Matus
Well-known
Do you back-up your RAID 0 in any way? I mean - if one disk fails, you will loose it all ...
Mister E
Well-known
I back up to an onsite RAID 5 array and two separate off-site locations.
Matus
Well-known
That is indeed bad, but you stored all you data on one single HD without any backup - one day it HAD to die ... I am keeping all my relevant data in RAID 1 - 1TB discs are not so expensive anymore and the RAID box itself (takes care of the mirroring) was about 100 euro. I just want to be on the (a bit) safer side.
And OS-X has since 2 or 3 last versions very nice automatic back-up via time-machine. I use that for my MacBook.
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
"Why waste $ on a Mac. Get a PC and save some cash"
Because the Mac just works.
Because the Mac just works.
Spleenrippa
Yes, Right There
MAC is a waste of money. Don't pay two or three times as much for the same hardware.
This picture explains everything
This picture explains everything
Pickett Wilson
Veteran
I use a Lacie 2TB Raid 1 NAS (Network Attached Storage) for files (I have several computers on the network that access the same files), and back it up weekly to a 2TB USB drive. It is rare, but I had both drives in a Raid 1 setup die at the same time, once (the UPS blew up and took the drives with it).
nightfly
Well-known
How do you guys who use the iMacs like the glossy screen? That's the big thing that would hold me back from one. I really like my older matte screen Cinema display.
Also I highly recommend using Dropbox for backup of your working files at least. I do a daily backup to external drives at night but everything I'm working on sits in a Dropbox folder so it auto backs up to the web and is accessible from other computers.
I hated how Time Machine was constantly accessing my drives and indexing, drove me nuts. Really no need to be backing up all your apps etc all the time, just your working files.
As for the PC folks, the OP said he wants a Mac, you are probably not going to change his mind. It's only cheaper if you don't value all the time you spend futzing with it and re-booting and re-installing the OS etc. Also Mac hardware tends to be high quality and lasts a long time.
Also I highly recommend using Dropbox for backup of your working files at least. I do a daily backup to external drives at night but everything I'm working on sits in a Dropbox folder so it auto backs up to the web and is accessible from other computers.
I hated how Time Machine was constantly accessing my drives and indexing, drove me nuts. Really no need to be backing up all your apps etc all the time, just your working files.
As for the PC folks, the OP said he wants a Mac, you are probably not going to change his mind. It's only cheaper if you don't value all the time you spend futzing with it and re-booting and re-installing the OS etc. Also Mac hardware tends to be high quality and lasts a long time.
Mister E
Well-known
I used to hate glossy screens, but I really have liked this iMac's screen. It's the best I've seen aside from other Apple screens.
kevin m
Veteran
Thanks for all the feedback!
Would it be nuts for me to consider a refurbished Mac Pro over an iMac? I don't begin to need all the capabilities and expansion potential it offers, but I do like that I can pick and choose my own monitor and easily add memory and expansion cards for things like eSATA ports (something which isn't available on an iMac.) Plus, as Frank pointed out, it would be nice to have the monitor and computer in separate housings so the failure of one doesn't bring down the whole thing.
A refurbished 2.66GHz Quad-Core is available for $2,119, FWIW, and the iMac is pushing $3k the way I configured it.
Would it be nuts for me to consider a refurbished Mac Pro over an iMac? I don't begin to need all the capabilities and expansion potential it offers, but I do like that I can pick and choose my own monitor and easily add memory and expansion cards for things like eSATA ports (something which isn't available on an iMac.) Plus, as Frank pointed out, it would be nice to have the monitor and computer in separate housings so the failure of one doesn't bring down the whole thing.
A refurbished 2.66GHz Quad-Core is available for $2,119, FWIW, and the iMac is pushing $3k the way I configured it.
nightfly
Well-known
Definitely consider the Mac Pro. If you have the space and have or can get your hands on a good monitor, it gives you way more flexibility.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
I think the drives and memory might be a bit less expensive too... you should, in theory, get a longer life from everything thanks to all the cooling and "room" compared to cramming everything into a laptop or iMac case.
My thinking for next computer is to go back to a desktop, now that tablets and even my phone are getting more useful for remote use... in the rest of the house.
My thinking for next computer is to go back to a desktop, now that tablets and even my phone are getting more useful for remote use... in the rest of the house.
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
Satisfied 21.5" iMac user here. I'm happy with the size screen I have, using it at normal distance of around 22 to 24 inches. I imagine the larger screen might be more comfortable at a greater distance.
I switched from PC to Mac, mostly for the advantages Mac has for photography. I find the Mac very easy and intuitive to use, and the one-to-one teaching available at the Apple stores has been very helpful for getting the most out of Aperture. I have not used Lightroom, so I can't compare; but I really like Aperture's processing, adjustments, and image organizing. I have a copy of PSE 6 on it for a few things Aperture won't do, like perspective correction. My Aperture 3 closes the gap somewhat with PS, as it has the Brushes tools now.
Agree with all the previous comments about backing up with external hard drive.
Highly recommended!
I switched from PC to Mac, mostly for the advantages Mac has for photography. I find the Mac very easy and intuitive to use, and the one-to-one teaching available at the Apple stores has been very helpful for getting the most out of Aperture. I have not used Lightroom, so I can't compare; but I really like Aperture's processing, adjustments, and image organizing. I have a copy of PSE 6 on it for a few things Aperture won't do, like perspective correction. My Aperture 3 closes the gap somewhat with PS, as it has the Brushes tools now.
Agree with all the previous comments about backing up with external hard drive.
Highly recommended!
Mister E
Well-known
I don't think that is nuts at all.
kevin m
Veteran
The drives are cheaper, the RAM is a bit more expensive. And, yeah, the iMacs DO run hot. The 27" I tried at the Apple Store was hot to the touch, and I can't help but think that can't be good in the long term. If separating components is good for audio, I have to think it's good for computers, too.
I talked with a friend of mine today who's an editor in L.A., and he's come to the same conclusion. He's always been a big Mac Book advocate, but now all he wants to carry are his phone and an iPad. He's the one who put me onto the Mac Pro idea... Great. Now I have to THINK about this stuff!
Ronald M
Veteran
Mac mini and a decent display screen. There is little reason to combine these two items and a mini has the same processing power as the iMac.
Or get a Mac pro notebook, keyboard and mouse or graphics tablet and a plugin monitor.
I do run photoshop sucessfully on a 2006 iMac with 2 gb ram. You really don`t need much. I also run Nikon NX2 which is a processor/memory hog with no problems.
The biggest secret is off load the files not being worked on to an external drive keeping the HHD at 50%. I have 3 one terabite drives. One has time machine and two redundant storage of all files.
You simply do not need anything super powerful unless you get into stitching 6 frames in panoramas making hugh files.
Or get a Mac pro notebook, keyboard and mouse or graphics tablet and a plugin monitor.
I do run photoshop sucessfully on a 2006 iMac with 2 gb ram. You really don`t need much. I also run Nikon NX2 which is a processor/memory hog with no problems.
The biggest secret is off load the files not being worked on to an external drive keeping the HHD at 50%. I have 3 one terabite drives. One has time machine and two redundant storage of all files.
You simply do not need anything super powerful unless you get into stitching 6 frames in panoramas making hugh files.
nightfly
Well-known
I disagree, my 2 year old Macbook Pro with 4 gigs of RAM (maxed out) and the older 2.5 ghz Core Duo II processor bogs down in Photoshop all the time.
This is the same processor as the current Mac mini. I have 90 gigs of free hard drive space.
With the iMac you can get the i5 and i7's which are faster. The current Mac Book Pros have these as well. Also the RAM limits are higher.
This is the same processor as the current Mac mini. I have 90 gigs of free hard drive space.
With the iMac you can get the i5 and i7's which are faster. The current Mac Book Pros have these as well. Also the RAM limits are higher.
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dfoo
Well-known
The hardware isn't really the same. I did a comparison when I bought my iMac 27". For the same _quality_ display and components the hardware isn't that much cheaper. And don't even talk about PC notebooks. They are without exception terrible. I've owned them all. Dell, HP, Compaq, Lenovo. All garbage. Keys fall off, screen is loose, overheating problems. Terrible crap. Then there is the software. Windows is horrible and infested with malware (since I'm the computer guy I do all the support for my relatives. Life would be so much easier if they got a mac). And don't talk about hackintosh please... Been there, done that and DO not want to go back.
Frank Petronio
Well-known
The Mac Mini isn't a bad option now that you mention it, certainly a lot less expensive and bulky. You loose the Quad-Core option but just pretend it's last year ;-)
Rob-F
Likes Leicas
I was worried about this while shopping for a Mac, but the Apple sales guys convinced me it's not a problem. They were right. For one thing the screen tilts helping to minimize reflections. For another thing, my screen doesn't face into any lights or windows. It's set up in the basement. As I'm typing right now, I see no reflections at all. And my pictures look bright, brilliant, saturated and sharp--much more so than when I had them on a PC. They use the glossy screen for a reason!
Rogier
Rogier Willems
I have owned Mac Pro Intel, MB Pro Unibody etc. etc. And I work on them as a Genius at an Apple Store.
Despite being a geek and liking the latest and greatest I am amazed what I can do with a humble Mac Mini. A specially since I upgraded it with an SSD drive and 8Gb of Ram.
Running Aperture better than ever!
Processor speed is not relevant for photo editing. It might take a few minutes longer to convert a badge of RAW images but other wise. RAM is your biggest friend. Further for a snappy happy experience an SSD drive with the OS and the APP's The storage on an external HD.
With regards to storage I would look into a Drobo. No more running out of space and worrying about crating back-ups of back-ups...
Here is a short video of my Super Mini rebooting into Aperture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2loWJRn9ckU
Despite being a geek and liking the latest and greatest I am amazed what I can do with a humble Mac Mini. A specially since I upgraded it with an SSD drive and 8Gb of Ram.
Running Aperture better than ever!
Processor speed is not relevant for photo editing. It might take a few minutes longer to convert a badge of RAW images but other wise. RAM is your biggest friend. Further for a snappy happy experience an SSD drive with the OS and the APP's The storage on an external HD.
With regards to storage I would look into a Drobo. No more running out of space and worrying about crating back-ups of back-ups...
Here is a short video of my Super Mini rebooting into Aperture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2loWJRn9ckU