Running multiple Adobe CC programs at once

[leftindust]

Hello,

I design brochures as part of my current job role, and we have at the moment a late 2015 iMac with 8gb memory. It's really struggling with the amount of work I'm needing to do, as a lot of it involves having both Photoshop and InDesign open at the same time which I can't realistic do as it crashes when running both currently.

My Mac knowledge is fairly nonexistant but on my home device, which has 16gb of memory, I don't have the same issues.

The company wants to replace this model and want me to advice them but they don't want to spend a ridiculous amount, my knee jerk reaction is to suggest a similar model with 16gb of memory but I don't want to recommend it and for it to turn out that memory isn't this issue.

Any advice on this? I need something that can run both Photoshop and InDesign at the same time with relative ease.

This is our current spec, all latest software updates applied -

iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
3.1 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 1536 MB

 

[Release]

Whatever you end up with, just make sure you max out the RAM or as much as they can afford. 8 is definitely not enough to run PS and ID at the same time.

 

[chabig]

I cannot think of a good reason why your present Mac shouldn’t be able to run both Photoshop and Indesign simultaneously, even with 8GB. Your machine has virtual memory. That means you give up some performance with limited RAM but it won’t crash. Something else is going on. Make sure your OS and apps are all up to date, and don’t run utilities that muck with the system, especially antivirus.

 

[leftindust]

I cannot think of a good reason why your present Mac shouldn’t be able to run both Photoshop and Indesign simultaneously, even with 8GB. Your machine has virtual memory. That means you give up some performance with limited RAM but it won’t crash. Something else is going on. Make sure your OS and apps are all up to date, and don’t run utilities that muck with the system, especially antivirus.

Everything is up to date, and I don't run anti virus or anything else at the same time. usually it's just the Mail app, maybe Safari.

I've occasionally seen screen glitches (the screen distorts with pink lines and stuff), but they stop after a few seconds and I have no idea of what could cause those, would they be related?

 

[chabig]

I've occasionally seen screen glitches (the screen distorts with pink lines and stuff), but they stop after a few seconds and I have no idea of what could cause those, would they be related?

Possibly. Troubleshooting is hard, especially over the internet. Short screen glitches could be hardware or software related, and might be harmless.

If your job involves lots of heavy graphics work, I do agree with Release that you should get the most RAM that your can afford. That’ll make you more productive and the Mac will last longer.

 

[leftindust]

Possibly. Troubleshooting is hard, especially over the internet. Short screen glitches could be hardware or software related, and might be harmless.

If your job involves lots of heavy graphics work, I do agree with Release that you should get the most RAM that your can afford. That’ll make you more productive and the Mac will last longer.

I figured, but it was always worth checking! thank you both

 

[kohlson]

Looks like this may be a model where the RAM can be upgraded. If you are using this for professional graphic design work, put 16GB in there, and 32GB if you can do so.

You may want to consider the productivity improvements that come with SSD, larger screen, and discrete GPU, too. That is, a larger iMac.

 

[BlueTide]

My gut tells me it's RAM. Running those two app at the same time should not even break a sweat with modern computers, unless extreme use - which is rare to see people do. As others have said, SSD helps too, but those apps are not really that resource intensive.

 

[campyguy]

Hold on, need a minute to go get it............................

There, got it. Time to beat on my "get a fast scratch disk for Photoshop" drum again. Using scratch disks since the SCSI days with PS 3 and AutoCAD.

"And" - not "or" - add more RAM...

 

[chrfr]

Hello,

I design brochures as part of my current job role, and we have at the moment a late 2015 iMac with 8gb memory. It's really struggling with the amount of work I'm needing to do, as a lot of it involves having both Photoshop and InDesign open at the same time which I can't realistic do as it crashes when running both currently.

My Mac knowledge is fairly nonexistant but on my home device, which has 16gb of memory, I don't have the same issues.

The company wants to replace this model and want me to advice them but they don't want to spend a ridiculous amount, my knee jerk reaction is to suggest a similar model with 16gb of memory but I don't want to recommend it and for it to turn out that memory isn't this issue.

Any advice on this? I need something that can run both Photoshop and InDesign at the same time with relative ease.

This is our current spec, all latest software updates applied -

iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
3.1 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 1536 MB

If that iMac is using the 5400 rpm 1TB disk that many lower end iMacs came with, you'll find that to be having a big effect on performance too. Whatever new iMac you're getting should have at least 16GB of RAM and a fast disk. Alternatively, doing something like running the existing iMac from an external SSD would likely give a big performance improvement too.

 

[mcpix]

If that iMac is using the 5400 rpm 1TB disk that many lower end iMacs came with, you'll find that to be having a big effect on performance too. Whatever new iMac you're getting should have at least 16GB of RAM and a fast disk. Alternatively, doing something like running the existing iMac from an external SSD would likely give a big performance improvement too.

This reply is spot on! I had a friend with a MBP that quit working. She decided to replace it with a 21" iMac. Her MBP had an SSD (which I had installed) and I told her do not buy a 21" with the standard 5400 rpm HD. I suggested a 27" iMac (ram is upgradeable) with a fusion drive. She ignored my advice and almost immediately called me to say her new computer "is having problems and won't run Photoshop."

It's almost criminal that Apple still ships iMacs with a 5400 HD these days. As the previous poster mentioned you could buy an external SSD (make sure it's one that can be used as a boot drive) and see if that solves most of your problems. If you opt to buy a new iMac, definitely get a 27" with a fusion drive or SSD.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

If the iMac has the standard 1TB Seagate 5400rom platter drive, there be your problem, as pirates as used to say. The platter drive is similar to slow, sticky molasses. The answer is an SSD and ignore any Fusion Drive.

Go with the suggestion of an external SSD, Samsung say, in a USB3 caddy. Clone the Operating System to it, and in System Preferences > Startup Disk select it as the boot drive by highlighting. Increasing memory in the 21.5:" model is a very seriousm task requiring the biMac to be opened and stripped down to the logic board.

Not for rookies.

 

[alien3dx]

Hello,

I design brochures as part of my current job role, and we have at the moment a late 2015 iMac with 8gb memory. It's really struggling with the amount of work I'm needing to do, as a lot of it involves having both Photoshop and InDesign open at the same time which I can't realistic do as it crashes when running both currently.

My Mac knowledge is fairly nonexistant but on my home device, which has 16gb of memory, I don't have the same issues.

The company wants to replace this model and want me to advice them but they don't want to spend a ridiculous amount, my knee jerk reaction is to suggest a similar model with 16gb of memory but I don't want to recommend it and for it to turn out that memory isn't this issue.

Any advice on this? I need something that can run both Photoshop and InDesign at the same time with relative ease.

This is our current spec, all latest software updates applied -

iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015)
3.1 GHz Intel Core i5
8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3
Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 1536 MB

As i see before, i kinda shock when i see 1.5k dollar for a 21' .The ram are soldered not like my version 21' aren't .If windows i will advise to remove all the non important services, but in MAC somebody telling me my idea is idiotic and nonsense.

The most you can do is

1. Buy a external SSD and boot it as other suggested .
** I'm using western digital 256 GB external ssd on my IMAC 2017 21'
https://www.wdc.com/products/portable-storage/my-passport-ssd.html

2. I'm not sure u using icloud or on all the spotlight, for me i just limit the spotlight search and disabled all icloud.. I back up manually.

3. I also unsure if your job also required Adobe Illustrator, that's another one memory hogger.

4. Just tell your boss, normally computer depreciate in 3 years. Since adobe subscription each update, new and higher requirement needed to execute the adobe suite.