Which would you buy? I can't decide please help!

[R.Perez]

Option 1


LIAN LI PC-V351B Black Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case - Retail
$109.88

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$99.99
SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
$179.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible ... - Retail
$149.99
Logitech K300 Black USB Wired Compact Keyboard - Retail
$29.99
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop
$94.99
EVGA 121-LF-E652-KR LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
$169.99
Intel Core i7-860 Lynnfield 2.8GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80605I7860 - Retail
$279.99
Noctua NH-U9B SE2 92mm SSO CPU Cooler - Retail
$54.99
LG Black 8X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray Reader & 16X LightScribe DVD±R DVD Burner - Retail
$89.99

Subtotal: $1,259.79
Calculate Shipping
Zip Code: 96815
* Free shipping not available to AK, HI and PR.
Shipping: $129.36

Grand Total: $1,389.15

+

Dell U2410 Shipped $668.00

Total for option 1 Shipped = $2057.15

Option 2

27" iMac

Configuration
2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB
1TB Serial ATA Drive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
8x double-layer SuperDrive
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) and User's Guide
Country Kit

Total for option 2 with shipping and apple care = $2198.00


I already own a copy of Win 7.

As far as OSX vs. Win 7 I use both, I like both. Really makes no difference.

I will be using this mostly for CS4 and Lightroom.

[HyperYagami]

The Apple option has more "awe" factors (namely the 27" screen), so I'd say the Apple option..unless you can knock down the price of the PC option by a few hundred bucks (which is totally doable, e.g., if you buy U2410 from Dell's ebay store it's only $500 + tax and you can Bing 8% cashback on that).

[SuzyView]

If I had that kind of money for a new desktop, I'd get the Apple. That thing is nice!

[wlescall]

What are you coming from? You would have to factor in costs of switching - i.e. software. Other considerations would include desire for expandability (internal vs external), any gaming involved, screen resolution/size/glare, will you actually be watching blu-ray on your computer monitor (vs TV). Only you can make rate the importance of these factors. Hopefully this won't deteriorate into another mac vs pc thread.

[R.Perez]

What are you coming from? You would have to factor in costs of switching - i.e. software. Other considerations would include desire for expandability (internal vs external), any gaming involved, screen resolution/size/glare, will you actually be watching blu-ray on your computer monitor (vs TV). Only you can make rate the importance of these factors. Hopefully this won't deteriorate into another mac vs pc thread.

We already own both in our house. GF has a macbook with CS4 and I have a Dell laptop with CS4.

The desktop would be shared between the both of us.

My last desktop which I sold before I moved to Hawaii was a PC, core i7, 6gb of ram, sli gaming machine etc etc...

However I really have little interest in PC gaming these days, and frankly found it was an unhealthy hobby for me to have.

As far as Blu Ray, I already have a PS3, and probably would find little use for it. However since it is a new build, I really didn't want to go with old tech if it is an option.

Please no mac vs pc flame war bull****. I just want honest opinions on the hardware differences. I could also go with the new dell 27" but that would put the price up a solid $400 or more but would make the machines a bit more equal.

Ugghh I dont know. It is a lot of money and this is hard.

[SuzyView]

I am saving for the MacBook Pro 15 inch for myself. My son got a 13.3 inch for college this last fall, cost around $1400 with the student discount. He got the upgrade to the 16 gb ipod touch from the free offered and a free printer. So, with everything, it was around $1600. That's not bad. But for my use, I couldn't justify spending the money. I got the $299 desktop from Staples Black Friday sale and it's not as impressive, but for that money, I got a good computer with PSE8 in it for the occasional edit. I have 5 computers in my house, but I've never owned an Apple one yet. I'm tempted to see what the talk is all about. Yes, it is expensive, and I haven't taken that plunge yet. I pick my purchases very carefully. So, that's what I recommend. Do you really need it, or are you just wanting one?

[Nightstalker]

I love the looks of the Mac but given that the iMac only comes with a highly reflective gloss screen I would go with the PC option + u2410 from Dell if your focus is photo editing.

I've just purchased this monitor in the last few weeks and it is awesome.

[themadman]

I vote the PC route. Macs are fine, but they are overpriced for what they are. Now, why a micro atx case and motherboard? You might have trouble fitting all that into one.

For the record I have a Macbook Pro, Macbook, and 4 self made PC's, 2 PC laptops, 1 premade PC (by shuttle computer). I also had a iMac until about 8 months ago (it was a work computer). I am pretty confidently say Macs aren't really a great deal (I purchased my Macbook Pro and Macbook for work related things). I would never buy a Apple computer unless it was to run software that didn't exist for PC. Lightroom and CS4 both exist on the PC =)

(I don't hates Macs as I actively use them and they work fine (I also have a iPhone and several iPods) it is just they cost more than they really should, keep that extra money for camera stuff)

[basroil]

Well... your numbers are all over the place, so I think you either need to tell us you were accidentally looking at canadian prices for parts and US prices for mac, or you need to rethink where you are buying from.

Here's a few things I found issue with:

U2410 is UNDER $600 always, for the last week you could get it for just under $500 (about $510 with shipping).

An i7 computer with the component types you listed should be available for about $850-900, maybe $1000 if you chose an expensive case and cpu fan and bluray.

iMac does not have, and at this rate will not have Bluray support if you ever decide on bluray (trust me, makes me wonder why dvds were around so long). Perhaps in a few years Jobs will allow BD in macs, and at that time you'll need to have a USB port open to plug in an external.

You should consider 8gb ram rather than 4.

Considering the PC build, you can probably OC that thing to 3.4ghz without any issue at all. Means 20% faster without any issue.

DX11 support means not only games, but also direct compute capability. Add in other forms of GPU acceleration and it's a nice system. OCL really doesn't work as well, at least not as well for Adobe, since they have flash 10.1 with hardware acceleration for windows only. I hope adobe takes the same stance with their CS5 suite, as they could have had GPU acceleration for CS4 if it wasn't that they removed everything that is not mac compatible.

And most importantly, you are missing a thermal conductor, like Artic 5 or other thermal grease/ ceramic pad.

[R.Perez]

Well... your numbers are all over the place, so I think you either need to tell us you were accidentally looking at canadian prices for parts and US prices for mac, or you need to rethink where you are buying from.

Here's a few things I found issue with:

U2410 is UNDER $600 always, for the last week you could get it for just under $500 (about $510 with shipping).

An i7 computer with the component types you listed should be available for about $850-900, maybe $1000 if you chose an expensive case and cpu fan and bluray.

iMac does not have, and at this rate will not have Bluray support if you ever decide on bluray (trust me, makes me wonder why dvds were around so long). Perhaps in a few years Jobs will allow BD in macs, and at that time you'll need to have a USB port open to plug in an external.

You should consider 8gb ram rather than 4.

Considering the PC build, you can probably OC that thing to 3.4ghz without any issue at all. Means 20% faster without any issue.

DX11 support means not only games, but also direct compute capability. Add in other forms of GPU acceleration and it's a nice system. OCL really doesn't work as well, at least not as well for Adobe, since they have flash 10.1 with hardware acceleration for windows only. I hope adobe takes the same stance with their CS5 suite, as they could have had GPU acceleration for CS4 if it wasn't that they removed everything that is not mac compatible.

And most importantly, you are missing a thermal conductor, like Artic 5 or other thermal grease/ ceramic pad.


I have thermal grease. All the components will fit in that case. I have been building PC's for 10 years, if you check out the pictures of my old build in the PC pic thread, you won't question that.

I am just looking straight at the hardware. I went with matx to save space and frankly going atx makes no difference in price. I appreciate well built components, and quality chassis like Lian Li. I certainly don't want to skimp on parts like that just to lower the price.

Overclocking is a good consideration, although you really never know how the chip you get is going to OC. Also OC never translates in performance % like that.

As far as Blu Ray, I could care less if the mac has it or not. I added to the PC just to keep current but probably will not use it. I have a 40" 1080P LCD in the same room with a PS3 hooked up to it. I doubt id ever watch a blu ray on the computer.

Prices are from newegg and dell as of TODAY. Shipping is so high because I am in Hawaii, that's just how it goes. I know the monitor is cheaper sometimes, but that is the current price so I used it. I would prefer the new 27" dell but that will raise the price considerably over the iMac and makes it hard to justify. I was also hoping to keep everything under $2300 shipped.

Also stop saying the MAC is extra money, they are virtually the same price when you factor in shipping.

I do prefer the matte screen of the dell monitor, but the drop in resolution is a real negative for me.

[MaxxuM]

There are up's and downs to both platforms. The Mac will be cleaner, have a smaller footprint, less complicated and according to stats at every reviewer I've seen place Apple at the top of customer satisfaction and for desktops no. 1 at reliability (#3 or 4 for laptops). On the PC side you'll have expandability and a larger array of hardware/software choices at the expense of ease/reliability (albeit not significantly).

It all comes down to the Mac vs PC argument - it's a 'personal' choice. Since you have no personal preference, just flip a coin.

[basroil]

Ok... so you don't game, and don't care about bluray now, so drop the 5770 and bluray, replace with a 4350 and dvd burner. Drops your price by $200 by that alone. Use the stock cooler for now (you can upgrade later if you want to overclock) and now you're under $1000. Newegg has combo deals with 860 and motherboards, you can find an identically spec'ed one easily, and perhaps even find the same one. Check for combos, I saved about $100 from by last build ($650 went to $550), and you could probably save quite a bit more. Then get dual 2408WFP or wait for an instant rebate and dual 2410.

If you want to compare the pc and mac, they better have the same specs, not just close enough, if not it's like asking to compare a 7d with grip to a 1dmkiv.

As for OC, i7 chips generally scale quite well in most cpu bound tests, and "small" OCs like 3.2-3.4 are generally possible with practically all chips, it's after 3.4gh that you hear about widely different speeds.


That said, the 27" i7 iMac is the only iMac I would ever recommend. Great specs and beautiful screen, but not exactly photographer friendly with a lack of internal expansion and esata (but you can make do with FW800, even if the drives are more expensive). But in your case, add in the price of one copy of windows 7. Unless "gf" stands for "great fiancée", you should leave her copy of CS4 out of your decisions.

[R.Perez]

Ok... so you don't game, and don't care about bluray now, so drop the 5770 and bluray, replace with a 4350 and dvd burner. Drops your price by $200 by that alone. Use the stock cooler for now (you can upgrade later if you want to overclock) and now you're under $1000. Newegg has combo deals with 860 and motherboards, you can find an identically spec'ed one easily, and perhaps even find the same one. Check for combos, I saved about $100 from by last build ($650 went to $550), and you could probably save quite a bit more. Then get dual 2408WFP or wait for an instant rebate and dual 2410.

If you want to compare the pc and mac, they better have the same specs, not just close enough, if not it's like asking to compare a 7d with grip to a 1dmkiv.

As for OC, i7 chips generally scale quite well in most cpu bound tests, and "small" OCs like 3.2-3.4 are generally possible with practically all chips, it's after 3.4gh that you hear about widely different speeds.


That said, the 27" i7 iMac is the only iMac I would ever recommend. Great specs and beautiful screen, but not exactly photographer friendly with a lack of internal expansion and esata (but you can make do with FW800, even if the drives are more expensive). But in your case, add in the price of one copy of windows 7. Unless "gf" stands for "great fiancée", you should leave her copy of CS4 out of your decisions.

Since I own W7 already and my gf's copy of CS4 is my copy I am not too worried about it.
That being said, I may just take a couple of your suggestions and go with the PC.

I have a couple weeks to think about it, so we'll see.

[wlescall]

I do prefer the matte screen of the dell monitor, but the drop in resolution is a real negative for me.
There's part of your answer. The extra real estate is nice.

Is space part of the consideration? Would the glare of the glass be an issue?

[R.Perez]

There's part of your answer. The extra real estate is nice.

Is space part of the consideration? Would the glare of the glass be an issue?


The glare should not be an issue for where I plan on putting it in my apartment.

The extra screen real estate is super nice, and the $1050 price tag for for the dell 27" that comes out next month is a bit steep.

[basroil]

The glare should not be an issue for where I plan on putting it in my apartment.

The extra screen real estate is super nice, and the $1050 price tag for for the dell 27" that comes out next month is a bit steep.

You don't need to buy everything right now you know.

[R.Perez]

You don't need to buy everything right now you know.



Well I am editing photos on a 13" laptop at the moment. So at the very least a monitor upgrade needs to happen ASAP.

[basroil]

Well I am editing photos on a 13" laptop at the moment. So at the very least a monitor upgrade needs to happen ASAP.

If you're happy enough with the laptop, why not just get the U2711 for it :D

[R.Perez]

If you're happy enough with the laptop, why not just get the U2711 for it :D

thought about that. Intel integrated graphics won't support it. I am a sad panda :confused:

Specs on the laptop are

Dell XPS M1330
Core2Duo
4gb ddr2
intel 965 graphics
13" led screen
Windows 7

If the laptop would support the U2711, I would absolutely buy that and then just wait a few months to build the computer. But no such luck.

[Moppie]

There is one important thing a desktop work station will do that an iMac won't:

Hold multiple internal Hard Drives that are quickly and easily upgraded.

This is good for:
Maximizing storage space
Back up
Redundancy
Performance
Separating file storage from software/OS



The only advantage the iMac has is its desk foot print and how pretty it looks.

[themadman]

The only advantage the iMac has is its desk foot print and how pretty it looks.

Yup =)

[R.Perez]

Yup =)


Well that matters too!

I have always been one to spend top dollar on quality enclosures that look good.

In fact I prefer most Lian Li towers, to the Mac Pro tower.

[basroil]

Well that matters too!

I have always been one to spend top dollar on quality enclosures that look good.

In fact I prefer most Lian Li towers, to the Mac Pro tower.

I guess you chose your cameras by how they look too ;)

[themadman]

Also stop saying the MAC is extra money, they are virtually the same price when you factor in shipping.
Wow... I just read this... I recently built a computer and ordered pretty much everything from new egg. Full ATX case, big monitor, etc etc. Three different packages came weighing 11 pounds, 15 pounds and 35 pounds, total shipping cost... $45. I don't think the difference between a PC cost and a Mac is $45 =)

Now from reading your posts, I am not sure why you bothered starting a thread asking what you should get. It seems overwhelmingly PC favored but you keep defending Mac. If you want a Mac, just buy one and quit making pointless posts, however if you want our opinions, take it graciously and move on.

[R.Perez]

Wow... I just read this... I recently built a computer and ordered pretty much everything from new egg. Full ATX case, big monitor, etc etc. Three different packages came weighing 11 pounds, 15 pounds and 35 pounds, total shipping cost... $45. I don't think the difference between a PC cost and a Mac is $45 =)

Now from reading your posts, I am not sure why you bothered starting a thread asking what you should get. It seems overwhelmingly PC favored but you keep defending Mac. If you want a Mac, just buy one and quit making pointless posts, however if you want our opinions, take it graciously and move on.

I am actually leaning towards building another PC but nice try.

Also yes if you buy cheap cases, budget ram and a non ips monitor you can build an equivalent pc for the same price.

Did you even look at the price list and total I posted?

It was a $100 more for the iMac which had a 27" monitor with a much higher resolution.

I wouldn't exactly say that is a HUGE price difference. What you guys aren't considering.... Apple will ship to Hawaii for free, newegg does not. Makes a pretty substantial difference in price.

Now that being said, I am still leaning towards the pc just for the pure ease in upgrading.

[basroil]

I am actually leaning towards building another PC but nice try.

Also yes if you buy cheap cases, budget ram and a non ips monitor you can build an equivalent pc for the same price.

Did you even look at the price list and total I posted?

It was a $100 more for the iMac which had a 27" monitor with a much higher resolution.

I wouldn't exactly say that is a HUGE price difference. What you guys aren't considering.... Apple will ship to Hawaii for free, newegg does not. Makes a pretty substantial difference in price.

Now that being said, I am still leaning towards the pc just for the pure ease in upgrading.


Did you forget that apple doesn't ship from the mainland for you, and that they just give you one of the apple store ones since there are really only half a dozen unique computers in their lineup? So it's not really shipping to hawaii for free, it's shipping from hawaii for free. You'll probably get better deals locally if you look, since the shipping fees may be much less.

As for IPS monitors, plenty of other options too you know, from the dell 2209WA (you can get three of those for the price of a U2410, resulting in a larger screen than even the 27" mac, and you might be able to find those locally) to the asus 23" ips screens.

And for "budget" parts... give me a break. Most so called budget parts are as good or sometimes even better than their gaming counterparts. Other than the motherbroad, as long as you stick to a major company, chances are even the lowest priced components will work 100%. It's only when you overclock that you need better components, but that's because they will have to work 110% or more ;)

[Stealthy Ninja]

I'm a HUGE Mac fan. But I'd say a PC here because I don't like the glossy screens for photography stuff.

I have 2 Mac Pros (one at work, one at home).
1 Macbook Pro (sorta, my work owns it, but I use it)
2 Windows 7 PCs (Windows 7 is actually pretty nice, I would be happy using it... like I said, I just prefer the MAC OS).

I just prefer Macs. I don't mind paying a little more for them. :) I've had my macpro for 3 years and it's still going fine. PCs are often cheaper, but they don't seem to keep their speed for so long (I guess it's because the Macpro was a very fast computer (and still is).

Just buy the system you prefer. ;) People with argue and fight about this until the cows come home. In the end computers (like cameras) are tools for doing the same thing. All the arguments are just pointless.

[themadman]

I am actually leaning towards building another PC but nice try.

Also yes if you buy cheap cases, budget ram and a non ips monitor you can build an equivalent pc for the same price.


1. Nice try? What am I trying? I am telling you if you make a post asking for advice, shut your yapper and take it. If you have your own ideas about how something is, then don't bother asking in the first place.

2. Budget? I've built 11 PC's over the past 8 years, every single one still works. I don't gauge my costs on "budget" builds, PCs still cost less than Macs even with quality parts.

Now, like I stated earlier, if you are here to argue, then quit wasting our time. If you really want our opinions, you have it. Maybe you should change your title from "Which would you buy? I can't decide please help!" to "I'm here to argue when people give me their honest opinion"

[Stealthy Ninja]

Windows certainly seems to have improved with windows 7. I use to have many, many, many crashes video editing with windows xp (before I moved to mac) I'm not using Windows 7 for video editing or anything, but it seems nice. Apparently it's pretty stable too. I still get a crash on Macs occasionally (meaning a program will "crash"). Also I very, very rarely get a "grey screen of death" on my Macs. They do occur.

My PCs also don't crash much at all anymore. One I use for games and the other is mainly an internet machine (for my kids). They are quite stable. Occasionally a game will stop working, but that's probably bad programming.

Macs have problems too (if you say they never crash, you're sadly mistaken... of course a PC will crash just as much if not more depending on different factors). Maybe I'm just unlucky, but I've had more hardware failures with PCs (motherboards, HDDs, Power supplies, RAM, DVD Rom etc.). With Macs I've had RAM problems (3rd party RAM usually), HDD problems and one DVD burner failed (all perfectly replaceable on my Mac Pro). I had to clean my Video Card fan once too. :lol: ). Generally I found Mac Hardware to be very reliable and high quality. I guess they have slightly better QQ than some PC parts manufactures. Every computer can fail though.

I just prefer Macs myself. One thing, I don't run virus protection on my macs (yeah, I know all the 1% market arguments, I'm just making a statement).

OH BTW I've made about 5-6 PCs over the last 10 years. A bit slack I know. ;)

[themadman]

I just prefer Macs myself. One thing, I don't run virus protection on my macs (yeah, I know all the 1% market arguments, I'm just making a statement).

Nothing wrong with liking Macs. I don't run virus protection on my Macs either =P

It is important to note that I know plenty people who don't run virus protection on their PC's either, they are just careful about their email and use script blockers when they surf the internet.

Macs and PCs are both just computers at the end of the day. My view might be biased, but after working for Apple for a year, I've seen plenty software and hardware problems with Macs for my life time. Also, funny you mention "third party" because I am assuming you mean self installed? Apple doesn't make their own ram so technically any ram is "third party" =)

OH BTW I've made about 5-6 PCs over the last 10 years. A bit slack I know. ;)


Slack? Naw, I just have a computer problem. I love computers so much I graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering with Multicore Processor Design specialization.

[Stealthy Ninja]

^^ LOL you're a bit more advanced than me.

I run virus protection on my PCs because of habit really. I've never had a serious virus because I don't download stuff from random sources like an idiot. :lol:

Yeah, self installed RAM. You know what I mean! :p

You're a computer addict. You need intervention. :lol:

Yeah, it's just computers. They all have problems for sure. I just like the Mac OS more than Windows.