Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 55 Posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 days ago) and read 2707 times:
Evening All!!
I am moving over to the Apple iMac as my photography is playing a bigger part of my life and also that I am in desperate need of some serious power so I am dumping my 7 year old Dell PC for an iMac, 20 or 24".
I am looking at a 24" 2.88Ghz iMac, and upgrading the Ram to 4G. Does anyone use the 24” iMac and do you have enough room around the screen without clogging up your photo with your tools when using CS2 or 3, or CS4, though that is a heavy €833 so I may go for the Elements 7.0 at €100 in the meantime. How does it work for you and would you be better off with a 20” I am used to the split screen I have on my PC where I put all my tools on my TFT monitor and use my CRT for my photography. I think with a small adaptor I can plug in my TFT monitor and still use it on the iMac.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to find reasons not to get the iMac, my mind is made up, I am going with an iMac in the next month or so but I am not sure weather to get a 20” iMac and a second 20” Mac monitor, or go for the 24” iMac and use my cheap TFT monitor till I can save up for a second Mac monitor.
Any info would be greatly appreciated, tips, what to get added to my Mac etc, thanks in advance!
ANITIX87 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 3233 posts, RR: 14 Reply 1, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 2680 times:
I have the 20" iMac and no second screen and it's definitely large enough to use CS3 with all my usual toolboxes open, though I did have to do some rearranging to get it to work fluidly.
My only complaint about the iMac is the lack of increased video capability, but that won't be too much of an issue with photo editing.
TIS
www.stellaryear.com: Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 5DMkII, Sigma 50mm 1.4, Canon 24-70 2.8L II, Canon 100mm 2.8L, Canon 100-4
DL767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2577 times:
Quoting Fergulmcc (Thread starter): I am looking at a 24" 2.88Ghz iMac, and upgrading the Ram to 4G. Does anyone use the 24” iMac and do you have enough room around the screen without clogging up your photo with your tools when using CS2 or 3, or CS4, though that is a heavy €833 so I may go for the Elements 7.0 at €100 in the meantime. How does it work for you and would you be better off with a 20” I am used to the split screen I have on my PC where I put all my tools on my TFT monitor and use my CRT for my photography. I think with a small adaptor I can plug in my TFT monitor and still use it on the iMac.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to find reasons not to get the iMac, my mind is made up, I am going with an iMac in the next month or so but I am not sure weather to get a 20” iMac and a second 20” Mac monitor, or go for the 24” iMac and use my cheap TFT monitor till I can save up for a second Mac monitor.
Any info would be greatly appreciated, tips, what to get added to my Mac etc, thanks in advance!
I personally have a lot of experience in this area (i cant say anymore). I have a 20" aluminum iMac and LOVE it! Personally i would have rather had a 24" but just didn't have the desk space for it. For what you are using it for i would say go with the 24" imac and would wait on the memory upgrade. 4gb isn't really needed right now, but if you really want to upgrade go to something like crucial.com and you can install the ram by yourself which is easy and saves a lot of money. If all you're really doing is editing plane photographs photoshop elements is fine for you, iphoto may even be enough, but i really like aperture (a program that apple makes that is a mix of photoshop and lightroom) and i like it a lot.
Basically i would go with the 24" imac just because of the nice large screen (looks amazing for pictures!!) and would either wait on the ram or order it from crucial.com and install it yourself, but i'm sure you will be happy.
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 55 Reply 7, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 3 hours ago) and read 2571 times:
Quoting DL767captain (Reply 6): I personally have a lot of experience in this area (i cant say anymore). I have a 20" aluminum iMac and LOVE it! Personally i would have rather had a 24" but just didn't have the desk space for it. For what you are using it for i would say go with the 24" imac and would wait on the memory upgrade. 4gb isn't really needed right now, but if you really want to upgrade go to something like crucial.com and you can install the ram by yourself which is easy and saves a lot of money. If all you're really doing is editing plane photographs photoshop elements is fine for you, iphoto may even be enough, but i really like aperture (a program that apple makes that is a mix of photoshop and lightroom) and i like it a lot.
Basically i would go with the 24" imac just because of the nice large screen (looks amazing for pictures!!) and would either wait on the ram or order it from crucial.com and install it yourself, but i'm sure you will be happy.
Cheers!! I was leaning towards the 24" but wanted to hear from someone who had it or wanted it. I don’t have any issue with space as I have converted the upstairs of my garage into a computer studio and I have loads of desktop space. As for the Ram I am still going to get it increased to 4G as its just €140 extra. I have used Elements before but I now have CS2 and can't live without it as I do a lot more than just Aviation, I do weddings, schools and I am finishing off my studio downstairs now for portrait work etc. The reason I want the 4G ram is because I shoot RAW and my files are getting bigger and bigger and this is why I am aiming for more power and RAM. I have a PC that is quite simply being crippled with these large files and under CS2. I use my 5D mainly for my studio work and the 1D and 5D for weddings.
I may have to get Elements 7.0 in the interim till I have enough money for CS4.
As for Aperture, I have been interested in getting that as well but not sure to what extent it can benefit me. I’ll need to actually see it and use it before I commit. I have some applications that plug into CS and this why I may have to painfully hand over me Credit Card and get CS4. Thanks again for the info, really appreciate it!
DL767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 2568 times:
Quoting Fergulmcc (Reply 7): I now have CS2 and can't live without it
Just know that your CS2 if it is pc based will not work on the mac unless you use bootcamp to run windows.
I know there are education discounts (huge when you buy it with a new mac and could save you a ton of money)
Quoting Fergulmcc (Reply 7): I shoot RAW and my files are getting bigger and bigger and this is why I am aiming for more power and RAM.
Then 4gb is probabl good for you but honestly the apple ram is overpriced crucial would be the best but you would have to do it yourself.
Quoting Fergulmcc (Reply 7): I may have to get Elements 7.0 in the interim till I have enough money for CS4.
As for Aperture, I have been interested in getting that as well but not sure to what extent it can benefit me. I’ll need to actually see it and use it before I commit. I have some applications that plug into CS and this why I may have to painfully hand over me Credit Card and get CS4. Thanks again for the info, really appreciate it!
Aperture is really nice but it really depends on how you edit your pictures and what for, i know there is a trial of aperture so when you do get your mac you can always download it and try it out and see if it works for you, it says you live in ireland and i'm not aware of any apple store there so that would be your best option.
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 55 Reply 9, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 2564 times:
Quoting DL767captain (Reply 8): Just know that your CS2 if it is pc based will not work on the mac unless you use bootcamp to run windows.
I know there are education discounts (huge when you buy it with a new mac and could save you a ton of money)
I'll look into that and see what happens, but I knew that I was going to have to get new software anyway and fork out for that. I may just get it and then the upgrades would be cheaper.
Quoting DL767captain (Reply 8): Then 4gb is probabl good for you but honestly the apple ram is overpriced crucial would be the best but you would have to do it yourself.
Do you think that 2G would be enough for CS4. This Mac is going to be solely based for photography as my current PC is used for. About 85% of the work is for photography.
Quoting DL767captain (Reply 8): Aperture is really nice but it really depends on how you edit your pictures and what for, i know there is a trial of aperture so when you do get your mac you can always download it and try it out and see if it works for you, it says you live in ireland and i'm not aware of any apple store there so that would be your best option.
As a rule I try not to spend too much time infront of a PC editing my work as I prefer to get it right before I take the shot but I still need to convert them the B&W and sepia styles etc where I use my actions a lot.
Ireland doesn't have an actual Apple store as such, they are tied up with other stores, like 3G where you can buy a Mac but talking to one store operator who was as much use to me as a handbrake is to a canoeist said they just order them online when a customer wants them.
Thanks again, I'll look into the education discounts and see whats on offer. Not surre if I can get education discounts for my 2 year old son.
DL767captain From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 2539 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 3 days 18 hours ago) and read 2539 times:
Quoting Fergulmcc (Reply 9): Do you think that 2G would be enough for CS4. This Mac is going to be solely based for photography as my current PC is used for. About 85% of the work is for photography.
2gb is ok but it really does depend on how large of a file you are working on, if you are using raw then you may want to get the 4gb but crucial.com is honestly much cheaper
Quoting Fergulmcc (Reply 9): Thanks again, I'll look into the education discounts and see whats on offer. Not surre if I can get education discounts for my 2 year old son.
Beechcraft From Germany, joined Nov 2003, 828 posts, RR: 46 Reply 12, posted (4 years 6 months 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2524 times:
Fergul,
i´m typing this on a 24" iMac and i say: get the big screen. It´s very comfortable to work with.
I even have the Screening TFT right next to it, so i really have a lot of space to arrange my stuff on the display. Make sure to have a look at the OS X "Spaces" feature, i don´t know how i ever got along without it... Bottom Line, you can´t have a big enough screen
Same for RAM. Get 4GB.
cheers, Denis
PS:
i initially heard that a lot of users were having issues with 20" iMacs, regarding brightness and colour, if i remember correctly. Don´t know if that problem is still there.
That's it! You people have stood in my way long enough. I'm going to clown college!
Thanks to all for the advice and input. I have taken the plunge and bought the 24". iMac do what they call refurbished equipment and I got the 24" for almost the same price as the 20" so here goes and lets hope all goes well. I'll let you's know how I get on. Should arrive in the next few days, hopefully by Friday.
PS: Do you need to calibrate an Apple screen and whats the best tool for it. I have Eye1 GretagMacBeth but not sure if the CD is for Mac as well. Any advice?
Fergulmcc From Ireland, joined Oct 2004, 1916 posts, RR: 55 Reply 14, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 12 hours ago) and read 2355 times:
Hi All,
Does anyone know where I can get CS4, (Mac Version) for a good Price. Amazon.co.uk have one for about €740 whereas Adobe are selling them for €833, not sure why there is such a huge difference in the price between the two. I'm not looking for a free version and will to pay so that I can get the udates/upgrades at a lower cost. If anyone knows where I can a better price please let me know, cheers.
Chris78cpr From United Kingdom, joined Feb 2004, 2813 posts, RR: 52 Reply 15, posted (4 years 6 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 2318 times:
I have a 20" imac that is also connected to a 20" Dell screen that i use for all my photo editing.
My house mate had the 24" Imac and while the large screen is great i personally prefer the two 20's together, it works much nicer as a seemless workspace for me.
Chris
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I was leaning towards the 24" but wanted to hear from someone who had it or wanted it. I don’t have any issue with space as I have converted the upstairs of my garage into a computer studio and I have loads of desktop space. As for the Ram I am still going to get it increased to 4G as its just €140 extra. I have used Elements before but I now have CS2 and can't live without it as I do a lot more than just Aviation, I do weddings, schools and I am finishing off my studio downstairs now for portrait work etc. The reason I want the 4G ram is because I shoot RAW and my files are getting bigger and bigger and this is why I am aiming for more power and RAM. I have a PC that is quite simply being crippled with these large files and under CS2. I use my 5D mainly for my studio work and the 1D and 5D for weddings. 
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