If you had $2500 to buy a MAC. What would you do?

isnt it harder to PP on a laptop?? I always heard it was..something about the colors being strange... Id get a mac over PC if i was in the market again, but id definetly get a desktop over an LT... you just get sooo much more computer with the DT for the money!

Yeah, but I always have my laptop with me. I guess if you got the money it not bad at all but if you can barely break a grand you're quite limited.

Ok $2500 question here and hopefully I can help answer it for you.

First off the thing I will ask you is do you want to have dual monitors to help you use CS3?

I have an older Mirrordrive mac with a 250g hardrive and 2gb of memory that runs pretty decent. I use dual monitors for the purpose of it works so much better when you are PP photos. If you want that then you have to go with a Promac as it is the only one that supports dual monitors that aren't (mirrored) meaning it shows the exact same thing on both screens. I have dual Samsung 20" monitors side by side and that only cost me <$700 including tax.

If you want to stick with a single screen and want to save some cash in the front end, think about going with a Mac Mini. The Processors on them are very decent and you can pick and choose what monitor you want. The apple cinema screens are nice and are like purchasing Canon L lenses. You pay a price but the IQ is stunning!

Like stated before by other people you pretty much want at least 2gb of memory if not more to let your machine chug along at top speed when you are using Photoshop.

Now the next all in one option is the IMac. I have owned the first 3 generations of these computers because you get it all in one. I looked at the difference between the new ones and for $500 do you want an extra 4" of monitor (20-24" model) because thats the only differnce for the most part.

I have always had an Ibook laptop and really didn't ever want to use it for photos because the Bus speed on them was very limiting. Plus the LCD screens just didn't give the vibrance you are looking for in a desktop monitor.

If you do go with a laptop invest in the Macbook Pro's. They are faster, have larger screens with higher resolution and are already set up with 2gb of memory.

So hopefully this suggestion will help you choose probably some of the best stuff Mac has to offer. And yea keep looking on the Refurb page as things pop up from time to time that are great for reduced prices that carry the same exact warranty as the brand new models.

Oh yea one last thing...Get Applecare for whatever computer you get. Believe me it's worth it!


Have fun!

Ross

I definitely think I will get AppleCare. It does sound worth it. I think the displays in the MacBook Pros are considered pro level. I am definitely torn on this issue. I probably have a little over a month or two before I will be getting one. I swear I am going to have nightmares. I think the iMac is the best bang for the buck for me, but I am still going to be debating the MacBook pro for portability.

I don't really think I will need two displays. It would be cool, but for me not necessary. I wish I knew more about what part of the field I will end up in. I think my best bet would be to get the Macbooks Pro if I can afford it, and if not, then I will go with the 20 inch iMac.

Would it be better to get the lowest model Macbook Pro and upgrade the Ram from an aftermarket place or just go for the higher 15' macbook pro?

Question: How much do we need to allocate for software license migration?
In other words how much will Adobe charge us to move from PC to Mac for CSx and LightRoom? How much will Noiseware charge us? How much will other vendors charge???

tunin wrote in post #3211148
I would get a REFURB mackbook pro from apple.com (when they get it running) and spend the rest on other gear.

I wouldn't. I had a 1st generation MBP core duo 1.86gHz and it went through2 motherboard replacements, 1 powerinverter for the screen replacement, 1 superdrive replacement and still didn't work. I ended up getting it refunded and bought a core 2 duo MBP 2.16ghz. 1gig ram already in and as I had a spare 1gig from the old MBP I stuck that in and now have 2gig ram.

I absolutely love it!

Now, if you can get a refurbed core 2 duo - then yes. Just stear clear of the 1st generation machines.

She

shesgotthepic wrote in post #3223922
I wouldn't. I had a 1st generation MBP core duo 1.86gHz and it went through2 motherboard replacements, 1 powerinverter for the screen replacement, 1 superdrive replacement and still didn't work. I ended up getting it refunded and bought a core 2 duo MBP 2.16ghz. 1gig ram already in and as I had a spare 1gig from the old MBP I stuck that in and now have 2gig ram.

I absolutely love it!

Now, if you can get a refurbed core 2 duo - then yes. Just stear clear of the 1st generation machines.

She

No way!!!

MACs are indestructible self healing computers even virus and trojans can't hurt them. You mean to tell me that they are fallible just like PCs. Say it ain't so.

lostdoggy wrote in post #3223975
No way!!!

MACs are indestructible self healing computers even virus and trojans can't hurt them. You mean to tell me that they are fallible just like PCs. Say it ain't so.

yup. the 1st generation had some pretty bad issues. I'm not the only one. There were loads on the apple.com support forum complaining about the same issues.

Before I eventually got it refunded by the shop they tried to get me a replacement (apple would not replace it. shop would) and gave me a macbook as a loaner. A fairly top spec version but I returned it after a few days demanding a full refund on the MBP as the macbook just couldn't cope with running PS CS2, dreamweaver and Lightroom without groaning.

I would definetly go for a MBP over a desktop. I've had a 12" powerbook (and if MBP is ever issued with a 12" model I could be tempte to swap down) and a G5. Stick with laptop.

As for PP on laptop - once you are used to it it sin't really a problem. I quite oftn do it on the fly using the trackpad and no external mouse.

She

gparvan wrote in post #3223480
Question: How much do we need to allocate for software license migration?
In other words how much will Adobe charge us to move from PC to Mac for CSx and LightRoom? How much will Noiseware charge us? How much will other vendors charge???

Adobe allows you the make the switch once a year...for free I believe.

You might consider:

15" 2.16 gHz MBP with 2 gb RAM
Apple Bluetooth keyboard
NON-Apple Bluetooth 3-button optical scroll mouse
22" DVI display (e.g., Samsung)
500 gb firewire or USB2 drive

This would allow you to use your MBP as a desktop, with the need only to plug in the external drive and display as you need it. I've not tried it, but if you link your laptop to an external keyboard and display, you can keep the lid closed. The bluetooth keyboard and mouse will allow you to free up desktop space.

producerism wrote in post #3211821
feel free to flame me for this, but for $2500 you could get two PCs, each just as good as the Mac.

How so?

Savagebasher wrote in post #3211862
hell, for $1500 you could build a top of the line intel rig, get a nice 23-24" lcd, and have a grand left for a lens/other goodies

You mean like the Intel Core 2 Duos or Quad cores that come with Macs?

lostdoggy wrote in post #3223975
No way!!! MACs are indestructible self healing computers...

Yes, thanks to journaling they are self-healing if they crash because of power failures or some other unpredictable event.

So far, yes, that's a truism.

Well, you can screw them up by installing Windows on them.

Tony-S wrote in post #3224658
Yes, thanks to journaling they are self-healing if they crash because of power failures or some other unpredictable event.

So far, yes, that's a truism.

Well, you can screw them up by installing Windows on them.

LMAO. Windows. . . hahahaha. I think I will just use my fiance's computer if I need windows. I can't wait to have another Mac. The first Mac I had was on of the really really old Black and White Macs. I can't remember what they called it. At the time it was awesome. It even had a Golf game. Way faster than PC. The thing was pretty big and clunky. The screen was only like 10 inches. I miss that computer. Things were simple back then.

Yes...and you'll still have a grand to spend on a lens with the PC's...

Tony-S wrote in post #3224638
You mean like the Intel Core 2 Duos or Quad cores that come with Macs?