Photo editing with Mac Mini?

[Chad H]

Hey guys,
I can get a good deal on either a Mac Mini w/ intel core duo 1.66ghz or 1.8ghz. I am getting back into photography(just bought my Nikon D40) and I am either going to purchase lightroom or aperture to edit my photos with. Will either Mac Mini be enough? I will upgrade the RAM to the maxium 2gig almost immediately. On a side not I will be getting a new LCD tv to display this through. Probably a 32" or 37". Thanks in advance.

-Chad

 

[Kebabselector]

I use my 2gb 1.66 MacMini for Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom. No problems at all for me (though Lightroom library is on an external drive). I did try Aperture when I only had 1gb, It did struggle a bit. 2gb might help, but you can always try it first.

 

[Chad H]

Well nevermind now. The refurb store had a couple I was looking at and they are all gone now. So tomorrow I am just going to go get a brand new 1.83ghz Intel Core 2 duo and install 4gig of RAM in that bad boy.

 

[ChrisA]

Well nevermind now. The refurb store had a couple I was looking at and they are all gone now. So tomorrow I am just going to go get a brand new 1.83ghz Intel Core 2 duo and install 4gig of RAM in that bad boy.

Stay with iPhoto. It works well for 90% of everyone. It is easy to switch later to Aperure if you wish.

You also may want an image editor to compliment iPhoto. Adobe "Elements" works well with iPhoto. They integrate near seemlessly

 

[Techguy172]

The Mini will be fine but I hope you realize that you need Photoshop as well in order to edit images. For the Person who suggested iPhoto I think Aperture would be much better because I'm guessing he's going to want to shoot in RAW.

 

[Everythingisnt]

GPU-related tasks are where your mini will take major performance hits. Especially when running a big tv, don't expect to run any core-image accelerated tasks like Aperture with their usual "snapiness".

 

[Chad H]

Well I just purchased my mini. I got a 1.83ghz Intel Core Duo refurb for a damn good deal. That model is upgradeable to 2gig of RAM right? Anyway, do you guys think I would be okay with lightroom or photoshop rather than aperture?

 

[jtblueberry]

My vote is Photoshop + Lightroom

 

[Kebabselector]

That model is upgradeable to 2gig of RAM right? Anyway, do you guys think I would be okay with lightroom or photoshop rather than aperture?

Yes, 2gb is fine.

Yes, photoshop and Lightroom run fine. You can download limited trial versions of CS3 (2days - unless they've changed it) and Lightroom/Aperture (30 days).

Best to try before you buy, you may hate one of the applications.