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02/26/2005 12:28:15 PM · #1 |
Hopefully, this won't become a PC vs. Mac thread. I love my PCs, and have a Dell laptop that I'm very happy with. However, for my next desktop, I've decided to go with a Mac. It's won me over as a tool for post-processing and viewing digital photography.
I've been pretend-configuring Macs like crazy over on the Apple web page and can't decide if I should go for an iMac or a Power Mac.
The iMac looks like it can almost be used like a laptop - carried around from room to room. Those of you who have an iMac, what do you think of the monitor? Are you happy with the calibration or do you wish you had a separate (CRT) monitor? Do you ever carry it from room to room or is it too heavy?
Do the double processors in a Power Mac make a huge performance difference? Are there other things about a Power Mac that make it better than an iMac?
I'd love any other tips you have about buying a Mac, such as is AppleCare really worth the money, should I buy a drawing pad, etc.
Thanks! I think I've looked at every thread here regarding Macs, but didn't find any that answered my specific questions. I'm looking forward to your input.
Message edited by author 2005-02-26 12:29:13. |
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02/26/2005 12:54:03 PM · #2 |
PowerMacs are expandable, iMacs pretty much are not.
I prefer editing photos with a CRT vs, LCD. For regular working or viewing movies and stuff it doesn't matter so much.
I don't think the dual processors will make much difference unless you start working with very large image files (say 30-50mb) and you apply filters and such. For ordinary-sized images I doubt you would notice much speed difference.
If you want something less-expensive and (partially) "portable" you can still get the eMacs -- like the old iMac all-in-one with a CRT monitor. I would consider getting one of those and a large external FireWire hard drive.
Tablets are great if you do much photo retouching/editing or make masks, or if you also "paint" artistically. They are also an ergonomic input device if you are susceptible to repetitive-motion injury.
The extended warranty is a "must" if you get a laptop, but probably not worth it for the desktops, especially the lower-end models. |
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02/26/2005 12:56:06 PM · #3 |
best bet get a G5 you cant go wrong :)
Leon
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02/26/2005 01:05:47 PM · #4 |
I guess the decision would depend on how much you're looking to spend.
If you have a limited budget the iMAC is an excellent choice, I would go for the 20" monitor also. It is an excellent monitor. Fast response time, crisp, clear and bright. I must say that Apple has some of the best LCD's in the industry.
If money isn't a factor, I would recommend the Power MAC. At least this gives you some more options as far as memory, hard disk space and Video Card choice. The only draw back would be that you would need to purchase a monitor. Depending on the work you are planning on doing, that would determine if you would need/want the dual processor Power Mac. If you are going to be dealing with huge files (50mb or more) the Dual processor will make a difference.
I would definitely recommend getting the Applecare just for the LCD's. They are really expensive and the Applecare will get them repaired or replaced. |
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02/26/2005 01:15:44 PM · #5 |
| You might also want to check this thread (among many others) discussing the LaCie monitors and monitors in general. |
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02/26/2005 01:30:21 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
You might also want to check this thread (among many others) discussing the LaCie monitors and monitors in general. |
I've pretty much already decided on a LaCie 19" Electron Blue if I go with the PowerMac.
I REALLY appreciate that advice so far, thanks GeneralIE and krazyivan.
Still looking forward to hearing from iMac owners, too!
Another configuration question, this time video cards: In what way does, a 128 MB video card improve things compared to 64 MB? Does the screen just redraw much faster or does the image actually look better, too? |
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02/26/2005 01:34:45 PM · #7 |
| If you must go with a Mac go with the power mac and load if up with RAM and get a better video card. We have both and we had to add a faster vidoe card. |
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02/26/2005 01:37:31 PM · #8 |
| One other thing. Adobe and a few others will make you buy a different license for each machine. They do NOT sell both Mac and Win on the same license. It was a rude awakening for me.. Give that some thought.. |
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02/26/2005 02:19:56 PM · #9 |
The single processor G5, in my book, is an iMac put in a tower without a display. If my choice was between these two machines only, no doubt, I'd get the iMac.
If my choice was between the 1.8 GHz and the 2GHz, I'd choose the 2GHz, as the return for my money is clearly greater. I am working with graphics, after all. Two gigs, iMO, is a nice stable configuration, you can max out to 8SDRAM, the HD is nearly 3x of that of the lower model, and I would not need the ATI Radeon 9600XT card (supplied with the 2.5GHz G5), as I do not do extensive video editing or something of that sort.
The 2.5 GHz is overkill for me. If I wanted to build a super-computer or accomodate the world gvmt's department for scientific research, yes, I'd put in an order and RAID away.
I would choose an Apple Cinema display over any other display I have seen and worked on. They are simply marvelous to view and work with. The iMac LCD is very good, IMO, for an LCD, although I would not wish to process my own photos with it. Altering the viewing angle only slightly, does give you altered impressions.
On a budget, the eMac remains an excellent choice, as far as the CRT monitor is concerned. If high speed and expandability are of little consequence, I would look at one of these as well. They're very affordable, heavy and stable and can, probably, be used as an anvil in a blacksmith's shop.
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02/26/2005 03:28:08 PM · #10 |
The 20" iMac screen and 20" Cinema Display are supposedly the same LCD. The image quality is great, but you have to bear in mind that the contrast on an Apple flat panel display is higher than most people will see on a CRT (you'll need to boost the contrast a bit to compensate).
The 20" iMac is probably your best bet. A single 1.8 or 2.0Ghz G5 will handle anything you can throw at it, and the USB and Firewire ports will cover most expansion needs. A PowerMac (the dual 1.8 is the best bang for the buck) gives you more processing power (only necessary for video work or huge Photoshop files), the ability to install additional internal hard drives or PCI cards, and a choice of displays. With typical files, you'd have a hard time "feeling" the difference between a single 2Ghz processor and a dual 1.8. I'd avoid the eMac because it only has a G4 processor and the 17" monitor feels cramped. Whichever you choose, make sure that you have at least 1Gb of RAM installed for best performance.
The iMac can be moved around, but it's not really built for that (and heavier than it looks). If you're going to be frequently moving around, consider a Powerbook and external monitor. The video card will only matter for gaming and 3D work, not Photoshop. You can find refurbished Apple Macs in the Special Deals section of the Apple Store. They might save you a few hundred dollars and carry the same warranty as a new unit.
The biggest advantage of AppleCare is the toll-free support if you're not familiar with Mac troubleshooting. In normal use, problems are pretty rare, and manufacturer defects are often covered by Apple (as recalls or service bulletins) even without AppleCare. Dedicated computer insurance, such as that offered by Safeware, provides more comprehensive coverage (theft, accidental damage, dropping soda on the keyboard...) for less money than AppleCare. Happy shopping. |
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02/26/2005 05:51:12 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
The 20" iMac screen and 20" Cinema Display are supposedly the same LCD. The image quality is great, but you have to bear in mind that the contrast on an Apple flat panel display is higher than most people will see on a CRT (you'll need to boost the contrast a bit to compensate)... |
Just last week I compared the iMac G5 20" and the CD 20". They appeared NOT to be the same LCD Panel. The CD 20" looked brighter, sharper and, as you already suggested, delivered better contrast than the iMac's LCD. When I changed the viewing angle, the difference became blatantly apparent. I'm not a techie though, and have no specs to back up my observations.
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02/26/2005 08:40:28 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by gwphoto:
One other thing. Adobe and a few others will make you buy a different license for each machine. They do NOT sell both Mac and Win on the same license. It was a rude awakening for me.. Give that some thought.. |
That is only fair: one license for use on one machine. However, if you wish to transfer your PC license to the Mac or vice versa, they will happily exchange it.
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02/26/2005 09:08:57 PM · #13 |
Hi Puzzled - not sure if you have all your answers yet...
Yes you can move the iMac around - but the 20" does weight 25lbs...
iMac 20" tech specs on monitor:
20-inch (viewable) widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, 1680 x 1050 pixels, millions of colors
20" monitor has identical display: 1680 by 1050 pixels (optimum resolution) but..
iMac has brightness output at: 230 cd/m2 (20-inch model) and contrast ratio 350:1
Monitor has brightness output at 250 cd/m2 (20-inch model) contrast ratio 400:1
.. so as mentioned - the stand alone screen is a little brighter.
If you buy the Apple screen with the PowerMac the Apple Care (3 year cover) inlcudes both screen and PM - with support for both by phone/ on-line - I think a good investment.
The Front side Bus speed on the iMac 20" and the 1.8mhz PM is the same (17" is slower/ DP PMs are faster) _ what this means id the speed of data being passed internally - with bigger the file, the more this is important.
The advice to go G5 is sensible (the PowerBooks and the eMacs are G4) - the difference on the same chip speed is 20-40% faster on the G5... so go that way.
I work for Apple ( in New Zealand) - so if you have other tech questions - please email me gprentice@mac.com and I will follow up what you need.
.. not sure what ese may be helpful at this point..
What would I buy? if budget minded.. a G5 iMac with 20" - if I could afford a little more.. PowerMac G5 2Ghz DP (cos it can address up to 8Gb RAM... once the price comes down - and with Photoshop.. the more RAM the better!) - also better Bus speed, bigger drive, and PCI-X expansion slots... and the 23"HD monitor!
Regards, Graham
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02/27/2005 02:51:04 AM · #14 |
Thanks all of you for the really great and detailed answers. Boy, I love this place!
Scalvert, it's encouraging that you feel the iMac is powerful enough for you - at least that's what I read into your post. I've dived into my research even more since my initial post and realize finally (!) that there's real price difference between the iMacs and the double processor Power Macs.
Graham, you're a good salesman! I want something that will be flexible /powerful for as long into the future as possible, and in that way a Power Mac is for me. Also, I like the idea of having more control over the monitor choice.
I haven't decided yet - now it's down to whether I want to take a loan out for the Power Mac or not, because I won't be paying cash for that one.
And then there's always lenses that I want to spend money on, too. This is a tough decision... but fun :-)
Amy |
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