Need new iMac and monitor suggestions

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02-09-2016, 04:35 PM
annmpacheco

Need new iMac and monitor suggestions

Im looking to retire my desktop dinosaur: 2007 iMac, 2.4 GHz Intel Core2 Duo, 4 GB 667 DDR2 DRAM, graphics: HD 2600 Pro 256MB... I have a macbook pro that is fast and up for the tasks of PP when on the road. It is a night and day comparison and the desktop has been "chugging" and "sluggish" at such a slower pace, the retirement is a done deal. The system is outdated and with big programs such as PS and LR and anything else opened, trouble ensues... I'm ready to buy, but don't know what to get.
Now, what do you Mac users recommend for a desktop: the latest iMac w retina display, or a mac mini and select monitor? There is always the back-up system to consider as well, but I would prefer to concentrate on the desktop and monitor for now.
thanks for your suggestions.

Ann
02-09-2016, 06:00 PM
arash_hazeghi

Hi Ann,

If you have an i7 quad core Macbook pro (15" mode) with 16GB RAM and SSD there is really no need to spend more money on a desktop iMac as it won't be much faster than your laptop. (The mac mini isn't spec'ed to handle image processing). I recommend investing on a quality desktop monitor made be NEC or EIZO to process your photos. You can get an external storage for your photos.

best
02-09-2016, 06:37 PM
annmpacheco

Quote:

Originally Posted by arash_hazeghi

Hi Ann,

If you have an i7 quad core Macbook pro (15" mode) with 16GB RAM and SSD there is really no need to spend more money on a desktop iMac as it won't be much faster than your laptop. (The mac mini isn't spec'ed to handle image processing). I recommend investing on a quality desktop monitor made be NEC or EIZO to process your photos. You can get an external storage for your photos.

best

Hi Arash, plot thickens... My macbook pro is mid 2012 and has the following: 2.3 GHz intel core i7, 8GB memory1600 MHz DDR3. Any thoughts... thanks
02-09-2016, 06:58 PM
arash_hazeghi

Quote:

Originally Posted by annmpacheco

Hi Arash, plot thickens... My macbook pro is mid 2012 and has the following: 2.3 GHz intel core i7, 8GB memory1600 MHz DDR3. Any thoughts... thanks

You need to upgrade the RAM on your MacBook pro. I think it will take 16GB.

It's always cheaper having to upgrade one system instead of two. So I'll just stick with the high-end laptop plus external display model. If you want a Desktop that's really head and shoulder above your macbook pro you need to step up to Mac Pro or custom build high performance PC with a 6-core CPU, SSD array and serious graphic cards. The PC solution is about $3500 while the Mac solution is about $5500. Both of these systems will be obsolete in 3-4 years and worth as little as $500 :Whoa!: so it's a cash burner.

Furthermore the retina screen for iMac isn't bad, but it's glossy and doesn't really stack up to the NEC displays that are specifically made for critical image processing. When you want to go beyond web posting and prepare your files for print/publication you will realize the value of such screen. It will serve you for many years to come

best
02-09-2016, 07:06 PM
annmpacheco

Quote:

Originally Posted by arash_hazeghi

You need to upgrade the RAM on your MacBook pro. I think it will take 16GB.

It's always cheaper having to upgrade one system instead of two. So I'll just stick with the high-end laptop plus external display model. If you want a Desktop that's really head and shoulder above your macbook pro you need to step up to Mac Pro or custom build high performance PC with a 6-core CPU, SSD array and serious graphic cards. The PC solution is about $3500 while the Mac solution is about $5500. Both of these systems will be obsolete in 3-4 years and worth as little as $500 :Whoa!: so it's a cash burner.

Furthermore the retina screen for iMac isn't bad, but it's glossy and doesn't really stack up to the NEC displays that are specifically made for critical image processing. When you want to go beyond web posting and prepare your files for print/publication you will realize the value of such screen. It will serve you for many years to come

best

Thanks Arash,
Grrrhhh just checked 2012 macbook pro w retina can not be upgraded.... soldered onto the logic board... can replace flash storage, but thats not going to help...

Maybe back to the new iMac and adding a display
Thanks
02-09-2016, 09:01 PM
arash_hazeghi

Quote:

Originally Posted by annmpacheco

Thanks Arash,
Grrrhhh just checked 2012 macbook pro w retina can not be upgraded.... soldered onto the logic board... can replace flash storage, but thats not going to help...

Maybe back to the new iMac and adding a display
Thanks

I wouldn't buy an imac, I would sell the old Macbook then buy a new Macbook Pro with full specs + a professional external display, more bang for your buck and you are covered both at home and on the road. but it's up to you.
02-09-2016, 09:38 PM
Stan Bax

Fully in agreement with Arash here, sold my pc tower and MacBook Air, kept my eizo monitor, then bought a MacBook Pro with high specs in 2014. Haven't looked back !

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
02-16-2016, 08:32 PM
Fred Woodman

is there a specific monitor you'd recommend.?
02-17-2016, 12:38 AM
arash_hazeghi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Woodman

is there a specific monitor you'd recommend.?

I use NEC PA322UHD but basically most models made by NEC or EIZO will fit the bill. The larger the better if you can afford it and of course the 4K displays are amazing and give you a lot more working space....
02-18-2016, 06:49 AM
Fred Woodman

thank you.!

Quote:

Originally Posted by arash_hazeghi

I use NEC PA322UHD but basically most models made by NEC or EIZO will fit the bill. The larger the better if you can afford it and of course the 4K displays are amazing and give you a lot more working space....
02-18-2016, 12:12 PM
Stan Bax

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Woodman

is there a specific monitor you'd recommend.?

Hi again!

A bit late answering this – busy travelling ;)

I fully agree with Arash's recommendation.

Over on the European side of the pond my current recommendations would be:

Office use monitors – Generally stay away

Universal & photography monitors Between amateur and professional use. These monitors borrow a lot of solutions from the pro monitors. Require appropriate workplace lighting and good calibration. Setup and calibration is professional, specifically EIZO CS monitors are supplied with calibration tools/hardware.

23" [16x9] [1920x1080] NEC P232W [IPS] [sRGB] [W-LED] [PWM 180Hz] [✔︎]
23" [16x9] [1920x1080] NEC SV232 [IPS] [sRGB] [W-LED] [PWM 180Hz] [✔︎]
23" [16x9] [1920x1080] EIZO CS230 [IPS] [sRGB] [W-LED] [DC 9KHz] [✔︎]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] NEC P241W [IPS] [sRGB] [W-LED] [PWM 180Hz] [✘]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] NEC P242W [IPS] [sRGB] [W-LED] [PWM 180Hz] [✔︎]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO CS240 [IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [✔︎]
32" [16x9] [3840x2160] EIZO EV3237 [IPS] [sRGB] [✔︎]

Pro graphics monitors
Highest quality, suitable for all applications, including very difficult & demanding photo reproduction (neutral gray, skin tones etc. are easily and correctly reproduced). Most of these may well serve as soft proofing monitors, and meet UGRA / FOGRA specs. All in this group are hardware calibrated, unfortunately for some of them, the producers do not provide the necessary calibration tools and equipment (but then a calibrator isn’t that expensive and will last a long time).

22" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO SX2262W [S-PVA] [AdobeRGB] [WG-CCFL] [PWM 300Hz] [✆]
22" [16x10] [1600x1050] EIZO CG223W [S-PVA] [AdobeRGB] [WG-CCFL] [PWM 300Hz] [✆]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO SX2462W [S-PVA] [AdobeRGB] [WG-CCFL] [PWM 300Hz] [✘]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO CX240 [PLS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [G-Br] [PWM 18KHz] [✆]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO CX241 [PLS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 18KHz] [✔︎]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] NEC PA241W [IPS] [AdobeRGB] [WG-CCFL] [PWM 200Hz] [✆]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] NEC PA242W [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 20KHz] [✔︎]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] NEC Reference SV242 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 20KHz] [✔︎]
27" [16x9] [2560x1440] EIZO CX270 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [WG-CCFL] [PWM 300Hz] [✆]
27" [16x9] [2560x1440] EIZO CX271 [IPS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 18KHz] [✔︎]
27" [16x9] [2560x1440] NEC PA272W [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 44KHz] [✔︎]
27" [16x9] [2560x1440] NEC Reference SV272 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 44KHz] [✔︎]
30" [16x10] [2560x1600] NEC PA301 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [W-LED] [PWM 280Hz] [✆]
30" [16x10] [2560x1600] NEC PA302 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 49KHz] [✔︎]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO CG246 [PLS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [G-Br] [PWM 18KHz] [✆]
24" [16x10] [1920x1200] EIZO CG247 [PLS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [G-Br] [PWM 18KHz] [✔︎]
24" [16x9] [3840x2160] EIZO CG248 [PLS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [G-Br] [PWM 18KHz] [✔︎]
27" [16x9] [2560x1440] EIZO CG276 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [WG-CCFL] [PWM 300Hz] [✆]
27" [16x9] [2560x1440] EIZO CG277 [IPS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 18KHz] [✔︎]
30" [16x10] [2560x1600] NEC SV301 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [W-LED] [PWM 280Hz] [✘]
30" [16x10] [2560x1600] NEC SV302 [AH-IPS] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM 49KHz] [✔︎]
32" [16x9] [3840x2160] NEC PA322UHD [IPS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [GB-r] [PWM] [✔︎]
32" [1,9x1] [4096x2160] EIZO CG318-4K [IPS+OCF] [AdobeRGB] [RGB LED] [PWM+DC] [✔︎]

The recommendation is based on http://mva.pl/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=152 it’s unfortunately in Polish but it’s a site I generally trust when it comes to monitor specs & evaluation!

Explanation of symbols:
[SIZE] [FORMAT] [RESOLUTION] [MODEL] [TYPE] [GAMUT] [LIGHT - Type] [LIGHT - Power] [Availability in Poland]
✔︎ - Model in production, normally available.
✆ - Production run over, sometimes available on order or in inventory clearance sales.
✘ - Production run over, completely unavailable. Sometimes available as used.

:S3: Regards,

Stan
02-21-2016, 03:08 AM
arash_hazeghi

NEC have some great refurbished deals on their USA website now. There were a few 32" 4K refurb. monitors going for under $1000! (new is $3000)