Updating computer

[Rogier]

I just had a conversation with a Mac salesperson. I have an old MacPro tower (from '96), and an even older 23" apple monitor. I had been considering just upgrading my monitor to a 27", but recently figured i might as well just go whole hog and do the computer, as well.

So, my discussion was essentially about whether or not i need a tower or if an iMac will do the trick. I came away with the sense that the towers are now really only for people who need to install optional cards, and for post-production houses who really need the horsepower. I'm a print graphic designer and photographer who will soon be getting into video. I'm getting a i7 27" iMac. Hopefully with a fusion drive. Good lawd, those things are gorgeous. I love the new design with the super thin bezel. Jonathan Ive is a personal hero.

Forget about PCs. Please. Really. A PC is a Mustang or a Corvette. It may do everything you need it to do. It may have a huge honking engine and go super fast. But, you're an adult now. Get the Mercedes......

You don't need a "Tower"!!!!
I had them (believe me I have access...).
My current desktop Mac is a Mac mini with 8GB of memory and a SSD drive. Performs very nicely.

New iMac's are awesome. Machines. Display is fantastic.
Choose with SSD / Hybrid drive and as much memory (ram) as you can afford.

 

[user237428934]

Not to hijack the topic, but it is somewhat related to original question:
---The more limited set of software choices
---Same with hardware
---More expensive (twice, actually)
Please tell me, in simple words, why would a person (in this day and age, not 10 years ago, then I would agree) would want to choose Mac over PC?
I don't mean to start a fight, and actually I am thinking of updating my old PC system (served me 6 years so far, I scan negatives, run Photoshop and LR) for new PC system. So why would I want to shell out twice more? There has to be something there that I am not getting....

If you don't care about a good looking and stylish device then stay with an ugly PC. The iMac is the best looking all in one device.

I use Macs since 1998 and have a Windows partition on my iMac too. I could live with Windows if I had to, but I like some usability aspects of OSX more.

 

[louisb]

I am still trying to decide what my new PC will be. I can't switch to Apple until I retire and I am no longer bound to a corporate Wintel environment. So, I need a more powerful PC system.

Going back to the graphics card discussion for PC based systems. It seems that 1GB is the norm for on card memory now and that 2GB and even 4GB is available.

Given that my need is a PC to run LR4.x and CS6 - is a 1GB graphics card going to be enough?

Also, elsewhere some have claimed that using up to 32GB of RAM with W7 64bit is definitely an advantage but I was also thinking of saving money and only starting with 8GB, or possibly even 16GB. Is this a false economy?

Are SSDs really reliable enough?

Is the i7 a noticeably faster processor than the i5?

If anyone cares to suggest a suitable PC system (bear in mind I need at least 6TB storage!) then I'd welcome the advice. I am on a budget otherwise I'd just go mega on every component.

LouisB

 

[Rogier]

As long as you are not into gaming, serious video or audio production you will not notice the difference between i5 / i7.

SSD's are the key to a very responsive system.

Memory is your best friend for any computer. A specially for memory hogs like Adobe applications...

Graphics card makes mainly a difference for Gamers.

 

[sahe69]

There are reliable SSD's and there are less reliable ones. The Samsung SSDs onwards from model 830 have fared very well in real life as well as in different tests which they've been put through.

 

[Alex Krasotkin]

I have just upgraded to IMac 28 inch screen and also installed PC on it in order to have NikonScan, which works only with PC. No regrets so far! THe IMac screen and speed are impressive.

 

[thegman]

I use both Mac and PC heavily, at work, and at home. Both have their advantages, both have their disadvantages. I got sick of listening to the fanboys bleat about one or the other years ago. They are both perfectly good Operating Systems, which can both run on perfectly good, almost identical hardware.

With money no object, Macs are often the better choice simply because they can run both Windows and the Mac OS. If Mac OS is of no interest, PCs tend to be a better choice as they are generally faster.

I've had PCs break and Macs break, I find reliability to be much the same. If you're a techie at heart, the UNIX back-end of the Mac will interest you, if you're not a techie, it makes no difference.

Generally I'd suggest people get what their experienced friends have, if you're not an experienced use you *will* need help with something, Mac or PC, and it's good if your knowledgeable friends can help you out.

 

[Ronald M]

I went to Mac 6 years ago after tossing two windows machines. They work, are obvious how to use mostly, are self maintaining, and have excellent customer support. Real English speaking USA people who know what they are talking about. I have 3, two large iMac and a laptop.

IMac screens are not 100% calibrate-able . They need a contrast control, not just back light intensity. That said, I get perfect prints from a lab that does no color correction.

Mine is a 27" with i7 processor and 16 GB ram. 36 MP Nikon D800 files fly through it.

To do again, I would get a Mac Pro and EIZO monitor. I see no reason to tie them together except for a slick marketing package.

21 " iMac have uneven color across the screen. I do not recommend one for serious photo work and soft proofing.

To save money, buy a mini and attach a pro screen to it, EIZO or NEC. If you can see correctly, you can not do photos.

 

[MIkhail]

I use both Mac and PC heavily, at work, and at home. Both have their advantages, both have their disadvantages. I got sick of listening to the fanboys bleat about one or the other years ago. They are both perfectly good Operating Systems, which can both run on perfectly good, almost identical hardware.

With money no object, Macs are often the better choice simply because they can run both Windows and the Mac OS. If Mac OS is of no interest, PCs tend to be a better choice as they are generally faster.

I've had PCs break and Macs break, I find reliability to be much the same. If you're a techie at heart, the UNIX back-end of the Mac will interest you, if you're not a techie, it makes no difference.

Generally I'd suggest people get what their experienced friends have, if you're not an experienced use you *will* need help with something, Mac or PC, and it's good if your knowledgeable friends can help you out.

What you are sying, makes sence to me.
Other statemnts like "good looking computer" - dont.

 

[Dralowid]

If you are a fan of good old Epson Scan software beware, it doesn't work with Mac 10.8.2...but Vuescan does.

 

[thegman]

If you are a fan of good old Epson Scan software beware, it doesn't work with Mac 10.8.2...but Vuescan does.

Vuescan has worked fine on every computer I've used it on, Windows and Mac. I'm not sure why Epson etc. bother making their own software.

 

[Godfrey]

If you are a fan of good old Epson Scan software beware, it doesn't work with Mac 10.8.2...but Vuescan does.

I've been running my scanners with Vuescan exclusively since 2000. Never even loaded the Epson, Polaroid, Nikon, or whatever scanning software. 🙂

G

 

[Roger Hicks]

Big external drives are the most important bit.

Mac users tend to be evangelical but are (understandably) ignored when they say that Macs are the only computers for grown-ups. PC users should also be ignored when they say that Macs are for stupid kids and non-technical arts graduates who care (and understand) more about the looks of the computer than the way it works. Both viewpoints are equally(in)valid.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Calzone]

To do again, I would get a Mac Pro and EIZO monitor.

Ronald,

I just bought a loaded 15 inch Mac Book Pro and will be getting an CG241 Eizo monitor.

Surprised to see that no one mentioned that Apple has an 18 month Zero APR offer on any purchase over $2K. The only problem is the fine print: any late payment causes the pop-up rate to occur for the ORIGINAL FULL PURCHASE AMOUNT.

Here in NYC I have Apple stores in three Madhattan locations for personal support.

Other hardware: Epson 3880, Nikon Coolscan V.

Cal

 

[MIkhail]

Big external drives are the most important bit.

Mac users tend to be evangelical but are (understandably) ignored when they say that Macs are the only computers for grown-ups. PC users should also be ignored when they say that Macs are for stupid kids and non-technical arts graduates who care (and understand) more about the looks of the computer than the way it works. Both viewpoints are equally(in)valid.

Cheers,

R.

In college (couple years ago taken some photography classes) the head of department had a quote from Tom Clancy on his wall:
"Never ask what sort of computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If not, why embarrass him?"

I asked him- why do you use Mac? The answer was:
"Mac works. I don't know much about computers, but it works".

I think the last phrase summs up everything 🙂

 

[mugent]

Others have said the same, but I'll repeat...

Macs are the best, they can be a Mac+PC, a PC is just PC (without hackery anyway)
If you want the most amount of power for your money, get a PC, if money isn't a major factor in your decision, get a Mac.

In terms of software, there is more for the PC, but if you remove the junk, I'd say they are pretty equal.

 

[willie_901]

Next week a Mac-mini (2.6 GHz, 16 MB, 1 TB Fusion HD) and 27" Cinema Display will arrive.

I decided to replace my 3 1/2 year old 24" iMac.

And for the record, I began using computers professionaally in 1973 and at one point was responsible for a four laboratories with a network of 27 UNIX workstations. My group developed one of the first corporate automated analytical lab systems and by 1997 made the data available on the desktops of over 200 scientists. We also developed our own software for digital signal analysis and robotic instrument operation.

But I have used Apple products exclusively since 1983 because I know nothing about computers.🙂