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07/01/2009 10:13:52 PM · #1 |
After a lifetime of PCs I'm finally making the switch (at least for home & photography use).
After months of agonising I've decided on an Imac 24 but having trouble with choosing the processor and video card.
The difference is almost a deal breaker, so do I really need a 3.0 over a 2.93? or an ATI 4850 over the Nvidia 130?
Bearing in mind I do not play games and the most CPU/graphics intensive thing I'll be doing is running Topaz, etc in PS
How much faster can the 3.0 be?
From what I have researched the ATI offers no benefit unless you are playing games.
Any comments welcome. |
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07/01/2009 10:22:37 PM · #2 |
So you are finally purchasing an overpriced boat Anchor.............
Sorry, couldn't resist. no advice here, just a bump and Congrats |
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07/01/2009 10:25:18 PM · #3 |
You will never notice the difference in CPU speed and the graphic cards should be fine. In my opinion, the GeForce GT 120 or 130 would be fine and from the PC / Linux side of the house, NVidia has been much less hassle than ATI. Save your money and go for external storage and a backup solution.
Message edited by author 2009-07-01 22:26:02. |
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07/01/2009 10:26:23 PM · #4 |
| Low end on both. The only difference you'll notice is in your wallet. |
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07/01/2009 10:30:25 PM · #5 |
I am currently running a 2-yr old 24" iMac, that is 2.16 GHz core 2 duo, has 3GB of 667MHz RAM, and the NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT. all except the RAM were stock configuration. I have absolutely no problems running PS CS3 no matter how many layers. I also run Parallels so I have Mac OS and Windows running simultaneously. I don't think you'll have any problems with the 2.93 and Nvidia config. Just max out the RAM (don't buy from Mac, tho) and you should be all set. especially if the faster config is a deal-breaker.
edit to add: a little slower than the others, but same message. max out RAM, add external storage and backup (I use time machine with external OWC Mercury Pro 1TB drive and 500GB drives).
Message edited by author 2009-07-01 22:32:08. |
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07/01/2009 10:30:27 PM · #6 |
Thanks guys, I suspected as much.
I forgot to ask about Applecare - recommend or not?
Should it be purchased at the same time or towards the end of the 1 year warranty? (if that is possible) |
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07/01/2009 11:00:48 PM · #7 |
| If you're new to the Mac, AppleCare would probably be a good idea just for the 3 years of toll-free support. You don't have to buy it from Apple, though. ;-) |
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07/01/2009 11:03:02 PM · #8 |
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07/01/2009 11:06:12 PM · #9 |
I'm with the others, I own a 1st gen Intel Core2 DUO iMac 2.0G and it still runs my photo apps wonderfully. Save money on the CPU and graphics card, but do make sure you get 4G RAM or better, that will make a real difference especially when handling large multi-layered images in Photoshop. You should also invest in an external HD for backup as it will only support the one internally.
Applecare could be good from a support point of view, but from a hardware point of view I usually find if a computer goes a year without breaking down, it will go a whole lot longer than that if you treat it well. |
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07/01/2009 11:10:20 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
FWIW... |
gr8 deal, 'tho I doubt the free shipping includes Sydney! They are nearly AUD$4000 here. |
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07/01/2009 11:33:16 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by MichaelC:
They are nearly AUD$4000 here. |
Hmm... even the top configuration retails for less than that, and the next one down is $2999. If you wait a week or two, you can probably find a refurb from the Apple store and save quite a bit (same warranty as new). |
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07/02/2009 07:49:34 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
FWIW... |
Is that website legit? I've heard that if you don't buy from apple, you may not get the most up-to-date software. Also, that price seems really sweet and often times it is too good to be true. Is there a catch? Have you ordered from them? |
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07/02/2009 09:44:25 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by JEason:
Is that website legit?... Have you ordered from them? |
Yes and yes. They're an authorized Apple retailer. The only way you wouldn't get the most up to date software is if the computer is a recently-discontinued model or Apple just released a major update (and you can typically get the new versions from Apple for the cost of shipping). |
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