Moving to Apple...asking for suggestions on new system.

[canoflan]

Well, I have been convinced that if I want to really speed up my processing time and limit downtime hiccups, I need to go Apple.

Now, the question I have is, with a budget of $1,500, running CS3 and Lightroom, what would you suggest I get? I am in the market for a desktop configuration and 20 inch screen. No laptops.

I already know the amount of ram and such I need; therefore, I am mainly looking for the processor strength with this budget in mind. If you think I need to spend more money, please feel free to tell me so.

My neighbor said he spent $1,800 on a mac with a 20 inch screen. Is that the way to go?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[coreypolis]

a used g4 or g5 or imac is really the only possibility for that price range.

go to a mac store near you and try them out first.

[wlescall]

I suggest you check the Apple Store for refurbs. On the right side of the page is a red tag 'Save'. Click & on the next page, click the tab for 'Apple Certified (Mac)'. This will take you to the refurbs. Currently, not much available.

I got a 20" Core 2 Duo for $1299. When it arrived, the hard drive had been upgraded to 500 GB & video RAM was 256 MB. Looked brand new but arrived in a plain brown box. YMMV.

You might also check the Apple store for education.

[In2Photos]

You can't get a decent MAC for $1500 with a 20" screen?

[coreypolis]

Originally Posted by In2Photos

You can't get a decent MAC for $1500 with a 20" screen?

not with LR and CS3 anyways

its 1499 but includes most normal software above any beyond what a PC would give you. only 1gb RAM too

[wlescall]

For me:
iMac 20" C2D $1299
PS CS2 169
LR 199

total $1667

Since I bought CS2 on 2/28, CS3 = FREE.

[hannaxt]

Originally Posted by In2Photos

You can't get a decent MAC for $1500 with a 20" screen?

20' iMac and it runs CS3 natively now and with great efficiency.

As for CS3 if you already own Photoshop you'd pay upgrade price and lightrrom is $199 - no one bundles those.

But Base on your budget I'd say 20' iMac and you may be surprised by it's performance in a good way - runs Aperture nicely too!
Incidentally just coz it's an iMac takes nothing away from it being a worthwhile editing system.
And it has all your wireless options and bundles software unrivaled by any manufacturer/pc maker.

[canoflan]

Sorry, I should have made it clear that I already have CS3 and LR. I meant that I would be running these on the Apple so I would want a system that runs these rather effortlessly.

Thanks for all the responses. I am thinking iMac 20" with 2.33 duo core, 2GB ram, and 256k video card. With NAPP discount, that comes to $1,880 before tax. I can handle that.

Thoughts?

[August 15 Photography]

You have the Mac versions of CS3 and LR or you have the Windows version and are going to load Windows onto the Mac?

[coreypolis]

Originally Posted by August 15 Photography

You have the Mac versions of CS3 and LR or you have the Windows version and are going to load Windows onto the Mac?

you can call adobe and switch platforms 3 times per license. cost is free or minimal (shipping a new CD)

[August 15 Photography]

Corey, That is good to know, I did not know that.

[hannaxt]

Originally Posted by canoflan

Sorry, I should have made it clear that I already have CS3 and LR. I meant that I would be running these on the Apple so I would want a system that runs these rather effortlessly.

Thanks for all the responses. I am thinking iMac 20" with 2.33 duo core, 2GB ram, and 256k video card. With NAPP discount, that comes to $1,880 before tax. I can handle that.

Thoughts?

There's your system right there ! I think you will be please with how Photoshop CS3 will run (very pleased) it's also a great lcd and the Core2 duo is simply sweet.
Your 256MB vram is going to come in very handy and in fact more than enough to run all photography software including Aperture.

Enjoy it!

And as Corey said, call Adobe they will work with you.

[wlescall]

2.16 GHz 20" vs 2.33 GHz 24"

Don't count the graphics card result as the 24" iMac uses the NVidia GeForce.

But you may save some money compared to an average 8% gain.

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by August 15 Photography

You have the Mac versions of CS3 and LR or you have the Windows version and are going to load Windows onto the Mac?

I will be getting the mac versions of the software and using them on the Apple OS. I do not plan to load any windows software on the Apple that I plan to use in a siginficant way.

[canoflan]

Originally Posted by wlescall

2.16 GHz 20" vs 2.33 GHz 24"

Don't count the graphics card result as the 24" iMac uses the NVidia GeForce.

But you may save some money compared to an average 8% gain.

This is very helpful to know. Can you expand on your comment about 'Don't count the graphics card result as the 24" iMac uses the NVidia GeForce'? Do you mean that it is better to get the 2.16 20" because the gain in performance simply isn't worth hundreds, especially if I am not a pro?