iMac for photo processing

[RKEnnis]

Before you buy your iMac, check out the prices for the refurbished models on the Apple site. The have some pretty good prices!

[Rson]

Originally Posted by tukaniray

To defrag a Mac:
- You go to your Applications Folder
- Then to your Utilities Folder
- Then to Disc utility.
- Then Select your hard drive on the left
- Click the First Aid Tab in the middle
- Click Verify Disk Permissions
- Then Click Repair Disk Permissions.


-Ray-

Wow, sounds intuitive and easy just like the Mac commercials say.

[S-Man]

I can attest to the fact that even macs get slower with time. After about 8 months owning my MBP, it got pretty slow, so I did a clean install of OSX and it sped back up. I'm due for another clean wipe, but it's such a hassle! takes like a day to get all the apps back in there that I had. But man it sure does speed it up!

[tukaniray]

A slow computer comes down to how much space you have, how many applications have been updated (the newer the app, the more RAM it needs, hence why RAM upgrades help speed up computers) and processor demand for apps.

I have had my MBP Intel for over 4 years now and it still runs great. Without having to re-load the Mac Operating System.

I haven't upgraded my Adobe suite (CS3), I did upgrade FCP (FCP 7 is INTEL only ... Rosetta makes the computer run slower), have only upgraded the OS one step (Tiger to Leopard), use one to two large apps at once (FCP and PS or AE and FCP), Keep at least 20% of my hard drive free and have maxed out my ram.

Certain combinations of that will help keep a computer running, regardless of what computer you have. Windows or Mac or Linux. I even have a built PC a made for my Mother in Law that still runs great for her after 7 years. She only needs the internet and the Office Suite.

I always recommend to not go crazy with Upgrades on software or fill every inch of your hard drive.

-Ray-

[texxter]

Originally Posted by S-Man

I can attest to the fact that even macs get slower with time. After about 8 months owning my MBP, it got pretty slow, so I did a clean install of OSX and it sped back up. I'm due for another clean wipe, but it's such a hassle! takes like a day to get all the apps back in there that I had. But man it sure does speed it up!

One of the reasons Windows gets slower is disk fragmentation, but also the fact that everything goes thru the registry. As the registry gets more and more crowded, applications get impacted. On Unix (Mac OS X) defrag and registry are not issues. I don't know why your MBP may get slower, but there is no obvious OS reason as to why this may be. We have Unix running on servers that never stop, year after year, and they don't slow down.

But if you need to reimage your Mac, a good trick is to use something like Carbon Copy Cloner to make a clone of your hard drive to an external one, then wipe out the internal drive, boot off the external one and clone it back to the internal one. It may take time, but it's mostly unattended operation.

[ChristopherCoy]

I think we've hijacked this dudes thread... but this might help him.

How easy is it to upgrade the RAM in an iMac. I bought the 21.5" as stated, and it was the standard issue, 4gb 1067MHz. Would upgrading to 8gb help increase speed and what's the cost of doing something like that?

[hhscr]

The issue I have with the IMAC is calibrating the monitor. It is too bright and on my 24 it was necessary to use the Shades Program too get too calibrate.

[srwatters]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I think we've hijacked this dudes thread... but this might help him.

How easy is it to upgrade the RAM in an iMac. I bought the 21.5" as stated, and it was the standard issue, 4gb 1067MHz. Would upgrading to 8gb help increase speed and what's the cost of doing something like that?

It's cake! If you go to the OWC (Other World Computing Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC) they will have a video or photo breakdown of how to open the case and add the memory. I believe in the newer model iMacs, it's even easier that before with an access door. You'll need to know your exact model number (on the sticker or box) to get the right DIMMs and instructions.

Go for it! I run 16GB in my Mac Pro and now with PS CS5 it screams!

[brewercm]

Here's another thing to think about if you are going to be keeping your images on an external drive. Pick up an external (or build your own cheaper) that has a speed of 7200rpm, this alone will make quite difference in data transfer speed from an external. To make it even quicker and if you have an esata connection, or can get an after market for a Mac this would make your data transfer rates scream.

PS. You would also need to make sure you have an esata connection on the external drive of course, but it you want to run it through esata the external case has to have it's own power supply.

[iamvietness]

all this talk about the iMac is making me want one now! i do all my processing on my MBP but i'm thinking the 27" iMac is in order. Early xmas present?!??! =P

[S-Man]

I would already have a 27" i7 if I could afford it...Stop by the Apple store and use one of those beasts. It's gorgeous!

[tukaniray]

And huge. Since we got ours at the studio ... I'm starring at our 23" Monitors connected to the MacPro and it makes me want the iMac. As oppose to the other editor in our office.

-Ray-

[dmarty78]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

I think we've hijacked this dudes thread... but this might help him.

How easy is it to upgrade the RAM in an iMac. I bought the 21.5" as stated, and it was the standard issue, 4gb 1067MHz. Would upgrading to 8gb help increase speed and what's the cost of doing something like that?

No problem on the hijack. They all have good points. I already have a 13 inch macbook pro, and love the dispaly on it. I think I'm going to bite the bullet and get the big iMac.

[S-Man]

^ Where's the "Like" button for this post?