Anyone using a newer iMac for Editing?

[Abel]

Im having issues with my PC (again) and I am seriously thinking of making the switch over to Apple...

I was curious if anyone is using the newer iMacs for photo editing and if so, how do they handle?

Any comments are greatly appreciated.

[Spec A!]

Well I'm using a pre-aluminum one, but the guts are pretty much the same. It's a 2.16 C2D, 2gigs of ram, 256grfx card, latest OS and CS3 but I primarily edit in Aperture 2. My only beef is I wish it had 4gigs of ram and a gb grfx card (does that even exist yet?). Otherwise it's been fine- mine has the matte screen, I had a 15" Macbook Pro with the glossy screen and enjoyed that more for viewing.

You can always take a few images on a disc or card (with reader) to the store and mess around for a while, see what you think about how it handles your workflow process.

[l.mccormick]

I just went through the same thing Abel. Looked at the Imac's but ended up going with the Mac Pro as it fit more what I was looking for (minus the hit on the pocket book that is).

Everything I saw and everyone I talked to that had the Imac's (few people from my church) all ran some flavor of photoshop and they all said they had no problems but I only saw cs3 on one personally and it handeled just fine.

[The Loft Studios]

Sup Abel,
I have a friend that has a Studio that I help a lot with, and they have 4 Newer Intel iMacs (all 20", 1 Non-Glossy Version and 3 Glossy Versions). IMO, the Non-Glossy iMac is AWESOME for Image Processing..... it's pretty darn fast too (All of them are maxxed out on RAM), however the Glossy Version REALLY SUX when it come to Image Processing, even with using a Color Calibration Tool, I still feel the Glossy Screens are HORRIBLE. The angel of view is terrible and the Contrast is way off. If I were you, I would try and find a used Non-Glossy Version (since they are Discontinued from Apple).

just my 2cents.....

[Abel]

good info guys... i do appreciate it...

i have a macbook and i only use it for browsing the net... if i jump the pc ship im gonna have to take several of those apple training classes... hehe

[LWimages]

Originally Posted by Abel

good info guys... i do appreciate it...

i have a macbook and i only use it for browsing the net... if i jump the pc ship im gonna have to take several of those apple training classes... hehe

Yeah, I might consider giving a private workshop on that

Seriously, switching to the mac is not that difficult.
You just have to learn the basic and that's it.
Give me a call anytime and if you need any help

[ggeen]

I'm still using my 4 y/o PowerBook G4, 2GB-RAM, and 1TB FireWire HDD. Not the fastest machine on the block, but I can set my batch options and it will apply those changes in about 30-60 seconds per image. The new MacIntels might be even faster. Don't give up on Wintel if you are not sure.

Take stock of your software. Make sure you have or can get Mac version. I don't have the need to be overly cross platform with Microsoft users and I don't need 15,000 Excel functions so for me it was an easy choice. QuickBooks makes a MAC version so I was good there and TurboTax is cross platform.

The hardest problem was learning a new interface...I think it is my 5th or 6th active interface. :(

-G

[zeroendless]

Or you can turn your PC into Mac (Hackintosh) with supported hardware using a simple USB dongle, Efix. Then OC that sucker to the best with PC parts.

http://www.efi-x.com/index.php?optio...nguage=english

[kula23]

Originally Posted by zeroendless

Or you can turn your PC into Mac (Hackintosh) with supported hardware using a simple USB dongle, Efix. Then OC that sucker to the best with PC parts.

http://www.efi-x.com/index.php?optio...nguage=english

LOL I am been trying to build one like that but I am not sure yet since I sitll love Mac and I missed it. I can't stand PC.......no offense, pc lovers. I can build pcs but heck they are horrible when it comes to reinstall everything. Good luck getting Mac. If you don't' like it. Gimme yours, cool? JK Have fun finding one. Glossy sucks, just Matte.

[zeroendless]

As for IMAC, i believe the 24-inch model uses H-IPS panels, best LCD panel for image and graphic editing you can get. U're getting best of both world in display and os.

[zeroendless]

Originally Posted by kula23

LOL I am been trying to build one like that but I am not sure yet since I sitll love Mac and I missed it. I can't stand PC.......no offense, pc lovers. I can build pcs but heck they are horrible when it comes to reinstall everything. Good luck getting Mac. If you don't' like it. Gimme yours, cool? JK Have fun finding one. Glossy sucks, just Matte.

Well, we are taking about Hackintosh, Intel mac is essential pc parts.

Building one and take a crack at it with giant cpu tower, overclocking 50% on air is the most fun of all, regardless of PC or MAC.

[swanny338]

The newer iMacs have enough power to process and you will hear different things about the glossy screen from different people. I didn't mind the glossy screen for editing since I don't do much of my editing by the way it looks... I just go by the numbers. But I still prefer to use my cinema display as my main monitor.

[kula23]

I am hoping to get 24'inch imac next year. I had my eys on them for quite awhile.

[PeteQ]

I'm using a 24" 3.06 w/4GB running CS4 and LR 2.1 and having no problems. Speed doesn't seem to be an issue. The only time I really see anything that makes me wait is when I import a wedding and it build the thumbnails in LR. But... I also have it build 1:1 thumbs right off the bat so I know there is going to be build time. I just plan a cup of coffee during those few minutes.

I also run Fotomagico for making slide shows and it does good converting to HD video for DVD along with other stuff for iPhones, etc. If you are going to do a lot of video then the Mac Pro may be a better option, but for most photo work and small bits of video I think a loaded up iMac may work for you.

[AndrewCCM]

Yep.. The Apple campaign still drives me nuts... Mac vs. PC... they are both PC'S PEOPLE!!!! Just different OS's.

I am like you Abel in some ways... I have my MacbookPro for surfing and stuff...An older G5 DP 2.0 for video editing (back in the day)... But all my photo processing is still on Windows. More specifically XP Pro 64bit.

I really like both platforms and both have their good things and annoyances.

This whole "Switch" thing doesn't work for me. I just use both PCs (Personal Computers built on Intel processors) with differing operating systems. So I use both...not one or the other.

Having said that, I do have LR 2.1 on my MacbookPro 15" (Matte screen) and use it occasionally. Still prefer my homemade Windows machine all in all for editing though.

For the record, my wife has a new iMac 20" glossy. I have to agree that the matte is much better for editing... But I do think the glossy can be calibrated to work ok. Not optimal, but it can work. I wonder if Apple made a conscience decision to only offer glossy iMacs to push pro's away from them and instead opt for one of their other more expensive offerings?

One thing I'll give Apple...they are marketing studs.