My Mac

[Jannie]

Similar but differenty than the post down the line about using a Mac, I'm trying to figure out what to do to or with mine to upgrade and find computers financially so frustrating with constant upgrades, I'd rather invest in lenses but this is becoming a necessity as I'm going back to work shooting, mostly just providing the images over the internet or handing over disc's and no printing at this time but may down the line, it's not entirely decided and I'm okay with that. It's a shift, decades as a working film person in my past but digital is new to me starting about a year ago.

I use LR, will set up to get CS3 and currently use a year old 17in iMaC:
2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB 667 MHz DDR2
160G internal HD
ATY Radeon X1600

A friend who is also a client is almost insisting that I get at least a 23" monitor, I'm using his Spyder Pro Screen Calibration Tool this week to set up the screen on my current 17" iMac. I've been quite pleased with the interntal calibration tool I use to set up the screen but I've nothing to relate it to other than seeing my stuff on other peoples computers and it's always looked the same as on mine. But there's a lot about this I don't know.

I have extensive experience shooting product and will be doing a lot of that it appears in the future as well as I seem to be shooting a lot of portrait stuff. I thought I was retired working just a little painting apartment interiors but I seem to be going back to work and simply thrilled. Except for the costs of course-ouch! Hopefully everything will earn it's keep and then some but in the first year it'll be a stretch and then some.

Should I just start with going up to 2GB of RAM, that's all it'll take and can I really buy non Apple memory and install it myself (been using Mac's since 1986 but not a computer person).

And what are some recommendations for a 23-24" screen that'll just plug right into my iMac that'll offer me good qualilty without being horribly expensive. Basically I've been told this size is a minimum as almost all art directors and designers are using 30" screens, kinda means your shots have to be sharp and clean huh LOL.

I considered the idea of a new iMac 23" but that's stretching it and what would I really be getting over upgrading mine.

I'm going to have to get a external hard drive I know that, I can hook up a 400 firwire to this computer, I've got my flashcard reader on the other firewire port.

So does this make sense to try to economically upgrade the one I have with RAM and screen, with the idea that down the road the screen will be good enough for the next computer?

Also I'm loving the LR Beta2 and with it will I be able to use a two screen setup, the big screen for image and the smaller for LR or CS3 control panels.

I'm really trying to avoid all of this but there is so much I'm already noticing I wish I could do in LR that I need Photoshop for and expect this is going to be a "have to" thing before it is just a "want to " kind of situation.

Thanks in advance for your input, I do not really talk computer talk so please be kind ;)

[hommedars]

It sounds like you are a pro (or part-time pro) trying to get by on a home computer setup. It is not going to be easy. Just like if someone where to ask you how to get professional results from their old point-n-shoot camera and a built-in flash.

If it were me, I would be looking for the best tools to do the job rather than trying to get-by with a subpar setup. The minimal RAM available and Firewire 400 limitation will make that a poor choice for serious photo work. It can be done, but don't expect to be happy.

[Tony-S]

I use LR, will set up to get CS3 and currently use a year old 17in iMaC:
2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
1GB 667 MHz DDR2
160G internal HD
ATY Radeon X1600

Is your iMac white or aluminum? I think 17" were all white...

Should I just start with going up to 2GB of RAM, that's all it'll take and can I really buy non Apple memory and install it myself (been using Mac's since 1986 but not a computer person).

If you are sure you have a Core 2 Duo (and not a Core Duo) iMac, then you can put in 3 gigs of RAM, which I'd strongly advise. It's very easy to install in iMacs. Just visit macsales.com and use their configurator and watch the installation video.

And what are some recommendations for a 23-24" screen that'll just plug right into my iMac that'll offer me good qualilty without being horribly expensive. Basically I've been told this size is a minimum as almost all art directors and designers are using 30" screens, kinda means your shots have to be sharp and clean huh LOL.

You cannot drive a 30" display on and iMac. The most it will do is 1920x1200, the native resolution of a 23" or 24" display. Make sure you find a true 8-bit panel, such as S-IPS or S-PVA, and not a TN panel (which are 6-bit). Most photographers like matte displays over glossy, so you'll need to think about that, too. The only other hardware you'd need for display is a mini-DVI to DVI adapter sold by Apple for about $20.

As far as hard drives go, FW400 is perfectly adequate for storing your images. It's not as fast as eSATA, but it's substantially faster than USB drives. I'd suggest you buy one with an aluminum enclosure as they are often fanless and prolong drive life.

[Jannie]

Yes it's a Core 2 Duo but the Apple specs have always said it'd only take 2 gig, I'd better be more specific with the people at the Apple store I guess. I don't have a clue what " Make sure you find a true 8-bit panel, such as S-IPS or S-PVA, and not a TN panel (which are 6-bit). Most photographers like matte displays over glossy, so you'll need to think about that, too." means, does the S stand for Samsung, I'll goggle those and see what I get, what about the Apple screen, a lot of money for the 23" but is it good?

Yeah, over $10,000 invested in gear and going along quite happily other than feeling held back by only having LR and my low ram and now I'm stepping into a bunch more, both on the learning curve and trying to find the finances.

I tried to calibrate my monitor tonight with my friends setup, couldn't understand a bit of it but had to go back to the iMac standard automatic calibration, I tried the calibration adjustments in the iMac that I'd used before and everything came out way differently so now I've not a clue what's right. I've a photoframe display going in an art show in a week and a half, guess I'll have to just pick the frame up in the next couple of days and see how the colors come across.

Any suggestions as to a monitor calibrator that comes with easy to understand calibrations. I've got a headache/neckache so bad right now having gone through all of this. Yuck!

[Tony-S]

No, Apple doesn't want you to know. Your machine will take a 1 gig and 2 gig stick for 3 gigs, or two 2 gig sticks for 3.2 gb or so of memory. The advantage of two 2 gig sticks is that they retain dual-channel performance, which will give you about a 5% performance boost over 2 and 1 gig sticks.

I just did a quick check and there were two 17" models, both with 1.83 gHz cpus. One was Core Duo, the other Core 2 Duo. When you do the "About this Mac" from the apple in the upper left corner of your screen, it says Core 2 Duo and not Core Duo? This is important, because if you put in more than 2 gigs into a Core Duo iMac, it will not boot. It must be a Core 2 Duo.

If it is a Core 2 Duo, then you can visit macsales.com and purchase this (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/53IM2DDR4GBK/) to get 3.2 (or so) gigs of RAM.

[Jannie]

Yeah it says Core 2 Duo, and it's the white iMac! Thanks.

Any reccomendations on a color screen calibrator that comes with easy instructions for a mac?

[Tony-S]

I'd recommend a Dell 2408wfp. It's about $600 but has a 24" 8-bit panel in it. Others here use them and have only good things to say about them.

While the Apple calibration software is nice, it's not substitute for a good colorimeter. Try to work it out - it's really the best way.

[Tony-S]

I have a Spyder 2 and it's worked well. The Huey is supposed to be good, too, but I've never used it. If you get one, make sure it can do second displays. The Spyder Express cannot (without a little trickery).

[Jannie]

Yeah I can't even figure out whe

re to begin with the Spyder Pro tool, I just kept clicking through the read me and that's all I had to go on, enuff for tonight. Will look at the Dell monitor.

Thanks, I suppose the first thing to do is get calibrated, up the RAM and get Photoshop and start learning to use it. I sure wish LR would get number 2 out, I love the beta version, instantly sharper and faster to use, I fell in love with it right away, it would probably suffice for what I'm doing at first.

I just looked at the iMac 24" at the Apple website, would that take care of everything at once, I'd get it with 4G RAM and the smaller hard drive and then get an outboard hard drive for storage. Which processor of the two they offer for that machine is best, just thinking out loud here. If I go to the Apple store here, I get an enthusiastic college student that tries to sell me the latest version of iLife or something and everything is wonderful and isn't this the greatest WOW you've ever experienced, I think I'm finally old LOL.

This is nuts, my computer is one year old and so far advanced from any that I've had before that this is all kind of a shock, but then again so has been my camera. Funny how far it's come, digital was simply junk when I stopped shooting in 2001, my 5D and "L" lenses are pretty fantastic.

[René Damkot]

IMO the iMac you have will be fine for most editing.
For reference; I'm just in the process of upgrading my 1GHz G4 to a dual G5. :p
The G4 runs PSCS2 fine (I've edited 1Gb files with it, you'll drink a lot of coffee then though), but LR is dog slow.
IMO any Mac with an Intel processor inside will do great for most users.

The Ram will help though.

Not entirely sure, but AFAIK the 24" iMac has a TN screen; not something you'd want.

Here is a somewhat older read, explaining the differences between different display types: Click (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/lcd-guide.html).

Here is a thread with recommendations in the second post: Click (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y)

[Jannie]

Whew on the iMac.

Now to figure out what to do about screen calibration, which way to go, set it on the iMac standard setting, using the iMac custom calibration tool or buy my own screen calibration tool and then try to figure out which actually works and how will I know that

Then to upgrade RAM

[René Damkot]

I'd get a calibrator. Using the built in "calibration" might get you close, but in my experience I get 10 slightly different results if I do it 10 times ;)

I use and like a Monaco Optix XR pro.
iOne display 2 is almost the same, and a good choice.

I would not recommend a Huey or Spyder2 (read about too much problems, although it seems to work fine for others).

Probably the best one out there (going by the reviews) at the moment is the ColorMunki (no personal experience though). Quite expensive though.

[Tony-S]

Not entirely sure, but AFAIK the 24" iMac has a TN screen; not something you'd want.

Rene,

All 24" iMac revisions have shipped with S-IPS or H-IPS panels. All 20" as well - until this last revision, when Apple, for some silly @$$ reason decided to put TNs in them. The 17" have all been TN.

[René Damkot]

Ah. Seems I was off by a bit more then 4 inches then :o
Sorry for the misinformation...

[tgara]

Any reccomendations on a color screen calibrator that comes with easy instructions for a mac?

I'm using Spyder3 Pro with my iMac. It couldn't be easier. Just load the software, click Calibrate, stick the measuring thingy on the screen and hit Start. It improves on the ColorSync profiler a lot.

[weather_wrangler]

Interesting thread, thanks. I will be taking delivery of a MacBook Pro on Tuesday.


Processor
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory
2GB (two SO-DIMMs) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
Display
17-inch (diagonal), 1920 by 1200 high-resolution widescreen

I prefer the non-glare matte screen and this one has that.

steep learning curve ahead for a while, I suppose!