Any Illustrators or graphic designers using the new iMac professionally? How are you getting on with the screen... does the glossiness affect your work negatively in any way or would you recommend it? Thanks 
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New iMacs being used by Illustrators/graphic designers?
- Thread starter newkeyboard
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I doubt an Illustrator of Graphic Designer has bought the new iMac especially the 20" TN LCD.
I can only imagine a Illustrator or Graphic Designer buying the new iMac and using it as a 2nd display and using it for Creative Suite tools such as swatches, colors, strokes etc., at the same time having a full view of their work on their previously owned 24"/30" Matte LCD Display.
I can only imagine a Illustrator or Graphic Designer buying the new iMac and using it as a 2nd display and using it for Creative Suite tools such as swatches, colors, strokes etc., at the same time having a full view of their work on their previously owned 24"/30" Matte LCD Display.
I disagree. Although a tn panel is far from ideal, I think the iMac 24 is a pretty good option for a designer, especially when you're on a budget. There's not too many options if you require a meaty machine from Apple other than the iMac.
I also think some of the folk on this board should reserve judgement on the quality of the iMac displays until they've actually used them.
I agree. I think the iMac 20" is a gorgeous display, even compared to my old iMac and the 20" Cinemas we use at work. Properly calibrated (which I think I've got it now), it is just fine for my web design work.
There are indeed way too many people on here who are complaining about the displays who haven't used them for any length of time. Complaining should be reserved for those of us who actually have some extended experience with them.
well thats what i plan on doing once i purchase mine. either the acd 23" or a dell 30"
I will do graphics design and photography on my 24" iMac. But I haven't got mine yet so I can't say how well it works.
As for the panel it should be just fine. There are a lot better displays but they also cost nearly as much as the iMac itself.
As for the reflective surface, I have worked with CRTs for many many years and they have the same problem, although it wasn't considered a big problem back then since it was pretty much the only option. A lot of designers and photographers still use CRT displays.
I prefer matte though, but I don't think the glossy screen will be a problem for me.
As for the panel it should be just fine. There are a lot better displays but they also cost nearly as much as the iMac itself.
As for the reflective surface, I have worked with CRTs for many many years and they have the same problem, although it wasn't considered a big problem back then since it was pretty much the only option. A lot of designers and photographers still use CRT displays.
I prefer matte though, but I don't think the glossy screen will be a problem for me.
I actually think this whole glossy screen and tn panel nonsense is a bit of a red herring. It's just a typical internet rumour blown way out of proportion.
Lets look at the facts. Apple has and always will be known in computer circles as the kings of desktop publishing and graphic design. I cannot think for one minute Apple would produce a sub-standard product that would question its integrity in designing and developing graphics on one of its computers. The screen will have to be at a satisfactory standard in this regard, surely?
That is a most excellent point that I think more people need to keep in mind. What did all these whiners do when glass-faced CRTs were the only option?
I personally think that is irrelevant. Does the iMac come with a sticker on the side saying "iMac not recommended for Photoshop, Quark, Illustrator etc.". I know for a fact that the iMac is used in many agency studios around London!
But it is a TN panel--the model number was matched to a Samsung TN panel upon disassembly. These panels have the worst color reproduction and viewing angles.
The glass (which I think looks wonderful!) helps to shroud the lower panel quality, I reckon.
Yeah, it's used by professionals all over the world. Not every "pro" needs a high end workstation.
Yes apple have a strong market in graphics etc. they are used by PROFESSIONALS, using PROFESSIONAL machines. sure, some agencies may have imacs in their office, but i doubt the high-end graphics/colour work is done on an imac. it's just not a Pro computer, so you can't expect Pro specs.
no, they dont. but if they're doing anything where colour accuracy is important they will have a decent monitor. it's well documented that glossy screens do not represent colours ACCURATELY, and as noted, the iMacs use the lower spec LCD panels. this isn't an OPINION, its a FACT.
and where is your link to that?
if you adjust glossy monitor right I don't see any reason why you cound't get colors right.
we don't know jet which panel 24" model is using. so i'm still waiting that someone take apart 24" model
Then I suggest that you step out in the real world and have a look.
I can tell you that the so called "Pro" ACD's, while better than the 20" iMac, aren't very accurate either. Yet professionals use them.
Heck, some photographers even use their laptop screens.
If you want really good LCD's then you have to look elsewhere, because Apple aren't offering any.
That said, yes, glossy displays are worse for graphics/photo work. However, they aren't the dealbreaker for everyone, not even the professionals.
It would be very nice of Apple to offer a matte option. I sure hope there will be one in the future for the 24".
It's a fair point, and the iMac was indeed never designed to be the top end in 100% accurate colour reproduction.
However, the issue here is the level of quality the new iMac display is actually at. Is it at an acceptable level for graphics work? Is the imac 20 tn panel really that bad, or are people just saying because its a tn panel it is crap. Tn panels differ vastly in quality; some are shockingly crap, others aren't that bad at all. Where's the iMac 20 at?
So glad that someone else has pointed this out. Up until three years ago I spent my working life in front of a CRT and never even considered the glass screen as being a problem.
Rubbish. I have clients and colleagues producing everything from ads to magazines on Macs that are over 5 years old. You'd be amazed how many 'old' iMacs are in use in agencies around the world.
wow. you just took what i said completely out of context, even though i was agreeing with what you said. graphics pro's dont necessarily NEED a workstation, but they DO need a decent display. it would be nice if apple included hi-spec displays in the imac, but that would push the price up. you get what you pay for.
Although the Mitsubishi CRT I'm sitting in front of does have a glass surface, it's also treated with anti-reflective coatings, just like the LaCies in our studio... I also have a monitor hood.
I haven't seen the new iMacs in person, but from the pictures I've seen, they look far more reflective than your average high-end CRT.
I haven't seen the new iMacs in person, but from the pictures I've seen, they look far more reflective than your average high-end CRT.