Post Processing Hardware

Matblack · 25-02-2009, 18:18

Hmmmm

I have a problem, we have a number of PCs in the house but none of them are really ideal for post processing RAW files, the netbook is too small both from a processing and hard drive point of view the PC downstairs is atached to the projector which is rubbish because it auto calibrates for films and adjusts contrast on the fly, work laptop is a no no.

I think I'm going to have to get something else, it needs to be compact with a good screen 17-22", have reasonable processing power and a good screen.

So

Which Mac do I need?

MB

Mark · 25-02-2009, 20:05

I'd say the iMac is the one to tick all those boxes. Of the others:

Macbook - screen too small.
Macbook Pro - would do the job if you were happy at the lower end of screen size (17")
Mac Mini - underpowered for the job I'd suggest
Mac Pro - don't think that can qualify as 'compact'.

divine · 25-02-2009, 21:22

An iMac would be the ideal candidate from the mac range.

You could probably make a far more effective tool for processing images by building a PC if actual productivity is your main aim, rather than having a pretty computer.

edit - also, regardless of any PC vs Mac debate, assuming you only want Mac, the new i7 models should be out fairly soon shouldn't they? Probably worth waiting for those if you do go that route.

leowyatt · 25-02-2009, 22:43

iMac 20" should do you nicely

Matblack · 26-02-2009, 11:50

You know I think I would be quite happy with an older model iMac, is there any reason why they wouldn't cut it for photoprocessing? Odd though that there aren't that many on ebay.

The comment about building a PC to do the same job is reasonable, I quite like the idea of having the whole thing as one unit though and I'd like to have a play with OSX as it seems idea for a media hub and iPod dock and maybe for watching the odd film on but the main reason for this is the photo editing.

MB

leowyatt · 26-02-2009, 11:53

that is a surprise there aren't many for sale on ebay. How old are you thinking of going MB?

Matblack · 26-02-2009, 11:56

Well maybe just the previous generation the iMac Core Duo?

MB

Matblack · 26-02-2009, 12:04

Scratch that I'd be happy with a G4 or a G5 or an Intel

MB

Burble · 26-02-2009, 12:07

Personally I wouldn't want a G4 or G5 as Apple are dropping PPC support in the next release of OS X.

Matblack · 26-02-2009, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burble

Personally I wouldn't want a G4 or G5 as Apple are dropping PPC support in the next release of OS X.

Thing is though, that I don't really want to spend a lot of money and it really is just for music and photo work, as the size of RAW files hasn't increased that much since these machine were out I would have thought they would be able to cope admirably even if they can't run the absolute latest OS, after all a lot of machines are still running XP rather than Vista, or amm I missing something?

MB

25-02-2009, 18:18	#1
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Post Processing Hardware Hmmmm I have a problem, we have a number of PCs in the house but none of them are really ideal for post processing RAW files, the netbook is too small both from a processing and hard drive point of view the PC downstairs is atached to the projector which is rubbish because it auto calibrates for films and adjusts contrast on the fly, work laptop is a no no. I think I'm going to have to get something else, it needs to be compact with a good screen 17-22", have reasonable processing power and a good screen. So Which Mac do I need? MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

25-02-2009, 21:22	#3
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	An iMac would be the ideal candidate from the mac range. You could probably make a far more effective tool for processing images by building a PC if actual productivity is your main aim, rather than having a pretty computer. edit - also, regardless of any PC vs Mac debate, assuming you only want Mac, the new i7 models should be out fairly soon shouldn't they? Probably worth waiting for those if you do go that route. __________________ Last edited by divine; 25-02-2009 at 21:41.

25-02-2009, 22:43	#4
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	iMac 20" should do you nicely __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

26-02-2009, 11:50	#5
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	You know I think I would be quite happy with an older model iMac, is there any reason why they wouldn't cut it for photoprocessing? Odd though that there aren't that many on ebay. The comment about building a PC to do the same job is reasonable, I quite like the idea of having the whole thing as one unit though and I'd like to have a play with OSX as it seems idea for a media hub and iPod dock and maybe for watching the odd film on but the main reason for this is the photo editing. MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

26-02-2009, 11:53	#6
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	that is a surprise there aren't many for sale on ebay. How old are you thinking of going MB? __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

25-02-2009, 20:05	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	I'd say the iMac is the one to tick all those boxes. Of the others: Macbook - screen too small. Macbook Pro - would do the job if you were happy at the lower end of screen size (17") Mac Mini - underpowered for the job I'd suggest Mac Pro - don't think that can qualify as 'compact'.

26-02-2009, 11:56	#7
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Well maybe just the previous generation the iMac Core Duo? MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

26-02-2009, 12:04	#8
Matblack Baby Bore Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Svalbard Posts: 9,770	Scratch that I'd be happy with a G4 or a G5 or an Intel MB __________________ "we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two"

26-02-2009, 12:07	#9
Burble Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 7,826	Personally I wouldn't want a G4 or G5 as Apple are dropping PPC support in the next release of OS X.