Reality check - computers

I'm wondering how often you guys upgrade your computers. I have a four-year old iMac and it is getting bogged down when I run photo editing software.

How old are your computers? Is it time for a new one? Please don't turn this into a mac vs. pc discussion. I'm not switching to a pc at this point.

I guess I upgrade mine only when I need to.....which is usually when I get something new that demands more computing power. Fortunately, that hasn't happened for me lately. I have a home built PC so when I upgrade, it's usually only bits and pieces at a time.

Add more RAM. I've always found RAM (and a good fast HD for cache/temp files, separate from OS and app drive) the more important than CPU speeds.

mcluckie wrote in post #13473626
Add more RAM. I've always found RAM (and a good fast HD for cache/temp files, separate from OS and app drive) the more important than CPU speeds.

I did this already. Unfortunately, I did it wrong so now I have 2g on one slot and 4 on the other. This error was pointed out to me on the phone with the apple sales lady. She said I could drop it down to 2 and 2 and it would be a bit faster but my 2.8 g dual core processor is the weak link. She said that it is the minimum required to run Aperture.

Every brush stroke I make takes a few seconds to show up. You can imagine how long PP takes at this rate.

I usually build every three years simply out of boredom Santa should be delivering a few components this year for the next adventure in building !!

I'm thinking it is time. Now I need to rip the couches apart and find 3k in the cushions.

mckinleypics wrote in post #13473685
I'm thinking it is time. Now I need to rip the couches apart and find 3k in the cushions.

Switch to a PC and you'll only need to find $1k to get a phenomenal system.

I upgraded a seven year old system this summer. Went from a Dell SC400 (P4, 2.4GHz, 3GB ram) to a Dell XPS8300 (i7, 3.4GHz, 12GB ram) for $999 thanks to CostCo.

The only regret I have is moving from Win2k to Win7, but I'm getting used to it.

mbellot wrote in post #13473844
Switch to a PC and you'll only need to find $1k to get a phenomenal system.

I upgraded a seven year old system this summer. Went from a Dell SC400 (P4, 2.4GHz, 3GB ram) to a Dell XPS8300 (i7, 3.4GHz, 12GB ram) for $999 thanks to CostCo.

The only regret I have is moving from Win2k to Win7, but I'm getting used to it.

To be honest, I went to the Dell website and did an apple to apple comparison with Apple (didn't even notice the pun until the third time I typed Apple). The cost is about the same. Here's why:

The dell doesn't come with a monitor and a 27" monitor on par with the Apple one is close to a grand. Also, Apples come with all the software you need whereas I would have to buy Office etc. with the Dell. (I already have all of the Apple stuff - Aperture, Photoshop Elements, Office, etc. etc.)

mckinleypics wrote in post #13473940
To be honest, I went to the Dell website and did an apple to apple comparison with Apple (didn't even notice the pun until the third time I typed Apple). The cost is about the same. Here's why:

The dell doesn't come with a monitor and a 27" monitor on par with the Apple one is close to a grand. Also, Apples come with all the software you need whereas I would have to buy Office etc. with the Dell. (I already have all of the Apple stuff - Aperture, Photoshop Elements, Office, etc. etc.)

True. I've heard this forever -- if you buy a Mac you're done. If you equip a good brand name PC with all Apple gives you, the difference is gone. Not even including the software flip the OP stated. The big iMacs are an amazing value. It's like a free monitor.

Please, no PC v mac crap.

Why do you need 3k? Get the $1700 or $2000 model. Don't add memory or hard drive or anything. The base models are fine. At the most, get the $2000 model and upgrade to the i7 for $200. Add ram on your own. It's cheap. I think the base i5 model would be plenty. I have a 1 year old 2.9 ghz i7 and it flies with Lightroom. Even my older 2.9 Core2Duo had no problems with it. That computer had problems though so they offered me a replacement. I gave them $400 to upgrade it to the i7 model.

If you can get an education discount you can save a bit more. Or check MacMall or Amazon or something like that.

I won't buy another Dell. I had my fair share of dealing with them and I'm done. Their customer support left a lot to be desired. As did the construction of their computers.

mcluckie wrote in post #13474225
True. I've heard this forever -- if you buy a Mac you're done. If you equip a good brand name PC with all Apple gives you, the difference is gone. Not even including the software flip the OP stated. The big iMacs are an amazing value. It's like a free monitor.

Please, no PC v mac crap.

been contemplating on moving to MACs too... biggest issue for me is that I would have to buy a new set of licenses for Adobe Master Collection + Lightroom

or can I transfer my licenses when i move to mac?

Lightroom can install on either. Not sure about the other.

randy98mtu wrote in post #13474309
Lightroom can install on either. Not sure about the other.

so you can use the same license from PC to MAC? thanks!

randy98mtu wrote in post #13474274
Why do you need 3k? Get the $1700 or $2000 model. Don't add memory or hard drive or anything. The base models are fine. At the most, get the $2000 model and upgrade to the i7 for $200. Add ram on your own. It's cheap. I think the base i5 model would be plenty. I have a 1 year old 2.9 ghz i7 and it flies with Lightroom. Even my older 2.9 Core2Duo had no problems with it. That computer had problems though so they offered me a replacement. I gave them $400 to upgrade it to the i7 model.

If you can get an education discount you can save a bit more. Or check MacMall or Amazon or something like that.

I won't buy another Dell. I had my fair share of dealing with them and I'm done. Their customer support left a lot to be desired. As did the construction of their computers.

I hear you. However, one of the things I'm kicking myself for is not going whole hog when I bought this iMac 4 years ago. Now the processor is outdated. I suppose going whole hog buys another year or two so it may be a horse apiece, so to speak. Here's the system I'm looking at:

27" iMac - 2549
3.4 GHz Quad Cor Intel i7
8G ram
2TB serial ATA hard drive
AMD Radeon 1Gb graphics card

There is also a Wacom Bamboo Capture Graphics Tablet (100) I could skip, the applecare protection plan (169) I could skip but admittedly use a lot, and a printer for (100) that I don't need but comes with a 100 rebate so it is free.

I either upgrade as needed or if I see technology that I think would benefit performance to actually make a difference.

I have a PC with an 17-920 CPU. Runs like a champ. I don't see myself upgrading for another year or two.