What’s on your mind?

[Tsuchiya]

I'm still slightly annoyed about my experiences earlier in the day at a jewellers/watch store. I have a growing passion for watches and wanted a particular Tudor dive watch announced earlier this year. Perfect size, old school design. New, in house movement and less expensive than other heritage or well known watches. Why do watch ADs feel the need to put on an air of superiority and treat the customer as if it's a privilege to even have our business accepted? Zero communication despite being over three months past their estimated ETA on the watch, then when I lost patience and went in to cancel I'm treated with suspicion and even confusion?

No wonder the grey market for Swiss watches (in particular Rolex) is thriving. I'd rather pay a premium to not have to wait indefinitely and not have to deal with these ******** "boutiques" and the people they hire.

 

[Lioness~]

Exited for the new MacBook Air, just ordered a Gold 16/256

But will have to wait until 20-22 Nov.

Will be exiting with a MBA again. Tired of the iPad.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

I'm still slightly annoyed about my experiences earlier in the day at a jewellers/watch store. I have a growing passion for watches and wanted a particular Tudor dive watch announced earlier this year. Perfect size, old school design. New, in house movement and less expensive than other heritage or well known watches. Why do watch ADs feel the need to put on an air of superiority and treat the customer as if it's a privilege to even have our business accepted? Zero communication despite being over three months past their estimated ETA on the watch, then when I lost patience and went in to cancel I'm treated with suspicion and even confusion?

No wonder the grey market for Swiss watches (in particular Rolex) is thriving. I'd rather pay a premium to not have to wait indefinitely and not have to deal with these ******** "boutiques" and the people they hire.

I suspect the some of these places put more effort into recruiting staff who look good, float around beautifully, and who seem to have an eye for whether your appearance suggests that you can afford their wares, rather than knowledge of the actual products that they are selling.

In those situations, I tend to prefer to deal with the owner or someone who holds a senior position.

 

[cube]

Well, yes.

The thing is, if you spend that sort of money on a computer, you will not have it in mind to upgrade after a year or two; prudence or sense will decree that you will keep it for the best part of three, or four, or five years. Or more.

And that, in turn, may render you a less than optimum desirable customer from the perspective of the assiduous bean counters in Cupertino.

I made a more complete and thought out configuration. It looks like 4.2K only gets you an average system:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/J6dVHh

You can add a USB-C front panel for 20 euro.

 

[D.T.]

Someone was talking about a 2018 Mac mini. Then I saw new Macs had been released.

I don't know what is reasonably upgradeable. So I maxed out a config: $4199. WTF?

I decided to check out what one can build for that money matching the specs without caring too much about the sweet spots:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/KHFQMZ

Right, like has been discussed [in several recent Mac Mini threads], that's with max +$1400 storage and +$1400 RAM upgrades. Do a Max CPU (+200) and bump the storage to 512GB (+200) and supply your own 32GB RAM from Crucial (~$271, the RAM is socketed though still some discussion about the upgrade difficulty, for some folks, it will be simple), now you're just under $1800 for a pretty stout machine, with a 25K multi core score. Storage is something that can be added incrementally, externally, for much cheaper, heck, some folks just need a boot/OS drive with a few apps and put all their user data externally, then you could start with a base i3, bump to i7, and save $200 vs. standard config, or $400 vs. my config above

 

[cube]

Right, like has been discussed [in several recent Mac Mini threads], that's with max +$1400 storage and +$1400 RAM upgrades. Do a Max CPU (+200) and bump the storage to 512GB (+200) and supply your own 32GB RAM from Crucial (~$271, the RAM is socketed though still some discussion about the upgrade difficulty, for some folks, it will be simple), now you're just under $1800 for a pretty stout machine, with a 25K multi core score. Storage is something that can be added incrementally, externally, for much cheaper, heck, some folks just need a boot/OS drive with a few apps and put all their user data externally, then you could start with a base i3, bump to i7, and save $200 vs. standard config, or $400 vs. my config above

$1700:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hW2DKB

Note: Fixed missing PSU.

 

[D.T.]

$1870:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/rvxnMZ

Not sure what your point is, but my point was the Mac Mini price with the max storage and RAM is a severe price skew, and that very solid configurations are less than 1/2 that (and storage is easily added later).

 

[cube]

Not sure what your point is, but my point was the Mac Mini price with the max storage and RAM is a severe price skew, and that very solid configurations are less than 1/2 that (and storage is easily added later).

I forgot the PSU.

 

[kazmac]

I bailed on the Mac Mini because I do not want buy an eGPU should I need one down the line and after I configure it, the Mini would still be close to an iMac Pro. So, currently, nope.

So now several choices:

a) 2017 iMac and a 10.5” iPP

b) maybe MBA and a 10.5” iPP? Alas, no Surface Pro: the drawing apps are not there. And the Apple butterfly keyboards scare me. This option is if I just use for writing, school and very light photo edits.

or c) Ride this creaky but blessedly working 2013 iMac until it fully goes kaput. The thing is, it beach balls when the HD is not even 1/4th full (1TB I have about 750gb left).


Since the Shaw Brothers writing gig went belly up (HK fired the US publicity team and are now limping along on their own. Perfectly fine, especially since it was a non paying gig): Now I have less a need for video conversion of physical dvds and such. So I am wondering if I should move away from iMacs.

Too many choices.

 

[Lioness~]

I bailed on the Mac Mini because I do not want buy an eGPU and after I configure it, the Mini would still be close to an iMac Pro. So, nope.

So now several choices:

a) 2017 iMac and a 10.5” iPP

b) maybe MBA and a 10.5” iPP? Alas, no Surface Pro: the drawing apps are not there. And the Apple butterfly keyboards scare me.

or c) Ride this creaky but blessedly working 2013 iMac until it fully goes kaput. The thing is, it beach balls when the HD is not even 1/4th full (1TB I have about 750gb left).


Since the Shaw Brothers writing gig went belly up (HK fired the US publicity team and are now limping along on their own. Perfectly fine, especially since it was a non paying gig.) Now I have less a need for video conversion of physical dvds and such. So I am wondering if I should move away from iMacs.

Too many choices.

My iMac 2013 hardly ever beachball. That's where I'm grateful that I picked 32GB RAM when I bought it.
My 1TB fusion is not yet up to 1/2 either.
Considered iPP a tiny moment, but I figured I rather buy the iPMini when it gets updated. Until then iPadAir2 will do.
I do real Art, sketching on iPad doesn't fascinate me enough. And I rather have a full keyboard.
And no, it doesn't scared me with 3rd gen. Hope it will be good now.

Yes, ride through your needs, your fears, until you arrive somewhere.
Went lot faster for me then I thought tonight

 

[D.T.]

I bailed on the Mac Mini because I do not want buy an eGPU should I need one down the line and after I configure it, the Mini would still be close to an iMac Pro. So, currently, nope.

Wow, really? iMac Pro starts at $5K, Mini with the i7 (25K multicore!), 512GB storage (don't _really_ need more internally on a desktop), and even opting for the 32GB RAM option from Apple (vs. a DIY for ~$275), that's $1899 and a heck of a stout machine, with some neat options for future expansion (eGPU, etc.)

 

[cube]

$1700:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/hW2DKB

Note: Fixed missing PSU.

Let's include backup in the budget:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/fgDvYT

$1900

 

[kazmac]

Wow, really? iMac Pro starts at $5K, Mini with the i7 (25K multicore!), 512GB storage (don't _really_ need more internally on a desktop), and even opting for the 32GB RAM option from Apple (vs. a DIY for ~$275), that's $1899 and a heck of a stout machine, with some neat options for future expansion (eGPU, etc.)

It sure is.

Mac Mini: I would have go through Apple for upgrades including RAM, SSD, eGPU, speakers and a new monitor (My Kung fu grip is pretty strong so no upgrade attempts by moi on a Mac Mini). That came close to $4K which is all I’d pay for an iMac Pro. You can go cheaper, sure. And many will. It just annoys me that Apple skimped on the GPU (I do not want an eGPU), otherwise the new Mac Mini is a great upgrade.

The thing is, I am not sure what set up I need computer-wise, since I basically do less image/video and more writing now. That could change which is why I am still clinging to the idea of a desktop and the cheapest iPad Pro for drawing and some school. I just want a set up that will suit me for at least 3.5 -5 years. I’d rather have that GPU there when I buy the machine, so I am leaning toward the 2017 iMacs.

@Lioness~ I have had so much bad luck with iDevices that I am hesitant about an MBA, plus the display might not work for me. I am sure it will work for you.

I got spoiled with Procreate as far as drawing, so last years’ 10.5 will be fine.

Not sure what is up with my 2013 iMac (it has 24gb RAM), but it is beachballing hard. Not sure how much longer I can deal with that.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Books, beer, digesting dinner, and related matters.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Like me, many in here seem to be weighing up their upgrade options for a new Mac. My late 2012 iMac needs an update sooner rather than later.
Thinking Mac mini or MacBook Pro. More likely a mini as I can get High quality monitors easily enough.

 

[Lioness~]

Not sure what is up with my 2013 iMac (it has 24gb RAM), but it is beachballing hard. Not sure how much longer I can deal with that.

With 24 GB sounds like something is wrong in system.
Normal restarting doesn’t help?
Error searching is fun, not
But start to install clean system on ext. disk and go from there.

Copy/paste from somewhat corrupt system.
If you’re brave, reinstall from scratch immidiately, with saved TM Copy & fresh CCC clone(s) to move files from.

You can also try some Coctail (the app) cleaning or similar first.
Doesn’t have to a big error. Good luck

 

[kazmac]

With 24 GB sounds like something is wrong in system.
Normal restarting doesn’t help?
Error searching is fun, not
But start to install clean system on ext. disk and go from there.

Copy/paste from somewhat corrupt system.
If you’re brave, reinstall from scratch immidiately, with saved TM Copy & fresh CCC clone(s) to move files from.

You can also try some Coctail (the app) cleaning or similar first.
Doesn’t have to a big error. Good luck

Thank you very much, do not have a cloned system image from when the machine was new. Lesson learned though. Cloning is the first thing I will do with a new machine.

Thanks again.

 

[SoggyCheese]

I have just crossed into US airspace. *waves at North Dakota below*

 

[D.T.]

Exited for the new MacBook Air, just ordered a Gold 16/256

Ohh, nice, I just want to see it in it's golden glory

It sure is.

Mac Mini: I would have go through Apple for upgrades including RAM, SSD, eGPU, speakers and a new monitor (My Kung fu grip is pretty strong so no upgrade attempts by moi on a Mac Mini). That came close to $4K which is all I’d pay for an iMac Pro. You can go cheaper, sure. And many will. It just annoys me that Apple skimped on the GPU (I do not want an eGPU), otherwise the new Mac Mini is a great upgrade.

The thing is, I am not sure what set up I need computer-wise, since I basically do less image/video and more writing now. That could change which is why I am still clinging to the idea of a desktop and the cheapest iPad Pro for drawing and some school. I just want a set up that will suit me for at least 3.5 -5 years. I’d rather have that GPU there when I buy the machine, so I am leaning toward the 2017 iMacs.

Yeah, _if_ you wanted to go eGPU right up front (though you said you're "not sure" about your machine needs), and need a display, etc., what would add up. I've got an awesome pair of Dell QHD displays, a das mechanical Pro 4, lots of input devices, and would skip the eGPU initially, so it does really made a price difference based on my use case and existing gear vs. yours.

With 24 GB sounds like something is wrong in system.

You can get all sort of uncommon RAM amounts by mixing capacities, like I was running a 2GB and 8GB sticks in my wife's older MBP and it had the odd 10GB RAM total.

With an iMac that's probably a 4/4/8/8 config

 

[Gutwrench]

I have just crossed into US airspace. *waves at North Dakota below*

Look to your left...I’m running outside to wave back from Minnesota. And sorry about Iowa in advance. Look away, look away it’s hideous!

 

[D.T.]

Look to your left...I’m running outside to wave back from Minnesota. And sorry about Iowa in advance. Look away, look away it’s hideous!

Dude, hahahaha ...

 

[cube]

Let's include backup in the budget:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/fgDvYT

$1900

We should be able to reduce the external bay requirement by modding a case for USB-C Gen 2.

This way we can also accommodate XL-ATX and get a silent and cheaper one:

$1800:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/VfYZHh


And now we can get a 2018 motherboard for $4200:

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Tc73Bb

This is why you would normally need at least 5 external bays:

1. Optical drive
2. USB 3.1 Gen 2
3. Card reader
4. System controller
5. Hot swap bays

NOTE: The new TR4 motherboard already has 10GbE. I forgot to check.

 

[Lioness~]

Ohh, nice, I just want to see it in it's golden glory

I'll post a pic when I get it
Long delivery though

You can get all sort of uncommon RAM amounts by mixing capacities, like I was running a 2GB and 8GB sticks in my wife's older MBP and it had the odd 10GB RAM total.
With an iMac that's probably a 4/4/8/8 config

Oh, that's not what I meant. More like he should have enough RAM to not be haunted by beach balls.
So asumingly it would be a system error, somewhere.

 

[cube]

My MBP would "spin the magneto-optical disk" because it had a hard drive instead of an SSD.

 

[Talukdar]

Money Money Money. I want to make a lot of money.