Looking to get a new computer

myko5 · Jul 28, 2012

My wife and I have decided to get a new computer as our laptops are getting rather annoying to use. We do not have a crazy budget, but I am trying to find out if there is anything that I should make sure that I get. We are definitely going the IMAC route, so I do not want to start that PC vs. Apple debate.

The main purpose of this is your basic home computer. My wife needs the office work aspects, my kids need it for school. I plan on getting CS6 and learning that, so I want something that will run it efficiently.

I was thinking the basic 21.5", but does it make editing easier on the 27"?
Should I get more memory now, or upgrade to external later when I need it?
Is there a huge difference between the i5 and i7 processor?

If there is anything that you guys can think of that would be helpful in deciding, toss it out there.

Thanks.

table1349 · Jul 28, 2012

Yes, Yes, YES IT DOES! Love my 27" i7 2.93gig hz, 16 gig of ram iMac. Runs LR4, PS6 and everything I can throw at it flawlessly. The only program that sometimes causes slowdowns is a program issue, not an iMac issue. Also I think you will like Mountain Lion. Both my already fast iMac and MBP are even more responsive with Mountain Lion and now pair even more seamlessly with my iPad and iPhone.

One suggestion before buying, try both the magic mouse and the magic touch pad and pick the one you like. You can choose one or the other unless you want to pay an extra $69. I have a magic mouse that I carry with my MBP but use the touch pad at home.

Go to the closest one of these and try them out and see what you like, both in iMacs and other devices. http://www.apple.com/retail/storelist/

For editing the 27" is a huge difference.

i5 or i7? don't know if you will notice a lot of difference in general use. When I am running multiple heavy resource programs I feel the i7 helps

As for memory, I would suggest either maxing it out now, or paying a few extra bucks now for a pair of memory sticks instead of the standard 4 sticks they install. That way if you say start with 8 gigs and want to double it latter you just buy a pair of 4 gigs instead of a pair of 8 gigs and pull the old memory out.

KmH · Jul 28, 2012

For image editing consider using a dual display setup. The entire screen real estate of the primary display (IPS type) is used for the image you are editing, and the secondary display is used for the Photoshop work pallets, tool bars, dialog boxs, etc.

Consequently, the secondary display can be a smaller and an inexpensive TN type display, perhaps even a 3rd party display.

myko5 · Jul 29, 2012

Can you add a second display to an iMac?

jake337 · Jul 29, 2012

What is your budget and how intensive is your workflow? Are you doing lots of pano stitching or bracketing pano stitching? How many layers do you use on average.

I have a cheap, of the shelf, PCU. It has quad processors, 8G of DDR3, and a decent to cheap graphics card. Cost me $300 bucks.

It works great for simple layers work and editing but when I tried a 27 image "brenizer" stitch it took almost 45 minutes to put them together. Bracketing 5-9 images for an HDR may take a few minutes.

I'm no pro so it doesn't matter to me all that much.

It really depends on your needs and workflow.

TheKenTurner · Jul 29, 2012

myko5 said:
Can you add a second display to an iMac?

Yes. And if you can get a thunderbolt display, do it.

As for i5 vs i7, try to get a quad core i5 and you should be fine unless you plan on doing a lot of 3d work and video editing.

For memory, when you mentioned external, did you mean HDD space, or RAM? Just go with whatever the lowest one is for both. Apple upgrades are expensive if they're from apple. I you feel you need more RAM, you can always upgrade it later. Same with HDD space.

Bonus: if you need faster exporting, start up time, and opening programs, then get an SSD. It may not be in your price range, though.

-Ken Turner