I was hoping someone could help me make an informed decision on which iMac to buy.



I am looking at the base new iMac Pro at AUD $7,299.00 VS a spec’d out iMac configured to my needs… which I don’t know yet!



Note* I have a basic understanding of the technology behind these machines especially when it comes to the processor.. 8-18 cores and turbo boosts, and Vega graphic cards, etc. I do get bit confused in terms of how they effect my workflow. This is the main part I was hoping someone could explain to me, what each configuration means in terms of how the computer would run. I just don’t want to buy a machine like the iMac Pro if i would never even touch the top end of it’s capabilities.



I am a graphic designer full time, I use my computer mainly for adobe photoshop, illustrator and indesign.

Some files I am working out once saved out can get up to 5gb. This is because I sometimes work with the 3D rendering tool in illustrator, I know this is probably nothing compared to the real deal software, but it’s how I’m expected to complete tasks at work and for the things I’m creating it’s more than enough. Although the idea of having a machine thats capable of a whole lot more is tempting me to learn those new skills.



But anyway thats basically where I’m at I will list my current specs of my iMac below, it is starting to lag at times, and for me the main thing is the screen display is so poor when compared to a retina.



I am looking for an all in one machine.



Here are all the details,



Current Computer



Mac (27-inch, Late 2012)

Processor: Intel Core i7 3.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 8 MB

Memory: 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2 GB

Storage: 3.11TB Fusion Drive - This was one of the computers that was recalled, unfortunately my drive died a week before

they recalled so I had a new drive placed.





iMac Pro Base model



3.2GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon W processor

Turbo Boost up to 4.2GHz

32GB of 2666MHz ECC memory, configurable up to 128GB

1TB of SSD storage1

Radeon Pro Vega 56 with 8GB of HBM2 memory

10Gb Ethernet

Four Thunderbolt 3 ports

27-inch 5120-by-2880 P3 Retina 5K display



iMac 2017



?? Which one should I get?





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Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also last question, could I use my current 2012 iMac with whatever machine I buy as a second screen?

 

[h9826790]

You may have more luck if you put this question on the iMac forum, but not the Mac Pro forum.

 

[barmann]

You might get more answers posting this in the iMac forum , this is an i-free environment !

I don't much about iMacs , but the Adobe apps you mentioned don't seem to require a massive amount of processing power beyond what you already have .
( I'm not familiar with Indesign 3D work, though, 3D or video rendering in general can be very demanding ).

My guess would be a well specced non-pro iMac might be a possible upgrade for you for less money .
Retina display, slightly improved speed in general, maybe an SSD if you can swing it .

 

[rosie53]

Hi Thanks guys sorry I'm definitely in the wrong place! Thanks for the advice so far i will repost in the iMac fourm

 

[teohyc]

Don't waste money on the iMac Pro. The normal iMac has more than enough processing power for graphic design. The iMac also has really fast storage so you don't have to worry about wasting time on saving and opening large files. I doubt you will see significant difference when comparing the iMac and iMac Pro for the type of work you do.

 

[pajako]

In our league (graphic designer with benefits) it is not about what do you need but what would you like...

I ordered a 10-core iMac Pro, 64GB Vega16, 2TB SSD.
And I am mainly an Indesign-Photoshop-Illustrator as graphic designer user but as photographer I also use Lightroom a lot (which would benefit from a multicore machine).

I chose the iMac Pro because I can, my business went well last year so investing makes paying tax relatively lower.

I also like the idea of buying a ‘futureproof and latest model.
I would have preferred the futured modular MacPro but it is not here yet.

Last but not least its just a very cool looking beast, whether I need it or not I am going to enjoy working on it every time I am behind the screen!

 

[Bigdog9586]

I too am wondering which IMac to buy. In the PC world the bigger was always better and served me well. So I can spend 4000 for top of the line iMac. As things change and so far everything new requires more power. So 3 years down the road my 4000 iMac no longer does a good job. So another 4000 for another 3 years. So I now have 8000 to get 6 years of happiness in the speed and power. Or I could go 5500 and get a 10 core that could very well be up the 2 nd iMac I had to purchase and still have 2500 maybe to touch up the pro down the road.

 

[rosie53]

Okay! So thanks everyone for your help! Now this is the machine i have picked, and im going to try updating the ram myself! So im hoping someone on here can tell me if i have picked the correct RAM for my machine! and if the price is right!