I'm looking to buy a desktop computer that would be great for processing photos. I would love a screen that I can actually see what I'm processing, now that I have retired I would like to be able to print my photos.
I am looking into purchasing an Apple iMac 21.5", 2.3 Quad CoreGHz Processor, 1 TB Storage, 8gb 2133mhz memory, and 1920x1080 srgb display. As I'm not very tecky I don't know what I should be looking for. So I'm looking for advice, this is the link to the apple site for imac that I was considering:
@radiogirl I'm dealing with the same question as I need to replace my laptop but don't know what I want. I've had to have a laptop since the fire , as I didn't have a 'place' to put it while we've been so nomadic. And prior to that had traveled so much for work and wanted only one computer. So, for the past 3 years, I've used the Macbook Pro 13", with a separate large monitor I could attach it to occasionally when there was room. And two external drives to have enough memory for photos, one as main photo spot and one for backing up using Time Machine.
What I am thinking of now is one of two options: (1) the newer 15" Macbook Pro, with updated large monitor and the two external drives OR (2) a desktop computer for home and a small travel computer (like the 11" tablet) while traveling. I had hoped the iPad Pro would serve the tablet function but so far, it doesn't have the capacity I'd wanted. At this point, I'm leaning toward option 1.
I've used Apple computers for decades, and what I've learned is to buy the top of the line that I can afford to get the fastest speed and greatest processing/memory possible, always get AppleCare as it has saved me a lot over time in repairs and replacements, and then use the computer as long as possible. Going for the best I can afford means that it is fast enough longer to handle changes to operating systems over the years. In the end, that's been more cost effective.
Good luck with your decision -- it's exciting to get new equipment, but a pain to do all the setup.
I have received the new MacBook Pro 15" with the touchbar and I love it Taffy. I also (I know naughty naughty) purchased the MacBook 12" to replace my dead tablet ..... spent ages debating between that and the iPad Pro.....right choice made as I can run Lightroom on the MacBook. So that comes away with me and I leave the Pro at home.
@taffy thanks Taffy I've only had an iphone, ipad, and ipod for apple products, my laptop is a pc so I thought moving to an iMac would make processing easier at home. Still investigating what to do!
@pixiemac Thanks Sarah, are you happy with your MacBook Pro?
How "heavy" are you using an editor? Lightroom and/or Photoshop and significant tone and perspective adjustments, layers? If so, either PC or Mac, with 16GB of RAM and a fast processor, Intel Core i7, 7th generation. For archiving, look to have an external USB 3 drive (or thunderbolt 2 if you have a Mac). Don't scrimp on the display. I'd try for something more than standard HD, 1920x1080.
Mac or PC? For function, it doesn't really matter, same for ease of use Windows 10 or latest OSX but 8GB RAM for either will barely cut it for raw files in Photoshop/Lightrrom, unfortunately. Also a solid-state-drive, SSD, will serve you well for fast buffer space and disk to RAM swapping. Mac fan-boys will try to convince you to pay twice as much for Apple, and if you are comfortable with Apple, well OK. But you'll get just as much capability and almost always same hardware quality, for half the price in a reputable PC - Asus, HP, Dell, Lenovo for example.
If you are serious about Abobe tools, PS or LR, don't even consider a tablet no matter how high powered.
These are professional laptops, yes for sure. But if you are seriously into high powered photo editing stuff... I would suggest a high end laptop rather than an "all in one," Flexible, portable... but consider getting at least a wireless mouse, perhaps a keyboard too. PC will give you many more inexpensive options for these. Logitec for instance.
If you are not comfortable setting up a new PC or Mac, transferring mail and/or files from one to the other, consider a local reputable vendor you can work with face-to-face. Best Buy and Geek Squad services (in the USA) can't be beaten for quality of service and also pre-sale recommendations. Importantly, they are NOT on commission on the value of the sale, and even more important have a wide range of PCs AND Mac, with no pressure to sell one or the other.
Good luck! Come back and tell us what you decided...
i am useless at the technical stuff... but... i am on my 2nd macbook pro laptop and love it... i can't imagine going back to PC or desktop at this point... the one mistake i made with my first laptop was not maxing out on all the memory and processing power... when i updated a year or so ago i did max out and it was definitely worth it...
the main "drawback" is the small screen which would probably be considered sub-optimal for fine processing... however it doesn't slow me down in the least... although one could argue that i'm not being as meticulous as i should be with some of my editing...
@radiogirl I recently upgraded to a 5K retina, 27" IMac with 40GB ram, SSD, intel core i7. Being able to see the photos on that large a monitor is amazing. I still have my Macbook pro and take it when traveling. I ended up adding more ram to the pro so that I could do panoramas. Without lots of ram, it takes forever to merge panoramas. My husband ended up adding the additional ram on both computers. I think it ended up costing around $3200. With the annoucement of the new IMac, you might be able to get the older model for cheaper. I think the new ones start at $5000, but I could be mistaken. Hope this helps.
@frankhymus Hi Frank, first of all thank you for the detailed response.
Currently I'm using a 15" Asus laptop with windows 10, that I bought last June.
These are the specs: intel(R) Core(TK) i7-5500U CPU @ 2.40GHz
8.00 GB installed memory (Ram)
64-bit Operating System x64 based processor
It looks like the display resolution is set at 1366 x 768 (recommended)
I do have a couple of external hard drives for storage.
For processing I have been renting the adobe creative cloud with LR and PS. I use LR more and now that I have more time hope to experiment more with PS adjustments and layers.
I'm not that familiar with the Apple commands as I only have an Ipad, so moving to a Apple as apposed to a pc will be a bit of a learning curve for me!
Too be honest I am a little nervous moving to an iMac but I hear such good things about them, and people that have them are very happy.
Looking at the specs you are recommending I wish I would have inquired here last year. I'm wondering if I should stick with this laptop till it is older?
@radiogirl Saw you said about Apple commands..... don't worry, you will be fine. I've got to grips pretty quickly and I was Windows through and through. Now I'm bilingual 😂
I was on an i7 pc. And this Mac is so much better..... if you do get one get virus protection (I use Sophos, which is free) as contrary to what people say, macs do need it!
@radiogirl Have you found the current Asus is lagging in performance? Can you increase the display resolution, up to 1920x1080? How much are you willing to spend?
If you are not currently an Apple person, there is zero motivation that I can see for converting. If you want an all-in-one, Lenovo and HP both have good machines. I don't know if you can grow RAM beyond 8 GB though. For the price of a mid range Apple machine, you can buy a top-of-the-line Asus - laptop - the reference I gave you. I would say, guessing, that Sarah @pixiemac probably did not have an SSD in conjunction with the i7 core. The Mac, of course, does. But you can get SSD on PCs. Make sure that the machine, whichever you get, is configured correctly for PS work primarily. Consider dedicating 75% of RAM to PS, and have a large PS dedicated disk swap buffer on a fast drive. All in the PS and LR/ACR options. Oh, and also a dedicated GPU, Nvidia for instance. A hallmark of top of the line machines.
Good luck. If you want to talk any more and don't want to do it on this tread, you can email me. hymus@optonline.net
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What I am thinking of now is one of two options: (1) the newer 15" Macbook Pro, with updated large monitor and the two external drives OR (2) a desktop computer for home and a small travel computer (like the 11" tablet) while traveling. I had hoped the iPad Pro would serve the tablet function but so far, it doesn't have the capacity I'd wanted. At this point, I'm leaning toward option 1.
I've used Apple computers for decades, and what I've learned is to buy the top of the line that I can afford to get the fastest speed and greatest processing/memory possible, always get AppleCare as it has saved me a lot over time in repairs and replacements, and then use the computer as long as possible. Going for the best I can afford means that it is fast enough longer to handle changes to operating systems over the years. In the end, that's been more cost effective.
Good luck with your decision -- it's exciting to get new equipment, but a pain to do all the setup.
I have received the new MacBook Pro 15" with the touchbar and I love it Taffy. I also (I know naughty naughty) purchased the MacBook 12" to replace my dead tablet ..... spent ages debating between that and the iPad Pro.....right choice made as I can run Lightroom on the MacBook. So that comes away with me and I leave the Pro at home.
@pixiemac Thanks Sarah, are you happy with your MacBook Pro?
Mac or PC? For function, it doesn't really matter, same for ease of use Windows 10 or latest OSX but 8GB RAM for either will barely cut it for raw files in Photoshop/Lightrrom, unfortunately. Also a solid-state-drive, SSD, will serve you well for fast buffer space and disk to RAM swapping. Mac fan-boys will try to convince you to pay twice as much for Apple, and if you are comfortable with Apple, well OK. But you'll get just as much capability and almost always same hardware quality, for half the price in a reputable PC - Asus, HP, Dell, Lenovo for example.
If you are serious about Abobe tools, PS or LR, don't even consider a tablet no matter how high powered.
I have last year's equivalent of this. Couldn't be happier.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1202579-REG/asus_ux501vw_ds71t_15_6_zenbook_pro_multi_touch.html
An "equivalent" Mac Book Pro will cost you twice as much.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-macbook-pro-with-touch-bar-15-display-intel-core-i7-16-gb-memory-512gb-flash-storage-space-gray/4260600.p?skuId=4260600
These are professional laptops, yes for sure. But if you are seriously into high powered photo editing stuff... I would suggest a high end laptop rather than an "all in one," Flexible, portable... but consider getting at least a wireless mouse, perhaps a keyboard too. PC will give you many more inexpensive options for these. Logitec for instance.
If you are not comfortable setting up a new PC or Mac, transferring mail and/or files from one to the other, consider a local reputable vendor you can work with face-to-face. Best Buy and Geek Squad services (in the USA) can't be beaten for quality of service and also pre-sale recommendations. Importantly, they are NOT on commission on the value of the sale, and even more important have a wide range of PCs AND Mac, with no pressure to sell one or the other.
Good luck! Come back and tell us what you decided...
the main "drawback" is the small screen which would probably be considered sub-optimal for fine processing... however it doesn't slow me down in the least... although one could argue that i'm not being as meticulous as i should be with some of my editing...
Currently I'm using a 15" Asus laptop with windows 10, that I bought last June.
These are the specs: intel(R) Core(TK) i7-5500U CPU @ 2.40GHz
8.00 GB installed memory (Ram)
64-bit Operating System x64 based processor
It looks like the display resolution is set at 1366 x 768 (recommended)
I do have a couple of external hard drives for storage.
For processing I have been renting the adobe creative cloud with LR and PS. I use LR more and now that I have more time hope to experiment more with PS adjustments and layers.
I'm not that familiar with the Apple commands as I only have an Ipad, so moving to a Apple as apposed to a pc will be a bit of a learning curve for me!
Too be honest I am a little nervous moving to an iMac but I hear such good things about them, and people that have them are very happy.
Looking at the specs you are recommending I wish I would have inquired here last year. I'm wondering if I should stick with this laptop till it is older?
Good to know about the memory and processing power!!
I was on an i7 pc. And this Mac is so much better..... if you do get one get virus protection (I use Sophos, which is free) as contrary to what people say, macs do need it!
If you are not currently an Apple person, there is zero motivation that I can see for converting. If you want an all-in-one, Lenovo and HP both have good machines. I don't know if you can grow RAM beyond 8 GB though. For the price of a mid range Apple machine, you can buy a top-of-the-line Asus - laptop - the reference I gave you. I would say, guessing, that Sarah @pixiemac probably did not have an SSD in conjunction with the i7 core. The Mac, of course, does. But you can get SSD on PCs. Make sure that the machine, whichever you get, is configured correctly for PS work primarily. Consider dedicating 75% of RAM to PS, and have a large PS dedicated disk swap buffer on a fast drive. All in the PS and LR/ACR options. Oh, and also a dedicated GPU, Nvidia for instance. A hallmark of top of the line machines.
Good luck. If you want to talk any more and don't want to do it on this tread, you can email me. hymus@optonline.net