Sufficient for Photo Editing?

I am not at all a computer "wiz" but would like to know whether you guys feel that this 27" iMac 512MG unit should well cover my personal photoediting needs (Photoshop CS4):

2 8GHZ quad-core Intel Core 17 processor
16GB 1066MHZ DDR3 SDRAM (4x4GB)
2TB serial ATA drive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
8x double layer superdrive

Thanks for your help.

b.d.bop wrote in post #9261444
I am not at all a computer "wiz" but would like to know whether you guys feel that this 27" iMac 512MG unit should well cover my personal photoediting needs (Photoshop CS4):

2 8GHZ quad-core Intel Core 17 processor
16GB 1066MHZ DDR3 SDRAM (4x4GB)
2TB serial ATA drive
ATI Radeon HD 4850 512MB
8x double layer superdrive

Thanks for your help.

Please just copy the specs on the page rather than retyping it.

Either way, if those are the spec I think they are (2.8GHz Intel Core i7 Processor, 16GB RAM, 2TB drive, etc), then you're just throwing your money away. If you MUST go the apple route, stick to 4GB (not the ridiculously overpriced 16GB option), and 1TB drive.

Then, if you need more memory, you go to newegg.com or another site like that, and buy more memory. 8GB is more than enough for photo, and it's only about $50-80 to buy two more 2gb sticks (which apple charges $200 for). Same with HDD, where you can get a 2TB firewire drive for about $200, meaning you'll have 3TB total (1tb internal, and often faster than 2TB externals, 2TB external, which would be fast enough for photo))

Unless you already have a Mac and all programs for Mac, I highly suggest going with something else, it'll have the same processor, same ram, more internal disk space, better case (heat wise), usually esata (much better than FW, especially when using a FIS switch and an esata RAID solution), and cheaper, enough so that you can get dual monitor solutions or even high end photo monitors.

basroil wrote in post #9261581
Please just copy the specs on the page rather than retyping it.

Either way, if those are the spec I think they are (2.8GHz Intel Core i7 Processor, 16GB RAM, 2TB drive, etc), then you're just throwing your money away. If you MUST go the apple route, stick to 4GB (not the ridiculously overpriced 16GB option), and 1TB drive.

Then, if you need more memory, you go to newegg.com or another site like that, and buy more memory. 8GB is more than enough for photo, and it's only about $50-80 to buy two more 2gb sticks (which apple charges $200 for). Same with HDD, where you can get a 2TB firewire drive for about $200, meaning you'll have 3TB total (1tb internal, and often faster than 2TB externals, 2TB external, which would be fast enough for photo))

Unless you already have a Mac and all programs for Mac, I highly suggest going with something else, it'll have the same processor, same ram, more internal disk space, better case (heat wise), usually esata (much better than FW, especially when using a FIS switch and an esata RAID solution), and cheaper, enough so that you can get dual monitor solutions or even high end photo monitors.

Thanks, basroil. I know that you really know your stuff, I've read many of your posts. I tried to copy and paste but the Forum's box wouldn't take the paste in (stayed blank).

I have the Jones really badly to switch to Mac at this point. I priced out a Mac Pro decked out with their best processor 2.95 MHz and some other upgrades and I was getting into a $9,000 unit - seemed way overkill for my purposes and level of understanding.

Truth is, I'd like a sort of Lexus work station having very little knowledge regarding what's under the hood, but wanting 'headroom' to spare. And with maximum dependability, realizing nothing's foolproof.

I recently retired and this is something I've sort of been waiting to do for quite a while, even if it's a splurge.
Help out a relatively computer illiterate photographer here. Please stay within the Mac realm.

Appreciate your input!

Definitely don't go for the 16gb of ram just yet! Far to pricy! But then, if you are not comfortable replacing ram (which is dead easy with a quick google or vistit to ifixit.com). Otherwise you have a great system. Be sure to get a couple of external hard drives for back up and time machine!

mattyb240 wrote in post #9261685
Definitely don't go for the 16gb of ram just yet! Far to pricy! But then, if you are not comfortable replacing ram (which is dead easy with a quick google or vistit to ifixit.com). Otherwise you have a great system. Be sure to get a couple of external hard drives for back up and time machine!

Thanks, mattyb!

Aside from price, is there a downside to the 16gb of RAM from the getgo?

Also, does the Time Machine application come with the iMac or is that separate software one purchases?

Lastly, if I start with the 16gb of RAM, then does my backup external harddrive need to be even larger?

Thanks in advance.

b.d.bop wrote in post #9261622
Thanks, basroil. I know that you really know your stuff, I've read many of your posts. I tried to copy and paste but the Forum's box wouldn't take the paste in (stayed blank).

I have the Jones really badly to switch to Mac at this point. I priced out a Mac Pro decked out with their best processor 2.95 MHz and some other upgrades and I was getting into a $9,000 unit - seemed way overkill for my purposes and level of understanding.

Truth is, I'd like a sort of Lexus work station having very little knowledge regarding what's under the hood, but wanting 'headroom' to spare. And with maximum dependability, realizing nothing's foolproof.

I recently retired and this is something I've sort of been waiting to do for quite a while, even if it's a splurge.
Help out a relatively computer illiterate photographer here. Please stay within the Mac realm.

Appreciate your input!

For your needs, don't bother with Mac Pro, just stick to an i7 860 (2.8GHz chip) and 8gb ram. But NEVER go for apple's RAM, it's overpriced, and adding RAM is as easy as replacing the memory card in your camera. Stick to the 1TB disk as well, adding external drives is as easy as plugging in your card reader to the computer.

And if you want the Lexus of workstations, that means you only want an expensive Toyota, which means the Dell Studio XPS9000 is what you want. Apple is more of a Benz, performance isn't really matter as long as it's responsive, just the look and experience that you care about.

And since you are (self described) computer illiterate, you will want to have anti-virus and firewall software for any computer you get, even if it runs OSX)

And reliability wise, desktops are only as reliable as the maintenance you can perform on it. Monthly de-dusting goes a long way to keeping computers running in top shape. My first Dell got cleaning ever other month, and it lasted almost a decade before the hdd failed. Everything else works just fine even today. I have yet to have a computer completely fail, and the only components to fail were laptop motherboards, which you can't clean regularly and damage was caused by spills anyway, and graphics cards (because I didn't clean it regularly and the fan lubricant gummed up with dust). Mac Pros are easy to clean, most non-apple computers are easy to clean, iMacs are nearly impossible to clean unless you are (very, very) good with computers.

EDIT:

b.d.bop wrote in post #9261765
Thanks, mattyb!

Aside from price, is there a downside to the 16gb of RAM from the getgo?

Also, does the Time Machine application come with the iMac or is that separate software one purchases?

Lastly, if I start with the 16gb of RAM, then does my backup external harddrive need to be even larger?

Thanks in advance.

Downsides are: Price, Hibernation hdd space use, the fact you will NOT use anywhere near 16GB ram ever.

Time Machine comes with OSX 10.5 or 10.6, so any new mac will have it.

And no, you don't need a larger disk to go with larger memory.

Or pay the star student taking computer tech at the local high school $50 to install it and still come out ahead.

No. The increased ram provides more real-time "working space" for Photoshop and other applications that operate in ram (including most Photoshop plug-ins, which usually (if not always) need ram outside of what Photoshop reserves for itself.

b.d.bop wrote in post #9261622
Please stay within the Mac realm.

basroil wrote in post #9261792
Dell Studio XPS9000

Hadn't noticed that Apple purchased Dell?

b.d.bop wrote in post #9261765
does the Time Machine application come with the iMac or is that separate software one purchases?

Time machine is built into OSX.
You will need a hard drive for it.

b.d.bop wrote in post #9261765
Lastly, if I start with the 16gb of RAM, then does my backup external harddrive need to be even larger?

Ram has nothing to do with external HDD space.

René Damkot wrote in post #9261819
Hadn't noticed that Apple purchased Dell?


Time machine is built into OSX.
You will need a hard drive for it.

Ram has nothing to do with external HDD space.

I didn't know OP knew the difference

He said that he knows next to nothing about computers, so he really doesn't know the differences between OSX and windows, apple and dell, pre-built, built to order, and home built. I'm simply telling him to look at other things before buying, after all, buying a computer without knowing how it works, what the limitations are, or not having the willingness to learn about it is like buying an SLR without knowing what exposure is, single lens, and not caring to learn about exposure or even taking it out of green mode. He'll be much happier with whatever he buys if he knows that that's what will be the best system for him. Doesn't matter what OS or brand it is, all that matters is that he knows why he got it.

basroil wrote in post #9262298
I didn't know OP knew the difference

He said that he knows next to nothing about computers, so he really doesn't know the differences between OSX and windows, apple and dell, pre-built, built to order, and home built. I'm simply telling him to look at other things before buying, after all, buying a computer without knowing how it works, what the limitations are, or not having the willingness to learn about it is like buying an SLR without knowing what exposure is, single lens, and not caring to learn about exposure or even taking it out of green mode. He'll be much happier with whatever he buys if he knows that that's what will be the best system for him. Doesn't matter what OS or brand it is, all that matters is that he knows why he got it.

I have to admit I agree with you which I don't do very often when someone mentions wanting a Mac.

Thanks a million, RDKirk, René and basroil for chiming in.

I do know that OSX refers to Mac's operating system as opposed to MS Windows, but not too much more than that, LOL!

I've had four or five PC's over the years, so I'm not a total idiot, but damned close. When you guys start talking about daisy chains, SATA's, RAID cards, etc., I get a little scared. (The only parts I'm really familiar with are perfused by blood vessels.)

René, when I asked "if I start with the 16gb of RAM, then does my backup external harddrive need to be even larger?", I meant to say, "if I start with a 1TB hard drive, then does my backup external harddrive need to be even larger?"

Another question - I've heard a few folks referring to heat buildup in the units (basroil mentioned that, too) - is that a big threat in an iMac?

Also, when you guys talk about subsequently adding more RAM or larger/additional hard drives to a preconfigured iMac, I assume these are externals connected via USB cords or firewires?

Thanks for your patience with my questions. There might even be one or two folks out there who are also learning something here besides me!

basroil wrote in post #9262298
He said that he knows next to nothing about computers, so he really doesn't know the differences between OSX and windows, apple and dell, pre-built, built to order, and home built. I'm simply telling him to look at other things before buying, after all, buying a computer without knowing how it works, what the limitations are, or not having the willingness to learn about it is like buying an SLR without knowing what exposure is, single lens, and not caring to learn about exposure or even taking it out of green mode. He'll be much happier with whatever he buys if he knows that that's what will be the best system for him. Doesn't matter what OS or brand it is, all that matters is that he knows why he got it.

Basroil seems to forget that 95% of the users out there aren't like him.

I have a wide array of computer user friends, having even built a few computers for small # of photogs here in SoCal that charge more for photo shoots than most of us can even dream about. And you know how many of these folks actually care about the ins and outs of computer specifications? I'd say less than 5% of them.

I've learned in building/buying computers for friends to ask two (and ONLY TWO) questions -- what do hope to do with it? and what's your budget? After that, I shut up and build them the computer. On forums like this, it's fine (and yes, fun!) to discuss the ins and outs of hardware....but sometimes those of us in the 5% who actually know what "Nehalem" means have to realize that the vast majority of people out there don't give a rats a$$ about this stuff. And good for them!! I don't see any reason why they should know....unless they find it personally interesting to them.

I have a friend in the OC that told me a couple years ago, "Man, how do you keep up with all of this stuff? That's awesome!" I told him I'd easily trade him that knowledge for the ability to charge people $5k for a fancy wedding shoot! Why should this guy worry about learning all he can about computer hardware? He's got more important stuff to do!

Photography does bring a strange mixture together of engineer-types that love hardware specifications and artsy-types that are all about the final product. In the OP's case here, I think all he wants to hear is -- "If you are wanting a strong machine for serious photo editing, AND if you can afford the 27-inch price tag, it's a great computer!"

BeritOlam wrote in post #9262395
Basroil seems to forget that 95% of the users out there aren't like him.

I have a wide array of computer user friends, having even built a few computers for small # of photogs here in SoCal that charge more for photo shoots than most of us can even dream about. And you know how many of these folks actually care about the ins and outs of computer specifications? I'd say less than 5% of them.

I've learned in building/buying computers for friends to ask two (and ONLY TWO) questions -- what do hope to do with it? how much money do have to spend? After that, I shut up and build them the computer. On forums like this, it's fine to discuss the ins and outs of hardware....but sometimes those of us in the 5% who actually know what "Nehalen" means have to realize that the vast majority of people out there don't give a rats a$$ about this stuff. And good for them. I don't see any reason why they should know....unless they find it personally interesting to them.

I have a friend in the OC that told me a couple years ago, "Man, how do you keep up with all of this stuff? That's awesome!" I told him I'd easily trade him that knowledge for the ability to charge people $5k for a fancy wedding shoot!

Photography does bring a strange mixture together of engineer-types that love hardware specifications and artsy-types that are all about the final product. In the OP's case here, I think all he wants to hear is -- "If you are wanting a strong machine for serious photo editing, AND if you can afford the 27-inch price tag, it's a great computer!"

Well put, BeritOlam! You've stated it beautifully re: different types of folks out there and their angle on things photographic - there are loads of folks who drive great cars but could care less about their air filters or carburetors.
Now on the other hand I'm not quite as vapid as "...all he wants to hear is -- "If you are wanting a strong machine for serious photo editing, AND if you can afford the 27-inch price tag, it's a great computer!"

unless you can prove to me that your name is Bill Gates, getting 16Gb of ram from apple has no logical sense, what so ever. You don't even need 16Gb of ram for photo editing. I do hi def video edits in avid or FCP and I never needed 16Gb of ram. That $4000 extra price wont make your photos any better or speed up your editing or make it more secure. Its pointless unless you have a specific need of 16gb ram, which in your case - you don't. You would have to run multiple server systems on one machine to even come close to using all that 16Gb of ram.

Mastamarek wrote in post #9262441
unless you can prove to me that your name is Bill Gates, getting 16Gb of ram from apple has no logical sense, what so ever. You don't even need 16Gb of ram for photo editing. I do hi def video edits in avid or FCP and I never needed 16Gb of ram. That $4000 extra price wont make your photos any better or speed up your editing or make it more secure. Its pointless unless you have a specific need of 16gb ram, which in your case - you don't. You would have to run multiple server systems on one machine to even come close to using all that 16Gb of ram.

No, I'm no Bill Gates, LOL. I am blessed to be comfortable, though, and I spend lots of time on the machine. This information is helping me tremendously, and putting things into perspective, though. Thanks for the input.