New 24" IMAC for editing?

[Dprime]

Hey guys,

Well I've decided its time that I desperately need to upgrade my computer, Im currently using a crappy PC thats about 6 years old and its having a bit of strife opening the D2xs raw .

Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on personal experience using the new silver 24" imac for editing photos etc. I've read reviews and stuff and they seem to be pretty good bang for buck, and at the moment I just cant justify spending the money for a Mac Pro + screen.

My only concern is being locked into using that screen. I just don't want to spend 3k on a computer and find out the screen isn't that great for editing and completely waste my money. I have access to a Spyder so I can calibrate it, anyone out there using one and can shed some light on how it is?

Thanks in advance!
Brett

[big pix]

go for it........ I use an older iMac for some of my work and no problems, if you are using Photoshop, get some extra memory, this will help a lot...... most of my edit work I do on a powermac with a 20 inch apple screen and lot of ram....... CS3 is a bit of a memory hog, so the more you have will only help.....

[radar]

Brett,

I use the previous version of the iMac. I have the 20" version. It works great for editing and if you calibrate it, it will be perfect. I calibrate mine and it does make a difference.

I use a cheap second monitor to the side so I have a dual screen system. On the cheap LCD, I just put the stuff that is non-colour dependant, that way, it keeps the nice screen of the iMac for the photo editing and I have the most screen real-estate used for the photo.

I use bibble and Photoshop CS3 with 2Gb of memory, runs without a problem.

Cheers,

André

[DanINqld]

It's a beautiful machine... I didn't like it in photos.. but in person... WOW.

Hardware wise it'd be great and more than enough for editing, my only concern would be the glossy screen... its really a pain that there is no option between matt & gloss on the new imac models.

Gloss is great for dvd's... but colour/photo accuracy, Im not so sure.. hopefully some other members can chime in with their experience using glossy lcd monitors.

[pucara]

I have the 24 inches the model before and I very happy you can't be wrong it's a beautiful machine for editing if you have access to spyder better only I suggest to put at least 1.5 gig good luck carlos..

[broadbean]

The main concerns on the net revolve around the new iMac's 20-inch screen. Everyone seems to love the 24-inch, so you should have no problems.

[Steffen]

The new 24" iMac is a fine machine all around. It uses the same high quality panel as the previous generation (sadly, that can't be said for the 20" model).

If you're looking for justification to buy a Mac Pro, how about:

- you don't like glossy screens
- you want to be sure you have enough grunt for some time to come
- you want to be able to upgrade disk, video card, monitor (CPU even) as time goes by
- you need disk performance only a SATA RAID-0 can deliver
- you reckon you may need more than 4GB of RAM

Cheers
Steffen.

[Pehpsi]

I have the previous version Intel iMac, and have no trouble running Aperture + CS3, so i'm sure the new batch will be even better.

Mac's love RAM, so 2GB should be the minimum though.

[Kyle]

I'm tossing up beween a mac pro and imac extreme myself.. It's such a hard decision to make though

I love the expandability and upgradability of the mac pro, but love the pricetag of the imac

I know what my heart wants though so it's time to save those pennies

[Heath Bennett]

I'm running a fairly new MacPro with 3GB of Ram, with a 512 meg graphics card powering the 30 inch matt display. Have had no troubles at all, RAW conversion is very quick and 12MP images fit nicely at 50%. Can never have enough Ram though, I'm considering jumping to 5GB.

[broadbean]

I'm tossing up beween a mac pro and imac extreme myself.. It's such a hard decision to make though

Easy. Unless the Mac Pro is updated this month along with Leopard, get the iMac first and then upgrade in 18 months time to the 3rd generation Mac Pro.

[norbs]

On the whole, I am loving the MacBook Pro with a 22 inch widescreen hooked up to it. Adobe Bridge on the laptop screen and PS on the main screen.

And, if I go away, I can take it with me. (Except the 22 inch screen).

Now if someone could recommend a good alternative to iTunes, I'd be a happy camper.

[Dprime]

Thanks for the advice guys,
Ive decided I'm going with the 24inch Imac, and fill it up with 4gb of ram of ebay (about a third of the price from mac and its the same stuff :S)

Apple.com.au has a refurbished Mac Pro up at the moment for $3350 if anyone was interested, that almost swayed me but I decided I'm going to hang out for a month and get the Imac with Leopard when its released.

This is going to be a very long month

[big pix]

this site is good info for mac's.......

http://forums.mactalk.com.au/

[olrac]

Don't know if the new IMac is different but the previos generation could only address 3 gb of ram.

there is no point paying for the extra GB if it will never be used.

Check this out before you buy.
Then again lepoard might change all that.

[Kyle]

The current imacs and also MBP's will address 4gb ram

[padey]

I'm defiantly going to get a imac 24inch to take to weddings, but i'll wait for leopard (reported to be 26th oct).

I buy all my software and i'd rather not pay for an upgrade when i can get it with the imac

[MATT]

If you are at all handy , Dont pay apple to install extra ram.. Do it your self. They charge ridiculous prices.

Oh and wait for leopard as stated before..

Im caught between buying a cheap MacBook or a 20in iMac...

MATT

[olrac]

The new Imac's can address 4gb of memory.

the old ones (White) can only address 3

[Kyle]

Nah, you must be wrong

[big pix]

...... yep 4 gig......

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/W ... amily/imac

[Kyle]

I was being sarcastic

Someone else mentioned it right at the top of the 2nd page of posts